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

By Austin Carroll

Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Larry Drew, Sacramento Kings
Larry Drew, Sacramento Kings (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Best trades in Sacramento Kings history: Larry Drew defies all expectations

This deal took place in 1977, and while it doesn’t involve the splashiest of moves, it showcases a front office savviness that should have bode well for the future of the Kings. Brian Taylor was the 1973 ABA Rookie of the Year, and he’d follow up on that to be selected to two All-Star teams, three All-Defensive teams, and even win two ABA championships with the Nets before joining the Kings.

Upon joining the NBA and the Kansas City Kings in the 1976-77 season, Taylor was out to prove himself. He averaged a career-high 17 points while dishing out 4.4 assists per game and shooting 50.4 percent from the field. However, as talent from the ABA and NBA continued to merge, Taylor was set to begin an immediate and unexpected decline. That 1977 season marked the last time Taylor would be a huge scoring threat, and the Kings traded him away for the 7-foot-2 Tom Burleson before that decline could ever begin.

  • Sacramento received: 6.9 future win shares
  • Denver received: 2.2 future win shares

The Kings and the Pistons have enjoyed a rather extensive trade history, with the two teams completing 10 different trades in franchise history, tied for the second-highest among all of Sacramento’s trade partners. While I was tempted to pick the 1994 trade that sent Olden Polynice to the Kings, I believe this trade was the biggest steal in terms of value.

Following a disappointing rookie season, the Pistons dealt away rookie guard Larry Drew for two second-round picks. These became Dave Magley and Tony Costner, the former only logged 56 total minutes before retiring, the latter never played in an NBA game at all. Drew’s story played out differently, as he enjoyed a 10-year career where he averaged 15.8 points and 6.7 assists as a starter for the Kings. Following his playing days, he began a career in coaching. As the 2021-22 season kicks off, he’s set to begin his 30th season as an NBA coach.

  • Sacramento received: 21.2 future win shares
  • Denver received: 0.0 future win shares
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