Sacramento Kings: 2018 NBA Draft grades
By Dan Lovi
No. 37: Gary Trent Jr., Duke (traded to Portland Trail Blazers)
Gary Trent Jr.’s time with the Sacramento Kings was short-lived, as he was traded to the Trail Blazers for two future second round picks and cash considerations, minutes after being drafted 37th overall.
The selection of Trent Jr. was puzzling at first, but became clear when the Kings traded him for more assets. They now own five additional second round picks, including the Miami Heat‘s and Detroit Pistons‘ second round selections in 2020.
Portland will send Sacramento to two future second-round picks for Trent, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/epxA4sHMS5
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2018
While it’s always nice to collect additional picks, there were quite a few talented players left on the board that could have helped the Kings right away. Shake Milton, De’Anthony Melton and Khyri Thomas are all players who could have probably helped Sacramento right away.
The Kings will now have to hope that the Trail Blazers are heading in the wrong direction, so the two future second round picks end up being closer to the middle of the draft than the end.
If Portland has successful seasons in the coming years, the Kings could end up with two picks in the 50s. If that’s the case, this deal might not have been worth it.
Grade: C-