Kings Willing To Trade Nik Stauskas

With Sacramento desperately wanting to upgrade its frontcourt, the Kings are now willing to discuss including their 2014 first round pick Nik Stauskas in a trade, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports. Sacramento wants to pair star center DeMarcus Cousins alongside a frontline player who would complement his skills, Berger notes. The team is seeking either a stretch four or an above-the-rim defender in any deal involving Stauskas, Berger adds.

The Kings have fielded numerous calls about the 21-year-old, who has seen limited playing time in his rookie season thanks to the improving play of the Kings’ 2013 first-rounder, Ben McLemore, Berger reports. Sacramento has thus far declined to deal Stauskas, whom the team selected with the No. 8 overall pick last June. The Nets were reportedly requesting the rookie out of Michigan during their trade talks involving Deron Williams possibly heading west to join Sacramento, but were rebuffed.

Sacramento has forwards Derrick Williams and Reggie Evans, both of whom are on expiring deals, to include in any trade, notes Berger, though there has been no indication that the Kings wish to deal either player just yet. Including either player could allow Sacramento to acquire a player whose salary is in the $10MM-$11MM range, the CBS Sports scribe adds. Jason Thompson is also available to be had in any deal, though Berger notes that any trade involving Thompson is likely to be a separate transaction. The Kings also desire to obtain a wing defender, but that is currently a secondary priority.

In 38 appearances this season, Stauskas is averaging 3.6 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 14.1 minutes per contest. His shooting numbers are .331/.272/.815.