Ben Simmons. Myles Turner. Domantas Sabonis. John Collins. Christian Wood.
Wouldn’t they all look good wearing a Sacramento Kings jersey?
As the 2022 NBA trade deadline nears, the Kings have been connected with just about every big name that might be on the trade market. Can the Kings get a deal done? Fix the flaws with their current roster? Make a move that will end their 15-year playoff drought, but more importantly, do it so that they can have long-term success?
Right now, the trade winds in Sacramento are not just whistling through the air, they’re blowing at a hurricane pace.
As the team has struggled this year, fans and media have increased their cries for General Manager Monte McNair to do something to change the Kings’ direction.
McNair appeared on KHTK’s Carmichael Dave Show this past Friday to discuss his approach to the upcoming trade deadline. He said he’ll do whatever it takes to make this a winning franchise. He’ll be aggressive, but will remain disciplined and ready for anything. He added that he won’t make a trade just to make a trade and they will not blow up and start a rebuild.
Since McNair couldn’t discuss any players without writing a check to the NBA front office, we’ll take a look at two players that could be available.
Simmons in Sacramento?
Ben Simmons has been a favorite target in Sacramento circles ever since he said he does not want to play in Philadelphia again.
Simmons is certainly a very talented player, but one who comes with some baggage. He does not shoot the ball well and has even been reluctant to shoot at times. He does not shoot the three ball at all, which can be a liability in today’s NBA. There is also the question about Simmons’ mental state– is he ready to play again?
Despite all the concerns, Simmons is in demand because he is an all-star-caliber rebounder, facilitator and can defend all five positions.
The Sixers, however, won’t surrender Simmons for nothing. They want a Kings’ ransom in return– an all-star-caliber player, draft choices, and recent reports say they want to package Simmons and Tobias Harris so they can take Harris’ $30 million-plus contract off their books.
To get a Simmons deal done, the Kings would probably have to include De’Aaron Fox. Would that make the Kings a better team? I’m not sure it would.
Sources: Sacramento Kings receiving high interest in De’Aaron Fox with trade deadline approaching. Fox talks to @YahooSports about his struggles, an ideal role and being moved: “You definitely think about potentially being traded because we’re struggling.” https://t.co/oakjXunjk0
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 14, 2022
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner is another player reportedly on the block. Turner would be a great stretch four with Richaun Holmes playing the five on offense. The two could flip roles on defense, allowing Turner to be the inside rim protector, while Holmes, a good wing defender, would be able to cover the perimeter.
The key thing is the Kings might be able to get Turner without giving up Fox. Mark Schindler, who has covered the Pacers, said on the Kings Pulse Podcast (approximately 35 minutes in) that he thinks the Pacers would trade Turner for a package of Buddy Hield, Davion Mitchell and a second-round draft choice.
https://twitter.com/Kings_Pulse/status/1481806205735428096?s=20
I understand he has some very real flaws, but man, Buddy Hield could really help some teams.
Such a dynamic shooter and off-ball mover that you can legitimately build large parts of your offense aroundAn elite supplemental offensive player
— Mark Schindler (@MSchindlerNBA) January 14, 2022
I too like Hield. He has flaws, but he hustles, plays hard, rarely ever misses a game and is an elite shooter from beyond the arc. Hield is one player the Kings can probably trade without hurting themselves because they have a similar microwave three-point sniper who can come off the bench in Terence Davis.
Mitchell would definitely be missed. Despite his offensive struggles, his defense has been good and because he is such a hard worker, he will improve at both ends of the floor.
I would be excited if the Kings could get Turner for Hield, Mitchell and a draft choice. It would be an upgrade, giving the Kings a starting lineup of Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes, Turner and Holmes. The Kings would be better with Turner’s ability to shoot the three ball and his aforementioned rim protection.
The Kings would still potentially have a bench of Davis, Marvin Bagley, Chimezie Metu, Alex Len and Damian Jones, giving them a nice nine-to-ten man rotation.
BUT NOTHING IS EASY FOR SACRAMENTO
The Kings’ stated goal is to make the playoffs this season. Turner is now hurt with a stress fracture in his left foot and according to Adrian Wojnarowski, it could be serious enough where Turner might not be able to help the Kings make that playoff run.
Turner's been central to Indiana's trade talks, and a number of teams have shown interest. The injury doesn't make a trade impossible, but it certainly could be an obstacle in Pacers getting max value for him at deadline. Team can always wait for the offseason to make a deal too.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 18, 2022
WALKING IN MCNAIR’S SHOES
So what should McNair do? Turner would still be my target, understanding that would be a gamble, hoping that Turner would be back for the final six weeks of the season.
It is understandable if McNair turns his attentions elsewhere. The Athletic’s Sam Amick is very tuned in to what’s happening in Sacramento.
"I'd be stunned if they (Sacramento) didn't make a big trade… I think Simmons is priority one… for the Kings Sabonis is on the short list I think even above a guy like Turner."
Here is the most notable segment from Sam Amick on the Kings via the Athletic NBA pod. pic.twitter.com/j4W6ORepaV
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) January 18, 2022
DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS!
The next few weeks will be very captivating for Kings and NBA fans alike. They need to do something. McNair is probably already burning up the phone lines. What will he do? The Kings’ season — the Kings’ future — hangs on what happens in the next few weeks.
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