The Sacramento Kings made a blockbuster three-team trade at the deadline moving on from George Hill. This article grades that deal from a Kings’ perspective.
The Sacramento Kings did not let the 2018 trade deadline slip by without making a pair of moves. They have already committed to a youth movement and to continue that path they shipped out a veteran. Below is a Tweet from Jason Jones describing the details of the trade we will examine.
Kings get Iman Shumpert, Joe Johnson, Miami's 2020 2nd round pick and a little over $3 million cash. Send George Hill to Cleveland
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) February 8, 2018
Bye George Hill
Moving on from George Hill was the only play for the Kings at this point. De’Aaron Fox has proven he is ready to take the keys to the offensive. Fox should be playing 32 minutes a night and running the show. That left a primarily spot-up role for a 31-year-old who is accustomed to more.
Hill now heads to Cleveland to be the secondary ball handler and starting point guard next to LeBron James. He excelled in that role in Indiana next to Paul George. Look for Hill to finish the season with a flourish with the Cavaliers.
Sacramento still made the right play here. Hill never fully fit into the team and has too much talent for the role left for him with the Kings. Let us now examine what Sacramento got in return.
Iman Shumpert
Five long months ago, I wrote about the Kings having interest in Iman Shumpert which you can read the full story here. The article received significant blowback, but it came true on Feb. 8.
Let’s face it Shumpert is the type of player the organization values on the wing. Shumpert is a player who does the intangibles. The box score line is never flashy, but he plays a 25-minute role well. He has had a positive VORP according to Basketball-Reference every season of his career. Shumpert is a solid defender who does not command the ball or force his offense. The correlation to current King Garrett Temple is apt one as they are similar players in many ways.
Related Story: Kings steal of the 2018 draft: Michael Porter Jr.
Adding Shumpert was necessary for matching contracts, and he comes with an $11 million player option for next season. One he is likely to exercise, but the Kings are probably fine with that. Temple has a player option as well. If Temple moves on, expect Shumpert to fill his shoes. Sacramento should have plenty of cap space, so Shumpert’s $11 million will not be a death nail next season.
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.
Grade and final thoughts
The Sacramento Kings traded George Hill for Iman Shumpert, Joe Johnson (no value if he is bought out), a 2020 second round pick and cash.
Trade Grade: C+
Overall, the Kings opened up value playing time for what they hope is their star player in five years’ time and got back a rotation piece for next season and a second-round pick. The trade left a little to be desired given Hill’s on-court ability, but ultimately it was the right move for a rebuilding franchise.
I wish the Kings would have traded away a few other veterans and went all in on playing their young talent. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Hopefully, the veterans continue to provide leadership and mentoring to the rookies, but see less playing time in the games. I am not sure Coach Joerger will back me on this philosophy, though. Stay tuned to find out.
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