The Sacramento Kings are still searching for the perfect trade partner to help move Domantas Sabonis. With the Hornets and Raptors likely out of the picture, a strong possibility could be the Milwaukee Bucks, who are looking for an offensive hub in their new era of team building.
One of the biggest moves in the offseason saw the Bucks end the Giannis Antetokounmpo era. A trade with the Heat yielded a list of players and draft picks that will help rebuild the franchise. Antetokounmpo is an elite player, but his salary prevented the Bucks from building around him.
Oddly enough, the Kings are in a similar situation with both Sabonis and Zach LaVine. Their salaries have become anchors, dramatically slowing down the progress of the rebuild. LaVine's contract will be done at the end of the season, but Sabonis is currently scheduled to be around for a bit longer.
As such, the Kings want to make a trade of their own, the goal being to move away from Sabonis. It turns out that the Bucks might actually be the right franchise to work with on such a trade. With Antetokounmpo gone, they need a new offensive hub, and Sabonis certainly fits the bill.
Sabonis going to the Bucks makes sense for both sides
The mechanics of the trade are quite simple. Milwaukee gets Sabonis and De'Andre Hunter, who has become increasingly superfluous, while the Kings get financial breathing room, a couple of players, and hopefully a first-round draft pick or two. It looks like a win-win for both teams involved.
On the player side of the equation, Caris LeVert makes sense. He could be useful as a veteran wing, but his expiring contract makes him especially interesting. Another player to add into the mix would be Ousmane Dieng. This 23-year-old forward would be a premium developmental asset for the Kings.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. has to be the prime target for Sacramento in this trade. His game has improved dramatically, making him a huge asset to the Kings' rebuild. At 25, his skills are well-seasoned, but he has yet to hit his prime. Jaquez is on the perfect developmental timeline for Sacramento's plans.
In Sabonis, the Bucks get a top-20 NBA big man who is a certified double-double machine with key playmaking skills. Beyond that, they can keep Hunter or let his contract run out at the end of the season. Either way, both teams walk away from this trade in better positions than they started.
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