Kings make NBA Finals bid in mock trade for former NBA Defensive Player of the Year

The Sacramento Kings went all-in this season on finding success with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. In an effort to build around that core, they traded for DeMar DeRozan, building Sacramento’s biggest three in franchise history. However, at 8-7, they are currently the eighth seed in the Western Conference, up only one spot from last year’s final standings. 

The Kings have a middling 112.9 defensive rating, good for 14th in the NBA. They rarely play anyone taller than the 6-foot-10 Sabonis and lack any sort of rim protection. 

A mock trade proposed on Tuesday by Fadeaway World’s Ishaan Bhattacharya would immediately solve the Kings’ defensive woes, although it would come at a steep price. In the deal, the Kings send away Malik Monk, Keegan Murray and two first-round picks for Jaren Jackson Jr., who is arguably the second-best player on the Memphis Grizzlies. He is currently averaging 23.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

Monk can’t be traded until December since he signed a contract this offseason, and by then maybe the Kings will have found their footing. Still, a trade like that would give the Grizzlies some added shooting (they are currently 21st in the NBA) and future assets, while allowing the Kings to go all-in. A starting five of Jackson Jr., Fox, Sabonis, DeRozan and Kevin Huerter would be one of the best in the NBA, and depth pieces like Keon Ellis and rookie Devin Carter could play key roles.

While the Grizzlies are unlikely to make any major moves until Ja Morant makes a recovery from his hip injury, they did enter the season with high expectations, and if they flounder, they might be eager to make a drastic deal. 

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