The Sacramento Kings have a star-studded roster but, for all of their talent, they’re remarkably average.
They’re 12th in the Western Conference standings at 8-8. They rank 11th in points per game (115.1), 17th in opponent’s points per game (113.1), and 12th in net rating (+1.9). They’ve played multiple games without DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk, which has certainly affected the team. Yet, neither DeRozan nor Monk would have drastically improved the team’s three-point shooting, where they rank 22nd in average attempts (35.1) and 26th in percentage (.331).
Blazers Center Robert Williams III An Ideal Trade Target For Kings
Numbers aside, Sacramento’s longstanding issue has been that they have a lack of rim-protection at center. In the same vein, their three-point defense is also a concern. Fortunately for Sacramento, there’s someone who may become available on the trade market that can protect the rim, affect shots on the perimeter, and perhaps knock down 3s as well.
To make it all the better, Portland Trail Blazers big man Robert Williams III can play alongside or behind Domantas Sabonis.
Trade Parameters
Here’s the trade:
Blazers receive — Kevin Huerter, Colby Jones, Jordan McLaughlin, Orlando Robinson, 2026 second-round pick
Kings receive — Robert Williams III, Matisse Thybulle, Kris Murray
Upon completion, here’s what the Kings’ depth chart could look like:
Fox, Carter Ellis, Monk DeRozan, Thybulle, McDermott Murray, Lyles, Murray Sabonis, Williams III, Len
If 2024 No. 13 pick Devin Carter is still out, Monk would more than likely play as De’Aaron Fox’s backup. If so, two-time All-Defensive Team selection Matisse Thybulle would backup Keon Ellis. Moving down the list, if Thybulle becomes Ellis’s backup, one of Doug McDermott and 2023 No. 23 pick Kris Murray may backup DeRozan.
Of note, Murray is the twin brother of 2022 No. 4 pick Keegan Murray. So far as his chances of landing in Sacramento’s rotation, the chemistry he has with his brother could give him an advantage over McDermott. McDermott is a career 40.9 percent three-point shooter; the Kings’ most efficient stretch-forward. Though Kr. Murray being a more mobile defender than McDermott gives him an advantage at that end, Kings head coach Mike Brown may be more moved by how he can help get Ke. Murray out of his shooting slump.
Shoring Up The Defense
The Kings surprisingly rank third in opponent’s points in the paint (43.6).
On the one hand, Sacramento has occasionally played big men with traditional size, like Orlando Robinson and Alex Len. However, both Robinson and Len only receive spot minutes. Sacramento has kept opponents from scoring in the paint largely because of their team defense.
Rather than relying on a shot-blocker, the Kings dig down into the gaps when their opponents drive and force turnovers. To that point, their vice grip defense ranks 15th in steals per game (8.1). That number isn’t impressive in a vacuum, but considering their personnel, it is.
Williams offers a level of individual rim-protection that Sacramento hasn’t ever had in the Mike Brown Era. Though he’s just 6-foot-9, his athleticism and anticipation have allowed him to block at least 1.2 blocks per game (2.1 blocks per 36 minutes every season). His shot-blocking isn’t just confined to manning the middle though, as he has a knack for knocking away three-point attempts.
Robert Williams 4 blocks vs Rockets
(via : @shotcreatordata ) pic.twitter.com/3tzAheR4qQ
— Nik☘️ (@__Kingnik) November 23, 2024
In Sacramento, Williams will probably come off the bench. Nonetheless, because both he and Sabonis have experience playing power forward, they can definitely share the court. When they match up with teams who like to attack the rim, they can still hope they can build a wall, but they don’t have to rely on it.
Williams can also play alongside Trey Lyles. Lyles is more a stretch-center at this point of his career but isn’t much of an enforcer in the paint, his moxie aside.
What About The Offense?
On offense, Williams may not help as much as he does defensively, but there are benefits.
27yo Robert Williams is back and looks like he never left!
Such an impressive player when he’s healthy. We can only hope that he stays fit because his mix of mobility, hands, finishing, short roll passing, rim protection, and offensive glass dominance is a blast to watch. https://t.co/i6kHoEpeu1 pic.twitter.com/gEvc9WnDYM
— NBA University (@NBA_University) November 13, 2024
He’s shooting 50.0 percent from beyond the arc this season. Though on low volume, the three-ball has long been a potential weapon for him. Williams is also a solid playmaker, which could help him handle some of Sabonis’s responsibilities when he’s on the floor. Lastly, he’s an extremely efficient finisher, particularly on lobs. An alley from Sabonis in a 45 series or Fox in a traditional pick-and-roll could become one Sacramento’s staple plays.
Losing Kevin Huerter for Williams has a chance to hurt them in terms of their spacing. Nonetheless, with Ellis shooting 40.8 percent from three —the highest mark in the rotation —this season, their opponents might eventually fear him shooting more than they did Huerter.
To that point, Huerter is shooting just 29.5 percent from deep in 2024-25. Even Thybulle, who has made 37.7 percent of his corner threes since 2021-22, has been more effective than that.
