Does this trade make sense for the Sacramento Kings?
Sacramento has been very clear on the fact that they do not want to trade De’Aaron Fox and if they had thoughts of doing so, they would have done so before they inked him to a five-year, max contract extension. Fox represents the future of the Sacramento Kings franchise, something they really have not had in a long time.
It has been 15 years since the Kings last made the playoffs and as things stand right now, it is looking like this streak will continue for a 16th straight season. Adding Ben Simmons to a team with Fox definitely raises some eyebrows and maybe the Kings would be able to work their way into the play-in tournament in the Western Conference, but overall, moving Fox for Simmons is a downgrade for the Kings.
There is nothing for Sacramento to like about this trade, as they would be taking a step back in their rebuilding process and they would still need to surround Ben Simmons with other high-level talents, much like they are trying to do with De’Aaron Fox right now.
Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell are both really solid, young pieces the Kings have right now and Richaun Holmes is a really reliable center, but this team is still far from being a complete piece. Finding more talent and players with potential is their main goal right now, which is why the Kings are so high on Ben Simmons.
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His offensive struggles are well documented, but at 25-years-old, Simmons is still an elite-level two-way player that has time to grow. Finding a new home and getting comfortable with a new fan base could really allow the 3x All-Star to reach his full potential and become the two-way star he was destined to be in this league.
Next to De’Aaron Fox in Sacramento, the Kings would have a deadly “one-two punch” in pick-and-roll situations and in transition, they would be almost impossible to stop with Fox and Simmons pushing the pace together. However, if Sacramento traded Fox and Hield for Simmons and Curry, they really would find themselves in a similar situation to which they are in now.
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For the Sacramento Kings, this season will be about finding ways to continue developing their young core and possibly adding more talent to win in the future. Moving Fox in a deal for Simmons does not do this, which is why they would be foolish to give up De’Aaron Fox in this trade scenario with the 76ers.
