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Sacramento Kings: Making Great Trades Is A Must For Vlade Divac

By John Kelly

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 30: Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks greets General Manager Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings on January 30, 2019 at Golden 1 Center 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 30: Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks greets General Manager Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings on January 30, 2019 at Golden 1 Center 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The odds are high that the Sacramento Kings will make some noise as the trade deadline comes closer.

As the trade deadline gets nearer by the day, the Sacramento Kings are in a good position. They have a bevy of young talent that they could deal for teams that are looking to rebuild, as well as veterans guys that could attract teams that are looking to make a playoff run.

The Kings also have the ability to take on a bad contract in a trade. So if they have the chance to pick up a young asset or future draft picks, the chances of succeeding would increase if they can take on some salary cap as well.

The ONLY thing for the Kings to avoid during this trade deadline is to make a trade for the sake of making headlines. An example that comes to my mind is when they traded Malachi Richardson in exchange for Bruno Caboclo.

If The Kings Decide To Make No Trades

If the Kings go in this direction, it shows that they could not get an offer to their liking or they believe they have a good thing going with their current youngsters. This also means that Willie Cauley-Stein remains a King for the rest of the season. Does he still remain of a piece of the team’s rebuild going forth?

Trades have to make your team better hands down.

This type of trade would be the most ideal for Sacramento. Even though they want to compete in the postseason this year, developing a title contender down the road is the long-term goal.

The best way to make strides in this goal is to trade for young players that can be a part of the Kings’ rebuild going forward. Right now, the Kings’ biggest hole on their personnel is a legit starting small forward. So if they could acquire someone who fits that mold before the deadline expires, it would be huge for the purple and white.

Do the Kings make trades just to get into the playoffs?

This is a tough decision for Sacramento. Do they take on short-term rentals in order to get a taste of the playoffs this year? As long as the Kings get better without splitting up their main young core, it is a good risk to take, in my opinion.

SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 29: Commentator Reggie Miller talks with General Manager Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings prior to the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 29, 2018 at Golden 1 Center 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 29: Commentator Reggie Miller talks with General Manager Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings prior to the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 29, 2018 at Golden 1 Center 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

A player that can help the Kings this season is a solid wing player or a playmaking facilitator. An example could be to get someone like Jeremy Lin from the Atlanta Hawks for Skal Labissiere considering the Hawks are looking to go young.

Another trade could be to get someone like Harrison Barnes or Otto Porter Jr. if the Kings part ways with Willie Cauley-Stein and other assets. This trade also has the chance to help the Kings’ future plans as well.

A bad example of a trade would be to go after Marc Gasol. Receiving a veteran big who may not even help increase the Kings’ postseason chances would be a bad move, in my mind. Not even mentioning his expensive contract as well.

Final Thoughts

Will the Kings be involved in a blockbuster trade? Most likely, no. The one player who could draw interest from other teams that I hope the Kings do not trade is Iman Shumpert. If Shumpert does end up getting dealt, it could affect the Kings’ youngsters in a negative way due to them losing a valuable veteran mentor in him.

In time, we will see what Vlade Divac ends up doing. 

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