Way clear for Nets bid on Otto Porter?

In a series of moves Tuesday, the Sacramento Kings signed George Hill for $57 million over three years and Zach Randolph for $24 million over two, seemingly eliminating them from bidding on restricted free agent Otto Porter ... and likely clearing the way for the Nets to move on the small forward.

David Aldridge of NBA.com tweeted...

Whether Washington’s claims that they will match any offer for Porter scared off the Kings off or they liked Hill and Randolph better, Sacramento appears to be out of the mix. As Bobby Marks tweeted out the math...

“The Zach Randolph and George Hill signing now has Sacramento with $25.3M in cap space. The room will likely shrink with the addition of former first round pick Bogdan Bogdanovic. The 12 guaranteed contracts include 8 players on rookie contracts.”

Bogdanovic (no relation) is expected to get a three-year $27 million deal.

Chris Haynes of ESPN who first reported two days ago that the Kings had made a max offer to Porter, also tweeted the Kings are out.

A max offer for Porter would amount to four years and $106 million, with a starting salary of $24.75 million.

The Nets were reportedly meeting with Porter and his agents at some time over the extended holiday weekend. On Monday, Jeremy Lin was seen in the same Washington area hotel where Porter’s agent has his office ... and presumably where Falk and Porter met with team reps.

Haynes also said a third team was expected to meet with Porter, but did not identify which team. One of those rumored to be interested was Atlanta but on Monday, the Hawks agreed to be part of a sign-and-trade that will send Paul Millsap to Denver and Danilo Gallinari to the Clippers. In that deal, Atlanta wound up the Jamal Crawford’s $14 million contract and a first round pick.

The Nets have lost out on three offer sheets to Tyler Johnson ($50 million) and Allen Crabbe ($75 million) last July as well as Donatas Motiejunas ($36 million) in December.

The Wizards are under significant pressure to keep Porter who at 24 has been one of the pillars of their strategy going forward. As the third option, after John Wall and Bradley Beal, Porter supplied 13.4 points and 6.4 rebounds, shooting 43.4 percent from the arc, one of the top marks in the NBA last season. He’s missed only 17 games the past three seasons.

So why would the Nets give it a shot, considering all that and their record of missing on three previous tries. Amin elHassan, the ESPN analyst, said on Saturday that appears to be part of Sean Marks strategy until he can get first round picks back. He’ll keep tossing darts at the board until one of them hits the bullseye, said Hassan.

Washington, however, has never paid a dime in luxury tax in franchise history and keeping Porter would force them beyond the tax threshold.

• Otto Porter’s free agency prospects have dimmed. Will the Nets offer the max? - Tim Bontemps - Washington Post