Trade winds are circling around the Sacramento Kings as they enter their first summer under the direction of general manager Scott Perry.
The Kings have been the subject of multiple trade rumors with reported links to a star-studded list of point guards, including Ja Morant, Trae Young, Darius Garland, Marcus Smart, Jrue Holiday and Malcolm Brogdon.
Much of the trade speculation in Sacramento has centered around Kings guard Malik Monk, forward DeMar DeRozan and center Domantas Sabonis. The trade market for them will begin to take shape now that the Phoenix Suns have traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in this week’s NBA draft and five second-round picks.
Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis are generating strong trade interest, but the Kings would be reluctant to part with either player given their age, versatility and defensive abilities.
At this point, fans in Sacramento don’t know what to expect or who to believe with various reports connecting the Kings to numerous possibilities. This might be a good time to separate fact from fiction – as best we can – with trade talks heating up ahead of the draft.
Recent reports suggest the Miami Heat has interest in DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors are interested in Monk. That might be true, but a source with knowledge of the situation told The Sacramento Bee the Kings have yet to speak to those teams about those players.
Things could change quickly now that the Suns have made a deal for Durant, a 15-time All-Star and former MVP. Miami and Toronto were both involved in the pursuit of Durant along with Houston, the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Perry knows he needs a point guard after watching from afar as the Kings traded De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell over a span of two years prior to his arrival. Perry also wants to add frontcourt length and athleticism with an eye toward a power forward/center type who would allow Murray to move back to small forward, but the point guard spot is Perry’s top priority.
Market forces might determine whether Sacramento locks in on a long-term point guard solution or builds a bridge to the future with plans to upgrade at a later date. The Kings have reportedly talked to the Atlanta Hawks about a deal involving Young, but their interest in the four-time All-Star and his $46 million salary might be tepid at best without draft capital attached. Sacramento could have more interest in Garland, another rumored trade target, but there has been no indication of talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus recently predicted the Kings will use the $14.1 million mid-level exception to sign 27-year-old unrestricted free agent Ty Jerome. The 6-foot-5 swingman averaged a career-high 12.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 51.6% from the field and 43.9% from 3-point range as a key reserve for the Cavaliers this season. Sacramento’s interest in Jerome — or any other shooting guard/small forward — might depend on the team’s plans for Monk, DeRozan and Zach LaVine.