This has definitely been a season of big changes for the Sacramento Kings. Between losing a head coach and parting ways with a young superstar, there have been quite a few major shifts for the team. As it stands now, it feels like it may not have been enough.
One of the most exciting adjustments this year came when the Kings acquired Zach LaVine, formerly of the Chicago Bulls. With LaVine, the Kings received another playmaker and one who has a rich history with DeMar DeRozan. To some, it felt like a match made in heaven. And while there is still time for this duo to turn things around, they currently aren't mesmerizing Kings fans with their output
The Kings should consider breaking up LaVine and DeRozan
As noted by StateMuse, the Kings are just 10-15 when LaVine and DeRozan play together. This is a cause for serious concern. This pair was supposed to be the future of the team, and right now that future looks very murky.
There were worries about the LaVine trade when it happened in February. Some analysts said that he and DeRozan were redundant and didn't address the problems with the team. They said the Kings would have been smarter to invest in a wing player who could space the floor and would fit into any kind of offensive and defensive plans.
Others said the pairing didn't make a lot of sense because LaVine and DeRozan didn't find great success while playing together for the Bulls. If it didn't work in Chicago, why would it work in Sacramento?
The 10-15 record isn't because of only LaVine and DeRozan. Of course, there are other factors that have gotten the Kings to this point. But there are now more and more rumors and even pleas about the front office splitting these two up, especially since it seems like LaVine might be unhappy behind the scenes.
Would that really help? That's questionable, but LaVine and DeRozan are two of the biggest names on the roster and, therefore, some of Sacramento's largest trade assets. If the team is looking to blow things up or even make win-now adjustments, these are the two players they can do it with. We have previously called out DeRozan's fit in Sacramento, and others have said it's time to start a new chapter. Trading one or both of these players could make that happen.
The problem is that the trade market might be a bit limited for either star. Between their big contracts, their ages, and their history of injuries, teams might balk at the idea of taking these stars. Reporting from inside the Bulls repeatedly said they had a tough time putting a deal together for LaVine, and the Kings may run into the same problems. They might want to get rid of LaVine or DeRozan, but that doesn't mean they will have an easy time doing so.
At this point, no one would be surprised if the Kings really shake things up in the summer, which is why fans should pay close attention to LaVine, DeRozan, and this lackluster record they have.