The Sacramento Kings are currently sub-.500 on the season with a 12-13 record through 25 games. Over a quarter of the way through the NBA season, their current production simply isn't going to cut it.
With De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan leading the way, the Kings should be a playoff team, even if they are a bottom seed in the playoff bracket.
Still, the Kings have been unable to position themselves with a winning record through 25 games, and moves may need to be made to ensure they can improve their squad as the season rolls on.
As the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference, the Kings need improvement, and they need it fast. They've been linked to the likes of Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson -- two Brooklyn Nets forwards that are available for trade as they look to further deconstruct their roster.
However, there could be another key forward available for trade that the Kings should look to trade for.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones could be available for trade and that the club is open to hearing out calls regarding his availability.
The 26-year-old forward has three years remaining on his contract which has a $13.9 AAV on those three seasons. While he's only appeared in seven games in the 2024-25 season, he's made his return from injury.
In those seven games, Jones has averaged 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 steals, though he makes his money on the defensive side of the ball.
Jones has proven to be a reliable 3-point shooter in his career, covering at a 37% clip and having shot 42% from deep just one season ago.
Adding Jones into the lineup would help transform the defensive side of the ball, especially pairing him with Keegan Murray. Sacramento should be active in trade talks, even if it's not for Jones -- though an obvious fit is there.
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This story was originally published December 10, 2024, 5:28 PM.