NBA Trade Deadline: Moves the Sacramento Kings Should Make

The Sacramento Kings have shown improvement as the season has progressed, but they are a long way from being a complete team. And with the trading deadline coming up, fans have to hope General Manager Geoff Petrie is working the lines, trying to find the Kings some tradable talent.

While the Kings, the NBA's youngest team, certainly have talent, they are in desperate need of some fundamental pieces. They lack any sort of consistency at the small forward spot, and could seriously use some veteran experience to help teach and control the often infuriating youngsters.

Of course, the Kings aren't exactly bursting with tradable talent. Unless the Kings are willing to pony up some of their bigger pieces (DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans or Marcus Thornton) they aren't about to be getting back a superstar replacement. So as we should not be expecting Sacramento to get an All-Star level talent, pieces like JJ Hickson, Hassan Whiteside, Donte Greene, Tyler Honeycutt, and perhaps Jason Thompson seem the most likely trading chips.

But there is some available talent out there, and the Kings can't afford to stand pat. Here are five trades the Kings should consider before the trading deadline.

Sacramento Trades JJ Hickson, Donte Greene to Portland for Nicolas Batum

It's hard to gauge just how much the Trailblazers value small forward Nicolas Batum, but if he's available, he should be the first target the Kings look at.

The Kings need a small forward who can play off the ball, is athletic and strong, and plays above average defense. Batum does all of those things, and he's got a very solid jump shot. He's averaging 14.2 and 4.4 rebounds on 46 percent shooting for Portland this season.

But the Blazers did not sign Batum to an extension when they had the chance in late January, and his agent, Bouna Ndiaye, even went so far as to say "When Batum becomes a restricted free agent, we'll look at the other 29 teams before we talk to the Blazers... The Blazers had their chance."

Now who knows if that has changed in the past two months, and perhaps the Trailblazers are hoping Batum's asking price would lower this offseason. But if the Trailblazers don't think they can keep him, Sacramento could absolutely use him.

JJ Hickson has been very inconsistent so far this season, but he still has a good deal of untapped potential, and Portland could use to bulk up on bigs a little bit. Donte Greene gives the Blazers a replacement project small forward.

If Batum hits the free agent market this summer, he'd be the first free agent I'd hope Sacramento would call. I don't see a trade happening for Batum, but I'll hope Geoff Petrie is at least making a spirited attempt to get him.

If he isn't available, Sacramento could inquire on the availability of Gerald Wallace, who could also hit the free agent market this offseason. Wallace would be a very solid fit in Sacramento and if Portland is looking to dump salary off their books this year, the Kings have plenty of capspace.

Sacramento Trades Hassan Whiteside to Denver for Chris Anderson

With rookie Kenneth Faried breaking onto the scene, the Birdman's role in Denver is shrinking fast. If the Nuggets want to cut off some salary, Sacramento would be more than happy to oblige.

Hassan Whiteside has the potential to be a very solid shot blocker and defender, but the Kings need a talented blocker now, not later. Anderson's defensive prowess would be a great addition to the Kings big core.

Sacramento Trades JJ Hickson to Miami for Shane Battier

The Heat are in the market for a backup big man, according to ESPN. The Kings just happen to have one in JJ Hickson... who played with LeBron James in Cleveland.

Sacramento would be more than happy to help set up a reunion, and Hickson gives the Heat some much needed size. Shane Battier has been all right for the Heat off the bench and is a good defender, but is shooting just 40.3 percent from the floor.

Miami needs to bulk up in size, and the Kings need a solid defensive swingman. Seems an incredibly logical swap.

Sacramento Trades JJ Hickson, Tyler Honeycutt to New Orleans for Trevor Ariza

Remember how excited everyone was when Trevor Ariza was with the Lakers? He looked like an exceptional talent, and when he signed with Houston, everyone had high hopes.

Turns out that he's not the stud we all believed he could become. He is a role player, unable to create his own shot but still has talent as a spot shooter and an above average defender.

If New Orleans wants to cut some salary and get cap for next season (as evident by Chris Kaman's availability) Ariza makes a lot of sense for the Kings. Hopefully he wouldn't demand the ball much (the Kings have enough of that to deal with on their own) but he'd provide stability at the small forward position and is heads and shoulders above anyone the Kings have currently.

Sacramento Trades Jimmer Fredette and John Salmons to Boston for Ray Allen

There are two big questions standing in the way of this deal making 100 percent sense.

First off, how much do the obviously-needing-to-rebuild Celtics value Ray Allen? Will Danny Ainge really stand pat and let his veterans fly away without getting any young talent in exchange?

Second, would Ray Allen be worth the risk? Talent wise, he's exactly what the Kings need—a veteran wing who can play small forward and would provide some stability shooting wise. But he's an expiring contract, and he'd be certainly likely to fly the coop this offseason in search of a contender.

I'd put this one up there with the Batum trade as unlikely to happen, but talent wise, it'd be a dream for Sacramento.

Sacramento Trades Jimmer Fredette, Donte Greene to Utah for Paul Milsap

OK, I know that headline was a bit much to swallow, but stay with me on this one, all right?

Jimmer Fredette has improved his play over the past few weeks, but the explosive emergence of Isaiah Thomas has made him expendable. The Kings drafted Jimmer for former coach Paul Westphal—does Keith Smart share as much optimism in Fredette's potential as Westphal did?

Regardless, the allure of Jimmer in a Jazz uniform for advertising sake may entise the Jazz to make a move, especially considering they already have a glutton of young, big men. With Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter both possessing excellent potential, Milsap is a bit more expendable. The Kings have a stud big in DeMarcus Cousins, but the power forward spot, while not exactly an area of weakness for the Kings, doesn't have a sure-fire starter quite yet.

If Utah feels that Jimmer and Greene alone doesn't warrant Milsap's talent, I could see Sacramento adding in Hickson, or maybe even Jason Thompson, who has been very solid for the Kings this year.