We have already seen our first trade of the 2022 NBA Draft, as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets consummated a trade last week. The Nuggets sent JaMychal Green to Oklahoma City, getting back the No. 30 overall pick and two future second-round picks. The Thunder received a 2027 first-round pick in the swap as well.
That is the first of many trades that we could see between now and the 2022 NBA Draft, which will take place on June 23rd. There has been a lot of chatter about potential moves, as there are a number of teams gearing up to make a move up the board.
One team that could be open for business near the top of the draft is the Sacramento Kings. They were one of the big winners during the lottery, as they jumped all the way up to the fourth pick in the draft.
Desperate to snap their NBA record 16-year playoff drought, the Kings are reportedly open to trading the fourth pick in exchange for an established player that can help push the team closer to a playoff berth. In a recent mock draft over at ESPN, a few teams were mentioned as potential trade partners for the Kings.
“Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder are among those that could potentially exchange an asset to help the Kings’ chances of contending for a playoff spot, with the likes of Jerami Grant, Myles Turner and Lu Dort a few potential options that rival teams point to.”
LATEST NBA DRAFT NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kings, Knicks Teams To Watch For Major NBA Draft Trades
It is hard to imagine the Sacramento Kings having an interest in Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers, as they would just be recreating the frontcourt that didn’t have much success, as they already have Domantas Sabonis in the mix. Malcolm Brogdon is another name that has been linked to the Kings.
Jerami Grant is someone that would fit with the Kings. He is one of the most popular names on the trade market this offseason, as the Portland Trail Blazers have also been linked to him.
Sacramento would benefit greatly from the defense that Lu Dort provides, but he alone isn’t worth the fourth overall pick. Oklahoma City would have to add some more pieces to the mix for Sacramento to bite, or include the No. 12 overall pick.
LATEST NBA DRAFT NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kings, Knicks Teams To Watch For Major NBA Draft Trades
Out of the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Pistons seem like the most realistic trade partner for the Sacramento Kings to make a deal with. While they weren’t mentioned in the ESPN mock, the New York Knicks are another team that is looking to move up the draft board and may be willing to get into the bidding for the fourth overall pick.
