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The Sacramento Kings continue to get stuck on a rut. It’s like they’ve had potential with their young players for a while but the team never gets the chance to make it far in the NBA season. Their last playoff appearance was in 2006 when the roster was completely different from what it is right now. Suffice it to say that the Kings haven’t had good luck because their main guys haven’t thrived.
And that is why it’s time for the Kings to finally find that player who will get them out of the rut. Currently, Sacramento employs key pieces like De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley III and their latest rookie Davion Mitchell. Mitchell has the potential to grow into a franchise player at least based on his performance in this year’s Summer League but of course that will take some time. But if the Kings want to break their curse, they have to move right now.
Davion Mitchell says he feels like a rookie because he's still learning all the new faces surrounding his Kings team, even though De'Aaron Fox said the Baylor product doesn't seem like a rookie because he's older.
"Fox kind of took me under his wing." pic.twitter.com/4YLryWCj2S
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) September 21, 2021
That said, here are two potential trade candidates Sacramento can go for to change the team’s luck this season:
Kings trade candidates
Ben Simmons
It’s fair to argue that Simmons’ reputation this offseason has somewhat been overblown. Yes, he has his struggles on offense but the 25-year-old can still play defense and is a playmaker. Maybe it’s time for the Kings to consider Simmons given that the latter hinted at the beginning that he wants to go to a California-based team. The Kings can offer a competitive package of Hield, Barley, one of their frontcourt players and maybe even draft picks. If it’s a little too weak of a package, the Kings can find another team to transact with.
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“Ben Simmons says he refuses to play for the Sixers. He wants to go to three California teams. There’s so much bad blood between him and the team.”
– Western Conference Executive on Ben Simmons
(Via @PompeyOnSixers ) pic.twitter.com/3TQShODF5k— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 31, 2021
The opportunity to claim a three time all-star is there and the Kings should be aggressive because they haven’t had someone like this in years. This could be an opportunity for Simmons as well to get away from the spotlight and work on his game. Who knows? Maybe the three point shooting luck of Hield would eventually rub on him.
Kristaps Porzingis
There have been multiple stories about Porzingis’ relationship with Dallas Mavericks franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic which could eventually lead up to a breakup between those players. Knowing the Kings’ current front court rotation, they should take advantage of Porzingis’ situation with the Mavs now and acquire him. The Kings could be making a mistake by entering the season with Bagley as their power forward again.
Obviously, there’s huge risk in acquiring someone like Porzingis but the Kings should gamble because the big man can really help them on both ends of the court. It also helps that Sacramento has the assets to trade for Porzingis because Doncic’ game requires three point snipers and that’s exactly who Hield is. Maybe Marc Cuban would eventually bite and decide to let go of Porzingis, who hasn’t had much success in Dallas either.
Ultimately, the Kings will not get over the hump if they continue to stay stagnant with their roster. If they want to build a young and yet promising core, the time to get on the phone and make trade is now.
