While the Sacramento Kings qualified for the NBA Play-In Tournament, they ultimately fell to the Dallas Mavericks and failed to advance to the NBA Playoffs. For the second straight season, the Kings failed to improve upon, or even return to, their 2022-23 selves when they made the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
The Kings made a puzzling trade when they dealt De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs and received Zach LaVine in return, pairing him with DeMar DeRozan once again after multiple seasons together in Chicago.
Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine celebrates during the second half against the Detroit Pistons.
Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine celebrates during the second half against the Detroit Pistons.
Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Kings trade target, NBA Champion received a major update Monday
The Kings now have choices to make in the offseason. Will they look to move some of their high-cost players for future assets, or attempt to make moves to bolster the roster and attempt to contend next season?
On Monday, the Kings received a significant update regarding their NBA Championship trade target that could help them immediately. According to the Action Network's Matt Moore, the Boston Celtics are seeking a first-round pick for point guard Jrue Holiday.
"Hall of Famer Marc Stein reported this weekend that Boston is in fact listening to trade offers for Holiday, something most people assumed," said Marc Stein. "While the focus has been on reducing payroll, sources have told the Paroxysm that Boston is setting the price at a first-round pick along with whatever reduced salary comes back in the deal.”
While Holiday could help the Kings in a significant way at the point guard position, Holiday wasn't the same down the stretch for the Celtics. Many looked at Holiday as the answer to stopping New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, but failed to do so.
The price tag of a first-round pick could prove too rich for the Kings' blood, mainly because Holiday will be 35 by the start of next season.