Kings Plan Bold Trade involving Richaun Holmes?

The Sacramento Kings have been one of the most pleasant surprises in the NBA so far this season. This is a franchise determined to break their 16-year playoff drought and so far they seem more than capable of achieving that goal.

Head coach Mike Brown deserves a lot of credit. He was hired this off-season to get this team back on track, largely because of the defensive principles he’s known for. Sacramento has improved on that side of the field, but it’s the work he’s done offensively that’s really impressive.

The past six seasons with the Golden State Warriors have been great for Brown’s growth as a coach. He has learned a few things from his time there and it is paying off. Already playing at the All-Star level, De’Aaron Fox forms a dynamic duo with Domantas Sabonis. The roster around them complements their strengths as there is plenty of 3-point shooting and floor distance on the field at all times.

There’s a lot to be excited about in Sac-Town, but one player who got lost in the shuffle is Richaun Holmes. He got his first extended opportunity in the NBA during the 2019–20 season and showed he was a capable rotational player, averaging 12.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Richaun Holmes & Sacramento Kings Updates

Holmes showed that this was no fluke, as he averaged 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game the following season, starting 61 games. That earned him a four-year free agency contract worth more than $46.5 million. Things started to sour during the 2021-2022 season, however.

Holmes saw his opportunities dwindle throughout the season and things hit rock bottom when Sabonis was acquired. This season, he played in just 15 games and according to Michael Scotto from HoopsHypeemerged as a trade candidate.

“Since a breakout campaign during the 2020-21 season, Kings center Richaun Holmes has seen his role drastically reduced two seasons later. Holmes owes a total of $36.14 million, including his player option through the 2024-25 season.”

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Richaun Holmes & Sacramento Kings Updates

His annual salary is not too bad, but the duration of the deal will be a problem. That won’t be an easy contract to move, as teams won’t be lining up to take on a player who is owed money until 2025, but who hasn’t been a consistent part of the Kings’ rotation.

But Holmes has shown that he is more than capable of delivering production as a rotation center in the right environment. He is an efficient goalscorer and a strong rebounder, who can also block a number of shots.

It won’t cost too much to buy him, so there are likely to be some teams looking to strengthen their frontcourt that are willing to shoot at him and hope he can return to the form he showed during the 2020-2021 season .