The Sacramento Kings are entering an important era for the franchise, as the team has a new owner, new coach and new general manager heading into the 2013-14 season and after missing out on signing stars Monta Ellis and Andre Iguodala, the team could be ready for big moves of its own, including moving former first round pick Jimmer Fredette.
Pro Basketball Talk reports that the team is open to listening to trade deals and some options include the Cavaliers, Jazz, Wizards as well as the 76ers and Spurs. Trade rumors have been surrounding Fredette since the draft and although the team has yet to make a move yet, that doesn't mean they won't try to do so down the line and another player that could be involved in the deal is Chuck Hayes, as both players have contracts that are expiring and could be moved due to that. The Kings have already dealt one of their best players in Tyreke Evans to the Pelicans and clearly ownership likes what they have in DeMarcus Cousins and the future likely will be built around him as the centerpiece.
The Kings signed Carl Landry as a free agent and that could make up for Fredette if he is traded and the team likely will have no problems dealing him, as the past regime selected him and he has been mostly a disappointment since being selected in the draft. Rumors have the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz as the top options for him and depending on what they are willing to deal, the Kings could pull the trigger. Fredette is young and still has plenty of potential and whatever anyone wants to think about him, the guy can shoot.
Fredette was drafted at the number 10 overall spot back in 2011 and while he was looked at as a possible star, he has not been that for the Kings, as he decreased his average minutes per game and shooting from his rookie year to the next season. Fredette was solid while shooting 41.7 percent from three and averaging 7.2 points and while his 36 minute averages are better with 18 per game, it remains to be seen if he can be a star player. The Jazz are going to build with Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter and there is a good chance that adding Fredette will be a way to get fans in the seats, as he is from BYU and was a star while playing in Utah.
The Kings tried hard to sign Iguodala and Ellis and despite missing out on both of those players, the team likes what they have in Landry as they bring him back on a four-year deal with $27 million after he decided to opt out of his deal with the Golden State Warriors. Last season Landry was solid for the team off the bench while averaging over 10 points and 6.0 rebounds while playing 20 minutes per game and he also stepped up in the playoffs. The Warriors lost a number of players this offseason, including Jarrett Jack, but they also were able to sign Iguodala from the Nuggets.
Landry will be a fundamental part of the team over the next few seasons if he sticks around and he originally was traded to the Kings in the three-team deal that send Tracy McGrady to the Knicks a few years ago. The Kings feel that Landry is on the brink of being a star-type player and the team has some young talent now to build around along with Cousins and draft pick Ben McLemore.
