Does this trade make sense for the Sacramento Kings?
The Sacramento Kings have continued to find themselves outside of the playoff picture and while they picked up a big win in Portland the other day, this team just does not look like a team that can contend for a playoff spot. De’Aaron Fox has been decent, as has Harrison Barnes, but this Kings’ roster really is an assortment of players that do not really fit in with one another.
In the offseason, the Kings looked to shake things up roster-wise by adding Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell in a trade with the Lakers that would have sent Buddy Hield to Los Angeles, but trade talks fell through when L.A. added Russell Westbrook instead, thus resulting in the Kings holding onto what they had.
This organization just has not been able to make the right moves they need to make in order to be a competitive team in the Western Conference and as a result, they are probably going to miss the playoffs for the 16th consecutive year.
Being in the final year of his rookie contract and the Kings not looking to keep him long-term, trading Marvin Bagley III definitely makes sense for this organization.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best & Worst Midseason Trade Destinations For Marvin Bagley III
Waiting until the NBA trade deadline when some teams become desperate to make a deal could be what the Kings plan to do in regards to trading Bagley, but this trade with Houston is not terrible.
Both Augustin and House do not really help this team become better this season, but they are low-cost options who do bring a good amount of experience to a young team and both of them would not be on this roster past this season.
Danuel House Jr.’s contract is up at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season and as for D.J. Augustin, he is under contract for next year, but the Kings could waive him in the offseason since he is only guaranteed $333K for next season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Best & Worst Midseason Trade Destinations For Marvin Bagley III
Sacramento wants a first-round pick and they would get this from Houston, but this pick is from Milwaukee and would likely be one of the final picks in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.
If they want a first-round pick rather immediately and no other teams in the league are willing to offer this up, then this trade with the Rockets could definitely make a whole lot of sense for the Kings to just get value right now for Bagley, but if they wait until the NBA trade deadline, they should be able to get a slightly better deal involving more future assets.