Sacramento Kings rumors have already connected the team this summer to a potential trade for All-Star guard Bradley Beal. Now that he’s off the market, Sacramento is reportedly pursuing a blockbuster trade with the Toronto Raptors.
After ending one of the longest playoff droughts in sports, the Kings are taking an aggressive approach to the offseason. Sacramento is shopping its first-round pick and additional assets around the league to acquire a high-end forward to pair with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
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With the Kings prepared to lose Harrison Barnes in free agency, potentially to the Indiana Pacers, general manager Monte McNair seems to be eyeing upgrades who could help the team emerge as a championship contender next season.
- OG Anunoby stats (2022-’23): 16.8 PPG, 5 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 2.9 Defensive Win Shares, +2.2 Defensive RAPTOR
During an appearance on the What’s Chad Doing?” podcast, NBA reporter Chris Haynes mentioned that Sacramento is among the teams pursuing Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby.
“Well, you know the [Portland Trail] Blazers have been rumored with Pascal, OG over there in Toronto as well…Sacramento is on the chase for those two guys in Toronto as well.”
Chris Haynes on Sacramento Kings’ interest in Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby
Related: Sacramento Kings aggressively pursuing OG Anunoby, how a trade might look
- Pascal Siakam stats (2022-’23): 24.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 5.8 APG, .141 WS/48
Siakam might be Sacramento’s preferred option. The 6-foot-9 power forward is a two-time NBA All-Star selection. He made the All-NBA Second Team in 2020 then the All-NBA Second Team in 2022. The 29-year-old is owed $37.89 million next season and will become one of the top free agents in the summer of 2024.
Whereas Siakam would provide Sacramento would a third go-to scorer and improve its rebounding, Anunoby would help defensively. The 6-foot-7 small forward rated as one of the best defensive wings in the NBA last season and would help improve a team that allowed the second-most points per game (23.43) and the third-most assists per game (4.19) to small forwards.
Anunoby holds a $19.928 million player option in 2024, which he is currently expected to decline it to become a free agent. It’s expected that the Kings would package Davion Mitchell, the 24th overall pick and future draft assets for either player.
With the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday night, Sacramento is expected to continue to explore its trade options up to the point its on the clock. If either Anunoby or Siakam lands with the Kings, they along with Sabonis would both need to sign contract extensions to remain with the team long-term.
