The 2025-26 Sacramento Kings are expected to be highly active leading up to the February 5th trade deadline. Veteran players such as DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Dennis Schroder are expected to be available, but some wonder whether the Kings could also pursue talent in the process.
With the Atlanta Hawks shopping point guard Trae Young, who has performed better on the sidelines this season, is he someone Kings general manager Scott Perry should explore bringing to California’s capital?
Sacramento play-by-play broadcaster Kyle Draper joined The Drive Guys to discuss the idea.
“I actually like Trae Young as a player,” Draper said before referencing the Hawks’ Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 2021, with Young leading the way.
“With that being said, as far as the Kings are concerned, for me, as much as I like him, he doesn’t fit my timeline right now.”
YouTube video
In his 10 games played this season, he’s tallied 19.3 points and 8.9 assists on 41.5 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from three. But Atlanta is 2-8 in his showings compared to 15-13 when he’s been unavailable.
Part of the complication in making a deal is aligning with the $46 million Young is paid this season, while also factoring in his $49 million player option for next season, which he’s expected to exercise. That price tag seems too hefty for a point guard that comes with so many defensive complications at 6’2, even despite his ability to be an offensive engine.
If the Kings were to make a deal, LaVine’s $47 million salary would work, with one year remaining as well.
“If you’re the Kings, you’re not giving up all these assets for a half-year rental,” Draper continued. “If I’m gonna take [Young] off your hands, I need something else too. I need a sweetener, too.”
Whether the Hawks would be willing to do that rather than wait out his remaining season and a half is a different story.
Other guards rumored to be available include Cleveland’s Darius Garland, Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball, and Memphis’s Ja Morant.
Acquiring one of them is probably not the most logical move for Sacramento at their current stage, but it feels like everything could be on the table with less than a month until the trade deadline.
More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports
The same season in which Keegan Murray agreed to a five-year, $140-million rookie-scale extension continues to be riddled with injuries. The fourth-year forward landed on his left ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks and immediately called for assistance.
Murray went straight to the locker room and was nowhere to be seen for the rest of the night or the following day’s practice.
On Tuesday, the Kings announced that an MRI revealed a moderate left ankle sprain. Murray will be listed as out and will be reevaluated in 3-4 weeks.
Read More:
Keegan Murray sidelined with injury for another extended period
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Friday, January 9th – @ Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, January 11th – vs. Houston Rockets – 6:00 PM PT
Monday, January 12th – vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 7:00 PM PT
Wednesday, January 14th – vs. New York Knicks – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, January 16th – vs. Washington Wizards – 6:00 PM PT
Thank you for readingSactownSports.com. Follow us onTwitterandGoogle News, and subscribe to ourYouTubechannel.