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NBA Trade Rumors: Trade Priorities For All 30 Teams

By Aaron Ferguson

Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) runs up the court against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) runs up the court against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (right) walks back to the bench after head coach George Karl (left) called timeout against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won in overtime 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (right) walks back to the bench after head coach George Karl (left) called timeout against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won in overtime 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are lacking stability and leadership entering the NBA’s All-Star break. There were rumors of head coach George Karl being fired due to clashing with superstar center DeMarcus Cousins, but general manager Vlade Divac surprised the basketball world by saying publicly that he will keep Karl, according to ESPN.

The Kings have also had their thoughts of trading forward Rudy Gay, which may not be a bad idea. Sacramento is 4.5 games out of the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but moving Gay will only work out if the Kings find long-term benefits. Gay is signed for one more year after this season and has a player option for a second year for the 2017-18 season.

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    • Gay is also in the prime of his career and would be valuable on a contender that needs a slasher. Perhaps one of these proposed deals could work out well for the Kings and a trading partner. The key for the Kings is to get a long-term benefit if they do deal Gay.

    With Gay in the prime of his career, it may be best to hold on to him and build on what the Kings already have. They lack a true power forward, as they have been playing Cousins and Kosta Koufos at the 4. Despite being out of playoff position, acquiring a power forward could move shift the needle in the Kings favor to possibly sneak in to the playoffs.

    Acquiring a power forward would allow the Kings to move Cousins back to center, or at least give the Kings frontcourt depth. When it comes to assessing the Kings’ trade assets, Marco Belinelli, Omri Casspi and Ben McLemore may be the most likely trade candidates to upgrade the frontcourt. But no bets should be hedged on it.

    Ultimately the Kings need to add stability to what appears to be an unstable organization. Divac is looking to put an end to that by endorsing Karl as the head coach and saying that the Kings will collectively work through their problems. What that means for the future with Rajon Rondo’s contract expiring remains to be seen. But the Kings need stability and if making a move at the trade deadline helps, then they should make a move that reaps long-term benefits.

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