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Sacramento Kings: 3 trades team should make before deadline

By Adi Brescic

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 4: Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings greets Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks prior to the game on March 4, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 4: Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings greets Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks prior to the game on March 4, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Jeremy Lin

Now playing for his seventh team in his ninth season, Jeremy Lin could be on the move again as his name has been mentioned with the Kings in recent trade rumors.

Lin is currently averaging 10.8 points and 3.6 assists in 19.8 minutes per game as a backup point guard for a 14-32 Atlanta Hawks team. The days of Linsanity might be gone, but the 30-year-old is still capable of helping a team in the right situation.

The Kings have backup point guards in Yogi Ferrell and Frank Mason III. However, neither of them is the player Lin is. Lin is the more experienced of the three, and in fact, he’d be the most experienced guard on the roster altogether. He’s played in three different playoff series, averaging 10.1 points and 3.1 assists per game for his career in the playoffs.

Outside of Iman Shumpert and Kosta Koufos, no other player in their rotation has even been to the playoffs.

Besides his experience, Lin also gives the second unit a punch as a creator, for himself and others. In previous seasons, he’s had to take on quite a bit of responsibility from his days with the New York Knicks, to the Houston Rockets, and the Brooklyn Nets.

So, it’s fair to assume that playing the role of a backup point guard for a young team that’s fighting for a playoff spot won’t be much of an obstacle for him. Lin can handle the ball and get off his own shot. He shoots 33.6 percent from 3 on 2.6 attempts per game, which isn’t great, but playing in the Kings’ system, that number should climb with more open looks.

Playing in a fast-paced offense isn’t a foreign concept to him, as the Hawks play at the fastest pace in the league at 105.4, while the Kings trail right behind in second at 104.2. Jeremy Lin and the Sacramento Kings feels like an ideal situation for both parties.

Sending Yogi Ferrell and Zach Randolph to Atlanta would get this trade done. The salaries match up and the Hawks would still get a point guard in return, as well as a mentor for John Collins in Zach Randolph. The Hawks can continue to embrace to tank while also giving their young big man of the future some quality leadership and wisdom.

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