The NBA trade rumor mill is already starting to spin and some of the top names that have been mentioned include Omer Asik, Iman Shumpert and Kenneth Faried and one team that could come into play that could surprise is the Sacramento Kings.
The team is obviously not one of the premier franchises in the NBA, but with a new owner, coach, general manager and eventual arena on the way, they could try and start turning things around while building with DeMarcus Cousins and a trade could be a way to get that going. A deal for Asik is less likely because of Cousins, but the two teams were mentioned over the summer as possible partners and that could come up again at some point. Shumpert and Faried have been the top names mentioned in the early goings with a trade and while the Knicks and Nuggets could not work out a deal with each other, there is a chance that the teams could work out one with the Kings on their own.
Faried is one of the best young rebounders in the NBA and Shumpert is one of the best young defenders and the best young player on the Knicks and while he is a good player, the team has a bunch of players at guard and that makes him expendable. The team needs a big man after Tyson Chandler went down and that is likely what they are looking for in a trade. The Kings names that have been mentioned the most includes Jimmer Fredette, John Salmons and Chuck Hayes and any of those players could move if a deal eventually goes down. Hayes could be a better option because of his size and while he is no Chandler, he could be a solid pickup for the Knicks for the rest of the season.
Shumpert reportedly had knee surgery over the summer and while it was a minor procedure, it could have an effect on what the Knicks get in return for him. The team also has looked into a Rajon Rondo trade, but so far that has not moved forward, as the Celtics will not just give him away and they want the Knicks to at least take some bad contracts in return, including possibly Gerald Wallace. Shumpert is a solid trade chip and the Knicks would be wise to hold onto him, but after their terrible start this season, patience may not be in good supply at MSG.
Reports have the Nuggets wanting a high price tag for Faried and that could make a deal tough as well. The Nuggets want draft picks to help continue the rebuilding process and this comes after they previously shopped Faired over the summer. The Kings are just 2-7 this season, but they could make a big move to surprise everyone.
