The Sacramento Kings have the longest playoff drought in the NBA right now. They have not made the playoffs since the 2005-2006 season when Brad Miller led the team in win shares.
Needless to say, Kings fans have not had it easy over the past two decades. Even this year, as the team sits at 3-3, the playoffs seem to be a tall task.
Harrison Barnes looks great, De’Aaron Fox is playing well, and Davion Mitchell looks to be the elite defender everyone thought he could be. All that being said, the team still feels as though it’s missing something.
What are some trades that the Kings could do to catapult themselves into playoff contention? How can the Sacramento Kings improve this year?
Trades to catapult the Sacramento Kings into the playoffs: Jerami Grant
Since the Detroit Pistons are entering a youth movement, maybe the Kings could try to put together a package for one of their older players. Jerami Grant has been great for Detroit, and he would be great in Sacramento, too.
It’s no secret that Marvin Bagley wants out of Sacramento, so why not free him? The Pistons could take a chance on Bagley, while the Kings would get an All-Star-level talent.
The Pistons would also receive some serious draft compensation for their star player. That’s something they could legitimately use to help surround Cade Cunningham with talent.
A trade like this could definitely help the kings get back into the playoffs. It might take some serious convincing for the Pistons to consider it, though.
Trades to catapult the Sacramento Kings into the playoffs: Domantas Sabonis
Kings get Sabonis, Pacers get Bagley, Thompson, Davion, 2024 First Round, 2026 First Round
The Indiana Pacers have gotten off to a terrible start to the season. Things are looking bleak for them despite the hiring of new head coach Rick Carlisle.
Domantas Sabonis hasn’t been bad for them, but no one on that roster should be untouchable at the moment. In all honesty, it might be time for them to explore the idea of blowing things up.
If that becomes the case, the Sacramento Kings should come knocking immediately. They should be taking any chance they get to add talent to their roster.
Sabonis is a two-time All-Star who could help lead their frontcourt. He may not be a defensive mastermind, but he’d definitely help win them some basketball games.
It would definitely cost them a pretty penny to get him, though. That penny might just end up being rookie Davion Mitchell, who has been a beast on defense so far this season.
Add him to a package of Marvin Bagley, Tristan Thompson, and a couple of first-round picks, and the Pacers might be willing to bite. That trade could help improve their future, while not hurting them too badly right now, either.
If the Pacers decide to blow things up, this is a trade the Kings should definitely offer. Their playoff chances would increase tremendously.
Trades to catapult the Sacramento Kings into the playoffs: Brandon Ingram
Let’s get absolutely wild. If the Kings wanted to really change things up and add another star next to De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, this is definitely a way to do that.
The Pelicans have looked absolutely dreadful so far this season. Zion Williamson hasn’t been playing, but even he hasn’t looked great.
Reports came out that Williamson weighed over 300 pounds at times this offseason. That is not news that Pelicans fans should want to hear.
If they continue to play this poorly, a big-time shakeup could be in order. The Sacramento Kings should pounce at the chance to snag talent from that roster if it comes down to it.
Who better to go after than All-Star Brandon Ingram? If New Orleans becomes desperate to blow things up and reset around Williamson, this could genuinely help.
It would give them an elite floor spacer in Buddy Hield, a project in Marvin Bagley, an elite perimeter defender in Davion Mitchell, and a bunch of draft capital.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings would get another bucket to pair alongside their current core. Ingram and Fox could end up being a great pairing.
While the likelihood of this trade seems low, nothing is impossible in today’s NBA. The Sacramento Kings should be looking to make a splash this season.