NBA rumors report Cavaliers-Kings trade of PG George Hill. But the true winner of that trade is the Philadelphia 76ers, who hold the Sacramento Kings 2019 NBA Draft 1st round pick.
The Sacramento Kings and the Cleveland Cavaliers are working frantically to consummate a deal which would send the well-paid contract of PG George Hill to the Cavs in exchange for PF Channing Frye and Iman Shumpert is close to fruition. Does this impact the Philadelphia 76ers? Yes. But while some fans scratch their heads as to why the Kings would do such a deal, the fact is that they are stuck with a pricey NBA veteran contract.
This possible deal between the Kings (George Hill) and Cavs (Iman Shumpert/Channing Frye) is not expected to go down today, I'm told. Very real though. ESPN first reported talks.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 23, 2018
And that is a huge roadblock for the team’s interest in getting younger and better.
Getting younger is not always getting better
To get younger, the Kings will need to shed more than Hill however. The team also boasts veteran power forward Zach Randolph. He is currently leading the team with 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Kings Explore Trading Skal Labissiere, Malachi Richardson https://t.co/2KTz54o6HV
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 23, 2018
If the team succeeds at trading Hill, they are committed to freeing up roster space to absorb the expected package of Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye. As of now, the pieces they are most likely to part with are reportedly Skal Labissierre and Malachi Richardson. Both players arrived in the 2016 NBA Draft. To compound matters further, Frye is expecting a contract buyout upon arriving to the Kings. In short, the Hill trade decimates the King’s roster.
More the merrier
Still, there is a belief that the Cavs-Kings trade needs a third team. And for what it’s worth, reports of other teams inclusion to facilitate a deal are emerging. One such third team already identified is the Dallas Mavericks. But the Mavericks want draft picks in the worst way, and already have their eyes set on the Sacramento Kings 33rd pick of the 2018 NBA Draft as a starting point. (as of January 26, 2018)
Source tonite to https://t.co/NVriu87nsW - #Kings have contacted #Mavs re being 3rd team to help Trade George Hill to #Cavs
— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) January 24, 2018
Philly for third team
Since the Kings have some serviceable pieces, and the Cavaliers have a late first round pick, there is enough value between the two named team to attract a third team to help the transaction. And of course, we suspect the Philadelphia 76ers would be wise to get into the action as well:
NBA #Rumors: Can Philadelphia 76ers facilitate Cavs Kings trade? https://t.co/PhWNjrbwiM via @sixersense pic.twitter.com/9J0KmGN3ZC
— FanSided NBA (@FanSidedNBA) January 25, 2018
And while the entire NBA waits to witness this deal and where it lands, there is another, more subtle, outcome which should make the Philadelphia 76ers fans quite pleased.
How far will rebuilding Kings fall?
If the Sacramento Kings go all out on a rebuild beginning with the trade out of Hill, they have a ways to go. Their best player right now is 16-year veteran Zach Randolph. And per reports, the Kings are already shopping Labissierre in preparation for reducing their roster size to make room for both Channing Frye and Iman Shumpert.
The Sacramento Kings are reportedly shopping Skal Labissiere (which is stunning and not the right move, in my opinion). My colleague @BryanKalbrosky looks at five possible destinations that make sense for Skal if the Kings decide to trade him: https://t.co/sdur5CujqK
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) January 24, 2018
But the concerning point at this moment is the fact that the Sacramento Kings have some “good” young talent, but none in the “great” category. And with a loaded 2018 NBA Draft coming up, the Kings believe that it’s “now or never”. This season ends with the Sacramento Kings owning both their first and second round picks. Next season, their 2019 NBA Draft belongs to either the Philadelphia 76ers or the Boston Celtics.
2019 NBA Draft
The NBA has changed the Lottery rules beginning in 2019. As such, the worst team in the NBA no longer has a 25 percent chance for a number one pick. That “best probability” is capped at 14 percent. At the time of the announcement regarding the change, we applauded the change. Why you ask?
Here is an ESPN graphic on how NBA Draft lottery odds change in 2019 pic.twitter.com/Jk8X7q0J3Z
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 28, 2017
Kings pick to Sixers value going through the roof.
The Kings can land finish the 2018-2019 NBA season at 26 and the 76ers will still have a 10 percent chance at the best pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. All the while, the same Philadelphia 76ers have their own first round pick, plus two second round picks in that draft. So in a scenario where the Lakers pick conveys this season, the 2019 NBA Draft will hold another opportunity to land multiple stars for the Sixers.
Next: NBA Rumors: Should Philadelphia 76ers seek Mavs Wes Matthews?
How good will the 2019 NBA Draft be? As of right now, it appears to be loaded with front court stars. That could change, as the likely top prospects are still playing high school basketball. Still, it places one more roster restocking for the 76ers as the team aims to succeed in post season play. And if the Cavs and Kings pull off their deal today, the Sixers future is all the brighter for it.