As was first reported on June 30th, the Sacramento Kings are trading with the Indiana Pacers for Chris Duarte. At the time, the trade was reported as something that was “nearing”, and contained no news on the return, although most of assumed one or two second round picks. Today, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski provided an update on the trade, both that the trade is still on track as well as confirmation of the picks the Kings will send to Indiana.
The Kings are acquiring Pacers G Chris Duarte for two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. Pacers will receive a 2028 second (via Dallas) and the Kings’ 2030 second-round pick. Trade will be finalized today.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2023
Woj also notes that the trade will be finalized today. Offseason moves agreed to during the moratorium need to be completed in a certain order for them to work under the cap. Duarte will be absorbed into cap space, hence the lack of salary matching.
Duarte is a really nice low-cost, high-upside swing by the Kings. He had a really solid rookie year before struggling in his sophomore season due to a combination of injuries and changes to team dynamics. After missing time with injuries, Duarte was never able to re-establish his spot in the Pacers’ rotation. He’ll be looking for a fresh start and a chance to re-prove himself. Reuniting with Domantas Sabonis, with whom Duarte thrived during their shared time in Indiana, could be a recipe for success.
Love this move – former 13th pick in 2021, still on his rookie contract and was touted as a high IQ, elite 3 point shooter coming out of college. Still definitely some upside for basically nothing. Just crazy how many shooters this team has, along with Duarte and Vezenkov coming over.
Nice low cost move with zero downside.
Hopefully he rekindles the magic he had with Domas a few years ago.
Do we know for sure this is true? They could have also used the exception they got from the Holmes trade, no? I’d definitely prefer to use cap space for the deal and keep the exception, but I don’t know enough about cap rules to know how this works.
not sure but I don’t think Kings can use the 12M TPE- traded player exemption if under the cap which they are.
Monte the Thief steals again.
Good move. Similar to the Kessler Edwards acquisition- very little outlay. In this case a second-round pick from Kings and a second round from Dallas obtained in the Jaden Hardy trade 2 years ago (Kings traded the pick that was Hardy to Dallas for 2 future second round picks.)
and Sasha came with a second-round trade of picks.
Getting players for nothing helps a lot.
Duarte will not light the world on fire but he could be useful. Gives an offensive option behind Keegan along with the defensive option- Edwards.
This maybe it for now. If Duarte comes in under cap, he may take up most of the space. Then Sasha gets the room exception. Kings do not get MLE and biannual exception this year.
Nice to have a year of y under the cap.
Some national criticism but who, really now, were the Kings going to sign as a free agent?
Kuzma was the only one and that was a big maybe. HB + Lyles is far more valuable.
I love that we kept a playoff teams core together, while adding more depth and high IQ players to the bench. With Keegan likely having an expanded role this year, as well as having Sasha come over, Kuzma chucking up shots wouldn’t have been smart for what we’re building. This might be the most loaded team we’ve had in Sac
I hope he agrees to play some summer league ball so he can learn the systems the team uses. As y’all have said, there’s no downside, and if he finds his footing a la Trey Lyles, it’ll be an absolute pickpocket job.
That won’t happen I don’t think. He’s a 3rd year player. I’m not sure if that’s even allowed. He will be learning the system everyday at practice from now until game 1 of the season, he’ll be just fine. Maybe, just maybe he’ll be great. Pretty cool.
I think you might be right about that. I’d seen older players at the CC, but it occurred to me that they didn’t have sufficient NBA tenure to be ineligible.
He fits the Colby/Slawson look.
Hope he can be back up to his healthy self and with the injection of confidence that he will get from Domas, this delightful grouping of Kings players and coaching staff – I expect him to be a better defensive, less 3 point offensive Terence Davis.
TD could light it up- on occasion- but he was smaller with suspect D. On the other hand, the Kings did give up 2 of their more explosive athletes- TD and Metu
Duarte more versatile, longer.
I remember the original article mentioned that both Duarte and Sabonis speak Spanish. The little-known official unofficial language of Lithuania.
it’s the lasagna
Sabonis probably negotiated to get his buddy here. Nice move. Anyone that has a similar attitude and aptitude should be welcome.
”Negotiated”? I wouldn’t go that far. I’m sure he was asked about him though. I would assume the conversation about their chemistry on the court was discussed, the question of, would you endorse this move or do you think we should be looking at other guys over him? Then Ox said “if you can get him then get him!! He’s a great player that hasn’t had the best health or opportunity to prove it.”
Probably is a keyword in the post I wrote.
Any sources for your quotes?
This is my favorite of the smaller off-season moves.
I like it as well. A recent first round pick whose game fits our system, and he reportedly defends pretty well, too. Exactly the kind of player we should bringing into this organization.
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