A Royal Pain
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The Sacramento Kings Should Trade Cory Joseph

By Anthony Cardenas

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 4: Cory Joseph #9 and Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings high five during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 4, 2020 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 4: Cory Joseph #9 and Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings high five during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 4, 2020 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Rumors are swirling around the NBA ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, and one dark horse candidate to be dealt is the Kings’ Cory Joseph.

There are plenty of names going through the NBA rumor mill as we approach the trade deadline, but there is one player who might provide good return value for the Kings that few people are talking about. Sacramento has suffered injuries up and down their roster this season, but one position that has been kept afloat throughout the year is point guard, thanks in large part to Cory Joseph and his contributions.

Joseph was one of the Kings’ off-season acquisitions and was expected to provide defense and veteran leadership behind starter De’Aaron Fox. But when Fox went down with an ankle injury just a few weeks into the season, Joseph was thrust in to a starting role and was able to keep Sacramento afloat with his solid play.

Joseph’s Game

His numbers are modest and always have been. He averages just 6 points per game, a number that actually decreased when his usage grew with Fox out of the lineup. He struggles at times offensively and is a 33% career 3-point shooter. But he is known for his defensive prowess, and it was on display for the Kings early in the year.

Joseph was applauded for his ability to be a stopper with Fox out, playing excellent defense in big games against guys like Kemba Walker, Luka Doncic, and James Harden. While he certainly was not able to shut any of them down, he was able to take them out of their games just enough for the Kings to swoop in and steal unlikely victories against some of the league’s elite teams.

Effects Of A Trade

If the Kings are not in asset-collecting, player-development mode yet, they will be very soon. They have gotten what they can out of Joseph, and he may be looking to play for a contender down the stretch. Sacramento would be smart to do their due diligence and make some phone calls to gauge the league’s interest on a solid, defensive-minded backup point guard.

The Kings backcourt going forward would be in fine shape without Joseph. Yogi Ferrell would move in to the backup point guard role and Sacramento would likely have Kyle Guy join the roster for the remainder of the season. Guy has been showing flashes of potential down in Stockton, and a 3-month big-league tryout with no expectations involved might be the perfect recipe for him.

It is unclear what type of return that Joseph would command, but it won’t be a Kings’ ransom. Sacramento would likely receive a second-round pick for their troubles if no other players were involved. If the acquiring team wishes to send back a player to match salaries, then it is possible that Joseph could command a late-first round pick in the 2020 Draft.

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The Sacramento Kings have a chance to be one of the most active teams before Thursday’s deadline with plenty of moveable pieces on their roster and a season slipping away from them. While Bogdan Bogdanovic and Dewayne Dedmon will be the subjects of most rumors, don’t count Joseph out of any possible swaps.

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