Stein: Valanciunas to Sacramento

[OutsidetheNBA]

If you squint hard enough, maybe Sabonis and JV can share the floor for a few minutes each game.

JV can hit that sloooow set-shot top of the 3point line shot with enough accuracy that you can't just totally abandon him out there.

Defense would be a real problem -- it would only work against the right two-big lineups from other teams.

Like against Denver and Minnesota?

Two very possible playoff matchups for the Kings?

And Rockets. And Thunder. Not suggesting its a true fix or anything, but the size of Sengun/Smith Jr they can play against and IH/Chet for the Thunder.

Dallas with Lively/Gafford + AD. Could see the Lakers playing Wemby/Jabari together once they add those guys for Rui+'31 1st.

[City of Trees]

Only two bigs play more than 36 mpg: Jokic and Sabonis. No coincidence Denver was in play as well. Both teams need their big man to rest more

[Domejandro]

Feels like a solid trade for both teams. Very confused why other contenders did not offer more.

[OutsidetheNBA]

Feels like a solid trade for both teams. Very confused why other contenders did not offer more.

I think most other contenders would have had to offer more salary coming back or even bad salary the next year (Nurkic).

Don't forget the inclusion of Cissoko either. A G-leaguer at the moment, but a guy with potential to become a decent backup some day. As a Blazer fan, I would have given a distant 2nd for him.

[nykballa2k4]

I mean, I can't really knock them for the price, but Val and Sabonis seem like two guys who can't really share the floor and neither can play the 4. He's an expensive backup C but they can probably flip him again down the line if they need to.

It's a fair price for a depth piece.

For sure. Good deal for Sacramento - just might be overkill for a backup role.

10M is going to be like what 1/16 of the cap next year?
Not a bad investment all things considered.

[Apz]

Phew, were worried lakers would do something stupid

[OGSactownballer]

Phew, were worried lakers would do something stupid

Too late. They already did.

[pillwenney]

Saving 8+ Million is smart for Washington. My guess is this is going to be more valuable than whatever 1st(s) they would have gotten in a Nurkic swap.

Sacramento is going to be feisty. They can't guard but they have a ton of rim pressure and shooting. Strong Play-In team and the ability to keep continuity for another year or two.

LaVine/Monk
Ellis/Carter
DDR
Keegan/Lyles
Sabonis/Valanciunas

Monk is the starting PG.

[vxmike]

Grades:

WAS - A
SAC - C

Why a C for Sac? Val is a serviceable C at a position of need.

[vxmike]

Good trade for the Kings if it actually is the Kings and Denver 2nds.

I'm of the belief Sabonis and Val can share the court together. Not for extended time or anything, but both are terrific passing big men and they will feed off one another inside.
The defensive side they can work it too against the top teams in the West. When I say work it, I mean it won't be any worse than it has been any way.

At worst they play together maybe 15 mins per game. It’ll work.

[esvl]

Grades:

WAS - A
SAC - C

Why a C for Sac? Val is a serviceable C at a position of need.

It is a classic move to nowhere. You don’t get B or more for bringing a serviceable player who is a well-known defensive liability. On the other hand, you guys just traded Fox for Lavine, so this move is way better. I have to admit.

[Silver Man]

Grades:

WAS - A
SAC - C

Why a C for Sac? Val is a serviceable C at a position of need.

It is a classic move to nowhere. You don’t get B or more for bringing a serviceable player who is a well-known defensive liability. On the other hand, you guys just traded Fox for Lavine, so this move is way better. I have to admit.

Plug and pray mindset for us. Keep plugging away and hoping something clicks. With that being said Sabonis is playing a career high in minutes this year so a minute here and a minute there of a break with a serviceable player is a good thing considering the options we've been tossing out there.

[esvl]

Why a C for Sac? Val is a serviceable C at a position of need.

It is a classic move to nowhere. You don’t get B or more for bringing a serviceable player who is a well-known defensive liability. On the other hand, you guys just traded Fox for Lavine, so this move is way better. I have to admit.

Plug and pray mindset for us. Keep plugging away and hoping something clicks. With that being said Sabonis is playing a career high in minutes this year so a minute here and a minute there of a break with a serviceable player is a good thing considering the options we've been tossing out there.

Gathering serviceable men around is your strategy, I got it. And this trade fits it. Ok. I can elaborate on my grade: JV is an A grade for the C strategy.