The Sacramento Kings are once again in the thick of trade season chatter, and the names being floated around are nothing short of headline grabbers - Ja Morant and Jonathan Kuminga among them. But if Sacramento’s front office is serious about building a sustainable, gritty contender, it might be time to look beyond the marquee names and focus on two under-the-radar players with serious upside: Pat Spencer and Cam Spencer.
Let’s start with Kuminga. His situation with the Warriors has been simmering for a while now.
The tension between player and team nearly boiled over this past summer, and although the two sides reached a temporary peace, the writing’s been on the wall. Kuminga is back on the trade block, and Sacramento has emerged as a potential landing spot.
From a basketball standpoint, the fit makes sense. Kuminga’s got the tools - length, athleticism, defensive versatility - and he’s still just scratching the surface of his potential.
He’s shown flashes of being a two-way difference-maker, and his basketball IQ has drawn praise from none other than Draymond Green, who’s not exactly known for handing out compliments lightly. Add in his locker room presence, and you’ve got a young forward who could grow alongside Sacramento’s core.
Then there’s the Ja Morant conversation, which is far more complicated. Morant’s talent is undeniable - he’s an electric scorer, a fearless finisher, and one of the most explosive guards in the league.
But the off-court noise and questions about his leadership have cast a long shadow over his future in Memphis. Now, with trade rumors swirling, Sacramento’s name has entered the mix.
But here’s where things get interesting. While Morant may be the bigger name, he might not be the better fit.
The Kings have worked hard to build a culture rooted in accountability and cohesion. Morant, for all his highlights, brings a level of volatility that could disrupt that progress.
Sacramento doesn’t need a star for the sake of a star - they need the right piece. And that might not be Morant.
Enter the Spencer brothers.
Pat Spencer (Golden State Warriors) and Cam Spencer (Memphis Grizzlies) may not be dominating the rumor mill, but they’ve been making their presence felt on the court. Both are high-motor, high-IQ players who bring toughness, hustle, and a team-first mentality - qualities that don’t always show up in the box score but win games in the margins.
Pat, a former lacrosse star turned NBA grinder, has carved out a role by doing the dirty work: defending, cutting, setting hard screens, and making smart plays in tight windows. He’s the kind of guy who gives your second unit an identity.
Cam, on the other hand, is a shot-maker with a knack for timely buckets and a fearless approach to big moments. He plays with the kind of edge that can shift momentum in a playoff series.
Now imagine them together - two players who already bring fire and grit on their own, combining forces on a team that’s looking to build a culture of toughness and resilience. The Kings have talent.
What they need is an engine. And the Spencers just might be that engine.
This isn’t to say Sacramento should abandon the pursuit of Kuminga. His upside is real, and he fits the Kings’ timeline.
But if they’re going to make moves that shape the next phase of their rebuild, they need to look beyond the headlines. The Spencers are the kind of glue guys who elevate teams - not by dominating the ball, but by doing everything else.
As for Morant? The Kings would be wise to tread carefully.
Talent alone doesn’t win titles. Chemistry, culture, and consistency matter just as much - if not more - and Sacramento has made real strides in those areas over the last two seasons.
Risking that progress for a player who might not align with the team’s direction could be a step backward.
At the end of the day, Sacramento’s front office has some big decisions to make. But if they’re serious about building a contender that can last, they’d do well to keep their eyes not just on the stars - but on the grinders who make stars shine. The Spencer brothers fit that bill.