Center Clint Capela is out injured, and the Houston Rockets miss him. They have gone 3-2 without him thanks to a soft part of the schedule and the offense still being impressive, but the defense that had done so well during their win streak is back to bottom 10. Nene and Montrezl Harrell are getting the run, but it’s not been the same.
Capela is expected to be out another month or so, which has the Kings looking into the trade market, reports Marc Stein of ESPN, and they are looking at Sacramento.
Trade rumble: Houston has made no secret of its desire to add a big man and the Kings' Kosta Koufos, I'm told, has emerged as a prime target
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 30, 2016
Have heard from a few teams HOU is dangling Brewer, which isn't getting them much traction. https://t.co/Lmtv6Ix2dZ
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) December 30, 2016
The Kings can afford to move Kosta Koufos. Right now they are starting him at the four next to DeMarcus Cousins, and while that can be a bit lane clogging at times the Kings basically play their opponents even when those two bigs are paired (their defense improves over their season average when paired). If Koufos were moved, the Kings could put Rudy Gay at the four (if they don’t trade him), give Omri Casspi more run at the four, use Matt Barnes in some combinations — the Kings would go a little smaller but add some shooting.
But remember that the Kings desperately want to make the playoffs — opening a new building and having a 10-year playoff drought — and they are not going to make a move that makes them worse now. Corey Brewer for Koufos would make them worse right now, it’s going to take something more to move them.
Expect the Kings to make some moves as the trade deadline nears — Koufos, Gay, Casspi all can be had for the right price (Gay would take a lot to get, even if they are going to lose him after this season, because he is their second leading scorer and they need him). And I would say keep an eye on the Rockets, too, but you should always keep an eye on Daryl Morey.
