The Sacramento Kings are hoping to avoid earning the dubious distinction of having the longest playoff drought in NBA history. They are currently tied with the Buffalo Braves/San Diego Clippers/Los Angeles Clippers for the longest drought at 15 years.
The pressure is on in Sacramento, as they fired head coach Luke Walton after the team started the season 6-11. Interim head coach Alvin Gentry has fared better, going 6-6 since taking over the job. But if they are to qualify for a playoff spot or place in the NBA Play-In Tournament, they are going to need to pick things up a little bit.
General manager Monte McNair was looking to make upgrades during the offseason, as Pascal Siakam and Ben Simmons were both mentioned as possible trade targets. Not making deals is what the Kings have become known for, as they can never seem to pull the trigger on a deal.
“How many years have they been in this spot? How many times has Hield thought he’d be packing? I’ll believe they move those guys when I see it,” the source remarked.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Players For Sacramento Kings To Target In Bagley-Hield Trade
The latest example of that was this past offseason. It looked as if Buddy Hield would be heading to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and the No. 22 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Things were so close to being done the players were alerted of the deal and thought they’d be moving teams. Well, the Lakers players ended up moving, but to the Washington Wizards in a deal for Russell Westbrook.
Hield, somehow, dodged the trade bullet again and remained on the Kings. However, expect to hear his name in the coming weeks on the trade block once again along with a surprising teammate; Harrison Barnes.
“Harrison Barnes and Buddy Hield are expected to be on the market. Barnes, in particular, will get a large amount of offers.”
For a team looking to snap a playoff drought, it is surprising to read that Barnes is expected to be on the market. He is their most consistent player and has been having a great season. Trading him would almost seem like they are waving the white flag on the season as they are unlikely to land a player as impactful as him in a return package.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Players For Sacramento Kings To Target In Bagley-Hield Trade
The Kings are currently holding down the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference, but it is hard to imagine they would remain there without Barnes being on the roster. They have only a three-game cushion on the last place Oklahoma City Thunder to put into perspective how close the Play-In race will be in the Western Conference.
