It has been another disappointing start to the season for the Sacramento Kings as they currently sit 13th in the Western Conference standings with a 6-18 record.
Of course, the Kings have made the playoffs just once since the start of the 2006-07 season and with their struggles to begin this season, it appears as though they may be heading towards another season in which they are out of the playoffs.
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Sacramento Kings stars Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan© Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Because of this, Sacramento has seen multiple players on their roster become subject of trade rumors with Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan leading the way and there is a possibility that they could begin a rebuild ahead of the trade deadline.
If that ends up being the case, the Kings could look to trade their stars to add young talent and draft capital to their roster to set themselves up better for the future, though they could also elect to acquire another star player to help center their potential rebuild around.
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Kings Linked to Ja Morant Amid Grizzlies Trade Rumors
One star Sacramento continues to be linked to this season is Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant who could be on the move this season with tensions rising between him and the Grizzlies.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Of course, Morant is still only 26 years old, which could allow the Kings to rebuild around him as they try to turn their franchise around, especially with the star guard potentially being on the move this season.
Mock Trade Lands Kings Ja Morant from Grizzlies for DeMar DeRozan
In a potential trade, the Kings could send a package of DeRozan, Dennis Schroder and draft capital to the Grizzlies in exchange for Morant.
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Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10)Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
For Sacramento, making this trade would allow them to add a young star to their roster alongside their young core of Keegan Murray, Keon Ellis, Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford, especially if they elect to trade some of their other veterans in Sabonis, LaVine and Malik Monk.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12)Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
By adding Morant, the Kings would have a solid young player to build around for the future who would provide them with a reliable scorer and playmaker at the point guard position, which they have lacked since trading De’Aaron Fox last season.
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This season, the 26-year-old star guard is averaging 17.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 35.9% from the field and 16.7% from three.
Morant has only played in 12 games this season due to injuries and a one-game suspension but even when he has been available, his production has taken a major hit compared to the last handful of seasons.
Despite this, a change of scenery may be what the young star needs at this point in his career and if the kings were to make this trade, Morant would become the focal point of their potential rebuild.
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12)© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
While this trade could work out well for the Kings, they may elect to hold off due to the combination of Morant’s injury history and off-court antics and if they do decide to begin a rebuild, they may look elsewhere to find more young talent or another potential star.
The Grizzlies may also want more in return in a possible trade for Morant, including more young players to add to their core.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.