The Sacramento Kings were one of many teams to better themselves in the loud, eventful 2019 NBA Trade Deadline.
The 2019 NBA Trade Deadline was certainly a memorable one. The Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia 76ers showed they are going all in on this season, while teams like the Los Angeles Clippers set their focus on free agency and the future.
Then there were the teams like the Sacramento Kings, who made smaller and underrated moves to help with their current success, despite them knowing that it won’t result in winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy this June.
The Kings had one goal in mind entering the trade deadline: Improve the team enough to make the playoffs. They were a part of three trades and achieved their goal in each of them. They managed to turn non-factors into real rotation pieces who can contribute consistently.
Assets that were dealt include: Zach Randolph, Justin Jackson, Iman Shumpert and Skal Labissiere, as well as the subsequently waived guard Ben McLemore. These five players combined for only 64 minutes per game and very limited production on court this season.
While each of their trades are considered “wins,” which was the best? Here are the three trades made by the Sacramento Kings at the deadline, ranked.