What are some realistic trades the Sacramento Kings could make this winter?
A lot of signs are starting to point towards a busy trade deadline for the Sacramento Kings with every player available at the right price. Rumors surrounding De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield have continued throughout the season and recent comments from Fox indicate that he may want out of Sacramento before too long.
A handful of other stars around the NBA have had their names tossed around the headlines lately. The Kings could very well offer an enticing package to bring in a quality player to build around or even to accumulate more picks and try building for the future once again.
I think it is time to explore every possible trade that comes across the desk in the front office. With no clear plan for success and a ton of guard depth, the Kings can comfrotably move on from some assets in order to construct a better path for the future.
At some point, the Kings have to eat their losses and try something new regardless of how fun this team can be. There is a lot of young talent already on the roster, making for an exciting future if they can make the right moves.
Here are a few big trades that could shake things up for the Kings prior to the trade deadline.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have not been as dominant as many expected them to be just a few years ago, leaving Boston wanting for more. They desperately need another star to play next to Tatum that won’t clog the wing and take away his looks on offense.
De’Aaron Fox has expressed his frustration with the team’s losing ways and a fresh start for him might be worth it in the end. Moving him for a very proming wing player in Jaylen Brown would clear up the backcourt in Sacramento while also adding Brown to be the team’s best player.
Marvin Bagley III has been in no-man’s land for most of his career. Sending him to Boston would sweeten the pot a bit for the Celtics as they need some help in the frontcourt.
Both teams have the talent to compete in the playoffs but are both on the outside looking in right now. Each team currently sits in 10th place in its respective conference but still within striking distance heading into the back half of the season.
Brown is one of the few available players I would trade De’Aaron Fox for, especially since the Kings have replacements for Fox already on the roster. Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell can man the point for the future with Hield, Brown, and Holmes surrounding them in the starting lineup.
Pascal Siakam is not guaranteed to be moved any time soon but the struggling Raptors could move him for future assets if they do not believe they can turn this season around. Siakam bursted onto the scene two years ago and has been one of the best bigs in the NBA ever since. The Raptors have fallen back a bit the past two seasons, however, and something needs to happen within the organization.
The Kings have a valuable asset in Buddy Hield who can help a playoff team as a perimeter scorer. Toronto could always flip Hield as part of a three-team deal or use keep him as the leader on a young team that can still reach the playoffs on its own.
Bagley is still young but things have not clicked particularly well for him in Sacramento. Prior to this season, Bagley had recorded 14 points and 7.4 rebounds per game but those numbers have dropped significantly in just 13 games this season.
There is still a ton of talent to be found in Bagley and the right team could help blossom him into a very good player. If one team can do it, it’s the Toronto Raptors. They have developed a ton of young talent over the years, one of which is included in this deal.
This would be the ideal landing spot for Marvin Bagley if you asked me.
Bing Bong! The Knicks need a shakeup. They took the league by storm last season and gave everyone the feeling that the Knicks were officially back in the mix. Now, just one season later, they are 12-16 and sit near the bottom of the East.
They have been on the prowl for a starting point guard for what feels like forever and this is the time to strike. They can offer the Kings quite the package of young assets and matching salary to pry De’Aaron Fox away.
A package of Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, a 2022 first-round pick, and matching salaries would sacrifice a lot of New York’s future but gives them the star they need to try to win right now. Fox, Randle, and Barrett would be a very promising core for the Knicks.
The only hangup with this offer is the salary issue, which would deplete a lot of depth on the Knicks’ side. A third team could get involved to help make money work but the gist of the deal is Fox to the Knicks for young assets that can kickstart yet another rebuild.
If Sacramento does not believe they can win right now with an incoming star, this is the way to go at the deadline.