Sacramento Kings to be major players in NBA trade market

By Wes Goldberg | Sep 10, 2014

Apr 12, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (right) reacts after committing a foul with forward Jason Thopson (center) and guard Ray McCallum (left) looking on against the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 117-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

In a very competitive Western Conference, the Sacramento Kings are far from contending. However, Kings fans can find some thing to be optimistic about. After all, DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay are both participating in the FIBA World Cup on Team USA, and Cousins is getting significant playing time.

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The pair form a foundation for the Kings and coach Mike Malone to build upon, but the team figures to be a major player in the NBA trade market. According to writers at basketballinsiders.com, the Kings have the will and the ways.

First, Alex Kennedy:

"“Last year, they acquired Rudy Gay from the Toronto Raptors during the season, and in recent months they’ve been linked to everyone from Rajon Rondo to Josh Smith. The Kings want to add talented players and compete in the West, so they’re going to weigh all of their trade options moving forward.”"

Yannis Koutroupis:

"“However, thanks to the presence of DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay – two borderline All-Star talents yet to hit their prime – they’re really just a piece away from being an intriguing team, even in the deep Western Conference. Their front office has made it abundantly clear that they are going to be aggressive, so it’s quite possible that they could land that player before the trade deadline. Until then, they’re closer to another 30-win season than the playoffs.”"

The Kings have a lot of assets to make a move, including second-year guard Ben McLemore, rookie Nik Stauskas, Derrick Williams, Ray McCallum and the $3.6 million trade exception generated by dealing Isaiah Thomas to the Phoenix Suns. It’s no secret that Kings ownership wanted to make a splash last season, and they did by acquiring Gay. If they add one more piece, this team suddenly becomes interesting.

More important, though, is the continued development of Cousins. If Boogie can become a consistent force in the paint, the Kings will be better suited having young shooters McLemore and Stauskas around than trading them. Wanting to win is a good thing, but Sacramento isn’t going anywhere this season. Best to be patient and see if the existing talent develops.