With the Boston Celtics crowned NBA champions, all attention now officially shifts to the offseason. Matt Moore of The Action Network posted a roundup of NBA rumors and information, including some interesting Sacramento Kings picks. Moore reports that the Kings have continued to spin the tires on a possible deal with the Chicago Bulls to acquire either Zach LaVine or Alex Caruso, or possibly both:The Sacramento Kings are back with the same trade package. offered Toronto twice for OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakami.
The offer includes compensation for Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter and a draft pick. They reportedly had talks with Chicago with Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso.The Kings have had several communications with LaVine over the years. Vlade Divac signed him to a restricted free agent offer sheet that was quickly matched, and Sacramento was again interested in LaVine last season before LaVine suffered another injury. Alex Caruso is a name we’ve been tossing around these parts since last season, but the Bulls announced that the asking price at the trade deadline was pretty high.Moore explains that the Kings’ interest in LaVine has to do with the possibility of Malik Monk leaving in free agency, and that makes sense to me.
The biggest problem with acquiring LaVine last season, besides his ongoing injury problems, was the difficult matchup of another heavily used guard along with Monk and De’Aaron Fox. If Monk leaves and Kevin Huerter is part of the return package (which he almost certainly would be), the fit will be less confusing. Chicago could also ask for Keon Ellis in the deal, especially if the Kings were to acquire both LaVine and Caruso. I don’t see the Kings parting ways with Ellis over LaVine unless Caruso is personally involved in the deal.LaVine’s biggest flaws are simple: He pays and doesn’t stay healthy.
LaVine is owed $43 million this season, $45.9 million next season and then has $48.9 million in player options. LaVine has dealt with multiple injuries over the years and played in just 25 games last season. LaVine was never a great defender either. But when he’s healthy, LaVine is exactly the type of offensive threat the Kings needed. Down low threat who can attack the defense, get to the goal, get to the line and finish as a lob threat.
LaVine has also developed into a respectable three-point threat over the years, good enough to at least keep defenses honest.Signing LaVine would be a big risk regardless of whether Alex Caruso joins him or not, but I definitely think it would be better to sign both players than just LaVine. Are the Kings taking such a big and expensive risk after sitting out this long? We will have to wait and see.It’s also worth noting that Moore is reporting that the Kings are expected to continue negotiations with Kyle Kuzma. The Kings have been chasing Kuzma for years, so this isn’t exactly a huge surprise, but it’s still worth mentioning here..
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