Report: Sacramento Kings could trade No. 4 pick in NBA draft to acquire ‘win-now player’
The Kings will consider all options leading up to the draft, including the possibility of trading their first-round pick to acquire a player who can help them end their NBA-record 16-year playoff drought.
The Kings moved up three spots in the lottery to secure the No. 4 pick in the draft, which will be held June 23 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported Monday that Sacramento would be willing to give up the pick if the right opportunity presents itself.
“League sources say the Kings are looking for a win-now player with the fourth pick, whether they draft one or deal the pick to acquire one,” O’Connnor wrote. “Trading out of the draft is a possibility, but so is moving down. Sources say Sacramento is willing to move back for a lower pick and a player who would fit into the same trajectory as De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Davion Mitchell.”
This news comes as no surprise in Sacramento, where the sense of urgency grows exponentially each year after 16 consecutive losing seasons. The Kings are coming off a 30-52 campaign. They haven’t posted a winning record since their last playoff appearance in 2005-06.
The big three of Auburn power forward Jabari Smith, Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren and Duke power forward Paolo Banchero are widely projected as the top picks in the draft. Sacramento could consider Purdue guard Jaden Ivey, Kentucky guard Shaedon Sharpe or Iowa forward Keegan Murray with the No. 4 pick, but the Kings would likely need more to become a playoff team.
O’Connor mentioned the possibility of the Kings trading back to No. 6 or No. 7 to acquire Malcolm Brogdon from the Indiana Pacers or Josh Hart from the Portland Trail Blazers. They could also explore the possibility of moving back to No. 5 to acquire Jerami Grant from the Detroit Pistons. Such a deal would help the Kings address their need at the power forward position while still allowing them to pick up a promising young player on a rookie-scale contract.
This story was originally published June 7, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
