The Sacramento Kings are in a tough spot right now. Sitting at 6-20, they’ve stumbled out of the gate in the 2025-26 season, and with the trade deadline creeping closer, the question becomes louder: *Is it time to make a bold move?
- One name being floated as a potential game-changer? LaMelo Ball.
Now, let’s be clear-this isn’t a plug-and-play fix. Ball is a gifted offensive talent, no doubt.
He’s a dynamic playmaker with elite vision, someone who can stretch the floor and breathe life into a stagnant offense. But defense?
That’s where the concerns start piling up. The Kings already own the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league (119.6), and adding Ball-who’s struggled on that end of the floor-doesn’t exactly address that issue.
Then there’s the injury history. Over the past three seasons, Ball has played just 47, 22, and 36 games.
That’s a lot of time in street clothes for a player who’d be expected to carry a major load. And with roughly four years and $168 million left on his deal, it’s not a cheap gamble.
But let’s flip it. What if the Kings can land Ball without giving up their 2026 first-rounder?
Suddenly, you’re looking at a potential core of LaMelo Ball, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis, and a high lottery pick-maybe someone like BYU’s AJ Dybantsa. That’s a group with upside, especially on the offensive end.
During a recent appearance on The Allen Stiles Show, Frankie Cartoscelli, Brenden Nunes, and Chris Watkins broke down the pros and cons of such a move. Cartoscelli voiced the defensive concerns, while Stiles made a case for taking a swing at a star.
“The Jazz have been stinking for years; they still don’t have their number one dude,” he pointed out. “The Blazers, who’s the best player on the Blazers right now?
Deni Avdija. How’d they get him?
Trade.”
His point? Sometimes you can’t wait around for five draft picks to pan out. Sometimes you’ve got to go get your guy.
Of course, turning the Kings around won’t be about just one move. It’ll take a smart, layered approach-drafting well, making the right trades, finding value in free agency. But if Sacramento believes LaMelo Ball can be a franchise cornerstone, this could be the kind of swing that accelerates the rebuild.
Beyond the trade speculation, there are plenty of other questions swirling around the Kings right now.
Will they lean into youth, even if it means more losses in the short term? That’s a real possibility, especially as veterans take a backseat in a season that’s already slipping away.
Keegan Murray’s aggressiveness has dipped-his shot attempts are down, and the Kings need him to be more assertive offensively if he’s going to be a foundational piece.
Doug Christie’s offense has raised eyebrows, too. The ball movement isn’t where it needs to be, and players aren’t consistently getting to their spots. That’s something that has to change if Sacramento wants to build any sort of rhythm.
Then there’s Keon Ellis, who might be Sacramento’s best perimeter defender and a career 42% three-point shooter. He’s reportedly drawing interest around the league, and the question now is: Could the Kings get a first-round pick for him? It’s not out of the question, especially in a league always hungry for 3-and-D wings.
And yes, there was even a moment of light-hearted confusion-was that Keegan or Kris Murray’s voice? Twin problems.
Looking ahead, the Kings have a chance to build some momentum-or at least evaluate their roster more closely-with a stretch of games coming up:
- Dec. 18 @ Portland Trail Blazers
- Dec. 20 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- Dec. 21 vs. Houston Rockets
- Dec. 23 vs. Detroit Pistons
- Dec. 27 vs. Dallas Mavericks
The trade market is heating up across the NBA, and Sacramento is expected to be active. Whether it’s LaMelo Ball or another big swing, the Kings are clearly looking for a way to course-correct.
The question now is: *Which direction will they take-and how bold are they willing to be to get there? *