As the Sacramento Kings try to turn the franchise around under a new general manager, trading away stars and rebuilding might be the best option.
The Sacramento Kings, if they stay the course, will remain mediocre for the next several seasons. Between DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings have too much talent to fully tank and rebuild, but they are utterly unable to compete in a crowded Western Conference.
Across the country, the Miami Heat are in a pretty similar situation. However, Pat Riley has long made it clear that he will not allow his team to undergo a year-long rebuild.
Between Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, as well as the advantage of playing in a much weaker conference, the Heat are in a much better spot than the Kings.
Also in the East, the Atlanta Hawks are nearing the end of Trae Young’s contract and need to commit to winning to prevent him from leaving in free agency. The two missing Eastern teams could capitalize on an inevitable rebuild in Sacramento.
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesMock trade gives Heat, Hawks an edge
Trae Young has never played with another All-Star. The Hawks tried, pairing him with Dejounte Murray, although that experiment simply did not work out. With Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Dyson Daniels, Young is actually surrounded by more young talent than ever before, and now could be the time for the Hawks to make a win-now move.
The Heat, as well, could use a scoring boost next to Herro, and both teams have the means to add the Kings’ best players.
Full Mock Trade Details
Kings receive: Terry Rozier, Terance Mann, Duncan Robinson, Onyeka Okongwu, Georges Niang, #22 pick (via LAL), 2029 first-round pick (via ATL), 2029 first-round pick (via MIA)Heat receive: DeMar DeRozanHawks receive: Domantas Sabonis
Rozier, Robinson, and Niang are all on expiring contracts, giving the Kings some much-needed flexibility in 2026. Okongwu could join Keegan Murray and Devin Carter as a key piece in the youth movement, and once Zach LaVine is off the books, the draft picks will start to convey.
The Hawks, meanwhile, keep most of their young core intact and upgrade their center position, boosting their already-solid offense. Miami, on the other hand, should jump up a few spots in the standings with DeRozan’s veteran experience, and he and Herro could share the ball rather well.
Hawks open a title window
Now is the time for the Hawks to go all-in. The Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons are still likely a piece away from being a legitimate title contender, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics will take a step back next season, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are reeling from an early exit to the Indiana Pacers.
On top of that, Trae Young seems to have the New York Knicks’ number.
The Hawks could simply wait and build organically through the draft, but they owe selections in 2025, 2026, and 2027 to the San Antonio Spurs, and by then, Young might be long gone.
The East is weaker than ever before, and the Hawks just need to make the playoffs in order to put themselves in a position to make some noise, and adding Sabonis could do just that.