The Sacramento Kings could have a busy year. The team reportedly is hoping to find a trade partner for center Jason Thompson in order to improve at the 4-spot. While Thompson is likely being shopped, forward Rudy Gay appears to be safe from the trade block and Denver Nuggets Kenneth Faried remains a favorite target.
It's no secret Sacramento wants Boston Celtics star Rajon Rondo, but in the meantime they appear to be looking for practical solutions for the upcoming season. Local beat writer Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee reported Thompson is one player the Kings are trying to move, but he doubts it'll net the team an impact player.
"It will take a perfect storm for an impact player. Another team would have to take on one of the contracts the Kings want to get rid of (like Jason Thompson) and have a player they really don't like and simply want to dump," Jones wrote Friday. "... Getting an 'impact' player for J.T. would mean packaging him and maybe involving a third or fourth team in a deal. And it would also mean finding a team that has a disgruntled star or that decides during the season it wants to rebuild its roster (like Toronto)."
The Kings are looking to upgrade at the power forward position, likely with a player who can space the floor and give center DeMarcus Cousins more room to work in the paint.
Jones also touched on Gay and Faried. Despite Gay hitting unrestricted free agency in July, Jones reported the veteran is unlikely to be dealt before the February deadline because Sacramento is willing to pay him more than any other team this summer.
As for Faried, Jones said the power forward is coveted by Sacramento but admitted picking him up would be a longshot - Denver will likely reach a max deal with Faried by the summer.
