As the Sacramento Kings look to build a winning team, their biggest weakness, easily, is the lack of a true point guard. The Kings have been linked to Jrue Holiday as a possible fix, although the Celtics' willingness to trade their core players is all speculation so far.
Instead, the Kings could take a high-risk gamble on one of the best point guards of this generation, although one who might never be the same.
After tearing his Achilles in the first round, Damian Lillard is expected to miss nearly all of next season, and the Milwaukee Bucks, assuming they keep Giannis Antetokounmpo, will want to add a win-now player.
Lillard has a player option after next season, but if the Kings can talk him into an extension, getting three seasons of a healthy Lillard before his peak ends might be enough for the Kings to compete.
Damian Lillard
Jan 14, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) passes the ball away from Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum.
© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
On top of addressing a position of need, the Bucks might be so desperate to add a healthy player that the Kings could add some solid assets in a deal. Sports Illustrated's Will Zimmerle proposed a trade that gives the Kings some youth on top of a win-now player.
Full Mock Trade Details:
Kings Receive: Damian Lillard, Tyler Smith, 2031 first-round pick, no. 47th pick
Receive: Zach LaVine
LaVine is a little redundant, especially with DeMar DeRozan in the lineup. After Lillard recovers, the Kings will have a starting five of Lillard, DeRozan, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk, and Domantas Sabonis.
Of course, all of this hinges on Lillard's recovery. There is a chance that his career is effectively over after his injury, making this a big swing for the Kings.
Given that the franchise hasn't had real success in living memory, maybe a massive risk is overdue.
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