Brandon Knight Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Should Trade For Him

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Jan 2, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) walks to the sideline during the fourth quarter of the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 142-119. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Sacramento Kings

The Suns and Sacramento Kings have reportedly been discussing a Brandon Knight trade since the summer, but nothing’s happened yet. If anyone in the NBA were to trade for the player with the worst total point differential in the league though, it’d be the KANGZ.

Sacramento currently occupies the eighth playoff spot at 15-20, but even if they back into the playoffs with a losing record, this team seriously needs to start putting lasting backcourt talent around DeMarcus Cousins, not only because Darren Collison and Ty Lawson hit free agency this summer, but because Boogie will be an unrestricted free agent in 2018.

A 2017 playoff berth might be enough to get Cousins to consider staying for the long-term, but not without signs of improvement — especially if the Kings back into the eighth seed with a losing record and are unceremoniously bounced in the first round.

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The Kings had to watch Isaiah Thomas thrive with the Boston Celtics after trading him to the Suns. Could they be intrigued by the possibility of Knight enjoying a similar bounce-back season upon leaving Phoenix? If so, this team in need of backcourt talent could try to swing a deal.

The options aren’t particularly enticing from Phoenix’s perspective, since Rudy Gay would likely be the first name discussed. Gay has rapidly become an NBA journeyman, he’d be joining a crowded position at the 3, and he’s already told the Kings he plans to opt out of the final year of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

That means the Suns would need more compensation than a likely two-month rental. Could the Kings really go full KANGZ and surrender the kind of first-round pick McDonough would be thrilled to put in his pocket? Or would Sacramento hold its ground and offer second-rounders instead?

If neither side sees eye-to-eye on the picks and the Suns want to avoid dumping Knight just for a Rudy Gay rental, Arron Afflalo could be an alternative. He wouldn’t provide much for Phoenix in terms of on-court value, but it’d allow Phoenix to revisit the first vs. second round pick discussion, since Afflalo is a far less useful player than Gay at this point.

If the two sides can’t come to an agreement on what kind of pick would accompany Afflalo (whose deal is non-guaranteed for 2017-18), perhaps substituting rookie Malachi Richardson, rookie Skal Labissiere or even the rights to former Suns pick Bogdan Bogdanovic would be a viable replacement.

Richardson has gotten limited run for the Kings despite being taken with the 22nd overall pick (via Charlotte), but he’s only 20 years old. With Knight gone, he could back up Devin Booker and get the chance to prove himself on a team transitioning further into its youth movement.

Labissiere would be joining a crowded Suns frontcourt, but he’s only 20 and has a ton of upside. He’s only played four games so far for the Kings, compared to just five for Richardson.

Bogdanovic has more value as a potential Booker backup, and though he has yet to come overseas, the Suns would be thrilled to have him back after dealing his rights to Sacramento in the draft-day trade that netted them the eighth overall pick (Marquese Chriss).

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There are a few possible solutions to work with there, but it really comes down to what kind of draft considerations or young, rarely used talent the Kings are willing to surrender. A straight-up Knight trade for Gay or Afflalo wouldn’t cut it for Phoenix, but sacrificing a first-rounder for Knight seems like a stretch. If anyone were to make such a blunder though, it’d probably be a playoff-desperate team like Sacramento, right?