Sacramento Kings Receive: 2022 First-Round Pick (No. 3 – HOU)
Houston Rockets Receive: 2022 First-Round Pick (No. 4 – SAC), 2023 First-Round Pick (SAC)
For two teams picking directly after each other, the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings are in vastly different situations.
After years of sustained success, the Rockets are in the infancy stages of a rebuild. They’ve got a clear cornerstone in Jalen Green, and two more possible ones in Alperen Sengun and Kevin Porter Jr. After those three, the future gets murky for this club.
Meanwhile, the Kings have, by far, the longest playoff drought in the NBA. They’ll be desperate to make the postseason next year. They need to approach the 2022 NBA Draft with the intention of landing the most immediate help they can find.
Perhaps that could motivate them to trade into the top three. Jabari Smith Jr.’s abilities as a 3-and-D wing should allow him to be an impact player from day one on a team that already has featured offensive options. Meanwhile, Paolo Banchero’s adult frame might allow him to be a featured offensive option from day one.
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Unlike the Kings, the Rockets have the luxury of patience. Furthermore, the 2023 NBA Draft is widely regarded as stronger by experts. They could use this pick on the higher-risk, higher-reward prospect Shaedon Sharpe while preserving their tank for next year. With one team playing the long game and the other facing a sense of urgency, a deal here makes sense.
