DeMarcus Cousins is the Kings’ big priority.
But they’re also trying to figure out Rudy Gay, their No. 6 pick and Rajon Rondo.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:For now, the Kings are pursuing trade scenarios for everyone on the roster, including talented forward Rudy Gay, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Sacramento officials believe it will be difficult to find a trade partner that can give the Kings the value it wants for Cousins – and has a better chance to find a deal for Gay, sources said.
Ranadive doesn’t want to rebuild with a move into a new arena on the horizon, and Karl is chasing Don Nelson’s all-time NBA career victories record. Karl’s interest isn’t in cultivating long-term assets, but rather compiling as many victories as possible in the near future.
Most teams trying to trade into the lottery believe the Kings are determined to package the sixth overall pick to bring back veteran talent.
The Kings project to have about $8.6 million in cap room, using data from Basketball Insiders. That should be enough to sign Rondo. He’s 29, coming off a disastrous stint in Dallas and playing in a league closer than ever to its saturation point with good point guards. Paying any more – especially on a one-year deal that gives Rondo the leverage if he bounces back – seems foolish.
As does trading the No. 6 pick for a veteran if the goal is increase cap space (whether it’s for Rondo or someone else).
The No. 6 pick will have a cap number of $2,831,900. Find an equally valuable veteran who makes so little. I’ll wait.
Gay, about to begin a three-year, $40 million extension, should have some value around the league. But I doubt anyone is banging down Sacramento’s door to get him.
It seems the Kings are being pulled in several directions at once – which they probably won’t handle well.