The Kings have had a very mediocre past few seasons, and there doesn’t seem to be a path to a playoff return with their current core. Guys like LaVine, DeRozan, and Sabonis aren’t getting any younger and they don’t have a great young core ready to step up. Unfortunately for a team whose recent history is plagued with playoff drought, it may be time to return to the rebuild.
Link to Part 1: https://fanspo.com/nba/s/general/trades/wOi6OazgUfPa6e/kings-rebuild-part-1-derozan-to-lal
Link to Part 2: https://fanspo.com/nba/s/general/trades/GzhSJicbTiBzQM/kings-rebuild-part-2-sabonis-to-phi
Why the Kings do this:
Why keep a contender’s role player when you’re rebuilding? Malik Monk is a certified bucket but he’s not meant to be the number one or two option, he’s more of a support piece. And Monk has very high value right now, as seen by the picks coming in. Yes, they are two late firsts, but both will almost certainly convey. The Kings anlso acquire GG Jackson, a player the Grizzlies seem to be ready to give up on but who still has very solid potential. This Monk deal extracts all possible value and nets Sacramento the best possible package for him.
Why the Mavericks do this:
Dallas isn’t deep enough at the guard spots, and Malik Monk is brought in to help fix that problem. Monk offers a player who can fill in the scoring load when Kyrie is off the floor which they could have used this season. Wing depth is less of an issue now that the team has drafted Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks also maintain their pick flexibility by only giving up two firsts and since they have another one in 2030 the Stepien rule allows them to trade the 2031 pick.
Mavs starting lineup unchanged by this trade
Why the Grizzlies do this:
Memphis’ roster lacks wing depth and Naji Marshall could be the answer. They give up an overpaid John Konchar along with Jackson who has struggled to find a role and has been in trade talks.
Grizzlies starting lineup unchanged by this trade
What do you think of this trade? Who accepts, who says no, and what would the result be for each team? Let me know in the comments and drop a like and flame. Thanks!