Report: Kings explored trade for NBA star before firing Brown

Report: Kings explored trade for NBA stars before firing Brown originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It looks like the Kings tried to add more firepower before firing coach Mike Brown.

After a slow start to the 2024-25 NBA season, Sacramento inquired about trades for four NBA stars before parting ways with Brown, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported Monday, citing league sources.

“As losses mounted in November and December — 14 of the last 20 — and the Kings fell further and further behind in the Western Conference, the front office began searching for answers,” Shelburne wrote.

“The Kings inquired about Zach LaVine from Chicago, Brandon Ingram from New Orleans, Cam Thomas from Brooklyn and Kyle Kuzma from Washington, league sources said. They considered smaller steps “just to add variety,” as one source put it. They even asked Brown if there were any moves with the roster or staff that could help, sources said.”

A team can never have enough stars, and Brown, as Shelburne wrote, was open to any positive additions the Kings might make.

But regardless, Sacramento needed – and still needs – more to reach the promised land.

The Kings formed the trio of De’Aaron Fox, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis last summer after acquiring the midrange maestro through a three-team sign-and-trade deal. Sacramento (13-19) hasn’t played as well as many expected this season and is currently the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference entering Monday’s game.

The Kings could use all the help they can get from here on out – especially with Doug Christie as interim coach.

LaVine of the Bulls, Ingram of the Pelicans, Thomas of the Nets and Kuzma of the Wizards would be interesting candidates to save the Kings’ frustrating season. However, it is uncertain whether Sacramento will deal the quartet again before the February 6th trade deadline.

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