Kofi Inkoom
The Sacramento Kings are gearing up to revamp their roster in a bid to contend for a playoff spot in the highly competitive Western Conference next season.
They’re actively exploring trade options, looking to move players like Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, and draft picks to secure a transformative upgrade.
According to NBA insider Matt Moore from The Action Network, the Kings have reached out to the Chicago Bulls regarding a possible trade involving Zach LaVine and/or Alex Caruso.
Moore writes , “The Sacramento Kings are revisiting their previous trade offer, similar to what they proposed twice to Toronto for OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. The package includes Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, and draft picks. They’ve also engaged in talks with Chicago concerning Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso.”
Managed by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, LaVine is slated to earn around $43 million next season, adding to his career earnings of $164 million.
With reports suggesting the Bulls are willing to negotiate down LaVine’s asking price, the Kings could be in a strong position to acquire him.
LaVine has long been linked with Sacramento, having previously agreed to a lucrative four-year, nearly $80 million offer sheet from the Kings back in 2018, which Chicago matched swiftly.
A potential Kings lineup featuring LaVine alongside talents like De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray would present a formidable force in the Western Conference, known for its young, star-studded teams.
As for Caruso, he has significantly improved his offensive game, particularly his jump shot, shooting an impressive 44.0% from 3-point range this season. The 6’5″ guard is contributing 10.1 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game.
While it remains uncertain whether LaVine and Caruso will indeed join the Kings, the likelihood of LaVine departing Chicago appears high, given the team’s recent struggles and the emergence of young star Coby White.
This situation presents Sacramento with a potential opportunity to acquire LaVine at a favorable price from a Bulls team looking to reshape its roster and shed salary as it looks to the future.