It’s Thursday and we’re at rumor No. 2 of the week as it pertains to the Sacramento Kings and NBA trades. That may not seem like a lot because, in fact, two is not a large number. But it actually is once you consider the other handful of Kings-related trade stories of this season that are still floating around.
Just last week, Marc Stein of Substack reported there’s a “rising belief” that the Kings will trade Harrison Barnes by the trade deadline, which makes sense when remembering how Barnes was supposed to be dealt at the previous trade deadline.
There's no agreement in place and work still to do on a Westbrook/Lakers deal, but talks with Kings on a possible Hield deal had also been ongoing between two teams, sources said. https://t.co/FV78eXb1Wh
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 29, 2021
There are Buddy Hield rumors, but those are nothing new. They’ve been swirling around seemingly for years now. Heck, he was almost traded this offseason to the Los Angeles Lakers for a deal that appeared to be done until the Washington Wizards swooped in.
Also, Marvin Bagley III (finally back in the rotation) is a name that keeps getting passed around in rumors from year to year.
But those rumors are all child’s play compared to the more recent ones. Ben Simmons and Domantas Sabonis are the guys in demand, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, with Simmons being atop Sacramento’s wishlist. They’re even willing to include De’Aaron Fox in such deals, says Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. However, The Athletic’s Shams Charania has conflicting reports that mention Sacramento’s unwillingness to include Fox in a Sabonis swap.
Domantas Sabonis is a major focal point for the Kings, too, but Ben Simmons appears to be front and center for now, @sam_amick writes.
“The widely held belief is that Sacramento’s front office simply must do a deal of significance now.”
More: https://t.co/W2mD4q0KO6 pic.twitter.com/xJ6pEQX0La
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) January 19, 2022
Whether Fox is actually being dangled in potential deals not, the Kings seem ready to make drastic changes to the current roster (18-29, 11th place out West) and move in a different direction. I’m just as confused as you are about which direction that could end up being, but at least they are trying.
Kings PG De'Aaron Fox on his name attached to trade rumors, how he deals with it, & if he controlled his future, what he'd like to happen.
"I want to win; I want to be part of a winning team. We're continuing to build & work towards that."
FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/oe9VAo9WJT pic.twitter.com/62yqldpBr3
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) January 18, 2022
The bottom line is that the Kings are ready to make a splash and no one on their roster appears to be off-limits. Will they outbid the other suitors? We’ll see. Nevertheless, the countdown to February’s trade deadline will be a suspenseful one in Sacramento.
Sacramento has +900 odds at Tipico Sportsbook to make the NBA playoffs.
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