De’Aaron Fox’s presence on the Sacramento Kings team has proven to be a game-changer, as evidenced by their 6-1 record in games where he has played and their +13.7 points per 100 possessions while he is on the court this season. However, even with Fox leading the charge, the Kings still need one more piece to truly become a threat in the Western Conference.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, who spoke on Fanduel’s Run it Back, the Kings are likely to be aggressive in their pursuit of that missing piece at the upcoming trade deadline. The list of potential targets includes Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Zach Lavine. However, acquiring any of these players would require significant assets from the Kings’ roster and may come with a steep price tag.
Despite his reputation for being an unattractive destination for free agents and trade targets, Williams believes that Sacramento has much to offer players beyond just money. “This is the first time in a really long time — maybe when Chris Webber was with the Kings — that you can look at the Kings as a trade destination,” he said. “They’re going to be involved in every star player: Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, maybe Zach Lavine.”
Williams went on to argue that while winning will certainly help change perceptions about Sacramento as a destination for top talent, it is ultimately up to McNair and his front office team to make smart decisions about which trades are worth pursuing in order to acquire that missing piece needed for success in the West. In terms of making trades work out long-term for Sacramento players like Fox and Domantas Sabonis, Williams suggests that teams should keep things interesting around town by offering unique experiences and opportunities outside of basketball.