Size is severely misunderstood in the NBA. But through advanced analytics, front offices can laser in on how a player impacts facets of the game regardless of size. The Kings were not one of those teams judging by Vlade Divac firing the guy who basically wrote the book on analytics, Dean Oliver. They also chose not to keep Isaiah Thomas, who did this to Trevor Ariza in the first ever Seattle Pro Am, Drew League showdown.
The 5’9″ point guard makes up for his size with a 6’1″ wingspan. Not too great, but he also hustles really hard, which is honestly the majority of defense. He has blinders on when he has the ball and takes it to the rim at times, but the dude has a knack for scoring the ball. Letting him go was a classic Kings move.
[reddit]