The longer the Sacramento Kings stay at the top of the NBA’s western conference, the clearer it becomes to everyone that this team is no joke. They are as talented as anyone and they can certainly score the ball with the best of them.
Talent and offensive abilities make them the type of team no one will want to see in the playoffs. Whether or not the Kings can make a run during the eastern conference playoffs may come down to whether or not they make the right moves at the NBA trade deadline.
Finding the balance between not giving up too much and hurting the future but also getting pieces that help right now is key for every GM. That is naturally part of the job for Kings GM Monte McNair at this year’s trade deadline. McNair has proven he can swing the perfect deals while balancing the short term against the long term.
Kings biggest roster needs
The Kings have a few roster needs that stand out well above the others. Like most teams, they could use an upgrade here or there if the option presents itself. That’s not what we’re highlighting, though. That is not what a roster need is.
Instead. it’s like the wording suggests. These are absolute necessities for the Kings in order to truly give themselves the best possible chance moving forward this season. Both needs would help lessen what is currently a glaring hole on the team’s roster.
Not only glaring holes, though. Glaring holes that can and will be part of their downfall if not addressed sooner rather than later.
- Wing perimeter defender
- Big man depth
These are the two areas the Kings must look to address at this year’s trade deadline. Perimeter defense is number one on the list due to the lack of defenders they currently have, Besides Davion Mitchell, who is clearly a guard and best-suited defending guards, the Kings don’t have any plus one-on-one defenders.
They need to add at least one wing who can hold his own with the best scoring wings in the league today. That versatility would give head coach Mike Brown a ton of flexibility down the stretch this season.
The less glaring need but one that is still very important for the Kings to address at the NBA trade deadline is securing depth at the five that they currently lack. Whether or not they find a new home for Richaun Holmes does not matter because he isn’t going to be their backup center in the rotation.
Either way, they need to get a big man to back up Domantas Sabonis that they can ask to play ten-plus minutes every single night. Not only that, this backup big man needs to be a willing and capable rim defender and rebounder.