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Analyzing The Sixers-Kings Trade Piece-by-Piece

Now that the dust has settled on the Sixers and Kings trade, let’s take a look at the moving parts of the deal piece-by-piece.

Picks, Picks, Picks, Picks, Picks

This is where things get a little messy so let’s try to simplify this.

The Sixers will have the right to swap first-round picks with the Kings in both 2016 and 2017. The Sixers won’t need to decide if they want to swap picks until after the lottery is held, meaning that if the Kings are in the lottery and win it, the Sixers will get their pick.

In essence, the Sixers will be increasing their likelihood of winning the lottery (or getting a top-three pick) if the Kings miss the playoffs (likely). If Philadelphia finishes with the second-worst record and the Kings finish with the eighth-worst record, the Sixers would have a 65.7 percent chance of obtaining a top-three pick, up from a 55.8 percent chance.

The pick swap will be for both seasons. Even if the Sixers choose to swap picks in 2016, they will still be able to swap picks in 2017, if they so choose.

The Sixers will also receive a future top-10 protected first-round pick from the Kings. It’s complicated though — Sacramento already owes the Chicago Bulls a top-10 protected pick in 2016 or 2017. If the Kings-to-Bulls pick doesn’t get conveyed by then, Chicago will receive the Kings’ 2017 second-round pick.

So because of the Stepien rule (a team can’t trade its first-round pick in consecutive years), the Sixers won’t see Sacramento’s first-round pick until 2018 at the earliest.

Per Zach Lowe of Grantland, the Sacramento’s pick to the Sixers will be top-10 protected in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, the pick will be unprotected.

SG, Nik Stauskas

Sixer fans should be familiar with Stauskas, who was one of the players that could have been available with the Pelicans’ pick at No. 10 in the 2014 draft. Stauskas eventually ended up not being available at No. 10, and instead was selected with the eighth pick by the Kings. In his rookie season in Sacramento, Stauskas struggled mightily.

He could never find consistent playing time, but even when he did it wasn’t all that pretty. He averaged 4.4 points and 0.9 assists per game while only shooting 36.5 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from three.

April 3, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Nik Stauskas (10) dribbles the basketball during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Sleep Train Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

But it really isn’t all that bad. I’m not here to make excuses for Stauskas — he was horrible — but the Kings are the most poorly run franchise in sports. What the Sixers are to developing talent, the Kings are the complete opposite. Since Vivek Ranadive bought the Kings, they have made ill-advised move after ill-advised move.

Whether it was firing Mike Malone, promoting Vlade Divac without notifying the rest of the front office, or the entire George Karl era thus far, they have shown they are truly a mess. To realistically expect any rookie to even remotely thrive in that type of environment is a stretch.

Like I said, Stauskas had a bad year. That can’t be disputed, but he’s still a talented guy. He shot the heck out of the ball while at Michigan, and even shot better down the stretch with the Kings (42.1 percent after the all star break from three). He still has potential as a secondary ball handler, and he’s a good passer too.

It’s not a lock that Stauskas flourishes with the Sixers, but I’m not willing to overlook him because he didn’t play well in a incompetent Sacramento organization.

PF/C, Jason Thompson and PF Carl Landry

When the trade originally went down, it was speculated that one of (if not both) Thompson or Landry would be waived by the Sixers. Instead, it looks as if both are here to stay, according to Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News.

Neither Thompson nor Landry will be difference makers for the Sixers, but they’re experienced vets that should be able to provide depth behind Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, and potentially Joel Embiid. Both have two years remaining on their contracts, being able to become free agents after the 2016-17 season.

Also semi-important to note Thompson is a local product, having grown up in Camden, N.J.

"Beyond excited to be going back to Philly. Grew up a Sixers fan. Dream come true."

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