The Sacramento Kings are trading Cory Joseph to the Detroit Pistons for Delon Wright, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Kings are also sending Detroit two second round picks, the Lakers 2021 second rounder and the Kings own second rounder in 2024.
Kings are sending a 2021 via second-round pick via Lakers and their own 2024 second-rounder to Pistons in the deal, source tells ESPN. https://t.co/yXGXXwbsL6
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
Wright is on the books for $9 million this season and $8.5 million next season, and is a combo guard. This year with the Pistons Wright has averaged 10.5 points, 5.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game.
The Pistons seem to be making this move to clear future salary, as Joseph's deal was minimally guaranteed for next season.
It remains to be seen if this deal is a predecessor for the Kings next move, or if the Kings envision Wright as part of the team's future for this season and beyond.
We at The Kings Herald have been very critical of Cory Joseph's on-court play this season, but it's worth noting that CoJo has a reputation as being a tremendous person and a great teammate. He reportedly served as Tyrese Haliburton's veteran mentor this season, and his off-court presence will surely be missed by the Kings.
Coach Luke Walton spoke about Cory Joseph in his post game comments tonight. Although the trade has not been made official, limited what Walton can and can't say, he shared the following:
Luke Walton says: "All I’ll say is that I really, really enjoy coaching Cory (Joseph), and his spirit, his professionalism has been great to coach and great for this group. He is a pleasure to coach and I’ll leave it at that.”
— Jason Anderson (@JandersonSacBee) March 25, 2021
We will continue to update as we learn more, but this marks the first major trade for the Kings leading up to Thursday's deadline. The Kings previously made a minor trade with the Clippers to acquire Mfiondu Kabengele, but this is the first trade where Monte McNair impacted the Kings rotation.
*waits*
“McNair, you idiot! You were supposed to trade Buddy for Kawhi! BRING BACK VLADE.”
One thing we can all agree on: McNair is a better negotiator than the ol RORDOG:
Hah, no shit!
From a pure value standpoint, Wright>>>>>>>Cojo so on the surface it’s a pretty solid deal.
And the Kings saved $7 million. (Edited: I’m wrong. Sorry!)
I believe this move was closer to revenue neutral once you take into account Joseph’s partial guarantee next season.
Kings gained about 6 million for next season in salary by acquiring Wright. FWIW.
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/detroit-pistons-team-salary/
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/sacramento-kings-team-salary/
but Wright’s salary this season is like $3.6 less than CoJo’s, so there’s some offsetting cash.
We are over half the way through the season so maybe $1.5 this year. The more significant point however is the $6 million it costs us next year.
You had to fill the 3rd PG/SG guard position with something. Assuming we’re moving Buddy, a net $6m seems like a reasonable price to pay for Wright’s numbers.
We have some young guys who rarely play.
you only need Wright if you are pushing for the play-in.
Those young guys don’t play the point.
FIFY: Those young guys don’t play
the point.It never stopped Walton from using Buddy as the initiator. And if we would be aiming at the best draft position, who cares?
I’ll be honest, there’s still a part of me that wonders just how much of that was Walton vs how much was just Buddy going “I got this”. That said, I don’t see wither Woodard or Ramsey as being more than bench players at their specific positions, and Guy and James are likely destined for G-League at absolute best, or out of country at the worst next season.
I get giving young guys some burn. We also have to take a step back and realize if they were that good we wouldn’t be debating if they should get minutes in the first place because they would already be playing. The fact they couldn’t outshine CoJo, who is almost out of the league, speaks volumes to me. Haliburton is proof of what I am saying. Within a few weeks he was a key contributor on our closing lineup.
I guess we are officially chasing the play in though. With Curry and James out and Fox’s all star level play lately, Vivek thinks he’s smelling blood in the water. This year is full of steals for us as far as wins go. We were one of the healthiest teams the first couple months when we were .500.
So you’re admitting he’s better than Mike Bratz?
Bratz was always more of a talent evaluator than a negotiator.
This is why GMs shouldn’t overrated like fans do. The way people talk about Bagley, we should just give him up for peanuts.
well to be honest I’d also trade Bagley for two seconds at this point. I’m not what you’d call a “fan” of Bagley’s continued presence on this roster.
I hope our GM isn’t that dumb.
I was smart enough to know Wright was a viable trade target before you though. Keep that in mind.
I don’t always agree with you (or disagree with you), however I respect the swag. You earned the right to gloat a little!
We like to have a little fun in the comments section don’t we folks?
I’d trade Bagley for a forward in his mid 20s who can give you at least 10/6 for 65 games a season. Wouldn’t even hesitate.
Rordog is the man!!
I just posted in the game thread, early in the game, that I’d love to see a game without Cojo! Thank you Monte!
Did you all see Kayte and Koz act sad after the game regarding the Cojo trade? ðððð
Cojo is a very likable guy. I am sure they are all very sad to see him go.
For sure, but Cojo’s gone! ðððððððððððððððððððððð
In all honesty, since his contract wasnt guaranteed next year I was hoping he stayed since hes Halis mentor, cut back his minutes then cut him before the moneys guaranteed. But beggers cant be choosers. the talent went up
At this point, I don’t know if Hali is so raw that he still needs a mentor.
NBA Finals here we come!!!
So, I actually really like Delon Wright but in a vacuum I don’t really get it. We’ll see what else Monte does. I think Rordog has been saying this but I wonder if Monte is trying to accumulate assets for a Rockets style rebuild? Or, of course it’s possible that Vivek is meddling and wants to push for the play in game. I guess we’ll know tomorrow.
Kings saved $7 million over two years by swapping Wright for Cojo. And Wright is also BETTER.
How did they save 7 million? Cojo could be cut for like 2.4 million next year while Wright makes 8.5. The Kings are taking on 6 million in salary next year which is all that really matters.
Oops. I do recall hearing that about Cojo’s contract next year but forgot. My bad!
No worries the fact that I knew that proves I might be spending too much time reading about this trade lol.
Can you show your work on that one? With Wright making about $8.6 mil next year, and Joseph likely off the books for $2.4 mil, my simple ass reads it as an additional six million on Sacramento’s books for the moment.
I like the trade, Wright is the better player at this point.
Yes, it means more salary over the duration of the contract if Cojo were cut (likely), but Wright may still be a net asset at that salary (Cojo likely not).
you better checks your facts.
Facts are so pre-2001.
OMG. I made a mistake. I know none of you know what that’s like. I apologize!
Kings took on more guaranteed next season by about 6 million !
Haliburton is essentially a starter now. You need a PG off the bench. Wright gives you that, and cheaper than a Joseph would have cost. So really, we’re spending $6M to fill that role for next season.
I heard the broadcast say we’ve won 4 of 5 and that was all I needed to hear to figure out what we’re gonna do.
This, along with with fluke 7 of 8 wins killed the tank and now we say goodbye to Barnes or Kuminga.
Screw it. Let’s just win all our games. Fox and Haliburton are our stars. Get used to it!
I think the Kings focused on trades that will make them a playoff contender next season. SPTSJUNKIE has been promoting the idea that we should view McNair’s strategy as Rockets-esque.
One might also point out this could be considered threading the needle.
That too. Wright actually does check a lot of boxes for what this team needs.
That’s right it was SPTSJUNKIE. I mean we’ll see but maybe he was on to something. I do think that the flattened lottery odds have changed the way front office’s are thinking about tanking. I’ve heard a number of different basketball writers mention that on a few podcasts the last couple weeks and it does sort of make sense. I’d rather have the best odds possible at a top pick personally but my job isn’t on the line.
Neither is Monte’s. If he can have a gap year and Walton has to stay around for money reasons, you know that he’s part of a dysfunctional organization where he can dick around for a year and if things get messy, hide behind the excuse of a meddlesome, broke ownership.
You feel confident saying anyone’s job is safe with Vivek running things? I certainly don’t.
I feel very confident saying that Vivek can’t afford to fire Monte for the coming season and half, yes. Neither from a money perspective nor a perception perspective.
I think the money thing is definitely possible but if Vivek was concerned about perception, what’s he been doing for the last 8 years? Everything he does is perceived by most keen basketball observers as the dumbest thing possible.
Most things can be blamed on the GM. Firing the GM is on the owner.
How will the Kings ever replace his 6.7 point and 2.4 assists per game?
And his elite D. ð
Thumbs down for you, thumbs down for you, and thumbs for everyone!
that’s how the r/kings crowd says hello
Gross….
Looks like we’re going for it.
Kevin Love here we come!
Very good defender on a reasonable deal for another year, and you can literally swap him into the minutes that CoJo was getting. Pretty slick.
The Kings basically are taking on some salary next year for two second round picks. IDK
Ugh. I hope this doesn’t come back to bite them in the backside.
If we can move Barnes and Buddy, getting a comparatively cheaper & objectively better version of CoJo for a season isn’t a bad deal.
Just buddy if they really want to shoot for the playoffs next season
We won’t know if we’re shooting for the playoffs until Luke is actually fired. My guess is he’s still here for one more year.
That would be the most disappointing thing going into next year if Luke is still the coach…no way right? Like, that cannot happen..
Move Bagley and Buddy, and draft where you may and see who else can contribute. Team’s too mediocre to tank. The harsh reality of what the team will do is too obvious.
I don’t see this team as too mediocre to tank. This is a bad team that has had the “luck” of catching a few good teams missing multiple players or just resting them. All while Luke is running a 7-8 man rotation. If we gave the 2nd year and rookie players more run for evaluation purposes, we’d be a tremendous tanking team.
This makes it impossible to retain Holmes without dealing Buddy or Barnes. Not complaining. Just observing.
That makes it impossible to overpay Holmes without dealing them. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
I’d rather pay Holmes 12/13 p year than the amounts we are throwing at Buddy.
YMMV.
Could you also make a wish for me?
Only if you request it via parody song lyrics.
And now a little something that everyone can enjoy: To the tune of “I’m Proud to Be an American,” here’s my country/rap hybrid of WAP, sung by Pee Wee Herman.
Given the choice, so would I. Though, I’d still think that was above his worth.
We are GIVING 2 2ND ROUNDERS NOT GETTING TWO!!!!!
I don’t have a huge problem with this deal. Especially since this summer you can move on from players a tad easier. That much cap space means something will fill it. Some teams will very much choose existing salary over signing a player.
McNair is working on something significant!
COJO is a class act. Sure he was overpaid and not a fit for the Kings at this point but the guy work his ass off, had a great attitude and was a positive influence on the team. A real pro.
This was unexpected.
I figured they’d try to move CoJo. I wasn’t sure there would be much of a market. I certainly didn’t think they’d get a solid role player back.
If Wright spells Fox, that’s very long defensive duo for your back court. And Tyrese just makes everyone better, so could be fun.
McNair, of course, is free to roll Wright into some upcoming larger deal. An asset is an asset all year round.
Wait you mean we might see some defense now? I think I just had a stroke.
This is where I’m at. I didn’t think they’d get value like this.
That’s the thing. Monte turned what we all assumed to be a buyout or a cut into a real asset. Dare we hope again?
Yeah, if five days ago, someone suggested that Cojo would turn into Wright, we would have laughed at that person.
And not to put too fine a point on it, but Wright has played over a 1000 minutes so far for Detroit and puts him 3rd on that roster. Which trails only…..Sacramento’s current starting 5.
I have Wright and Bey on my fantasy team, so I have watched a lot of Pistons basketball, and while that is rough on its own, Wright is a pretty solid player. He should be very useful to the team.
Me too! He’s like budget Haliburton.
Wright’s salary is more than twice Haliburton’s. But I’m glad he’s here, whether for a year, or another twelve hours.
I think he meant a poor man’s Haliburton stats wise
That seems fair.