As of writing this (December 3, 2024), the Sacramento Kings are 9-12 and 12th in the Western Conference. On top of that, the team has lost six of their last seven games. It's safe to assume that this is not where the team envisioned themselves being a quarter of the way into the season after executing a blockbuster sign-and-trade to land six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan.
The Kings are in danger of having their season spiral out of control if they don't do something soon. But what is that something?
In this post, we discuss (as the headline suggests) a trade that could (possibly) change the trajectory of the Kings' season.
It's time for the Sacramento Kings to call the Toronto Raptors
Before you ask, this trade does work financially according to Fanspo's incredibly useful trade machine tool. Now, let's get into the logic behind this deal.
The Kings desperately need shooting, size, and defense to supplement their current core. Brown hasn't been healthy for quite some time. But the last time he was 100% for a full season (2022-23), he checked all of these boxes. That year, he shot 35.8% from three and finished in the 73rd percentile in Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus (per Dunks & Threes). And while he is only 6'5, his 6'9 allows him to play a little bigger than he is. He's one of the best three-and-D options the Kings can reasonably afford at this point.
Kings Huerter was supposed to be the guy who gave the Kings these complementary skills, but the sharpshooter has been off to a rough start this season. Plus, the team had been dangling him in trade talks prior to this recent cold streak.
So, why would the Toronto Raptors want him if he's playing so badly then?
Huerter may be struggling, but there is always a chance that a change in scenery could help him get his career back on the right foot. And if he does rekindle his old flame in Toronto, it will give the team a much-needed boost in shooting/spacing (the Raptors are currently 29th in 3-point attempts per game). The Raptors aren't in win-now mode right now, but it is nice to give your young players good veterans to help make sure they are learning winning habits and can grow in a decent ecosystem.
Even if Huerter never turns it around, at the very least, he is salary filler in this deal, and the main return for the Raptors comes in the form of Colby Jones and a future second round pick.
Given Brown's expiring deal and injury history, his value has diminished to the point where he is worth a couple of second round picks rather than a first rounder.
Jones was a second round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He hasn't really been able to find a role on the Kings (although he has had some nice moments in the G League). But maybe, like Davion Mitchell, he will find a role in Toronto.
He is basically the equivalent of a second round draft pick. Couple that with the other second round pick attached to this deal, and the Raptors are getting fair compensation in return for Brown.
It is also worth noting that the Kings and Raptors negotiated a trade together this offseason. So, the two front offices already have a repertoire with one another.