NBA Trades: 3 Western Conference teams that need to make a splash

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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 08: De’Aaron Fox #5 celebrates with Chimezie Metu #7 of the Sacramento Kings after a play in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Center on November 08, 2021 in Sacramento, California, NBA Trades: 3 Western Conference teams that need to make a splash. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

NBA Trades: 3 West teams that need to make a splash – Sacramento Kings

Why? – It’s been the same old story for the Sacramento Kings this season. The team sits 10th in the Western Conference with a below .500 record thanks to having, yet again, one of the worst defenses in the entire NBA.

The Kings rank 27th in the NBA for defensive rating, giving up 112.9 points per 100 possessions. The team continues to stagnate and all the signs point to Sacramento breaking the LA Clippers’ record of most consecutive seasons not making the playoffs.

Despite that, the Kings have continued to stick with the same core of players, along with some mid-lottery additions in Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell. The team is not bad enough to land one of the top prospects, but not good enough to actually get into the postseason.

It is one of the worst places to be in the NBA, and this team has been long overdue for a shake-up. Those running the franchise have to start addressing the team’s woeful defense or risk another season of disappointment.

What does the team need? – It’s not all bad for the Kings, however. The team has some really talented, exciting younger players like Tyrese Haliburton, De’Aaron Fox, and Davion Mitchell. With the right changes, they could be in a much better position to challenge for a postseason spot.

The Kings tried to address their defensive weaknesses by drafting Mitchell, but need to do a lot more to improve on that end of the floor. Even if it takes giving up one of their talented players like Fox or Buddy Hield, Sacramento must be active in the trade market to get better on defense.

This season, the Kings rank last by quite a ways for points given up in the paint per game at 52.8. While the answer could be a better rim protector, it would be too easy just to blame Richaun Holmes at center. The team also has to do a better job of providing more resistance on the perimeter to stop teams from getting to the paint in the first place.

The Kings are also second-to-last in opponent’s second-chance points and opponent’s points off turnovers. Sacramento gives up way too many easy buckets and needs someone that can alleviate these issues.

Outside of that, it might be time for a hard reset, even if that means taking more of a step back from where the team already is in order to get better in the future.

One disgruntled former All-Star currently not playing any basketball at all jumps out as an obvious target…

Possible targets – Ben Simmons, Myles Turner, Jerami Grant, Marcus Smart