Light the beam?
Scanning the league for other teams under pressure to take the next step, the Sacramento Kings have signaled that they plan to make a big move this summer.
Built around De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings need wings who can defend and shoulder some of the scoring load. Butler doesn’t make sense in terms of their timeline, but there’s no doubt he’d add a lot of value to a team missing high-end playoff experience.
The Kings could trade up to three first-round picks, have young players like Keegan Murray and Davion Mitchell, plus Harrison Barnes’, Kevin Huerter’s and Trey Lyles’ chunky contracts to match salary.
The Kings were reluctant to trade Murray after his rookie season, but that could change if they are motivated to make a big swing, according to The Athletic.
"The Kings front office was protective of Murray in trade talks for Pascal Siakam and others near the trade deadline. It’s difficult to imagine that changing. But McNair, in an interview with The Athletic last summer, did indicate there’d be a time to press fast forward if the opportunity presents: ‘I think we’re in a spot where if there is an aggressive play out there, we’ll be one of the teams that can knock on that door.’"