Western Conference Power Rankings after week 1 of free agency
By Austin McGee
9. Sacramento Kings
Draft Picks: Devin Carter
Offseason Acquisitions: DeMar DeRozan, Jalen McDaniels, Jordan McLaughlin
Departures: Harrison Barnes, Chris Duarte, Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov
Boom! The Sacramento Kings swung for the fences by trading for former Chicago Bull DeMar DeRozan. The Kings sent Harrison Barnes, Chris Duarte, and two second-round picks as a part of a three-team deal in exchange for DeRozan's services.
The soon-to-be 35-year-old guard will suit up alongside De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis in one of the NBA's better trios. Flanking the triumvirate will be ascending talents Keegan Murray, Keon Ellis, and perennial Sixth Man of the Year contender Malik Monk.
The Kings are talented from the top down. Sacramento isn't missing many key pieces. A defensive-minded big would help, but the Kings' defense wasn't totally woeful a season ago. Adding an offense-first player in DeRozan is certainly risky. However, a big-time move was necessary for a potential rise in the rankings.
Besides Fox, DeRozan, and Sabonis, the Kings quietly possess one of the better defensive wing tandems. Murray and Ellis are both ideal players to surround the Kings stars. And if the Kings prefer to emphasize a high-powered attack, Monk and Kevin Huerter are options to start instead of Ellis.