Freaking out — just the right amount — about the Quincy Acy trade
By Scott Levin
Dec 15, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward QUincy Acy (5) reacts after dunk against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Houston Rockets 106-91. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Sacramento Kings traded two end-of-the-bench guys to the New York Knicks for two other end-of-the-bench guys and a draft pick consideration.
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In the grand scheme, it’s a sideways move. Very little impact. This won’t prevent the Kings from making the playoffs, nor will it propel them there.
But it’s still OK to dislike this trade. Because losing Quincy Acy stinks.
Acy was a steal, a throw-in from the Rudy Gay trade that turned out to have some legitimate worth. After a half-season of proving his value with hardwork, Acy showed off some of his improved talent on both ends this summer. His passion, effort and new-found offense helped the Kings win it all in Vegas.
And all that for $915,000? It seemed like a no-brainer to bring Acy back.
Evidently, it wasn’t so cut-and-dried. The presence of three power forwards making more than $6 million ultimately doomed Acy. The Kings, unsurprisingly, have yet to find a taker for Jason Thompson, Carl Landry or Derrick Williams. That’s in addition to Reggie Evans and newcomer Eric Moreland, who are also under contract.
The Kings desire to turn over the roster also played a role. We keep hearing that last year’s squad won just 28 games so nobody should be safe. But that doesn’t mean the Kings should just usher out young, cheap talent for the sake of switching things up.
Sacramento had maybe a handful of guys last year who hated to lose, guys who left it all on the floor every night for the team. Two of those guys — Isaiah Thomas and Acy — were shown the door. And again, Acy was let go in a deal that saves the Kings about $300,000 and according to Sam Amick, takes the protections off a pick they already owned.
At 24, with the right attitude, a blossoming skill-set and a dirt-cheap contract, Acy should have been a priority. Unfortunately, he’s just the latest fan-favorite to hit the road.
Don’t freak out. Things will get better. But this still sucks.