NBA Power Rankings Week 14: NBA trade deadline recap

NBA Power Rankings Week 14: Trade deadline recap

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Amway Center on March 23, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

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NBA trade deadline (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

84. . 21-25. Previous: 25th. Sacramento Kings. 21. team

Last Week: Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 119-105, Beat Atlanta Hawks 110-108, Beat Golden State Warriors 141-119, Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 100-98

This Week: 3/29 at San Antonio Spurs, 3/31 at San Antonio Spurs, 4/2 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 4/3 vs. Milwaukee Bucks

The Sacramento Kings seem to think they are contending for the playoffs. Having won four games in a row they are suddenly only a game out of the play-in tournament and made a move at the deadline that indicates they seem to want to continue to make that push. Perhaps more important was the move they chose not to make.

Harrison Barnes was a popular trade target for many teams looking to bolster their wing depth heading into the postseason. The veteran is having a solid season and is on a manageable contract and that was enough for the Kings to decide he should be a part of their plans for the season.

The Kings swapped Cory Joseph for Delon Wright and sent Nemanja Bjelica to the Miami Heat for Chris Silva and Moe Harkless. They had also briefly acquired Mfiondu Kabengele, but he found himself waived along with Jabari Parker.

It is unclear exactly what the Kings think they can accomplish other than possibly a few home game blowouts in May but for a fanbase starved for any sort of success that may be enough of a carrot to dangle. Wright for his part is a strict upgrade over Joseph and provides another guard with size to play off the bench.