Comment Opinions Please. Is This Good? Read The Full Description As All The Trade Details, Draft Picks, & Free Agent Signings Are There.

1. Hire Kenny Atkinson As The New Head Coach

2. Trade Harrison Barnes & 2022 CHI 2nd To The Miami Heat For Duncan Robinson & 2022 1st

3. Deal Maurice Harkless, Richaun Holmes, & 2024 Top 3 Protected 1st To The Orlando Magic For Johnathan Issac

4. Draft Keegan Murray(PF, 6’8 225) With The #7 Pick In The 2022 NBA Draft

5. Draft Wendell Moore(SF, 6’5 215) With The #27 Pick In The 2022 NBA Draft

6. Draft Andrew Nembhard(PG, 6’5 195) With The #37 Pick In The 2022 NBA Draft

7. Resign Donte DiVincenzo To A 3yr Contract Worth $33 Million(11 Per Year)

8. Sign Robert Covington Using The Full MLE To A 2 Year Contract Worth $21 Million(10.5 Per Year)

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Explanation & Analysis

After dealing away their young star in Tyrese Haliburton for All-Star Domantas Sabonis & missing the playoffs for the 16th consecutive season, the Kings need to make some legit moves around Fox & Sabonis in order to return to the postseason. Many people have criticized Sacramento for swapping Haliburton for Sabonis, but they can potentially silence those critics with an impressive 2023 season.

The first move I’d make is to hire Kenny Atkinson as the new Head Coach. During his time with Brooklyn Nets, Atkinson proved to be a smart & knowledgeable coach that knows how to develop players & build a culture. Brooklyn improved every season when he became their coach. Atkinson would be a great hire for Sacramento because they need someone to establish an culture & develop their young players along with whom ever they take with the 6th pick.

Next I would trade Harrison Barnes & the 48th pick to the Miami Heat for Duncan Robinson & the 27th pick. Not only does Sacramento need defense around Fox & Sabonis, which will be addressed in the next steps, but they also need shooters around them, as both Fox & Sabonis aren’t really great shooters from deep. Robinson would give them someone that can move off the ball & break down defenses with his ability to nail the three from anywhere. With Fox & Sabonis garnering the most attention, Robinson would get plenty of open looks. Defensively, he is an average defender, plays good team defense, & has improved every season with the Miami Heat. Robinson has quick feet, as you probably already know, & nice size at the two being 6’7. He just needs to improve how he guards iso ball drivers, as he’s know to draw unnecessary fouls.

Following the Robinson deal, I’d trade Maurice Harkless, Richaun Holmes, & a 2024 Top 3 Protected 1st to the Orlando Magic for Johnathan Issac. The Kings need someone next to Sabonis that can defend multiple positions & cover up his defensive weaknesses. When healthy, Issac has shown DPOY potential with his ability to guard out on the perimeter & impact shots in the interior. If he can return to form & play well right away, the Kings could have a top 2 front court in the league. Sabonis & Issac mesh well because they’re two very different players. One is a point forward/center type of guy who can run the offense & create for others. While the other is a big & long defensive stalwart that can also space the floor well. This pairing has potential to be a real problem against other squads in the NBA.

Now onto the 2022 NBA Draft. With the 6th pick, the Sacramento Kings select Keegan Murray, a forward out of Iowa. Murray is someone who can do everything well & can improve even further while developing. He can space the floor well & score off the dribble. Defensively, he’s a solid versatile defender that can guard both forward spots, get steals, block shots, & has potential to be a lockdown defender. I really like Murray’s fit next to Johnathan Issac in the lineup. Both of these guys can play defense & space the floor around Fox & Sabonis, which is currently needed.

Next picks for Sacramento will be at 27 & 37, where I have them taking Wendell Moore & Andrew Nembhard respectively. Moore is already a talented defender & as the potential to be a defensive specialist in the league. He’s a strong physical athlete who has an impressive wingspan of 7 feet that can rebound well & be a playmaker sometimes. All he really needs to do is improve his outside shooting as he’s been quite inconsistent from deep. Nembhard, on the other hand, is a true point guard & one of the best passers in the class. He knows how to run an offense & create for his teammates. Nembhard has great experience as a four year collegiate player, which can definitely be used on a Kings team that’s trying to win now.

And at last, free agency. First thing I’d do is resign Donte DiVincenzo to a three year contract, as he’s been a solid pickup for Sacramento. Next I would sign Robert Covington using the MLE. Covington would be a significant part of the rotation as a 3&D player around Fox & Sabonis. He could also potentially start at the beginning of the season if Murray isn’t ready for that role yet. A rotation between Murray, Issac, & Covington at the forward positions would be an ideal one to keep Sacramento’s defensive running. Then you’ve also got DiVincenzo, Holiday, & Moore who could also get some playing time at the SF position if need be.

It’s time for the Kings to make a legit run at the postseason next year, as their fans haven’t been able to watch play a playoff game for 16 years now. With these trades for Robinson & Issac, selection of Murray & Moore, & free agent signing of Covington, Sacramento should be in a solid position to compete in the tough western conference next year.

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Kings Ideal Starting Lineup:

Fox, Robinson, Murray, Issac, & Sabonis

Backup Five:

Mitchell, Davis, DiVincenzo, Covington, & Metu

Rest Of Bench:

Nembhard, Holiday, Moore, Lyles, & Len

Two Way Players/G-League:

Taevion Kinsey & Neemias Queta

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