The Sacramento Kings are one of the teams who would have made the playoffs they were today. Their 20-17 record and fifth position in a stacked Western Conference comes on the back of some impressive wins.
That said, they have also endured a sine-wave run losing three of their last six games. With the season reaching the midway mark, Sacramento will be keen to build momentum that would help them make the postseason without any last-minute scramble.
Much of the Kings’ win comes primarily from their trio of De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Kevin Huerter, while the likes of Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk have been instrumental in chipping at key moments.
That said, the Kings are in the news after looking to bolster their squad and better equip them to deal with sterner tests in the postseason. On that note, here’s a look at the three players Sacramento could trade this season.
3. KZ Okpala
KZ Okpala has a non-guaranteed 2023-24 season and is one of the players likely to find a new franchise by the end of this edition. He has played roughly for 7.8 minutes this year, averaging 1.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.3 blocks.
The power forward’s $2.06 million contract this year could see him as one of the role players attached to a big name as part of a package deal. He is one of the players alongside Monk, Matthew Dellavedova, and Chima Moneke eligible to be traded on December 15.
As far as detailed analysis goes, TheKingsBeat.com’s James Ham said Okpala’s age might be an advantage as he could find a home in a rebuilding side.
Okpala has been on a rollercoaster ride all season for the Kings. He started the first three games of the season, but also has 11 DNP-CDs on his record. His defense has earned him spot time over 23 games this season and at 23 years old, he has potential for improvement on the offensive end.
Okpala is certainly better than his numbers suggest, and his deal with the Kings might see him perhaps find a home with one of the younger sides like the Houston Rockets.
2. Trey Lyles
Trey Lyles was one of the players for who the Sacramento Kings exercised their player option last year, raising questions about the role he would play in the ongoing season.
At the time of writing, he averages 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists this season, logging in around 14.5 minutes per game. He is in the final year of the $5 million deal with the Kings and, like Okpala, might be one of the players attached as part of a package deal.
Earlier, Lyles was one of the players in a proposed trade scenario between the Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to NBA Analysis Network, the deal saw Wenyen Gabriel, Max Christie, and a 2023 Second-Round Pick (Chicago Bulls via Los Angeles) head to Sacramento, and Lyles would join the Purple and Gold, with the site stating that the point was to upgrade the Lakers without losing any of their assets.
1. Richaun Holmes
Richaun Holmes is the fifth-highest-paid player on the Kings’ roster and has been one of the names doing the rounds on the trade market.
He’s in the second of his four-year, $46 million contract and is slated to make $11.2 million this season, followed by $12 million over the next two years coupled with a player option in the upcoming season.
Holmes is averaging 2.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.3 blocks while suiting up for less than ten minutes per game. According to Tom Dierberger of NBC Sports Bay Area, the center was listed as one of the names Sacramento could deal with to acquire Kyle Kuzma to the ranks.
Center Richaun Holmes, who has played in just 13 of the Kings’ first 24 games, or backup guard Terence Davis, also would be options for general manager Monte McNair to boost a potential package.
The other suggested possibility, per Sactown Royalty, was to send Holmes to a side like the Charlotte Hornets, who could use a bonafide big, or the Phoenix Suns.
Player salaries via Spotrac.
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