BREAKING NEWS: 4 potential Kings offseason moves including Kings trade targets
The Sacramento Kings kicked off their offseason positively by securing coach Mike Brown with a contract extension. With Brown committed long-term, the focus now shifts to revitalizing the team’s playoff prospects. Despite posting a commendable 46-36 record last season, marking their second consecutive winning season for the first time since 2005-’06, the Kings fell short in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Notably, they haven’t progressed past the Western Conference Semifinals since 2004. To break this trend, General Manager Monte McNair may need to explore various trade targets and offseason maneuvers to bolster the team’s chances.
Kings must re-sign Malik Monk
Pursue Derrick Jones Jr. in NBA free agency
With limited cap space expected, especially if they decide to re-sign Malik Monk, the Sacramento Kings will need to approach NBA free agency with prudence, considering owner Vivek Ranadive’s cautious spending approach. In terms of draft picks, they hold the 13th and 45th overall selections in the upcoming draft.
Derrick Jones Jr. emerges as an enticing option to bolster the team’s wing depth off the bench. Despite primarily starting for the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks this season, Jones Jr. averaged only 23.5 minutes per game. Impressively, in those limited minutes, the 6-foot-6 forward ranked 18th among small forwards in Defensive RAPTOR with a rating of (+1.5), outperforming players like Dorian Finney-Smith (+1.4) and closely trailing Josh Hart (+1.6). Additionally, over the past three seasons, he has maintained a solid .104 Win Shares per 48 Minutes average. Pursuing Jones Jr. with the Mid-Level Exception (MLE) could prove to be a strategic move for the Kings to enhance their roster depth.
Swing for a Jerami Grant trade with the Portland Trail Blazers
As the Portland Trail Blazers navigate their rebuilding phase, parting ways with veterans opens up valuable playing time for rookies and second-year players. Jerami Grant has emerged as a prominent figure in NBA trade talks this offseason and is considered one of the top trade targets for the Sacramento Kings.
Grant’s impressive statistics speak for themselves, with averages of 21 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, shooting at a solid 45.1% from the field. It’s no secret that Grant has caught the attention of the Kings’ front office. In February, James Ham of The Kings Beat reported that Sacramento had made repeated inquiries about acquiring Grant, only to be turned down by Portland.
However, the landscape might be different this summer, as the Trail Blazers could be more inclined to entertain offers for Grant. Adding him to the Kings’ roster would undoubtedly provide an upgrade, particularly over Harrison Barnes. Yet, it’s crucial to acknowledge that acquiring Grant would come with a hefty financial commitment for Sacramento, with his contract amounting to over $132 million over the next four seasons.
Sacramento Kings roll the dice on a Zach LaVine trade
It’s widely known that the Sacramento Kings have expressed interest in acquiring Zach LaVine through trade discussions over the years. Their pursuit of him dates back to 2018 when they offered him a $78 million offer sheet, which the Chicago Bulls matched. Since then, Sacramento has frequently been mentioned as a potential destination for LaVine in NBA trade rumors.
The current scenario presents an opportune moment for the Kings to pursue LaVine, as the Bulls are reportedly more open to trading him than ever before. LaVine’s availability this summer provides Sacramento with its best chance yet to acquire him. However, it’s important to note that LaVine’s reduced price tag is partly attributed to his injury-riddled season, having played only 25 games before undergoing season-ending surgery in February due to a foot issue.
While the Bulls may be willing to part ways with LaVine, acquiring him would still carry a significant risk, particularly regarding his health. One potential trade scenario involves packaging Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter in exchange for LaVine, but it would undoubtedly be a substantial gamble for the Kings considering the uncertainties surrounding LaVine’s injury status.