A Royal Pain
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Sacramento Kings: Three trade ideas to address hole at small forward

By Jonathan Roberts

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 18: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Portland Trailblazers on November 18, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 18: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Portland Trailblazers on November 18, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER – NOVEMBER 15: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots during a game played on November 15, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER – NOVEMBER 15: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots during a game played on November 15, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks make a deal to help both teams in different ways.

"Sacramento Kings Receive SG/SF Kent Bazemore Atlanta Hawks Receive SG Iman Shumpert PF Skal Labissiere 2021 Lottery-Protected First-Round Pick (via Sac)"

Kent Bazemore, who’s in the third year of a four-year, $70 million deal, was the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason and while Bazemore’s top-two trade destinations are reportedly the Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks, the Kings could be a good fit for him.

On the season, Bazemore is averaging 14.7 points, four rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals on .459/.324/.774 shooting. Overall, his shooting percentages are down, but his true shooting percentage and effective field goal percentage are both up compared to last season.

Sacramento desperately needs a reliable option on the wing and Iman Shumpert and Justin Jackson just aren’t cutting it. Bazemore is a capable rebounder and scorer, something the Kings sorely need.

In the trade itself, the Sacramento Kings aren’t giving up much aside from that lottery-protected pick and have every reason to shoot for a playoff spot. Will Bazemore put them over the top? Probably not, but the Kings have played good basketball without a good option at the three and Bazemore can make them better by addressing that need.

Furthermore, Bazemore plays fast. His 108.74 pace on the season ranks 34th among all NBA players with at least seven games played on the season. The Kings as a team, play at a 106.25 pace, good enough for second in the NBA.

light. Related Story. Is Skal Labissiere still part of the Kings future?

For the Hawks, this move gives them financial flexibility in the future and they get a future first as well as a young player in Skal Labissiere who could benefit from a change in scenery.

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