December 15th is a key date for the NBA trade market, as 74 additional players who signed extensions this summer become trade eligible. This makes it easier for teams to match salaries in deals, and since it aligns with teams being a third of the way through the season and teams are figuring out whether they’re buyers or sellers, it often marks the beginning of the NBA trade season.
With that, we’ve got some new NBA trade chatter courtesy of Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, and there are a few notable names mentioned in connection with the Kings.
Kyle Kuzma
Pincus says of Kuzma and the Kings:
Kuzma is believed to still be on the Sacramento Kings’ radar after they missed out on him in 2021 when the Los Angeles Lakers traded him to Washington instead of Sacramento.
Kuzma could make sense for the Kings as a versatile scoring forward, but Kuzma is a downgrade in terms of floor spacing. He’s shooting just 33.3% from deep this season, after shooting 34.1% last season. The upside would be that Kuzma would be a solid cutting threat to receive passes from Domantas Sabonis. There’s also the hope that Kuzma’s numbers could look better if he isn’t the primary option of offense. Kuzma also fits the Kings’ timeline, as he’s still just 27 years old.
The concerns with Kuzma are two-fold. First, Kuzma is a hitting free agency this summer, and is looking for a pay day. More from Pincus:
Kuzma (27), however, is a flight risk and precisely the kind of player many rebuilding teams would covet in free agency. He could be a top-five free agent this offseason—at worst, top-10. “He wants out,” an NBA source said. “He’s looking for over $20 million a season and in a big market [or with a contender].”
There’s also the question of whether a guy looking to get a big payday will be willing to be the third or fourth option on offense. We’ve previously seen Monte McNair trade for a player after missing out on him initially, but I would have some fit concerns with Kuzma on this squad.
Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby
Pincus also discusses several players from the Toronto Raptors that may be on the trade block as the team begins to shift its timeline to build around Scottie Barnes, such as Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, and Gary Trent. He lists the Kings as being an interested team that is likely interested:
The list of teams interested in Siakam, Anunoby (especially Anunoby), VanVleet and Trent is varied, likely including the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, Lakers, Suns, Kings and Nets, among others.
While VanVleet and Trent are both good players, neither seem to be likely targets for the Kings. The Kings and Siakam have been connected in rumors before, and he or Anunoby would also be excellent fits with the Kings.
Siakam has one year left on his deal and is 28 years old. Anunoby has one year and then a player option, and is just 25 years old. Either player would be an excellent fit with the Kings, but the challenge will be coming up with a package that makes Toronto happy. Due to the protected pick in the Huerter trade, the Kings can’t trade a first round pick anytime soon.
Good players but the Kings likely cannot offer what it takes to get them.
I think the same could have been said before Monte traded for Sabonis. He’s shown he’s willing to part with rookie contracts to land a star.
Im not advocating it but Barnes, Holmes and Murray/Mitchell for Siakam works mathematically.
I’m not sure I’d move Murray at this point. Having potentially high production guys on rookie deals is what enables you to sign/keep the Foxes, Sabonises, etc. That said, I would think that package with Mitchell would have to include an uncomfortable amount of draft assets.
Mitchell has limited value at this point I think. He has a role that he is very good at. It will take a team that specifically needs his talent because it is a singular talent.
Would trading Murray and filler for a star be any different than trading Hali and filler for a star? As it stands today, it could be argued that Monte traded the best player of the 2020 draft, while still on his rookie deal, for Sabonis.
It would be the same, as we would be told the next day by Jalen Rose and whatshisname that the Kings traded the greatest rookie ever and future MVP (who they don’t discuss at all as of today) for scraps.
I wouldn’t have traded Hali either. But, yes, it would be different because the circumstances are different. I also don’t think it would be Murray and filler. I think there would be at least one high value pick involved, if not 2 or 3.
Yeah, but I think the Kings have the rights for the entire 2nd round in 2024.
I like Siakam. Would love to have him. The three you mention might get it done if they are looking to simply move him on without the same caliber player in return. Sometimes that is what the other team is looking to do.
Glad you’re not advocating it because then I wouldn’t have to call you dumb. 🙂
On a serious note, I don’t see the point of acquiring Siakam while giving up Murray in the process. Murray is a better defender now than I think some realize (I’m impressed with his ability on that end and I was not expecting that at all) and I think Ujiri/Webster would likely be tickled pink to get a player like Murray in exchange for Siakam. Especially since Murray is so close in age to Scottie Barnes and has much of the complimentary skillset (and defense) that the Raptors would want.
Gutting your starting front line for Siakam is stupid. I like Pascal Siakam, I’d be willing to trade Harrison Barnes and Richaun Holmes (and a piece like Davion Mitchell although I’d hate that part of because I have an irrational love for Davion; you’re welcome to judge and I’m going to respond by telling you to go fuck yourself so save yourself the trip FYI) .
But there’s no way the Raptors do a Siakam for Barnes/Holmes/Mitchell deal unless there’s more coming back…and I don’t see why the Kings would do that. Siakam makes a lot of sense (as does John Collins and Kyle Kuzma for that matter) on a lot of levels for the Kings if they can pair him with Murray.
The only way I see this type of deal panning out for Sac is if a Barnes/Holmes deal is the base and you add things in from there to make asset/roster/money requirements work.
The Kings trade Barnes/Holmes/2026 FRP unprotected (making the 2024 FRP unprotected to Atlanta, or, better, make the 2023 pick unprotected instead and trade the 2025 pick to TOR) for Siakam. If that isn’t enough, that’s when you need to expand the trade to include Mitchell (which likely you will need to do) and now the Raptors start having to add players to meet the roster requirements.
I mean, Raptors fans will howl because they will want a lot more than that for Siakam, but I wonder how much actual value Siakam has around the league. For the Kings? With a core of Fox, Sabonis and Murray? Absolutely worth doing. For lots of teams in a different place? Not nearly as much. I suspect Monte McNair knows that and acts accordingly.
I have a feeling that Holmes is being held back for a potential Siakam deal (and perhaps another star’ish player like Siakam) if the Raptors decide they want to move him this deadline. Of course, I could be full of shit too. I still think the Lakers are angling to get Dame Lillard for Westbrook (and not adding picks) once Dame is eligible to be traded again. You just never know in the NBA.
It is what it is at this point, but I see one of two possibilities this year. The Kings swing for the fences for a Siakam type without adding Murray or a more scaled down trade like Holmes for Mason Plumlee like you mentioned yesterday Adam. I don’t see much else out there at this moment that the Kings can truly do to upgrade this team at this time. (You’re welcome to not mention Mo Bamba in advance. Thanks.) And people will point out (I just looked at Siakam’s numbers to make sure I wasnt missing something) he’s averaging 25, 9 & 7. I know this, I have Basketball-Reference bookmarked too. He’s also got a .195 WS/48 (rather low for a guy with 25, 9 & 7 numbers IMO), an average TS% (57.5%), much higher USG than when he played with Kawhi Leonard on that championship team (although more in line for the last several years when TOR was a 1 and done playoff team), and he’s no guarantee to play 75 games in a year either.
Pascal Siakam is a 3rd piece on a championship team and the Raptors (and fans certainly) expect you to pay them on a 2nd piece level. That just won’t happen however you slice it. Barnes, Holmes and Mitchell plus an UFRP in ’25 or ’26 gets you very close to that level of value.
Will the Raptors do it? No telling whatsoever. I’m not even expecting it but I think that’s where the Kings need to be headed if they are going to make a trade. Either that, or as I’ve said, a much smaller deal for a Plumlee type. People have to understand that Siakam is making 35M this year, 39M next. Those guys aren’t easy to move no matter how many fans out there want that guy. Ujiri, Webster, McNair and Wilcox all know it.
Man, this is a totally different conversation than the Divac years. For that, I’m thrilled. It’s been too goddamn long.
Here’s an idea: Fox+stuff for Siakam.
Siakam is about as ideal of a frontcourt partner as you can find for Sabonis. Long, athletic defensive forward that can spàce the floor, operate as a cutter, and offer weakside rim protection. Moreover, he’s proven able to stay on the floor.
Fox’s value seems to be near an all-time high, and Siakam may come at a slight discount for non-basketball related reasons (not unlike Sabonis for Hali). Plus, Fox wouldn’t be a bad long-term fit for the Scottie Barnes Raptors.
I’ve been a staunch defender of Fox, but Siakam brings things that you simply can’t teach. It’s rare you have the opportunity to swing for an All-NBA Forward (the most coveted position in the league) and while I am a Fox fan, idk if he ever reaches that level.
The boost we’d get from Siakam taking over at the 4 would appear greater than the dropoff from Fox to Davion at the guard spot. Maybe we could even finesse Malachi Flynn as a throw-in.
Simply put, high scoring guards are a dime a dozen in the NBA. What Siakam is….is not.
Someone who understands trade rules better than I may be able to shed some light: In regards to first round picks, couldn’t Monte convert the Huerter ’24 pick to unprotected, and then we could trade future firsts starting in ’26?
That might work?
Monte might have some options that people don’t obviously see.
There is a precedent set with Miami’s 2023 1st in, ironically, the KZ Okpala deal with OKC last February.
“The pivotal first-round pick – sent from Miami to the Clippers in the 2019 Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade then flipped to the Thunder for Paul George a few days later – originally would have conveyed if outside the lottery in 2023 or 2024. Now, those years are off the table. The pick can convey at the earliest in 2025, when it remains lottery protected. It remains unprotected in 2026.”
Source: https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/02/09/heat-gain-pick-trade-and-luxury-tax-flexibility-in-trade-with-thunder/
Also, did anyone find out if the Kings continue to forfeit payments from luxury tax teams? IIRC, the payment forfeitures were forever which helped Vivek secure the team. An important detail I would say.Vivek agreed to not partake in the revenue sharing payments from luxury tax teams when he bought the team back in 2013. I am curious if this still continues to this day though.
Source:
Fairly sure the Kings could renegotiate with Atlanta and make it a ’23 FRP unprotected, but the Hawks might not want to do that. The Kings could certainly make the ’24 pick unprotected though a lot easier since that pick is already coming Atlanta’s way in theory.*
= The Stepien rule applies to future picks only, not previously traded picks; that’s why you could trade the 2026 pick to TOR in this scenario if the ’24 pick becomes unprotected
Hey hey, how are things around these parts? I’ve been out of touch for a few week and only able to catch pieces of games here and there. What I’ve seen has been fun and refreshing though. And I see this place is still standing, so that’s good.
Also, Anunoby and Siakam would be nice fits. Siakam because he’s simply a high level talent. Anunoby is a better fit (when he’s fit). He could have a huge impact on the Kings defense. That said, his health is always a big question mark. I know that figures into the price.
I’ll pass on Kuzma. He’s a classic example of a guy that needs the ball taken out of his hands more often. He needs to shave off about 4-5 poor shots per night and cut his TOs in half.
Totally agree on Kuzma. I follow the Wizards a bit and he’s a classic hot or cold guy. High usage, low efficiency.
I think Kuzma would benefit from Sabonis just because Domas creates good shots for everyone else…except himself…consistently. The biggest problem I have with Kuzma is that he really isn’t a rim protector and I’m not sure he and Murray pair together as well as Barnes and Murray do. The chemistry issue with Kuzma is something that I would have issues with.
Holmes for Kuzma? Yeah, you betcha. Anything beyond that? I’m not that interested in doing it.
I pass on Kuzma as well. He doesn’t bring anything to the table that Barnes and Murray don’t already provide with less usage, not to mention he’s a near lock to opt out of his PO this summer.
The doomers are quiet, the Kings are on 46 win pace even after the clusterfuck that was the MSG game, I suggest watching the last 5 minutes of the Cavs game in Cleveland (that 19-0 run was something), and I would love Pascal Siakam personally if the Kings could get him under the right deal (hint: that does not include Keegan Murray).
Yeah, same as it ever was really around here.
“Trade Rumors: Good teams like good players!” Total non-story in regards to the Kings and some other teams.
Since we are discussing these players, I like Anunoby, Siakam, and Kuzma in that order. What is the best trade package we could offer for Anunoby? HB, Davion, and 2 unprotected FRP (most likely 26′ & 28′)? Any other ideas for trade packages?
I’d love to have Anunoby on this team, but more than one FRP makes my stomach hurt, protected or otherwise. Maybe getting a 3rd team involved to take on Holmes’ contract and give some value to Toronto would do the trick, but I dunno how likely that would be
OT: I don’t know how I missed it, but RIP Paul Silas.
Class guy.
https://twitter.com/NBAHistory/status/1602316335412715521?s=20&t=TAuTQoZJJ8o4oHXMd4FZWA
Can’t say I’ve ever been a fan of Kuzma, even back in college. So that one is a hard pass for me.
Of course NBA Today mentioned only 1 Kings game from the past weekend…
Well technically Friday is a weekday…. 😂😂😂😂
Hard pass on Kuzma.
The two Raptors mentioned in this story would cost a pretty penny which I don’t think is worth paying.
I really don’t want to give up any future 1sts with already having one tied up with KH. If a deal is eventually out there for someone like HB or Holmes straight up, then sure, otherwise I think it’s prudent to just stay the course and have more options with future assets once you see how this group does this season and hopefully in the playoffs. An obvious statement, but MM will have a clearer picture on where this roster stands and what it is truly capable of at season’s end.
Barnes/Holmes for OG/Boucher works in the trade machine.
While I am pretty high on most guys on the Raptors (admittedly since I have a soft spot for them as my Eastern Conference team), I think I’d rather have OG at the price he could be available at versus Siakam at his price point. OG is a menace on the perimeter, leading the league in steals the last time I checked.
I’d focus on a cheaper trade target.
Maybe Barnes. Flip holmes for a late first, and take the protection off the Atlanta pick and go get John Collins who I think is a near perfect fit at PF and locked in on a solid contract.
Serious question. What does John Collins give you at 4 more years at $100M (25M per year) that Keegan Murray already gives you at 3 more years on a team controlled $30M?
Is Collins that much better than Keegan that justifies paying him triple as well as giving up assets?
I’ll add…I projected draft prospect Keegan as a better shooting John Collins, or even a second coming of Rashard Lewis.
IMO, you only give up Keegan if you are getting quality established talent back, much like the Hali deal.
Yikes – Collins is shooting .219 from three this year. Unless there’s reason to think he’ll magically transform back into the John Collins from three or four years ago Monte should want none of that…
Good players but unrealistic targets for the most part. IMO, it would cost too much to obtain for the player & contract coming back in return. Not against making a move, but it really needs to be the right one.
Not interested in Kuzak’s unless it’s for end of the bench players and 2nd round picks. Not likely.
Kuzma: No! Siakam or Anunoby: not at the likely cost. #1 Resign Barnes for 2-3 years at reasonable, declining salary. #2 Trade Holmes and/or Len for late 1st Round draft capital.
Why would any team trade a late 1st round pick for Holmes and Len?
Another idea. Trade Barnes and 2 seconds for Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke then trade Holmes and 2 seconds for Josh Richardson. Dillon Brooks is not the spacer as Barnes but has a motor than runs the whole game. He is a tenacious defender and has the ability to change the outcome of games.He is also in the King’s age group. Brandon Clarke can rim protect especially on the weak side and for his height can block shots. He isn’t a outside threat but is a good inside defender but can also defend on the perimeter. He also with in Monty’s age group. Richardson is not in the age group but can score, shoot the 3 and is still a very good defender.
No way in hell am I giving up a pick for Josh Richardson. I’d consider that deal straight up, but I’d prefer Mason Plumlee to Richardson if I’m being honest.
I don’t see any way the Grizz want Barnes more than a Brooks/Clarke combo even with their warts. I can see the Kings being okay with that deal, but I think they are after bigger game like Siakam than settling for a Dillon Brooks type.
Thanks for your comment. I will now agree. My only question and I agree on Siakim is how can we do this trade. If it comes true then do we move Murray to SF?
I dont think it matters positionally. It matters who the matchup is. Some matchup’s will be tougher than others, as always, but I think that gives the Kings a lot of options to defend teams in the direction where things seem to be headed (lots of 6’5 to 6’9 guys).
Domas article from the Ringer.
Apparently the asking price for Cam Reddish is quite low. Would he be a good addition? Has good size and shown flashes. Maybe a different system will allow him to blossom.
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