The Sacramento Kings Should Trade for Kristaps Porzingis
By Kyle Robert
The Sacramento Kings should ABSOLUTELY trade for Kristaps Porzingis.
NBA Twitter and the sports world were set ablaze when the notion came out that Kristaps Porzingis could be available in a trade from the New York Knicks. Phil Jackson even went as far to say, “As much as we love this guy, we have to do what’s best for the club”. The iron is hot and it’s time to strike.
The Latvian Gangbanger is only 21 years of age and is coming off of a season where he averaged around 18 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. The 7’3” big man can also step out and hit 35% of his three-point attempts. He did all this in his second season in the NBA, so there is so much room for growth it’s insane.
The following players have made 110+ threes and blocked 110+ shots in a season before turning 22:
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) June 22, 2017
Kristaps Porzingis
That's it. Trade him.
Building around a center who can be a legit rim runner, hit threes and protect the rim would make Vlade Divac’s job much easier.
Porzingis is still on his very team-friendly rookie deal that would keep him around for three more seasons for sure and likely a five-year extension beyond that. Oh, and assuming he hits one of the qualifications, Porzingis would be eligible for the supermax or 35% of the salary cap because the Kings landed him on his rookie deal.
Per RealGM, in order to qualify “players must have been named to an All-NBA team in the previous season or two of the previous three, or either be an MVP or Defensive Player of the Year in any of the previous three seasons.”
Based upon his trajectory, Porzingis should have a reasonable chance at hitting one of the stipulations and be able to lock in the larger extension before playing ten seasons in the league.
Building around a seven-footer who can shoot threes, protect the rim and has already made huge shots in Madison Square Garden seems like a great idea.
Some may be asking why would the Knicks trade him? Well, Phil Jackson and James Dolan run this team for starters. Also, Phil seems enamored with Lauri Markkanen who he assumes is basically Porzingis 2.0 which is CRAZY! Oh, and Porzingis didn’t show up for exit interviews with Phil because of his treatment of Carmelo Anthony. Jackson can be petty and this is another example in a long line.
The question becomes, what will it cost the Kings?
For starters, The New York Knicks are reportedly very interested in Kansas wing Josh Jackson. The Kings package would have to start with the fifth pick. As enamored as we all are with De’Aaron Fox, myself included, this is a no-brainer.
Fox has big questions in his game, especially with his jump shot. If he fails to develop it at the next level, we won’t have the superstar we all want.
Beyond that, it would likely take some young pieces and more picks. It should be fine moving some combination of Buddy Hield, Willie Cauley-Stein, Skal Labissiere, Malachi Richardson and pick #10 and #34.
Obviously, it wouldn’t include all of that but they should be fine moving most of it. It would also depend on whether Joakim Noah had to be included. Sacramento has plenty of cap space to absorb the contract and it would require the Kings to give up less.
In a perfect world, Vlade and company give up #5, the young player the Knicks want most, and #34. It probably takes more than that but it would be a good place to start. A second young piece or #10 would likely get it done. Ideally, Noah is not included in this scenario.
The Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and other teams will be lining up to present offers as well. If Boston offers #3, the pick they got from Philadelphia and Marcus Smart or Avery Bradley, the Knicks may lean that way. Especially because Josh Jackson is very likely sitting there when they come on the clock.
If the Kings can add Porzingis, they could reverse course this summer and make some serious noise in free agency. The have cap room and could lure some talent to play alongside him. It would likely set the Kings up for a playoff spot in 2017 or 2018. It would also make the 2019 pick owed to Philly not hurt as bad.
Next: 6 players Sacramento should target in the draft
This trade is probably more of a pipe dream than a reality. Let’s wait for the peyote to kick in and get Phil to send Porzingis to Sactown.