How This Trade Impacts Sacramento Kings

Everyone in the Sacramento Kings’ organization wants to make the playoffs in 2023. The record that they own is a dubious one and they would love to snap that streak of missing the postseason. 

While going all-in just to be the eighth seed would normally be seen as short-sighted, no one could really blame the Kings if they tried. Acquiring OG Anunoby could also elevate them to become perennial playoff contenders as his ceiling is that high.

Anunoby has received some comparisons to Kawhi Leonard. They have almost identical builds, while their skill sets and career arcs have similarities as well. If Anunoby can even approach the level that Leonard has, this is a home run deal for the Kings.

The price to acquire him, however, could be costly if they are unable to improve drastically on the court. Some of the risks are mitigated since they are only swaps, so the Kings will be making a selection in the first round in 2023 and 2025. However, the Toronto Raptors are a perennial playoff team, so they could be losing out on lottery selections.

But, without first-round picks to offer until 2026, that is a risk that Sacramento has to take to get this deal done. The 2023 second-round pick from the Indiana Pacers holds a lot of value, which can offset the lack of first-round picks heading to Toronto.

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Richaun Holmes is expendable, as Domantas Sabonis has been starting at the center position. With Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray in the fold, Harrison Barnes is pretty expendable as well on an expiring contract.