The Sacramento Kings turned down a significant trade opportunity to acquire All-Star guard Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks. According to James Ham of the Locked On Kings podcast, the Hawks offered Young in exchange for Zach LaVine, but Sacramento declined. The Kings' front office was not prepared for the long-term financial commitment, as Young signed a four-year, $213 million deal with Washington shortly after his move. This decision came during an offseason where the Kings finished the previous campaign with a 122-110 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on April 13, 2026.
Sacramento's refusal centered on Young's immediate contract demands. The team knew he would want a maximum extension upon arrival. Committing that much salary to one player didn't align with their current team-building strategy. Young, a two-time All-Star in 2024 and 2025, averaged 17.9 points per game in an injury-shortened 15-game season last year. His offensive talent is undeniable, but his defensive limitations are well-documented.
Even with Young, the Kings have multiple roster issues. Domantas Sabonis's future is uncertain, and the overall talent level isn't ready to compete for a title. Paying Young hundreds of millions likely wouldn't have moved the needle enough. A core of Sabonis and Young probably wouldn't have been more successful than the previous Fox-Sabonis pairing.
General Manager Scott Perry pursued a different path. Recognizing Sacramento isn't a premier free-agent destination, the team targeted unconventional options. They were linked to veterans like Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton, who have been out of the league. The real pivot came in the NBA Draft.
Sacramento selected point guard Darius Acuff Jr. With the seventh overall pick. Acquiring Young would have blocked Acuff's development as the long-term starter. To support their rookie, the Kings later signed Ben Simmons as a veteran backup. Simmons is desperate to prove he still belongs in the NBA, making the backcourt dynamic one to watch this season.
The choice to build around youth appears in recent results.
This up-and-down performance shows why the front office hesitated to bet everything on one star. They are multiple seasons away from true contention, and a massive contract for Trae Young could have hampered future flexibility. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our schedule page.
Building through the draft with Acuff and seeking value signings like Simmons reflects a patient approach. The Kings believe this gives them a better shot at sustainable success than a high-cost, short-term gamble would have provided. That is not yet clear if passing on an All-Star was the right call.
