The Sacramento Kings are maybe the biggest surprise package of the 2022-23 NBA season. Discarded as potential tankers before the season began, the Kings have defied less-than-lofty expectations. Instead of tanking, they have thrived under new coach Mike Brown. Maybe they don't need to do much at the trade deadline then? Let's see. Here we will look at the nightmare scenario that the Kings don't want to happen as we close in on the 2023 NBA trade deadline.
Right now the Kings carry the third-best win-loss record in the entire Western Conference at 27-19. That's just behind the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies. They have also topped the Pacific Division for most of this season. That's even if they have arguably deeper teams and the defending champs in their group.
The Kings have had a strong start to the season but it remains to be seen if they can maintain their position. To reach the playoffs and have success, they will need to address their defense, which ranks at the bottom for defensive efficiency. They have given up 100 or more points in all but two games and have allowed opposing teams to score at least 125 points nine times (with a record of 3-6 in those games).
To improve their defense, the Kings should consider adding a legitimate big man and rim protector. Packaging guys like Richaun Holmes, Alex Len, and/or Terence Davis seem viable. Keep in mind that all those guys have somewhat fallen out of the rotation. Additionally, these players earn a combined $18 million. Len and Davis are also on expiring deals. Holmes, specifically, could be a valuable trade asset since he is no longer part of the Kings' long-term future.
The Kings will also have to be creative with their assets, as they are unable to trade their first-round pick until two years after it is conveyed to Atlanta. They do have nine second-round picks available and a $4 million trade exception.
Alternatively, the Kings can also choose to stay put and not make any significant changes. Again, trading a first-round pick is a complicated matter. Sacramento owes a 2024 pick to Atlanta that is protected until 2026. Trading a distant draft choice for anything less than a star is risky and limits flexibility moving forward.
Remember also that key players such as De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter and even Malik Monk may be valuable assets. However, it is uncertain if the team would get an upgrade by trading them for players for which other teams would surrender first-round picks.
Keegan Murray had a 𝘾𝘼𝙍𝙀𝙀𝙍 𝙉𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏 at home against the Thunder 👑
🔥 29 PTS
🔥 14 REB
🔥 5/7 3PT pic.twitter.com/7W0yeQv5VK— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 21, 2023
Some believe a better approach would be to wait and see how the team finishes the season, enjoy their first playoff berth since 2006, and then evaluate the team's needs and revisit trade options in the off-season.
Now let's look at the Kings' nightmare scenario for the 2023 NBA trade deadline.
Kings get “too active”
The Kings have been having a successful season, thanks to their third-ranked offense. However, they should still make a strong push for the playoffs and end their postseason drought. As such, we expect the Kings to make trades ahead of the deadline. This can strengthen the team and prepare for the postseason. They have several players who can be used as salary fillers in trades. These include the aforementioned Holmes, Len, and Davis. The Kings can package these players, along with draft compensation, in potential deals for a backup big man. Remember that they currently do not have a traditional center in the regular rotation. They can also consider available forwards such as Jae Crowder or even Bojan Bogdanovic as alternatives.
Again, however, their 2024 first-round pick owed to the Hawks limits their ability to trade just one first-round pick in either 2028 or 2029. They also have nine second-round picks available to trade. That's along with one extra second-rounder in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The Kings can offer these picks in trades if they feel the pinch of trading a future first-round pick.
If push comes to shove, though, and the Kings do make a move at the deadline, it should be just one move. Trade any of the aforementioned assets for a solid backup center. That's it. Sactown should not get too crazy and greedy here. Improve the middle, and see where the chips will fall in the postseason.
If they end up trading too many of their picks and players and rolling the dice on big names, that might work against them big time. The last thing they want is to get mired with a big contract from a big-name star who won't perform as well as any of their younger guys already have.
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