ESPN news: Kings insider reveals key players the managerial team want to trade for the season

Will the Sacramento Kings be looking to make a significant trade this summer? Sean Cunningham believes that all the cards are in play.

Sean Cunningham, a FOX40 Kings insider, spoke with The Drive Guys on Friday about the upcoming summer plans and the Kings’ 2023–24 season. They also discuss the free agency class of this summer and potential trade and free agency targets for Sacramento. In addition, did Drake give Kendrick Lamar the last laugh?

Sactown Sports has all of that and more.

“Maybe not in free agency, but I think everyone knows that this organization usually makes its biggest splash when it comes to trades if you’re a fan of the Kings or if you’ve been in this market long enough,” Sean Cunningham stated on Friday. “Especially after a season like the one in the Western Conference, and with everyone learning they need to play aggressively, 48–50 wins might not be what you anticipated a year ago or perhaps what you imagined that it would ever occur this season.Indeed, opportunities arise every year; all you need to do is be proactive. Additionally, the fact that they virtually still have all of their draft selections sitting around represents draft capital that is available for unloading at the proper time.

Other subjects covered include:

Sean’s current opinions on the NBA playoffs in 2024
This summer, are the Kings looking for a big name?
Is it possible that the Kings will spend more in trades than in free agency?
Is a luxury-tax squad a prerequisite for Sacramento to be a serious contender?
Sean mentions a couple guys who Sacramento may target this summer.
Which celebrity, younger or older, should the Kings target?
How would you handle Keegan Murray?
Would Sacramento feel more pressure to act if Malik Monk left?
If Monk re-signs with the Kings, should he start the next season?
Sean, Jay, and Kevin discuss the conflict between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.

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Named the Most Likely King to Be Traded is Harrison Barnes

Barnes may be the first to go if the Sacramento Kings make a trade this off-season.

Despite experiencing a decline in output from previous seasons, the Sacramento Kings re-signed free agent Harrison Barnes to a three-year contract worth $54 million during the previous off-season. Sacramento made a poor choice because Barnes had his worst season in nine years and his deterioration persisted.

The Sacramento front office and general manager Monte McNair have been urged by many Kings supporters to enhance their power forward position, but nothing changed between last summer and this year’s trade deadline. Following a poor 2023–24 season that saw the Kings lose out on the postseason, they may be forced to consider making a number of transactions.

Harrison Barnes of the Kings is the player from each NBA franchise whom Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz identified as the most likely trade candidate this summer.

“Outside of De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray, no player should feel safe in Sacramento after the Kings failed to reach the playoffs,” says Swartz. For the last five and a half years, Harrison Barnes has been a reliable starter in Sacramento; nevertheless, in a possible deal, he might be worth more as a salary match. In 2025–2026, the 31-year-old is due $18 million, and in 2025–2026, $19 million. The Kings, who had their eye on a Pascal Siakam move before the deadline, appear ravenous for another star. The combined pay of Barnes and Kevin Huerter would be $34.8 million, which would enable some competitive offers to be made with draft picks included.”

Although Barnes’ worth in the league is uncertain, he might not be in high demand given his average of just 12.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Barnes would probably be traded if the Kings were looking to add a top player, but given their limited resources, talented sophomore Keegan Murray would also be considered.

The majority of Kings supporters desire that the team make a significant move this summer, and although many are ready to take the risk of dealing Barnes, any transaction will require more than just a faltering veteran forward.