The Kings are still expected to make some sort of major move ahead of this year’s trade deadline in an effort to strengthen their roster for a postseason push, writes Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Sacramento has expressed interest in both Pacers centers, Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis, but Fischer hears that Indiana’s asking price has been much higher than what teams are willing to give up for either player.
According to Fischer, who says the Pelicans also have interest in Sabonis, Turner is still the more likely trade candidate of the two Indiana centers, but only if the Pacers are willing to drop their asking price a little, since teams are concerned about Turner’s injury recovery timeline and his ability to help a team this season. If the price remains high, Turner may stay in Indiana until the offseason.
One team to watch on the Turner front is the Trail Blazers, who gained some momentum in discussions with the Pacers prior to the big man’s injury, according to Fischer. If Portland is focused more on next season than this season, acquiring Turner would make some sense, but the Blazers still hold a play-in spot in the West, so they probably aren’t prepared to just throw in the towel.
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the West:
- Kings center Tristan Thompson is considered to be available in exchange for a second-round pick, says Fischer. I’m a little skeptical that Sacramento will be able to get positive value for Thompson by himself.
- The Spurs received a call from the Hawks about guard Derrick White, Fischer reports. It doesn’t sound like those discussions gained any traction, but Fischer points out that San Antonio has been viewed since 2020 as a potential suitor for Atlanta big man John Collins.
- As previously relayed, rival executives think the Mavericks may trade one of Jalen Brunson or Dorian Finney-Smith by February 10. Both players will be unrestricted free agents this summer, so there will be nothing stopping them from signing elsewhere, and if the Mavs do re-sign both, they’ll likely be taxpayers. However, Dallas has expressed confidence in its ability to re-sign both players, according to Fischer, who adds that there’s a belief Finney-Smith will seek $15MM annually on his next deal.
- The Thunder‘s asking price in any trade for forward Kenrich Williams is believed to be a first-round pick, per Fischer.
I was really hoping to trade Bullock and hardaway at deadline (and Dwight Powell but Cuban loves him too much) for an expiring contract or marcus smart or/and John collins.
Flip Bullock back to Knicks for whoever and dallas 2023 1st rounder (that way dallas can trade whatever 1st rounder again).
3 team deal involving hardaway with sac, det, or pelicans (all had interest in him in offseason) example Flip hardaway to Sacramento, buddy helid to Toronto Goran dragic (expiring contract) to dallas. But all that seems off the table with him hurt now.
Or maybe trade hardaway and Brunson for marcus smart and Schroder? (Celtics also explored a hardaway smart swap before he got hurt)
Finally trade 1st rounders, maxi and another filler for collins.
It’s gonna take way more than late 1sts & role players to get John Collins
Thunder want another first rounder? Lol
A first-round pick for Kenrich Williams? That’s tough.
The price to dump Westbrook