Trade 3
Willie Cauley-Stein is playing the best basketball of his career. He will certainly be looking to turn his recent success into a big payday come July 1.
The Kings need to decide what they are planning to offer him, as well as what they are willing to match from other teams since he is a restricted free agent.
If they don’t foresee themselves re-signing him on a team-friendly contract, then the best course of action would be to see what they can get for him via trade.
The Atlanta Hawks’ biggest hole in their lineup is at the center position. Dewayne Dedmon, Miles Plumlee, and Alex Len make up most of their minutes at the 5, but in an unremarkable fashion and none of them are likely in the teams long-term plans.
Enter Willie Cauley-Stein. His style of play would fit well with the Hawks. He isn’t an elite scorer, so he shouldn’t take many touches away from breakout-star John Collins. He would be able to grab rebounds and protect the rim.
Acquiring WCS, a legitimate center, would make it so Collins could play his natural position, power forward, full time.
This trade would put the Kings in a good position. Alex Len has been an inconsistent big man for the majority of his career, but that is changing, as he is starting to be a productive player for the first time. In 2019, Len has averaged 11.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.
If he continues his recent play, he will finally be able to find himself a long term home. If he doesn’t work out for the Kings, they could always sign a better center in free agency.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the the Hawks are gauging interest on swingman Taurean Prince. Prince had big expectations coming into this season. From December 29, 2017, to April 8, 2018, he had five 30-point games.
His hot finish to the 2017-18 season had many hoping to see his scoring rise to a new level. Despite the hype, Prince has digressed. His play has been underwhelming, and if the rumors are true, his days in Atlanta are numbered.
Prince could fill in as the teams starting small forward, sending Iman Shumpert to the bench. He would be another capable scorer for De’Aaron Fox to dish the ball to. Prince has a lot of defensive potential and, in theory, should be a better defender than he is.
His jump shot isn’t the most effective or consistent, but he has tremendous upside. A trade to a different team like the Kings would give him a chance to reinvent his career.