Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley III – Sacramento Kings
The last time the Sacramento Kings were in the playoffs was in 2006 and this streak/drought, however you look at it, seems like it will be extending this season. The Kings are in no position to be a threat in the Western Conference and as a result, it appears as if they will be “sellers” once again at the trade deadline.
While De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton appear to be “off-the-market” in trade talks this season, Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield, and Marvin Bagley III could all be moved either for future value or more depth for the Kings to try and at least sneak into the play-in tournament in the Western Conference.
According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, there is a “rising belief” around the league that Sacramento will trade both Harrison Barnes and Buddy Hield ahead of the trade deadline.
Now in his 10th NBA season, Barnes is a proven past champion with the Golden State Warriors and is having a really solid season in Sacramento, averaging 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and shooting a career-best 41.5% from three-point range.
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Being able to play either on the wing as a small-forward or being a power-forward in some rotations, Harrison Barnes possesses the skill-set to be a terrific complementary piece next to other stars on a playoff-contending roster.
As for Buddy Hield, the Kings had a deal in place to trade him to the Lakers in the offseason, but then Los Angeles ended these trade discussions after acquiring Russell Westbrook from the Wizards.
Buddy Hield seems to know that he is no longer a part of the Kings’ long-term plans and being owed $61.5M through the 2023-24 season, it seems like Sacramento would like to move on from this long-term contract. Ranking second in the league in bench points scored and three-pointers made this season, as well as shooting 38.3% from long-range, Buddy Hield is a sharpshooter on some teams’ radars.
The Kings still view Hield as a possible asset that they can leverage to try and pursue 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons, but sources have mentioned the Cavaliers, Knicks, Pelicans, and Mavericks as possible trade suitors for Buddy Hield to NBA Analysis Network.
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Marvin Bagley III was drafted second overall by the Kings in 2018, but he has missed close to 50% of his team’s total games since entering the league and has had his differences with the organization in the past.
Sacramento made Bagley available at the trade deadline last season, as well as ahead of the 2021 NBA Draft this past offseason, but they were unable to reach a deal with other teams in the league due to the asking price of a first-round pick.
Set to become a restricted free agent this upcoming offseason, it does not appear that the Kings have intentions of keeping Marvin Bagley long-term and are still open to moving him for the right value.
The Kings remain one of the key teams to watch this trade deadline, especially given their level of interest in Ben Simmons.
