The Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers engaged in a franchise-changing trade today February, 8th at around 10:30 am PST. Dare I say … this is the BIGGEST trade the Sacramento Kings have made … in this CENTURY (the year 2000 and beyond)?!?!
Trade Details:
Trade Breakdown
SAC receives: Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday, 2027 2nd Rd pick
IND receives: Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Tristan Thompson
Welcome to the City of Trees
A few notable stats for three of the Sacramento Kings new additions.
Per game averages for the 2021-22 season:
Domantas Sabonis – 18.9 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5 assists, 58% FG, 32.4% 3PT FG, 74% FT.
Jeremy Lamb – 7.4 PPG, 2.4 AST, 1.3 REBS, 15.7 minutes, 83.8% FT.
Justin Holiday – 11 PPG, 2.8 AST, 1.8 REB, 28.9 MPG, 41.5% FG, 37.8% 3PT FG, 82.9% FT.
Contract Situations
Will Zimmerle is a great follow on Twitter. He often provides unique stats on the Sacramento Kings, as well as being regularly referenced on ‘The D-Lo & KC Show’ on ESPN 1320AM radio (12 PM-4 PM Monday-Friday).
The contracts in this trade played a major role in WHY the Kings improved in this trade. Perhaps the biggest non-player/on-court aspect of the trade is they traded away Buddy Hield’s contract. Hield’s contract includes this season, plus two more on his contract. Hield will be making $24 million, $22.5 mil, $18.5 mil in his final three seasons of this deal.
Addition by subtraction. Let’s GO!
Addition By Subtraction
Simply put … the Kings got better by ridding themselves of Buddy Hield, his style of play, and his contract. Thanks for the early season motivation and viral clips Tristan Thompson and … bye Buddy.
Sometimes it’s not what you GET, it’s what you GET RID OF.
Shock in SacTown
There have been MANY rumors swirling around about trades involving either or both Tyrese Haliburton and De’Aaron Fox for weeks now. Most Kings fans, including myself, did not actually think that Haliburton or Fox would be traded. Especially after the front office kinda, sorta stated they wanted to build around the two young guards. I’m not mad … I’m just still a bit in shock.
Even the infamous Adrian ‘Woj’ Wojnarowski was stunned by this trade.
Therapy Session … #SacramentoProud Style
Like most Kings fans, I also get ATTACHED to players that come through SacTown. We loved Isaiah Thomas, then they sent him out! We rallied around the fighting spirit of Harry Giles III. He is now working his way back up to the NBA in the G-League.
We loved Buddy Hield for a while … then he started ‘Being Buddy’ FAR too often.
To be completely honest, Tyrese Haliburton was my FAVORITE player on this Sacramento Kings team. Although I am a little sad to see him go … I think this trade is BIG TIME for the Sacramento Kings.
Not only does Sabonis fit a HUGE need for the Sacramento Kings, but this trade also sets an EXAMPLE for the future. The Sacramento Kings aren’t the most well-respected franchise, simply put.
Being involved in talks for big trades all season and then pulling off a big trade shows the rest of the NBA that the Sacramento Kings are trying to make a positive change.
Big Trades in Sacramento Kings History
A few trades that come to mind in terms of Sacramento Kings FRANCHISE altering, all-time, earth-shaking.
Mitch Richmond for Chris Webber in 1998
Jason Williams for Mike Bibby in 2001
DeMarcus Cousins for Buddy Hield in 2017
What Do YOU Think?
Now that we’ve had a couple of hours to digest this trade … I want to know what you think!
Do you like this trade?
Will the Kings make more trades before the 2/10 NBA trade deadline?
Where does this trade rank in Sacramento Kings trade history?
Who will be the Sacramento Kings NEXT head coach?
Let me know on my Twitter/Instagram/Facebook page! Search SacTown Crown Report!
As always, GO SACRAMENTO KINGS!
-Tom Witt
Tom Witt Writes 