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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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. Otto Porter Jr.

Another player whose name has been thrown around in trade rumors this season is the Washington Wizards‘ 3-and-D wing, Otto Porter Jr. With all the dysfunction that has gone down with the Wizards this season, it feels like a trade is inevitable.

Porter is carrying a hefty contract with him (four years, $106.5 million) but given his age (25) and the long-term plans for the Kings, this shouldn’t be an issue. Because of his age, the Kings can afford to take on Porter, as he fits the timeline of their other star players (De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic).

Despite having a down year for the Wizards, Porter is still giving the Wizards 13.0 points a night, pulling down 5.7 rebounds and snagging 1.5 steals a game on respectable efficiency with his .482/.403/.774 shooting splits.

Sure, he doesn’t put up the kind of numbers that you’d expect from a guy making over a $100 million, but maybe a change of scenery is what he needs. Playing for a team that actually gets along and plays motivated basketball might get him back on the right track.

Since returning from injury on Jan. 2 , Porter is averaging 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game and is shooting 47.7 percent behind the 3-point line in his last nine games while coming off the bench. Porter could be returning to his old form and if that’s the case, the Kings could use his services.

At 6’8″ with a 7’1″ wingspan, Porter could give the Kings length and versatility on the perimeter. For a team that lacks a defensive identity (22nd in defensive rating), they could use every last inch of Porter’s lanky arms.

Most importantly, Porter isn’t someone who needs the ball in his hands to be effective or impact games, as evident from his career 16.4 percent usage rate. You can throw him onto any roster and he’d fit in seamlessly. His skill-set is perfect for the modern NBA — shoot, crash the boards and play defense.

He’s exactly the kind of player Sacramento lacks on the perimeter.

Now, this might not be the most exciting trade if you’re a Wizards fan, but it makes sense. Otto Porter is owed over $50 million in the next two years. John Wall, who’s out for the remainder of the season, also signed a four-year, $170 million contract extension in 2017. So, money has become an issue.

By moving Porter and bringing in three guys with expiring contracts, the Wizards would save some cash and hit the market and shop for a star. Since Dwight Howard is still fighting an injury, you get an improved Willie Cauley-Stein, who’s having a career year, as well as Iman Shumpert, whose contributions for the Kings this season haven’t gone unnoticed.

It’s a move that is should help keep both teams competitive and battling for the 8-seeds in their respective conferences.

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