The Sacramento Kings are coming off another season in which they missed the playoffs. They have not made the playoffs since 2006 and need to make changes to their roster. The Kings had a decent offseason, but the roster is not good enough to make a playoff run.
They have a surplus of guards and young talent, which they could use to acquire a star. There are unhappy stars around the league that could fit with the Kings. They need to look for players at the forward or center position to pair with their guards.
With that said, here are 2 unhappy stars the Kings need to trade for.
Kings targets:
2. Kristaps Porzingis
An underrated player that could be dealt at the trade deadline is Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis and the Dallas Mavericks have patched up the relationship for now, but things could change by the deadline. After extending Luka Doncic in the offseason, the Mavericks are focused on building around him. If the Mavericks are ready to move on at the deadline, a Porzingis trade would make sense.
Last season, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points per game along with 8.9 rebounds. He also shot 37.6 percent from behind the arc on 6 attempts per game. Porzingis is still a dynamic offensive talent but has an injury history. He could be a great fit with star guard De'Aaron Fox. Fox has never played with an elite big, and it could help him expand his game even more.
He is coming off a breakout campaign where he averaged 25.2 points per game along with 7.2 assists. If Porzingis becomes available for trade, the Kings should go after him.
1. Ben Simmons
The rumor mill has swirled all offseason about Ben Simmons, and he is bound to be traded. His time with the Philadelphia 76ers is done, as both sides are ready to move on. Simmons struggled in the 2020 Eastern Conference Semifinals averaging 9.9 points per game along with 8.6 assists and 6.3 rebounds. His lack of aggressiveness offensively was detrimental to the 76ers title chances.
Despite Simmons' struggles in the playoffs, he is still an All-Star player. He finished 2nd in Defensive Player of the Year voting and is an elite-level playmaker. Simmons would be a great fit for the Kings next to Fox, especially if he transitions to the forward position. The Kings have a surplus in guards in Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, and Davion Mitchell, who all should get good minutes. Buddy Hield looks to be the odd man out of the rotation, as he has been in trade rumors throughout the offseason.
What could the Kings offer?
With the 76ers struggling to unload Simmons, the Kings could offer them a deal. Hield would likely be included as well as another one of their young players and some draft picks. Last season, Hield averaged 16.6 points per game on 39.1 percent from three. He would fit well in the 76ers offense, especially next to star Joel Embiid. This deal would help the 76ers have a better run offense, as well as help the Kings compete for a playoff spot.
Simmons could be the defensive leader for the Kings. With Simmons, the Kings could grow into an elite young core. They would have a great combination of defense and scoring and could be a contender in the future. The Kings are rumored to be out on the Simmons trade stakes due to the 76ers asking price. However, if the 76ers are unable to get their asking price, the Kings need to jump back in with an offer.
The Kings are beginning to establish a young core, and they could be a playoff team if they trade for one of these stars.
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