NBA Trade Grades: The Pistons and Kings swap guards

Mar 17, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey (left) and guard Delon Wright (55) and head coach Dwane Casey (middle) and forward Jerami Grant (9) and guard Josh Jackson (20) stand on the court during an official time out during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

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NBA trade grades Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA trade grades for the Sacramento Kings

The rationale behind this trade for the Detroit Pistons is clear: Grab some draft assets and a non-guaranteed contract and call it a day. For the Sacramento Kings, on the other hand, it’s a bit harder to parse the logic.

Wright is certainly an upgrade over Joseph, but unless the Kings see themselves as buyers with playoff dreams, it doesn’t make much sense to pay a premium to get him. The 19-25 Kings are 3.0 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the 10 seed and a play-in berth, and FiveThirtyEight gives them a 6.0 percent chance at getting into the playoffs.

Delon Wright won’t move the postseason needle much.

He performed valiantly for the Pistons, forced into action at his less-natural point guard position after Killian Hayes went down with his injury. Starting at a sub-optimal position when you’re best coming off the bench doesn’t make anybody look good, but Wright showed some surprising flashes.

For the Kings, he may provide even more playing behind De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton. This could be an opportunity for him to really flourish. Still, paying up in the way they did is puzzling. It’s not a bad deal for Sacramento, but it’s not a great one either.

Grade: C+

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