The Sacramento Kings looked very much out on Giannis Antetokounmpo. But what about the next talented tradeable star Morant?
The NBA Trade Deadline rumor mill continues to spin -- this time at a high speed involving the Sacramento Kings.
General manager Scott Perry already orchestrated the Keon Ellis/Dennis Schroeder deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sending out Dario Saric to the Chicago Bulls freed up space too (Saric was part of the three-way deal involving the Kings-Cavs-Bulls). Then there's Domantas Sabonis and his pending situation involving the Toronto Raptors.
However, Ja Morant enters the chat here with the deadline now heading toward its final 48 hours.
Does this mean Perry, head coach Doug Christie and the Kings have suddenly become interested in the talented but polarizing perennial NBA All-Star? Here's what NBA insider for The Athletic Sam Amick dove into Tuesday:
"The Sacramento Kings are consistently mentioned as one of the few teams — if not the only one — that might decide to get into the Morant business before the Thursday deadline," Amick said. "As of today, I can relay, per team sources, that they have still not completely closed the door on that idea."
There you have it...Sacramento isn't ignoring potentially adding Morant. However, there's this curveball.
"That being said, the percentage chance of this actually happening was placed in the low-single-digits when I inquired about it pre-Jaren Jackson Jr. trade," Amick adds.
The insider then adds what impact Morant's price tag has on Sacramento.
"The Kings’ minimal interest, for quite some time now, has been directly tied to the idea that Morant's price point might drop so low, they’d be crazy not to do it," Amick said. "Especially if it meant getting off of a contract — like, say, Zach LaVine’s — that has long since been deemed undesirable. (The Grizzlies' willingness, or potential lack thereof, to take LaVine back is unclear.)"
LaVine doesn't appear to be a high trade contender as of Tuesday morning. Amick then presented a potential proposal that could make Morant-to-Sacramento a reality.
"If Memphis wants to make a Morant trade even more appealing to Sacramento, they could attach a first-rounder to the deal as an enticing sweetener," Amick said. "After today’s Jackson Jr. trade that netted the Grizzlies three first-rounders from Utah, they certainly have a few to spare."
Looks like it's time to become watchful of this move.
Despite the Kings' record, plus Morant's past off-court troubles, he's an instant ticket seller. He'd draw brand new fan intrigue for a team needing something to cheer about. This move can additionally put the Kings in a situation where their rebuild becomes quicker. Of course, this deal needs to happen before Thursday.
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