Will Z’s Top 5 Trade Targets

January 27, 2024

Trade season is in full effect with rumors swirling everywhere you look. The Kings are connected to almost all the big names and seem to be at a crossroad for the season. Harrison Barnes has played exceptional in the last two games. Do the Kings still look to upgrade at the position? With Davion Mitchell being in and out of the rotation, do they bring in a new option for the backup Point Guard spot? Below are my top 5 trade targets with some numbers to back up why.

Note that I will not be getting into trade ideas or what it will take to get the players. Feel free to duke it out on social media though on what you think the trade should be!

#1 Jerami Grant

Jerami Grant may be the most expensive option in terms of contract and trade assets, but he also is likely to make the biggest impact. If you’re looking for a shooter with length to bring in, it’s hard to get better than Grant. Shooting 41.0% from deep this season and a staggering 52.2% on his Wide-Open looks, he would slot into the Kings starting lineup perfectly.

With the Blazers, he’s only averaging 1.7 Wide-Open 3PAs per game. The Kings have 8 players averaging at least 1.7 Wide-Open 3’s per game, with Keegan Murray leading the way with 4.0. Sign me all the way up for Grant’s size and shooting with this team.

#2 Kyle Kuzma

Kyle Kuzma may not be the shooter that Jerami Grant is, but he brings more of a balanced approach to his game that could help the Kings. His 73.6% shooting at the rim would be a great addition to the Kings team and help make up for his lower 3P%. That along with his rebounding and assists would fit nicely in the Kings lineups.

His contract is also declining, and much more palatable than Grant’s. Having him locked in at a great rate for years to come would free up money to continue building out the roster while going for a player with a contract like Grant would be harder to tweak going forward.

#3 Alex Caruso

If the Kings want to go all in on defense, Alex Caruso may be the best person to get them there. With O.G. Anunoby off the table, there likely isn’t a more defensive minded player available on the trade market. Brining in a guard leads to questions in the rotation, especially with Huerter playing so well of late. A lineup of Fox, Caruso, Huerter, Keegan, and Sabonis is small, but maybe doable for at least stretches at a time.

Caruso’s 3.3 Deflections per game are 3rd most in the NBA, and we all know the Kings staff LOVES deflections. He’s the definition of a defensive irritant that you can throw on the opponent’s best player on almost any given night.

#4 Tyus Jones

The Kings backup Point Guard position has been in flux all season. Mike Brown has gone to Davion Mitchell, Keon Ellis, and even Colby Jones for a small stretch of time. After all three of them were out of the rotation with Malik Monk performing the backup PG duties, Davion Mitchell is back in the mix. I still believe in Davion, but if the Kings are trying to win now, Tyus Jones is the cream of the crop for backup PG’s.

He just does so many things well without any big weaknesses in his game. His 41.8% 3P shooting would be a huge upgrade over Davion and Keon, and he would fit right into the Dribble Handoff game that the Kings love to run. This move likely wouldn’t get as many headlines as the players above, but could have just as much of an impact as a one year rental.

#5 Jalen Smith

Jalen Smith is a 23 year old athletic big who just took a massive jump in his 3-point shooting. I don’t know why the Pacers would trade him, but with Pascal Siakam on the roster, there isn’t as much room to go around as before the trade. Reports are that they could move either Smith or Obi Toppin, and to be honest, I’d love the Kings to get either of them.

Smith takes the edge though. Just look at those shooting area splits! He can score well from everywhere and would be playable with Sabonis thanks to the excellent 3-point shooting. The Kings and Pacers also both play in pass heavy offenses, so he knows how to play quick decisive basketball that Mike Brown loves.