With the NBA Trade deadline fast approaching, let's take a look back at one of the most impactful trades last season between the Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers.
The key pieces to the trade were Tyrese Haliburton and Domantas Sabonis, who are both playing important roles in their new teams’ success this season. One of the players outstanding performance warrants a re-evaluation of the trade right around its first anniversary.
Sabonis is proving to be the spark that Sacramento needed to play to its full potential. The Lithuanian forward has not missed a step averaging 19 points, 12.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, while shooting 38% from beyond the arc this season. He also has five games where he tallied at least 15 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists. With Sabonis in the roundtable, the Kings have topped the NBA in offensive efficiency.
To say that the Kings are the third seed (27-21) in the competitive west would have sounded like fiction last year. But anybody paying attention to the NBA this season can agree that the Kings have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch. They deserve to be where they are and don’t show signs of slowing down.
Sabonis on a Roll
It is clear that the center has been instrumental in the Sacramento Kings' success this season. About a fortnight back, teammate De'Aaron Fox suggested he should be in the MVP conversation if the Kings keep winning games. As of right now, the Sacramento Kings are currently the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
While most teams slowly climb the ladder to contention, the Kings have found a fast track to get ahead of the group. From finishing 12th in the west last season to potentially going into the playoffs with home court advantage. Sabonis has found himself comfortably working with De’Aaron Fox and company. Fox leads the Kings in scoring and Sabonis has been the top-notcher for rebounds and assists.
Are the Kings for Real?
Hopefully, their success doesn't evaporate, and we see the Kings break their playoff drought this season. They have the talent to get to the playoffs and two franchise cornerstones in Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox.
It remains to be seen how well the Sacramento Kings will do in the future. They are a piece or two away from legitimate contention, but it is clear that they're still a fantastic team in the now.