Rumor roundup for the Sacramento Kings on the morning of the 2024 trade deadline
By Elaine Blum
The Kings are still linked to Kyle Kuzma
Kyle Kuzma is the only bigger name left on the Kings’ list. Zach LaVine is having surgery, Pascal Siakam is in Indiana now, OG Anunoby landed in New York, and Mikal Bridges and Jerami Grant aren’t available.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fisher, that leaves Kuzma as the sole player the Kings would consider moving Harrison Barnes for. The Kings’ interest in Kuzma dates back to his Laker days, and we have written a lot about the potential fit here on A Royal Pain.
The short version: with the right commitment to do all the little things and not have the ball quite as much as in Washington, Kuzma would be a great fit. His offensive talent would add another punch to the Kings’ system, making life tough for opposing teams. Between Fox, Huerter, Murray, Kuzma, and Sabonis, who do you focus on?
Plus, it would be great to have someone else who can take over the game and shoulder the majority of the scoring load when Fox is out or not playing well. Sabonis doesn’t really play that way, and Murray is still young and sometimes inconsistent leaving Monk as the one player who will relentlessly look for his shot and have Fox’s back.
The two questions coming up here are whether Kuzma would be happy as a third or fourth option and whether the Wizards really want to move him now.
The Kings have also been linked to Delon Wright
Another Wizards player who could be on the move is Delon Wright. The 31-year-old is currently averaging 4.4 points, 2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals in one of his worst seasons yet.
Nevertheless, he reportedly has suitors in Boston, Minnesota, Denver, and Sacramento. Wright would not fix all of the Kings’ issues or push them to the next level in any way.
What he could provide is a somewhat more reliable backup point guard than Davion Mitchell for little cost. Getting him for one or two second-round picks wouldn’t be a bad move, but it also wouldn’t be enough to change the trajectory of the season.