During the 2024 NBA offseason, the Sacramento Kings made a bold move in an effort to bolster their roster by acquiring veteran forward DeMar DeRozan. To facilitate that signing, they executed a trade that sent longtime starter Harrison Barnes, along with a distant 2031 first-round pick, to the San Antonio Spurs. Barnes, in an effort to ease the transaction and help his new team, waived his trade kicker. The move worked well for the Spurs, as Barnes went on to enjoy a productive year—playing and starting in all 82 games while setting a new personal best in 3-point shooting percentage.
But the trade was only the beginning of a series of lopsided dealings between the two teams. Later in the season, just ahead of the trade deadline, the Spurs managed to land Kings All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox in exchange for what many viewed as minimal assets. That move effectively ended any realistic playoff ambitions for Sacramento while simultaneously accelerating San Antonio’s rebuild around generational talent Victor Wembanyama.
In retrospect, the Kings’ dealings with the Spurs have not worked out in their favor. The franchise’s decision-making has been widely scrutinized, and these trades may come to define a period of mismanagement unless they can redeem themselves with a smarter approach this summer.
Meanwhile, the Spurs continue to build a roster around Wembanyama that’s nearing completion. However, they still face a notable gap at the backup center position. Players like Zach Collins, Bismack Biyombo, and Charles Bassey have each taken turns filling in, particularly when Wembanyama has been sidelined. Yet none have proven dependable enough to carry a significant load in his absence.
One potential solution could come in the form of Kings center Jonas Valančiūnas, widely considered one of the top reserve big men in the league. His ability to anchor the paint and contribute offensively makes him a desirable target—and potentially even a complementary partner to Wembanyama in two-big lineups. But given how the Kings have fared in recent trades with San Antonio, Sacramento would likely demand significant value in return to avoid another perceived loss.
Proposed Mock Trade:
- Kings receive: Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley, 2025 second-round pick, 2030 pick swap (most favorable between Dallas and Minnesota), and their own 2031 first-round pick swap (previously sent to San Antonio)
- Spurs receive: Jonas Valančiūnas
In this hypothetical deal, Sacramento parts ways with Valančiūnas, sacrificing some much-needed size and experience in their frontcourt. In return, they receive two promising young guards in Branham and Wesley. Wesley in particular showed flashes of playmaking and defensive potential late last season, averaging 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals in limited minutes over his final 20 games.
The move would not be aimed at immediate success for the Kings. Rather, it would clear some cap space and create flexibility for future signings—especially the opportunity to bring in a new backup center who fits better behind starter Domantas Sabonis. Available names like Clint Capela and Brook Lopez could serve as ideal replacements, offering rim protection and rebounding without costing the Kings young prospects or draft capital.
Ultimately, the Kings would be betting on the long-term development of the young players acquired and their ability to reshape the roster with smarter cap moves moving forward, while the Spurs would take another step toward contending in the near future by surrounding Wembanyama with stable, veteran talent.
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