NBA Trade Grades: Kings, Blazers swap Skal Labissiere for Caleb Swanigan

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are a team on the rise this season. Currently 28-26, ninth in the Western Conference, the team is looking to clinch its first playoff berth since the 2005-06 season.

Heading into the trade deadline, the Kings needed to make a move or two that would give them that final push into the top eight. The acquisitions of Barnes and Burks shoring up their small forward battery may be just the ticket.

By comparison, bringing in Caleb Swanigan doesn’t move the needle for Sacramento in the same manner.

“Biggie” Swanigan comes to Sac-Town after 45 games over a season-and-a-half in Portland. The Blazers selected him No. 26 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft out of Purdue. He entered the pros after being one of the country’s top rebounders. Swanigan finished the 2016-17 with the most total rebounds in Division I that season.

However, that success in college hasn’t translated to the pros yet. Swanigan has spent the past two seasons outside of the Blazers’ rotation. He currently holds career averages of 2.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Perhaps a change of scenery will be good for his development. Though he hasn’t received a lot of playing time, he has the potential to be a double-double machine. He averages 10.3 points and 11.4 rebounds per 36 minutes for his career.

Swanigan’s contract is guaranteed through 2020, with a team option for 2020-21. With a crowded frontcourt in front of him, perhaps the Kings can develop him in-house and in Stockton into a player similar to what Thomas Bryant is for the Washington Wizards. Otherwise, he’ll be off the books as soon as next summer. Low-risk, high-reward.

Grade: C