Detroit Pistons Receive: G Buddy Hield
Sacramento Kings Receive: F Josh Jackson, DET 2023 1st Round Pick
In order for the Pistons to make any trade work for a high-level talent with a contract like Hield’s, they would need to waive Cory Joseph, whose contract is partially-guaranteed for next season. While they just acquired him and will likely look to him to be their backup, veteran guard moving forward, Joseph’s contract would have to be voided in order to absorb Hield’s $22.2M contract for the 2021-22 season.
While he has been one of their “go-to” scorers over the years next to De’Aaron Fox, the Sacramento Kings will really need to sit down and figure things out in the offseason because outside of Fox, they don’t really have much that scares teams around the league. Hield can be contained, Harrison Barnes is not as much of a threat as he once was and their frontcourt production can be streaky at times.
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Richaun Holmes is a fantastic center that they should absolutely pay in the offseason and with Marvin Bagley III being on the final year of his rookie deal, they will have him as well, but they do not really have anything other than De’Aaron Fox that they can confidently build with.
Trading Buddy Hield may be their best option in the offseason only because they can ensure themselves a first-round pick and a possible young talent by trading him. Whether it is Josh Jackson or someone else, the Kings could potentially get a key rotational guy to try and fix their mess of a bench.
A lot of what the Kings will do depends on how this season finishes though because if they do sneak into the playoffs, they may be aggressive in looking to add more talent instead of turning their roster around. Now, let’s take a look at this trade package and examine the outcome for both teams.
