With the NBA trade deadline approaching, the Sacramento Kings should not press the panic button.
With the NBA trade deadline quickly approaching, teams around the league are rushing to make blockbuster trades, whether it is to secure a playoff spot or build a young core for years to come.
The Sacramento Kings have been at the forefront of these talks for weeks, as they have an excess of young assets, expiring contracts, and cap space. However, such assets do not depreciate in value quickly, and the Kings would be foolish to make a trade out of a sense of urgency.
Playoffs Should Not Be The End Game
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Many point to the Boston Celtics having the Kings’ draft pick as a reason for Sacramento to go all-in for a playoff berth this season. But Making the playoffs this season should not come at the cost of the long-term flexibility of the franchise.
With burgeoning young players like De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield, Sacramento is guaranteed relevance in the NBA for years to come. Mortgaging picks and young prospects like Marvin Bagley III for a star like Anthony Davis, who would likely come and go before De’Aaron’s prime, would push the team to a level where they can be good enough to compete but never good enough to contend.
Follow Golden State’s Path
Patience in building through player development, free agency, and the draft can lead to much more success. For example, look to the Golden State Warriors. Rather than make a blockbuster Klay Thompson for Kevin Love trade that would move their window forward, they let their players develop before adding key pieces through free agency, like Andre Iguodala.
The Kings should follow that model, as they have great young players who are poised to keep improving and are not hamstrung by poor cap decisions, allowing them to add a big piece in free agency who fits the team’s culture and timeline. They just need to wait for the right one to come along.