Despite their steady slide in the Western Conference standings, the Sacramento Kings are rumored to be pursuing a scoring wing to try and bolster the roster. That could prove to be a bad decision for a number of reasons. One is that they aren't particularly good 25 games into the season and that their best player, De'Aaron Fox, may want a trade.
Another is that the Kings are steadily losing ground in the brutal Western Conference, with them two games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for 10th place in the West. If that were to continue, then the Kings would have to strongly look at potentially breaking up their core instead of adding to it.
This could mean that they look to trade Fox for a high price, especially considering his stellar season. Trading a player who is still in his prime and has spent the first seven seasons of his career in Sacramento would probably be hard, but it may end up being the right decision if the Kings can't make up ground.
After all, in the three and a half seasons with both Fox and Domontas Sabonis, they have only made the playoffs once and don't appear likely to do so again.
Are the Sacramento Kings fooling themselves?
The Kings considering trading for Washington Wizards power forward Kyle Kuzma, who is having a down season, is an odd decision. Worse still, they might have to give up a first to acquire him, but even with him, the Kings might not be good enough to even make the play-in tournament.
That would be a huge mistake, especially with the Kings already owing the Atlanta Hawks a first-round pick. If they don't make the playoffs this season and their pick ends up being inside the top 12, they will be able to keep it, which gives them incentive to pick a direction.
Having a lottery pick in the loaded 2025 NBA draft would help the Kings add talent on the cheap. Hopefully, that selection would provide them with enough of a talent upgrade to help them make the playoffs next season. Even so, they have a looming decision to make with Fox, who can leave after next season, and he may want out before then.
According to the Athletics' Anthony Slater, the San Antonio Spurs could be interested in him, and if the Kings decide to field offers, then they could get a pretty penny for him. However, given that the Kings have missed the playoffs 18 out of the last 19 seasons, they may want to stay somewhat competitive for as long as they can. That's fine, but they should not be looking to trade future assets to try and improve right now.