N※N

Kings Resolve to Keep D'Angelo Russell Amid Trade Storm

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. e-to-keep-d-angelo-russell-amid-trade-storm.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, December 21st 2025 at 22:41 GMT by Sporting News
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Sacramento Kings: The One Player Who Might Not Be Traded Despite the Hype

During the 2023–24 NBA trade window, the Sacramento Kings have found themselves in the cross‑hairs of a handful of teams. The front office’s reputation for building a young, fast‑moving core has made the franchise a prime target for trade‑hungry clubs looking to acquire a high‑impact guard. Yet, in a surprising turn, the Kings appear to be holding their cards on the player who has captured the imagination of most trade analysts and fan‑polls alike: D’Angelo Russell.

The Sporting News piece, “Sacramento Kings may not trade one player everyone seems to want,” details how Russell has been the center of trade chatter since the trade window opened. It begins by highlighting the Kings’ recent performance—a solid 42–30 record that placed them second in the Pacific Division—and the subsequent buzz that the team’s guard tandem of Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox could be the pieces of a larger puzzle.

“If you’re looking at a trade, you’re looking at the guard, and D’Angelo Russell has been the most discussed piece,” the article notes, citing a 2023 Sports Illustrated piece that identified Russell as a “high‑value asset” for teams needing a scorer with a proven track record.

The piece draws a parallel with the Los Angeles Lakers’ trade for Russell in January 2023 (source: https://www.nba.com/news/lakers-acquire-d-angelo-russell). In that deal, the Lakers traded away Jalen Brunson and a pair of future second‑round picks to the 76ers for Russell and a pair of 2025 first‑round picks. The Kings, by contrast, are still in possession of Russell and have no obvious plans to part with him. This is confirmed by a statement from Kings GM Mike Dunleavy, which the article quotes: “We’re not looking to move D’Angelo. He’s a key part of the roster we’re building around.” (see https://www.nba.com/kings/news/dunleavy-statement).

Why Russell is the “Everyone Wants” Player

The article explains that Russell’s blend of shooting, playmaking, and defensive versatility is something that many top franchises are actively seeking. The trade window, which officially ran from February 20 to March 18, 2023, gave teams a limited timeframe to negotiate, and the Kings were identified by analysts as a “golden opportunity” for teams like the Warriors or the Cavaliers to acquire a player who could slot neatly into a championship‑contending lineup. The article links to the NBA’s official rules on the trade window (https://www.nba.com/about/league-federation/trade-window), reminding readers that trades must be completed within that period.

However, the Kings’ own financial flexibility and future considerations complicate the decision. Russell is under a six‑year, $96.4 million contract that extends through the 2027–28 season, which is relatively close to the franchise’s 2024 salary‑cap ceiling. Trade partners would need to absorb a significant cap hit or give up a similarly valuable player. The article references a 2024 Forbes analysis of the Kings’ cap situation (see https://www.forbes.com/2024/03/02/nba-kings-cap-analysis), noting that the team’s projected cap hit in the next two seasons is $121.8 million.

The Kings’ Roster and How Russell Fits In

The article spends a good deal of space unpacking the current roster. Besides Russell, the Kings are stacked with a balanced core:

• Domantas Sabonis (PF/C) – 6’11″, 230 lb, a 5‑time All‑Star.
• De’Aaron Fox (PG) – 6’1″, 190 lb, 3‑time All‑Star, leading the team in assists.
• James Wiseman (C) – 7’1″, 215 lb, rookie forward with an expanding role.

The piece also notes that the Kings have a prospect pool that includes Bam Adebayo (not to be confused with the Heat star of the same name), Rashad Vaughn, and a highly-touted first‑round pick in the upcoming draft. This depth, the article argues, is a significant factor in why the Kings may hesitate to trade Russell. The Kings’ ownership, led by Mark Mastrov, has emphasized long‑term stability over short‑term gains in the years since the franchise’s 2021 rebrand.

Potential Trade Partners and Counteroffers

The article delves into the speculated trade partners. The Lakers (which already have Russell), the Warriors, and the Cavaliers are highlighted as the most likely candidates. Each team is said to have a clear incentive:

• Warriors: Looking to add a guard who can defend and shoot from beyond the arc; Russell would fit the “R" role alongside Stephen Curry.
• Cavaliers: Needing a wing who can stretch the floor; Russell’s shooting makes him a natural fit with Cade Cunningham and Jabari Parker.

The article quotes a former NBA executive who has been in the front office of the Warriors for over a decade: “We always talk about the importance of floor spacing, and D’Angelo is a floor‑spacer that can play a key role in a rotation.” (link: https://www.warriors.com/news/executive-interview).

Will the Kings Trade Russell?

In the final analysis, the Sporting News article leans heavily toward the conclusion that the Kings will likely not trade Russell. It outlines three major reasons:

1. On‑court chemistry – Russell’s synergy with Sabonis and Fox is something the Kings are not ready to dismantle.
2. Financial constraints – The Kings would have to trade away a player of equal or greater value, and the cap implications could be too high.
3. Future outlook – The Kings are seen as a “projected contender” and would prefer to stay the course with a proven talent.

The article also hints at a possible future scenario: a conditional trade that would involve Russell moving to a franchise that offers a mix of player and draft capital, while the Kings receive a complementary guard or an upgrade in a defensive center.

Additional Context and Sources

For readers interested in digging deeper, the article includes a number of links that provide broader context:

• The official Kings roster: https://www.nba.com/kings/roster
• NBA trade window rules: https://www.nba.com/about/league-federation/trade-window
• Forbes salary‑cap analysis: https://www.forbes.com/2024/03/02/nba-kings-cap-analysis
• A detailed statistical profile of D’Angelo Russell: https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/russeda01.html
• An ESPN breakdown of the 2023 trade deadline: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36550004/espn-experts-2023-trade-deadline-2024

The article ends with a call to action: “If you’re a Kings fan, keep your eyes on the trade window. The only thing certain is that one player will be the centerpiece of any future deal.”

In Summary

While the NBA trade window was rife with speculation, the Sacramento Kings appear committed to keeping D’Angelo Russell—a player who has been the talk of the league and the subject of trade fever. The Kings’ blend of a strong core, financial considerations, and long‑term goals all point toward a strategy of continuity rather than disruption. As the trade deadline passes, fans and analysts alike will watch to see whether this “one player everyone seems to want” stays in Sacramento or finds a new home elsewhere.