Heading into the trade deadline, it was unclear whether the Kings would be buyers or sellers. Sacramento\u2019s momentum fluctuated wildly over the first part of the season, and at any given moment, the team was either firmly on the upswing or destined for the lottery yet again. As such, it was hard to predict what path forward the front office would pursue. <\/p>\n
In his press conference after the deadline, general manager Monte McNair explained the team\u2019s philosophy over the past week was to augment its core. Harrison Barnes and Richaun Holmes may not be as young as De\u2019Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, but they\u2019re young enough to be hitting their primes, and that meant that the Kings wanted to see what they could accomplish with this particular group. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe certainly evaluate all our options, but I think our core has shown to be really productive this year, and like I said, one of our goals was to improve the depth around it,\u201d McNair said Friday. \u201cI think the guys we brought in will do that and I think also complement our core guys on both ends, right, and allow them to do what they do best.\u201d<\/p>\n
That pushed the Kings toward becoming buyers, but not necessarily mortgaging the farm in the process. They pursued a pathway of adding value when the opportunity presented itself, or what McNair chose to call \u201cvalue buyers\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think where we categorize ourselves was like value buyers, and we kind of explore all opportunities, and this is what kind of came to the forefront,\u201d McNair said Friday. \u201cThese guys that we acquired have the ability to maybe help us this year, of course, but also be a part of our future, and just really allowed us also to maintain all that optionality going forward and set us up well. So I think we always try to be flexible as possible and not cut off any avenues to see what\u2019s out there and do the best we can.\u201d<\/p>\n
That philosophy manifested itself in three of the trades the Kings made this week. They had a trade exception that was set to expire last Monday, so they used it to acquire Mfiondu Kabengele, a young big man prospect. Per McNair, they didn\u2019t know what other moves would become available, but it was a use-it-or-lose-it situation with the trade exception, and they earned some good will with the Clippers in the process.<\/p>\n
The Delon Wright trade came next, and this was a matter of Sacramento seeking out an upgrade. Although Cory Joseph was a good finisher at the rim and on corner threes, he wasn\u2019t the dynamic point guard that the Kings needed in their second unit. He hasn\u2019t been creating well for his teammates, and his turnover rate is also high, which makes him a poor lead ball handler. It wasn\u2019t just that Joseph was asked to prop up bench lineups \u2014 when he was with the starters, the Sacramento offense was also below average. <\/p>\n
Compared to Joseph, Wright can more easily fit next to the Fox and Haliburton without the Kings going dangerously small. The former Detroit guard is also a much better playmaker and offensive threat. Look how Wright actually pulls a defender away on Harrison Barnes\u2019 game-winner against Cleveland. It\u2019s hard to imagine Joseph having that gravity. <\/p>\n
\nThis is my favorite angle of Harrison Barnes\u2019s buzzer-beater because it really shows how Delon Wright helps create the space for both the pass and shot. Wright empties the corner, but also draws Collin Sexton momentarily, allowing Barnes to get a cleaner catch and turnaround. pic.twitter.com\/Hs4Zm9t1TK<\/a><\/p>\n
— Positive Residual (@presidual) March 28, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n