How This Trade Impacts Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings shocked a lot of people when they traded Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers last season in the Domantas Sabonis deal. Trading away De’Aaron Fox a few months after that would be more shocking, but you never know when it comes to the Kings.
Desperate to snap a 16-year playoff drought, Sacramento could see this as an opportunity to not only bring in a high-upside, young player such as RJ Barrett but adding that kind of draft capital could result in a very strong trade package being put together for another established piece for the road.
Barrett’s numbers have improved steadily throughout his career and as the unquestioned No. 1 option on an offense, he could really take off. When things ran through him with the Knicks whenever Julius Randle was sidelined or resting, the results were very strong.
While Barrett is the centerpiece of the return package, Derrick Rose should not be overlooked. Rose will bring a scoring punch to the backcourt as long as he is healthy, replacing some of the impact that Fox would have on that end of the court. While not as dynamic as he used to be, Rose can still efficiently fill it up and has turned into a solid 3-point shooter the last few seasons.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Jalen Brunson’s Free Agency Market Zeroes In On Knicks, Mavericks
The two future first-round draft picks may take some time to convey. The one from the Detroit Pistons is top-18 protected next year and the one from the Washington Wizards is lottery protected. The Kings could ask for more concrete draft capital, such as the unprotected 2023 pick from the Dallas Mavericks or a lesser protected Knicks pick.
But, with the inclusion of Barrett in this deal, it is unlikely New York will budge on the draft capital should they have to part with him to acquire Fox.
