Not much has gone right for the Sacramento Kings this season. They have won just six games, and the team is looking to offload a lot of their talent. To make matters worse, their top scorer, Zach LaVine, left Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves early with an ankle injury.
LaVine played 16 minutes in Sunday’s game, scored 10 points, and had a +6 point differential before rolling his ankle. With that rolled ankle, the Kings were hoping for the best possible diagnosis. After being evaluated, LaVine has officially been diagnosed with a left ankle sprain and will be reevaluated in one week, per Sean Cunningham of NBC Sports Sacramento.
Kings’ Season is All But Over
GettyDeMar DeRozan is averaging 17.7 points per game this season.
At 6-20, Sacramento is tied for the third-worst record in the NBA, and the second-worst in the Western Conference. It is not due to a lack of talent, though. The Kings have had to deal with some injuries that have left them scrambling to find productive minutes.
Along with LaVine, Domantas Sabonis is dealing with an injury. Sabonis has a partially torn meniscus and has not played since November 16th. Despite being hurt, the 29-year-old is at the center of trade talks. When healthy, Sabonis is a double-double machine and would slot perfectly into plenty of lineups across the league.
DeMar DeRozan is another name that has been briefly mentioned in trade talks. However, his 17.7 points per game are his lowest since his third year in the NBA. But the 36-year-old is having a career-best year shooting from three-point range. Still, it is a down year for DeRozan, who has already expressed his frustrations with the Kings’ lack of success.
With LaVine and Sabonis both out, and DeRozan not having the best season, it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel in Sacramento. Pair that with their willingness to have a fire sale, and the Kings’ season seems to be all but over heading into Christmas.
What Can The Kings Get in Return Via Trade
GettyDomantas Sabonis has been at the center of trade talks recently.
The path forward in Sacramento is going to largely depend on what their strategy is at the trade deadline. If LaVine, Sabonis, or DeRozan happen to be traded, Sacramento will need to get a great return.
The contract situations of LaVine and Sabonis will hold teams back from acquiring the All-Stars. LaVine is owed just under $49 million next season before becoming a free agent. Sabonis has two years of team control, but is owed $45.4M and $48.6M the next two seasons.
Those contracts are going to make it tough to receive something of great value in return. Now, these two players still have superstar potential, but money talks. Teams are not going to want to give up multiple assets for an expensive one or two-year rental.
Keeping that in mind, Sacramento will most likely have to take on a smaller, but still rather large contract from whichever team they trade with. Additionally, the Kings should be able to negotiate a few draft picks into the deal.
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