It doesn't take a crystal ball to see that the Kings are already planning some big moves leading into the trade deadline. In particular, Malik Monk and DeMar DeRozan are likely to get moved, based on the team's failed attempts to trade them over the summer.
This has become even more likely given head coach Doug Christie's focus on defense. This is an area that the Kings are, at best, middle of the pack in, and more frequently struggle at. Depending on how the front half of the season goes, the front office might start shopping for more defensive players.
At the same time, the Kings need to be careful that they don't throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater. Giving away too much to get too little is a mistake the Kings have made in the past, quite recently in the case of their questionable Dario Saric trade.
Bolstering the Kings' defense
Jonas Valanciunas isn't a particularly great defender, though he is incredibly strong and physical. It makes him a great rebounder and tough on post players when he is playing defense. Trading him for Dario Saric only weakened the Kings at both ends of the court.
When it comes to defense, the Kings have been okay at absolute best the last few seasons. Domantas Sabonis is a dominant center when it comes to rebounding, assists, and scoring. Yet, he isn't the rim protector the Kings need him to be.
Newer additions to the roster like Drew Eubanks bring a strong defensive presence to the court. Keon Ellis, Devin Carter, and Keegan Murray are also notable defenders, though they have received inconsistent minutes in the past. Under Christie's new focus, that may change.
The Kings will make defensive moves
Doug Christie's focus on defense isn't surprising considering that he was the same way during his 15-year tenure as an NBA player. He will be closely assessing his team during the front half of the season, analyzing how they work on defense and if they can improve.
It's quite likely that trades will be made leading into the deadline in February. The franchise will start looking for stronger defensive players. A high-priority target should be the Hawks' Dyson Daniels. He is one of the best young defenders in the league, and he might be looking for new scenery.
The Kings just need to be careful that they don't end up in another Dario Saric situation. Trading someone like Malik Monk or DeMar DeRozan seems like a good idea, but the trade shouldn't be a step down, particularly if the Kings want better defenders.