NBA Insider Expects Kings to Shop for Star Players in Trade Market

The Sacramento Kings are on a hot streak to start the year, but would trading for a star put them in championship conversations?

The Sacramento Kings have eight wins 12 games into their 2023-24 campaign, including an active six-game win streak catapulting them up league rankings. For a team that made it clear they have a championship on their mind this season, they are proving they can compete with the best.

With 70 games to go until the NBA Playoffs, there is much time for improvement, but the team can only improve so much internally. To truly feel comfortable while competing for a championship, changes might have to be made.

Shams Charania of The Athletic told FanDuel's Run It Back show that the Kings will be active on the trade market (via @RunItBackFDTV | X):

"I think this is the first time in a really long time, maybe when Chris Webber was with the Kings, you could look at the Kings as a trade destination. They're going to be involved in every star player. Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, maybe Zach Lavine, whatever stars come available, because Monte McNair, that organization, they've done a good job at keeping their assets, and they have tradeable contracts. They're going to be a player for stars coming up, for sure."

The Kings have been in talks to trade for the Toronto Raptors duo of Siakam and Anunoby since the off-season, but McNair has not pulled the trigger yet. 

Siakam is in the last year of his contract, and Anunoby is heading into a player option for next season. A struggling Raptors squad will likely look to move either of them to a contender while they can still get assets in return before they hit free agency.

The main concern for Sacramento would be trading for either Toronto forward, then they leave in 2024 free agency. Anunoby would be ideal for the Kings as they try to make a championship push, but is giving up multiple first-round picks and valuable assets worth a half-season rental?

Chicago Bulls star shooting guard Lavine is the most unlikely for Sacramento, as his contract is not ideal for the Kings, but they would have him locked in until at least the 2025-26 season. While a big four of Lavine, G De'Aaron Fox, F Keegan Murray, and C Domantas Sabonis is unstoppable on paper, it is challenging to trade for a $215 million contract.

The Kings should push for Anunoby, but if they continue to extend their active win streak, they might not feel the need to make a move for a star. The 26-year-old two-way wing could push an already-talented Kings team over the hump.

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