NBA Trade Deadline: Deals That Could Work for the Sacramento Kings
Jan 18, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) talks with guard Darren Collison (7) during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and with the Sacramento Kings headed in the wrong direction in terms of the playoffs, they should consider becoming sellers.
They have a few assets that could be interesting to playoff teams, namely Darren Collison and Kosta Koufos.
Collison is on his last year of his contract, making him very interesting to a contender that wants to save future cap space or be players in free agency. Koufos has three years left on his deal after this season, but the cost control could be tempting.
With that being said, please enjoy this slideshow that showcases three NBA trade deadline deals that the Kings could possibly pull off.
Dec 10, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) tries to get around Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) after a turnover in the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Darren Collison to Utah Jazz for Dante Exum
The Utah Jazz are in a tough spot at their backup point guard spot by playing a lot of Alec Burks who is really more of a scorer than a facilitator. This is a spot they seemingly want to improve at.
Collison could vastly improve that spot and more. With Utah clearly trying to contend for a top-four spot in the Western Conference, this is a move that could make a ton of sense.
Looking ahead, the Jazz current point guard, George Hill, is also a free agent this offseason and could be heading for a massive payday. Utah could bring back Collison assuming Hill leaves this summer. Getting ahead of the market could make a ton of sense.
If the Kings get Dante Exum in return for Collison, they would land a 21-year old point guard who was the 5th overall pick in the 2014 draft. This move would also save the Kings a little salary this season as well, which is never a bad thing.
The ceiling is there for Exum, and he could be part of a younger core around DeMarcus Cousins. The Jazz do not seem inclined to play Exum who had nine DNP’s in the month of January.
Jan 18, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Glenn Robinson III (40) dribbles the ball around Sacramento Kings guard Arron Afflalo (40) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Darren Collison to the Indiana Pacers for Glenn Robinson III and Lavoy Allen
The Indiana Pacers are in the middle of an Eastern Conference playoff race and could use some backup point guard help. Not only can Collison help at the point guard spot, but he also has the ability to play at the off guard spot next to Jeff Teague at times giving the Pacers flexibility.
In return, the Kings would get Glenn Robinson III who is a shooting guard with size. At 23-years old, he could make sense going forward in a rotation with rookie Malachi Richardson. While Robinson has been getting run this season, they could easily fill his minutes giving bumps to Monta Ellis, C.J. Miles, and Rodney Stuckey.
The Kings would also take Lavoy Allen in the deal to make the salaries work. He only makes $3.5 million next season and could help to fill out the bench. It would also give the Kings more cap flexibility this summer which will especially be needed if Rudy Gay picks up his extension. Cost certainty is key with a seemingly ever-expanding salary cap.
Indiana may be more inclined to keep Robinson and include a draft pick which would be a nice alternative. It could potentially be a first-round pick, but the Pacers would put heavy protections on it. It would almost assuredly be lottery protected.
In the Eastern Conference, the Pacers should be a playoff team for the next few seasons for sure. The Kings would likely get the pick sooner as opposed to later.
Jan 15, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cameron Payne (22) passes the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Kosta Koufos to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Cameron Payne
The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently playing without their big man Enes Kanter and should be doing so for a few more weeks. He famously fractured his forearm punching a chair in the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Kings could send Kosta Koufos to give them help at power forward and center in the short term to fill Kanter’s minutes. He could also be a more reliable bench option at both power forward and center once Kanter returns.
There is some concern about the Thunder’s cap situation with Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, and Steven Adams getting pay bumps next season. Koufos makes $8 million next season and has a player option for another $8 million the following year.
This may actually give the Thunder flexibility to move Kanter this summer if they choose to address other positions.
In exchange for Koufos, the Kings would land Cameron Payne. He is a player that has been tied to the Kings in the past and is one that could make sense. Payne is a young point guard with upside that could be worth taking a gamble on.
Sacramento would have to take back another player to make the salaries work. The two names that stand out are Nick Collison, who is in the final year of his deal, and Kyle Singler, who has 4 years left on his deal after this season.
The Thunder may prefer to move Singler in hopes to free up a little cap flexibility going forward. Collison would likely be more tempting to the Kings because he is a free agent after this year. Landing Singler wouldn’t be the end of the world. He has good size and has displayed a reliable three-point range.
May 10, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings vice president of basketball operations and general manager Vlade Divac addresses the media after a press conference at the Sacramento Kings XC (Experience Center). Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Final Thoughts
With the trade deadline quickly approaching on February 23rd, the Kings will have to work quickly to get a deal in place. But there are interesting options in play. Only time will tell if they can get something done.
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