Where the Sacramento Kings roster stands as the trade deadline nears

Following last week’s decision to waive center Orlando Robinson, the Sacramento Kings roster could look different in the coming weeks as they look ahead to the February 6th NBA trade deadline.

By waiving Robinson ahead of the league’s fully guaranteed deadline, Sacramento created an open roster spot while also moving $3.2 million below the luxury tax and $7 million below the first tax apron.

In other words, the Kings have an open spot to fill with some flexibility as they hope to further upgrade a roster that has turned a corner and reinserted itself back into the thick of the Western Conference postseason race.

Here’s where things currently stand for Sacramento’s roster, with the February 6th (noon PT) deadline just weeks away.

Sacramento Kings roster & cap situation

Deep Bench: Colby Jones, Isaac Jones, Doug McDermott, Jae Crowder, Jordan McLaughlin, Isaiah Crawford, Mason Jones.

The Kings’ starting five appears set. While the bench has shown signs of promise, given Keon Ellis’ emergence as a true two-way threat and the recent debut of rookie guard Devin Carter, Sacramento is thin at the backup forward and center spots.

Trey Lyles has given the Kings a boost as of late, knocking down the three-ball at a 40 percent clip and collecting 6.4 rebounds per game since returning from a calf injury on December 21st.

While Lyles and his expiring $8 million contract make him a prime trade candidate, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Sacramento try to hold onto the longtime veteran, especially at a time when they are paper thin at the power forward and center spots (Lyles plays a decent amount of small-ball five for the Kings).

Huerter is the player to watch for as Sacramento attempts to make a splash on the trade market. After making $16.8 million this season, Huerter will see his contract rise to $17.9 million next season–the final year of his four-year, $65 million contract that he signed with the Atlanta Hawks in 2021.

The Kings have been linked to Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson, who has plenty of suitors on the trade market. Many insiders around the league believe Brooklyn is asking for two first-round picks for Johnson, although some believe the Nets could settle for one unprotected first and a rotation player.

Brooklyn has said to be interested in rookie guard Devin Carter in a potential deal for Johnson, but Sacramento is uninterested in parting with the 13th pick from June’s NBA Draft.

Whether or not the Kings can acquire Johnson from the Nets is beside the point. The point is that Sacramento has some flexibility, but not much, as they enter trade season.

(Spotrac.com)

There will be other options for the Kings, but Johnson is the big name who could be on the move by February 6th.

Sacramento could pivot to other players, such as Washington’s Kyle Kuzma ($23.5 million), Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas ($9.9 million), and Portland’s Robert Williams III ($12.4 million), if they miss out on Johnson.

The Kings are unable to trade their first-round pick for 2025 (top-12 protected; otherwise, it conveys to Atlanta), but they can move their 2027-30 picks (2031 is a pick swap with San Antonio from the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade that sent Harrison Barnes to the Spurs).

As for second-rounders, which could be helpful in a deal like the one the Wizards could receive in return for Valanciunas (reports indicate Washington could seek two second-round picks), Sacramento owns just one second-rounder (2029) outright through 2031.

First-round picks may be what teams are looking for when it comes to the Kings, but that is a roll of the dice as they also navigate De’Aaron Fox’s uncertain future with the franchise.

Of course, if the Kings and Fox decide in the summer to part ways, Sacramento can likely recoup some of those picks, meaning that a “gamble” of a move this deadline could work in their favor if they press the right buttons.

As for the Fox-Kings marriage, time is of the essence, and the star guard’s outspoken desire to play in a winning situation will be at the forefront of Sacramento general manager Monte McNair’s (and team owner Vivek Ranadive’s) minds heading into this trade season.

Is it time for McNair to make another swing-for-the-fence move and part with some future draft capital, or will the Kings stand pat for the second straight deadline? Decision time is approaching.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will return home for a three-game homestand that will begin on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets in front of a national audience on TNT.

Back on December 3rd, the Kings delivered one of their best showings of the year against the Rockets, winning by a final of 120-111 behind a 14-of-30 (46%) showing from beyond the arc.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Rockets drama right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before action tips off at 7:00 PM PT from downtown Sacramento.

Sacramento Kings 2024-25 Schedule

• Thursday, January 16th – vs. Houston Rockets – 7:00 PM PT
• Sunday, January 19th – vs. Washington Wizards – 6:00 PM PT
• Wednesday, January 22nd – vs. Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
• Thursday, January 23rd – @ Denver Nuggets – 6:00 PM PT
• Saturday, January 25th – @ New York Knicks – 4:30 PM PT

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