Every team in the NBA would like to win an NBA title in any given season. With that said, every team knows that they don’t have a realistic chance of doing so. With that in mind, every team needs to set its own goals ahead of any given season.
Are the Sacramento Kings title contenders next year? Not really. Perhaps they’re dark horse contenders. Still, the Kings are likely just hoping to win a playoff series or two. That would mark a successful season for this organization.
As for the Los Angeles Lakers, they’re in title-or-bust mode. A couple of series wins would be par for the course for this team. They need to win an NBA championship to celebrate next summer. Could they acquire Davion Mitchell from the Kings in order to do so?
The Trade Proposal
Sacramento Kings Receive: F Rui Hachimura
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F/C Trey Lyles, G Davion Mitchell, G/F Chris Duarte
Perhaps we’ve upset Kings fans. We apologize. We don’t mean to say that the Kings have no chance of winning an NBA title. We’re simply saying that their odds are long. That shouldn’t be perceived as a slight. There’s simply more talent in the NBA than there’s ever been before.
Can you imagine the Kings beating the Denver Nuggets next year? How about the Golden State? For that matter, how about the Lakers? It’s difficult to envision. If any members of the Kings organization are reading this – hey, we encourage you to prove us wrong.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
With that said, the Kings are a talented squad. This team had one of the best offensive teams in the NBA last season, but they struggled to defend. Does acquiring Hachimura help them to that end?
Why The Sacramento Kings Do The Deal
Some Kings fans will question our reasoning here. This team already has Keegan Murray. They’ve also got Harrison Barnes. Don’t they have enough 3-and-D wings? Sure. With that said, Hachimura is a little more than just a 3-and-D wing. He proved himself to be a three-level scorer in last year’s playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Kings could move Barnes in a separate transaction. In all likelihood, they could use him to replace Mitchell. This may be a case of the Kings taking two steps backward to take one step forward. They’re adding Hachimura to their core on a long-term basis. If they can continue to build their roster, he should make them a better team in the long term.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Are they paying a substantial price? Sure. At the same time, with Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk on the roster, Duarte may not be a major rotation piece for this team next year anyway. Hachimura certainly would be. Should the Lakers really part with him?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Mitchell is the best player that the Lakers are landing here. Still, they’re giving up the best player in the trade. For the Lakers, this is about depth. They’re trying to ensure that they’ve got enough talent on their roster to compete.
Can they spare Hachimura? That likely depends on how Taurean Prince pans out for them. If he’s struggling with his shot, they may opt to keep Hachimura around. On the other hand, if Prince is shooting efficiently, they could see Hachimura as expendable.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
In that event, they should like this deal. Mitchell is an outstanding point-of-attack defender who can space the floor. Lyles is a stretch combo big who’ll enhance their rotation, and Duarte is a solid movement shooter. All told, this trio of players could help the Lakers win another NBA championship.
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