Terence Davis wants to return to Kings next season

It was a busy trade deadline for Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair. He made three deals to bring in Terence Davis, Moe Harkless and Delon Wright.

All three have made nice contributions since joining the team. Davis and Harkless will be up for free agency at the conclusion of the season, while Wright still has one year remaining on his contract.

Davis — who was acquired from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a 2021 second-round selection — fits in nicely with the Kings. He’s averaging 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 20.5 minutes per game.

The soon-to-be restricted free agent was asked about his future in Sacramento and indicated that he would love to return next season (h/t Jason Jones of The Athletic).

“It’s definitely looking like that,” Davis said. “When asked about the idea of returning to Sacramento. “It’s looking really good for me. I would say this is some of the best basketball I’ve played in my career, even in college, this is a stretch of some of the best games I’ve played in my entire life.”

Davis was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team while playing for the Toronto Raptors last season. He has provided an offensive spark when coming off the bench and has been a consistent threat with the ball in his hands.

“For us, we see it as he can be that instant offense off the bench,” head coach Luke Walton said. “We’re going to run plays for him. He likes to get out and run, he’s getting steals for us, and he’s somebody that can add a spark, which is a very important thing for teams. You look at what Jordan Clarkson is doing in Utah this year. You go down the line, and a lot of these good teams have somebody that if it’s not going well, there’s somebody who can come off the bench and spark it.”

The 23-year-old has stepped up without De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, and Tyrese Haliburton in the lineup. Davis leads the Kings in scoring over the past seven games, averaging 17.1 points. Sacramento is 6-1 during that stretch and has improbably hung around in the Western Conference play-in race.

Davis was surprised to find out he had been dealt to the Kings, and it took him some time to get comfortable in his new surroundings.

“I didn’t think I’d be traded but ended up finding a good spot here in Sacramento,” Davis said. “When I first got here, I was trying to fit in with the guys. I talked to Luke and (assistant coach) Rico Hines, and the first thing they told me was when you come here, just be you. I think as these games kept going along, I continued to find my place on this team and learn to fit in.”

McNair will have some tough decisions to make this offseason. Along with Davis and Harkless, centers Richaun Holmes and Hassan Whiteside could also hit the open market. McNair preached about maintaining financial flexibility when he first took the job, so retaining cheaper, talented players like Davis could be a way to do that.

Do you think the Kings should try to bring back Davis?