Sacramento Kings: Best trade in team history with every NBA franchise

Best trades in Sacramento Kings history: Buddy Hield lives up to big expectations

For many fans, DeMarcus Cousins is the best player they have ever seen wear a Sacramento Kings uniform. He was the face of the team for nearly seven full seasons and introduced many to the sport we all love. But it was clear the Boogie experiment was not working, and the Kings picked the perfect time to move him before it all fell apart. Cousins would struggle through injuries both seasons in New Orleans, failing to be that second star the Pelicans hoped would mesh with Anthony Davis.

Injuries have defined his career ever since, as he struggles to find a team even now in 2021 after being named to an All-NBA Team in just 2018. While the return package for Cousins was perceived as less than stellar at first, Buddy Hield has truly risen to the occasion and been the player the Kings needed him to become. Hield is now a top-three shooter in the league today and will be a crucial asset towards shaping this current squad back into a contender, either through his performance, or a trade.

• Sacramento received: 15.9 future win shares (and counting)
• New Orleans received: 6.3 future win shares

While the Kings and Knicks haven’t had too many impactful trades occur between the two besides the aforementioned three-team trade that sent Robinzine to Cleveland, this series of trades was definitely very memorable.

For starters, Vlade Divac brings a man named Scott Perry to serve as vice president in April of 2017. Perry assists with the draft process and overhauling the roster, before receiving interest from the New York Knicks to be their new general manager. Perry, not yet having time to get attached to Sacramento, would love this position. The Kings grant him permission and trade him for a 2019 second-round draft pick and a big ‘ole pile of cash.

Fast forward to 2019, the Knicks decide they’d like their draft pick back. The Kings oblige to return the No. 47 pick, but only if New York sends back the No. 55 and $1 million in cash. The Knicks agree and take Ignas Brazdeikis, while the Kings select fan-favorite Kyle Guy. When it was all said and done, the Kings gave up absolutely nothing while receiving a lot of financial relief and the opportunity to root for Guy’s journey in the NBA.

• Sacramento received: 0.0 future win shares
• New York received: 0.0 future win shares