Sixteen years is a fairly long time. For an NBA fan, it’s an eternity. Just ask a fan of the Sacramento Kings. This team missed the playoffs for an NBA-record 16 seasons in a row. Last year, the Kings finally broke that streak.
Think about it. If you were a teenager when the Kings last made the playoffs before last season, you went your entire 20s without seeing Sacramento in the postseason. If you’re a teenager now, this was likely your first time seeing them in the playoffs. That’s a long drought. If you’re a Kings fan, you’re thankful it’s finally over.
Yet, next season, a playoff appearance on its own won’t suffice. Another first-round exit would disappoint the Kings in 2023-24. The Kings have got to take a step forward.
Could acquiring OG Anunoby help them do that?
NBA Trade Proposal — Sacramento Kings Land OG Anunoby
Toronto Raptors Receive: F Harrison Barnes, 2026 First-Round Pick (SAC), 2028 First-Round Pick (SAC)
Sacramento Kings Receive: F OG Anunoby
Fans of other teams should view the Kings as a cautionary tale. They should be weary of complaining – it could always be worse. Yet, it’s hard to keep that perspective. When your team starts to lose, it’s easy to complain – fairly or not.
We’re looking at you, Raptors fans. Yes, we know. The team has fallen on hard times. The Raptors are not what they once were. At the same time, they aren’t far removed from an NBA title.
Some teams have never reached that peak. Even if times are tough, Raptors fans should keep their complaints to themselves.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings Updates
Still, the Raptors do need to act. This team is stagnant. They’re losing talent every summer without properly replenishing it. The Raptors may be stuck in the middle.
Does this deal do enough to drag them out of it?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
The Raptors should be thinking about rebuilding. Scottie Barnes is the most important player on this team, and he’s about to enter his third season. This organization needs to turn to the future. They’ve got plenty of young talent, and now, they should be accumulating more of it – along with assets.
With that in mind, they shouldn’t be looking to keep Barnes here. They should be looking to flip him as soon as possible. Barnes is a solid player. Toronto should be able to get an intriguing young player in return and either a protected first or a collection of second-round picks for him.
In the meantime, they’re getting a pair of unprotected firsts here. It’s been reported that Toronto would seek “multiple firsts” for Anunoby.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings Updates
In today’s market, they may be hard to come by. We’d suggest that a pair entice them to move off of Anunoby. Should the Kings give up so much draft capital for him?
Why The Sacramento Kings Do The Deal
Barnes is solid. He is not OG Anunoby. This is one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA. Anunoby is a disruptive defensive playmaker who’s also reliable at the point of attack. He can guard multiple positions. This is exactly the type of player that the Kings need.
After all, their defense was abysmal last season. Anunoby has appeared limited as an offensive creator, but that’s fine for Sacramento.
Between De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, they’ve got plenty of creation. They need defense. Meanwhile, Anunoby can space the floor for their playmakers on the other end of the floor.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings Updates
If the Kings have any concerns, they’ll have to do with Anunoby’s contract. He’ll be due for an extension soon. That’s fine. Fox, Sabonis, and Anunoby could be this team’s foundational pieces moving forward. If these pieces click, the Kings won’t miss the playoffs again for quite a while.
