Sacramento Kings introduce new players after adding reinforcements at NBA trade deadline
Zach LaVine was the biggest NBA trade deadline acquisition for the Sacramento Kings, but they also picked up two other players who could be critical to a playoff push over the last two months of the season.
Kings general manager Monte McNair welcomed Jonas Valanciunas and Jake LaRavia to Sacramento during an introductory news conference Friday at Golden 1 Center. The Kings added Valanciunas and LaRavia in separate deals before Thursday’s deadline, finally addressing glaring needs for size and wing depth.
“I think both these guys, sitting next to them now and walking over here, they’re definitely taller than me,” McNair said. “Obviously, Jonas is an incredible rebounder and presence in the paint on both ends, and Jake at 6-7, 6-8, versatile and an ability to guard both forward spots and playmake on the other end, so I think they’ll fit in well.”
The Kings acquired Valanciunas from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Sidy Cissoko and two-second round draft picks. The Wizards reportedly received a 2028 Denver Nuggets second-round pick (if 34-60) and Sacramento’s 2029 second-round pick as part of the deal.
The Kings acquired Cissoko and the second-round pick from Denver as part of the three-team trade that sent De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs while bringing LaVine to Sacramento.
Valanciunas is in the first year of a three-year, $30.3 million contract. ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported the Kings are using most of their $12.8 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception to absorb Valanciunas’ contract.
Valanciunas said he is happy to be in Sacramento after starting the season with the Wizards, who have the worst record in the NBA.
“It feels good,” said Valanciunas, who made his Kings debut in Thursday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. “It feels like I belong here. I’m excited to be here, excited to jump on the court in a winning situation and do some damage.”
Valanciunas, 32, is a 6-foot-11, 265-pound center who entered the NBA as the No. 5 pick in the 2011 NBA draft. He spent his first seven seasons in Toronto, six of them with Kings forward DeMar DeRozan.
Valanciunas will back up All-NBA center and Lithuanian countryman Domantas Sabonis. He averaged 11.5 points and 8.2 rebounds in 49 games for the Wizards, serving primarily as a backup after starting 82 games for the New Orleans Pelicans last season. Valanciunas and Sabonis have previously played together as members of the Lithuanian national team.
“He texted me and he said, ‘You’re coming over.’ I woke up from a nap and I was like, ‘Who is this?’” Valanciunas quipped. “So, it was cool. I’ve known Domas since a young age and we spent a lot of summers together.”
The Kings traded Alex Len, Colby Jones and a second-round draft pick to acquire LaRavia as part of a multi-team trade involving the Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies traded Marcus Smart and a 2025 first-round draft pick to Washington as part of the deal. Memphis also received Marvin Bagley III, Johnny Davis and two-second round picks from Washington.
LaRavia, 23, is a 6-8, 235-pound forward who came out of Wake Forest as the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. He appeared in 117 games over three seasons with the Grizzlies, averaging 7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 18.8 minutes per game.
LaRavia was introduced in Sacramento roughly 24 hours after the Kings made the trade for him. He could make his Kings debut as early as Saturday when the Kings play host to the New Orleans Pelicans.
“It was a quick turnaround, that’s for sure,” LaRavia said. “I got the call and then I was on the flight within a couple hours, and now I’m out here, but I’m excited for the opportunity.”
LaRavia averaged a career-high 10.8 points per game last season. His averaged has dipped to 7.3 points per game this season, but he is shooting career bests of 49% from the field and 44.4% from 3-point range.
LaRavia doesn’t have great length or lateral quickness, but he is known as a dogged defender who plays hard and rebounds well. He can play the small forward and power forward positions, giving the Kings much-needed depth behind DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Trey Lyles.
LaRavia is in the final year of a four-year, $14.8 million contract.
“I think I can bring a lot of versatility on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively,” LaRavia said. “There are a lot of talented guys on the team. I think I do a good job of spacing the floor, taking on challenges defensively and make winning plays.”
This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 3:45 PM.
