Top 5 Sacramento Kings Trade Targets (Realistic Options)

June 14, 2024

The finals are nearly over, which means it’s time to turn our full attention to the NBA offseason. After a disappointing end to last year, the Kings are in need of upgrades to the roster. Without big money to spend on free agents, it seems like the big move of the offseason is bound to be a trade. This list will focus on realistic trade options for the Kings, which means the likes of Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram aren’t on the table.

The Kings would likely get outbid for any of the biggest names on the market and Ingrams contract situation is reminiscent to Pascal Siakam with him having one year left and looking for big money afterward. There is one name on the list that’s a bit of a reach, but I just couldn’t make myself leave him off…

Trade Target #5: Zach LaVine

I know LaVine is a controversial acquisition for many fans, but the Kings need offense, and Zach LaVine provides offense. Throw in the fact that he will be cheap to acquire and may come with an additional asset as a salary dump, and I think it’s worth the risk. If the Kings are able to resign Malik Monk, the combo of Monk, LaVine, De’Aaron Fox, and Keon Ellis would make a very strong backcourt with 3 players who can score and make plays off the dribble.

What intrigues me most about LaVine is his versatility on offense. Looking at his shooting splits by area, he’s able to score all over the court while also handing out 3.9 Assists per game. With an 85.4% FT%, he would also help the Kings FT%, which they desperately need help with after finishing last in the league at 74.5%.

Trade Target #4: Jerami Grant

Jerami Grant was one of my favorite Free Agent targets last offseason, and continues to remain high on my wish list this season in the trade target category. He brings length and elite shooting at a position of need for the Kings. The combo of him, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis would provide a very lengthy front court, something that they haven’t had in years.

Grant doesn’t provide as much in the peripheral categories of Rebounding and Assists, but both of his numbers are higher that Harrison Barnes 3.0 Rebounds and 1.2 Assists last season. The 57.6% shooting at the rim gives me pause, but he shot 65.0% in the area in the 2022-23 season. Portland had an extremely down year last season, which general results in tougher looks for everyone on the roster, so I would expect that number to go up in Sacramento. Even if it doesn’t, I’ll take 50% shooting on Wide-Open 3’s any day of the week.

Trade Target #3: Kyle Kuzma

Kyle Kuzma feels like he’s on this list by default. From a team building perspective of both the Kings and the Wizards, the descending contract, his size and length, it all just makes sense. His 76.4% shooting in the Restricted Area ranked 8th highest in the NBA last season (min 100 attempts). he brings an elite skill set of scoring inside that the Kings don’t have outside of Fox and Sabonis. He also excels in transition, which would pair well with Fox.

The question for Kuzma will always be can he buy in and be part of a system. And for that, I say I don’t know? But from a numbers perspective, I like it enough to give it a chance, especially with his contract being so moveable if it doesn’t work out.

Trade Target #2: Bobby Portis

While Kyle Kuzma feels like a wary fit from his on court perspective, Bobby Portis feels like he would fit like a glove. Milwaukee fans love him, and I’m sure he would become an instant fan favorite in Sacramento as well as Kings fans love hard working players. Portis’ numbers don’t jump off the page, but when you look at everything he does it all makes sense.

His 7.4 Rebounds would be an instant upgrade from Barnes 3.0, and he can score from all over the court. He hits the Wide Open 3 at a 46.1% clip and is active on defense, the epitome of a 3&D player every team in the league wants and needs. Prying him away from the Bucks may be a little costly, but to get a culture setter that it seems like the Kings desperately need, it may be worth it.

Trade Target #1: Lauri Markkanen

Lauri Markkanen is my pipedream. He always has been and will continue to be until he’s completely off the table. If there’s any way to get him without giving up Keegan, I’m all in. With only one year left on his deal, it feels like that may be possible. We’re talking about a trade all future picks and assets type of deal, with a one year rental is risky, but if you can get some sort of agreement of an extension on the table, it would be worth the risk.

On the court, Markkanen brings great scoring from everywhere, including being more than able to step out and hit the 3. He shot 39.9% from beyond the arc on 8.0 attempts per game. The only players with more attempts per game and a higher percentage are CJ McCollum, Donte DiVincenzo, and Stephen Curry.

He knows how to play with another big in Walker Kessler, which suggests the pairing of him and Sabonis would work great, and would once again give the Kings one of the largest front courts in the league. In terms of realistic options, he toes the line of unrealistic, but I can’t stop thinking about the possibility.