The Sacramento Kings made a big deal with the drafting of Nik Stauskas last summer, going to great (and hilarious) lengths to show the arduous process of selecting him with the eighth overall pick to bolster their perimeter shooting.
Priorities have shifted for the struggling Kings (16-22); they need frontcourt help for center DeMarcus Cousins, and Stauskas is now reportedly on the trade block.
So far, Sac-Town is having a tough time moving the rookie.
Per CBS Sports:
The Kings want to pair Cousins with a frontline player who would fit with his post-up skills — either a stretch four or above-the-rim defender, sources said. They’ve fielded numerous calls about Stauskas, whose opportunities have been limited with the steadily improving play of Ben McLemore.
Sacramento thus far has rebuffed teams inquiring about Stauskas, the sharpshooter from Michigan whom they selected with the eighth overall pick in the draft. But the Kings’ motivation to put a “high-level” player next to Cousins on the front line has heightened, making them finally willing to include Stauskas in trade talks.
The Kings have the expiring contracts of Derrick Williams and Reggie Evans to include in such a deal, pushing the potential salary of an incoming player into the $10-$11 million range. A wing defender also is a target of Sacramento’s front office, but league sources say the team is willing to address that need later and is prioritizing bolstering its frontcourt first.
