Why This Trade Makes Sense For The Sacramento Kings

For a team that has not been to the playoffs since 2006, the longest active playoff drought in the league, the Kings actually have a shot to make the playoffs this season. They are led by their young talents in the backcourt in De’Aaron Fox and rookie Tyrese Haliburton and have a lot of potential to be a very strong team for years to come. 

Getting Marc Gasol could definitely have an impact on them now, but receiving Talen Horton-Tucker gives them another young talent with a lot of potential to grow into a really solid core player. Horton-Tucker has been under utilized in L.A. given all of the talent on their roster, but with the opportunity for an increased workload in Sacramento, he could really come into his own as a high-level two-way player. 

Trading Hassan Whiteside and Glen Robinson III, two players who do not bring a lot of value to this team as it is and have no future with this organization, for an impact veteran and a great future talent makes a lot of sense for the Kings. 

They may still end up missing the playoffs this year, as they have been streaky at times and are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, but moving forward, this team has a lot of young talent and potential to be a threat. Adding onto their youthful core makes a lot of sense now, which is why the Kings should be eager to pursue this trade with L.A. 

Quite honestly, the worst part about this trade for the Kings is they would have to give up a 2021 second-round pick, but if they are getting a player like Talen Horton-Tucker in return, it doesn’t really matter because he is better than anyone they could pick with that second-round pick next offseason. 

If the opportunity arises, the Kings should do everything they can to acquire a young talent like Talen Horton-Tucker, regardless of if they would have to absorb a big contract or trade away some key contributors.