Kings Trade Rumors: Simmons, Sabonis & Grant
Jan 18, 2022, 2:50 PM | Updated: 4:43 pm
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The rumor mill is beginning the heat up as we move to within a month of the NBA Trade Deadline
Can you believe that we still have over three weeks of rumors, speculation and leaks to go until February 10th’s NBA Trade Deadline?
Through everything that has been gathered over the past couple of weeks, one thing is becoming increasingly clear–the Sacramento Kings are going to be involved in a lot of rumors in the coming days.
With that being said, here is the latest information and rumors that have been circulating around this little thing called the World Wide Web:
Ben Simmons, Domantas Sabonis talk & Alvin Gentry back for 2022-23?
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons and Indiana Pacers center Domantas Sabonis are Sacramento’s top targets for the upcoming trade deadline.
“If they can’t get Simmons, then they’re going for Sabonis. That’s one and two,” Amick said during Tuesday’s edition of The Athletic NBA Show. “I would be stunned if they didn’t make a big trade. It’s weird to see people of influence casually talking about, like, ‘Yeah. De’Aaron is in discussions.’ Not telling teams to not talk about De’Aaron.”
“(Tyrese) Haliburton is a different one. It’s not that he’s untouchable, it’s more like if (Kings GM Monte McNair) gets a deal over the finish line and it’s an incredible deal, then maybe he ends up in it,” Amick said of Haliburton’s name coming up in trade talks.
“The idea in general that nobody is untouchable is new…There’s a lot (of pressure) in Sacramento. There is a real expectation for (McNair) to make a move now, and I think that something is going to happen there.”
In the podcast, Amick also mentions that the Kings are more interested in acquiring the All-Star center in Sabonis versus their interest in fellow Pacers big man Myles Turner. It was revealed on Tuesday that Turner will be re-evaluated in two weeks after suffering a stress-fracture in his left foot.
Turner is not expected to return to action prior to the trade deadline on February 10th.
Amick also goes on to discuss the future of interim head coach Alvin Gentry during the podcast, saying that it’s possible the veteran head coach returns next season.
“I’ll say that he’s an interim, but when Alvin was promoted, there were in the negotiations–discussions about his desire to have some assurances for next season if there was some success. It’s my belief that I think something like that exists within his contract…I think that Alvin could be back next year, depending on what happens.”
You can listen to the entire The Athletic NBA Show podcast here.
Jerami Grant rumors heat up
How is Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant being viewed as a trade target?
“He’s the grand prize of this deadline,” one NBA team strategist told Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report on Tuesday.
According to the report, Sacramento is one of several teams to show interest in the 27-year-old, joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves in the sweepstakes.
Per Fischer’s sources, Detroit is asking for two first-round picks or one first-round pick plus a high-upside young player in exchange for the 6’8 forward.
Grant has missed the past 17 games dating back to December 12th due to an injured thumb, but a return is on the horizon as the Pistons sent the veteran to their G-League affiliate on Monday to begin a rehab assignment.
Since joining the Pistons prior to the 2020-21 season, Grand has averaged 21.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 blocks per game on 42-percent shooting from the field and 34-percent shooting from beyond the three-point arc over 78 games (all starts).
Grant is under contract through 2022-23 and is line to collect $20.9 million next season before entering free agency.
The Kings could benefit from adding Grant’s length to the roster and his presence as a defender that can defend multiple positions, but it’s unclear what it would take to acquire the forward. It’s possible that Sacramento could offer an assortment or combination of Davion Mitchell, Marvin Bagley III, Harrison Barnes and/or a first round pick in return for Grant, but of course, this is all contingent on the team’s status in its pursuit of Simmons and Sabonis.
Another day, another batch of rumors surrounding that Sacramento Kings. For now, that’s all that they are–rumors.
As we know, rumors can turn into reality in a blink of an eye. We’ll have to wait and see how things unfold as we crawl towards the February 10th deadline.
