Despite the limited minutes both bigs see on the floor, the Sacramento Kings still have little interest in trading Kosta Koufos and Skal Labissiere. Koufos has been averaging 12.0 minutes in three games for the Kings, while Labissiere averages a measly 5.3.
Jason Jones of The Athletic wrote on Sacramento's bevy of big men in the rotation:
No, it doesn’t mean Kosta or Skal are likely to be traded. The Kings really like Koufos and have no intention of trading him as of now. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Kings make a move to keep him beyond next season. He’s a player general manager Vlade Divac likes and coach Dave Joerger trusts.
The Kings looked into dealing Labissiere prior to last season’s trade deadline. No deal came about and the team has already picked up his contract option for next season. All indications I’ve been given is the Kings aren’t simply going to give up or give away Labissiere.
If Koufos does not return, Labissiere could become a part of the rotation next season. There’s no telling what will happen in free agency, too, with Cauley-Stein. So barring an enticing move, the Kings will not dump either player in a deal for the sake of making a move.
Stretch power forward Nemanja Bjelica is having a career season and rookie Marvin Bagley III is looking good as part of a surprising 6-3 start. Starting center Willie Cauley-Stein is also having his most productive year so far, and young center Harry Giles is playing more minutes than Labissiere.
Assuming head coach Dave Joerger's rotation will not change any time soon, the team could look to deal Labissiere or Koufos for a more efficient perimeter player, but it doesn't seem like that will happen soon.
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