A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings trade grade: 3 team deal with Utah and Cleveland

By Tyler Watts

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 9: Iman Shumpert #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 9, 2016 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 9: Iman Shumpert #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 9, 2016 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 23: Joe Johnson #6 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court in the second half of the 103-89 win by the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 23: Joe Johnson #6 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court in the second half of the 103-89 win by the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Joe Johnson

Joe Johnson was a necessary piece to make the deal work, but do not expect to see him in a Kings uniform.  Reports say Johnson will ask for a buyout and Sacramento should grant it.  Having a 36-year-old Johnson does not do them any favors despite the fact that he can still ball.  Good luck to Joe Johnson in chasing that ring this season.  I suspect he signs with the Golden State Warriors and collects it.

2020 2nd round pick and cash

Now down to what the Kings really wanted, but failed to receive.  Sacramento wanted a first round pick.  Teams were reluctant to part with those selections this year more than ever.  Only three first-round picks moved over the deadline period.  The Pistons gave one up for Blake Griffin, the Pelicans for Nikola Mirotic, but they forced the Bulls into taking on some contracts they no longer wanted, and the Cavs traded one to the Lakers on deadline day.  That left the Kings in the cold.

All Sacramento could muster for Hill was a 2020 second round pick that is originally from the Miami Heat.  That selection is likely in the mid-second round in 2020, so both a long way off and into the part of the draft that makes it difficult to get value.  The pick left me wanting more.  The cash is important to the organization, but fans want to win not make the owner rich.  Let us eliminate the dollars from our thought process in general and grade the trade.

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