Could the Sacramento Kings (6-20) turn their season around with a bold 2025-26 trade deadline move? Would LaMelo Ball and a top pick be enough to change their fortunes?
Frankie Cartoscelli, Brenden Nunes, and Chris Watkins joined The Allen Stiles Show on Thursday to discuss that potential.
“Hypothetically, if there were to get LaMelo Ball, I’d worry about the defense,” Cartoscelli said.
Currently owning the fourth-lowest defensive rating in the NBA (119.6), Ball isn’t coveted for what he brings on the defensive end. In fact, he’s been largely a negative on that end, but makes up for it by being an elite offensive engine.
Playing 47, 22, and 36 games over the last three seasons raises reasonable concerns about his injury history, and Ball’s remaining roughly four-year, $168-million contract complicates his trade value.
The argument in favor would center around Sacramento retaining their 2026 first-round pick in the deal and having a core next season centered around Ball, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis, and your high draft pick of choice, let’s say BYU’s AJ Dybantsa.
“The (Utah) Jazz have been stinking for years; they still don’t have their (number one) dude,” Stiles said in argument of trading for a star player. “The Blazers, who’s the best player on the Blazers right now? Deni Avidja. How’d they get him? Trade.”
“I just think the idea that we’re going to stick for five years and get five starters is a little overblown,” he continued.
While that is true, it will take a well-thought-out approach across the draft, trades, and free agency to turn Sacramento’s sinking ship around. Maybe trading for a franchise point guard could help turn their fate around sooner rather than later?
Be sure to check out the entire interview with Brenden Nunes, Chris Watkins, and Frankie Cartoscelli by scrolling to the top of this article or on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube page.
Other topics discussed
Will the Kings embrace playing their youth over veterans, even if that costs some wins?
Keegan Murray’s dip in aggressiveness, shot attempts
Doug Christie’s offense has looked concerning… lack of ball and player movement, getting players to their spots
Is it reasonable to expect a first-round pick via trade for Keon Ellis?
Is that Keegan or Kris Murray’s voice?
And PLENTY more!
More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports
As trade season begins around the NBA, it’s clear that the stumbling Sacramento Kings will be active in discussions with several teams in efforts to turn over a roster that is currently well under the .500 mark.
The Athletic‘s Sam Amick joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross on Thursday to share his intel on where things stand around the league, dive into the discussion of NBA expansion, and highlight the value of Kings guard Keon Ellis, who is “popular” in trade discussions.
Ellis, who is the Kings’ best defender and a talented long-distance shooter (42% during his NBA career), has fallen victim to Sacramento’s current logjammed roster.
Read More:
Sam Amick: Keon Ellis is ‘a very popular player’ in trade talks
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, December 18th – @ Portland Trail Blazers – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, December 20th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, December 21st – vs. Houston Rockets – 7:00 PM PT
Tuesday, December 23rd vs. Detroit Pistons – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, December 27th – vs. Dallas Mavericks – 2:00 PM PT
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