Sacramento Kings: 3 players that could surface in trade talks in 2021-22

Another new NBA season means the Sacramento Kings will get another shot at ending their lengthy playoff drought.

While there has not been much for Kings fans to smile about in recent memory, the franchise looks to be heading in the right direction. They have their franchise cornerstone in De’Aaron Fox locked up for the foreseeable future, and he seems destined for big things. They re-signed their energetic big man Richaun Holmes in the offseason to a solid deal and also appear to have a pair of solid young guards alongside Fox in Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell. Only time will tell if the Kings have enough to make a legitimate run at the postseason, but they might not be content with their roster as it currently stands.

This team has been mentioned in trade rumors consistently over the past year or so, and they could be looking to make some moves behind the scenes. That is just pure speculation, but with that being said, here are three Kings that could potentially be traded during the 2021-22 season.

Sacramento Kings: Marvin Bagley III could surface in trade talks during 2021-22 NBA season

After being selected by the Kings with the second pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Marvin Bagley III has not exactly lived up to expectations. Of course, being selected ahead of both Luka Doncic and Trae Young, two rising stars in today’s NBA, has ramped up that criticism. Bagley has shown signs of potential during his first three NBA seasons, but he has never managed to stay healthy enough to show it consistently, having played 118 games in that span.

While Bagley still has potential if he can stay healthy, it appears that the Kings were already willing to part ways with him last season. Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports reported that the Kings offered a deal centered around Bagley to the Detroit Pistons for Saddiq Bey, but the Pistons declined it. Sacramento’s front office made it clear that they were willing to deal the big man with the offer to Detroit, and they could certainly be ready to move him again if possible.

The biggest question is which teams would want Bagley. At 22-years-old, there is still much room for him to grow, but his injury issues and defensive limitations might make opposing teams rather hesitant to make a move. Bagley is on the books financially for $11.3 million this season, meaning he is not the cheapest target, but one that could be interesting for a young team looking for some depth and the chance to rejuvenate his career. Despite previous rumors, Bagley seems focused on proving his place in Sacramento, but with a payday looming after the season, the Kings might be inclined to move him before then.