Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive didn’t wait until Sunday to launch a Hail Mary, firing two-time Coach of the Year Mike Brown in a move that has a couple of people who used to be employed by the franchise seething. If it works out for Ranadive, it’ll be a ‘told you so’ moment for the longtime executive. However, if it doesn’t, the franchise could unravel rather quickly.
To that point, if the Kings are mistaken about Brown, face of the franchise De’Aaron Fox might feel forced to request a trade. Multiple teams are considered to be potential trade suitors, including contenders like the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. However, there might only be one team that’s ready to trade an All-Star for the former top-five pick.
Kings Owner Vivek Ranadive’s Hail Mary, Pelicans Path Could Collide
At 5-27, the New Orleans Pelicans are in an even worse position than the Kings.
Injuries to key players have been a major factor in their paltry performance but they have other problems that are bone deep. The first is that face of the franchise Zion Williamson lacks discipline and durability. The second is that All-Star forward Brandon Ingram wants to be paid far more than they’re comfortable paying him.
Between Williamson and Ingram, the former would make the bigger splash in a trade for Fox. However, Ingram might be the better fit. Either way, both appear to be available, making it the dealer’s choice.
The Dejounte Murray Factor
If the Pelicans were to make the call for Fox, it would have as much to do with Dejounte Murray’s poor play as any other reason. It’s worth noting that he’s only recently returned from a hand injury. Yet, many of his problems on the court have been self-inflicted. If they can move off of Murray and upgrade with Fox, they’ll be fortunate.
With that in mind, if the Kings do target Fox in a trade, it would be wise to ask for Malik Monk as well.
Because the All-Star guard still leave the bayou as a free agent in 2026, New Orleans needs to sell him the dream. On the court, they’ll need to look like a legitimate title contender. To that point, Monk is a starting-caliber guard with mercenary-like scoring. The Pelicans could use his talents, as they average 106.5 points per game (28th in the NBA).
There’s also the sentimental factor of Monk being part of the team. The city of New Orleans is a historical treasure but it isn’t considered one of the league’s most glamorous destinations. In order to help Fox feel an attachment to it, it might be good for him to have a friend who he can galavant around town with.
Eeny, Meeny, Miny…
There are three options so far as matching salaries.
The Kings could combine Fox, Monk, and Trey Lyles’s salary with that of three expiring contracts (Alex Len, Orlando Robinson, Jordan McLaughlin) for either Ingram or Williamson. Len, Robinson, and McLaughlin —all making the veteran’s minimum —would then be waived due to the Pelicans’ roster restrictions. Meanwhile, Sacramento retains a three-point threat who helps balance the floor.
The alternative would be moving Kevin Huerter and keeping essentially all of their end-of-bench players. However, while there are merits to that idea, it’s not truly feasible. The Pelicans are deepest at shooting guard, making the Maryland product a superfluous addition.
What’s The Third Option?
Should the Kings choose to make Ingram, they could sign him to the max, or thereabouts. The 27-year-old is currently eligible to sign a four-year, $207.8 million contract extension. However, the Pelicans have been unwilling —or at least reluctant —to offer it him.
If Sacramento does this, it’ll be considered an overpay. Nonetheless, it might be necessary to keep him from leaving in free agency. To that point, the problem the Kings face isn’t just that they’re underachieving on the court, it’s that they’re looking dysfunctional in general. This is an all too familiar a story for the franchise and makes them look unappealing to players.
It’s The Best Route
An extend-and-trade could allow New Orleans to send just Ingram, Murray, and draft capital to Sacramento in the swap. Thus, every player will stay in their current role. However, the situations they’re in should magnify their talents.
A Dynamic Duo
For the Pelicans, this trade should lead to more consistent shot-making and better ball control. This season, Murray has shot just 36.5 percent from the field (27.5 percent from three) and averaged 4.1 turnovers per game. Neither Fox nor Monk are particularly efficient beyond the arc. Yet, both shot-creators have converted at least 44.0 percent of their field goal attempts this season.
The dynamic between Fox and Williamson will be what many people focus throughout their tenure as teammates. That being said, they should be a terrific tandem in transition. Fox’s speed and Williamson’s explosiveness are a match made in basketball heaven.
The duo should be able to develop chemistry in the halfcourt as well though. Fox hasn’t played with many lob threats and none that were as bouncy as Williamson. Nonetheless, his court vision and passing ability are solid enough to make their partnership work against set defenses.
Sacramento’s Shift
The Kings will get at least one franchise cornerstone in Ingram, who’s averaging 23.0 points per game over the past six seasons. While not quite as proficient a scorer as Fox, he’s a reliable go-to player who can get plenty of buckets alongside DeMar DeRozan. Of course, he and DeRozan both being midrange artists is a gift and a curse. However, with Domantas Sabonis and multiple stretch forwards, the paint shouldn’t get too clogged.
Regardless, Murray shifting his mindset from hero ball to being a connector will be key. With Ingram, DeRozan, and Sabonis alongside him, he doesn’t have to carry the offense as a scorer of facilitator. In fact, he should thrive while playing off of Sabonis’s dribble handoffs. If he focuses on making the right play rather than hitting the home run, reducing his tough jumpers and ill-advised passes in the process, it’ll turn his season around.
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