Do Domantas Sabonis and Donte DiVincenzo spell Kings success?

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 10: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings is defended by Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on February 10, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Do Domantas Sabonis and Donte DiVincenzo spell Kings success?. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

How quickly things can change.

In the blink of an eye, the Sacramento Kings have gone from laughing stock to suddenly being talked about as having a deeper roster than their annoying big brother, the Los Angeles Lakers. To recap, Tuesday night, the franchise was being beat over the head for trading Tyrese Haliburton as part of a deal to acquire Domantas Sabonis.

Haliburton has a bright future, and in only his second year in the league looked like a long-term solution for the Kings. He also clearly wanted to be with the organization, which is something that hasn’t always been the case for some of the better players that the Kings have had over the last two decades.

Then the Sacramento Kings got involved in a big four-team trade and all of a sudden they don’t look so silly after all. Are things looking up for Sactown?

Do Domantas Sabonis and Donte DiVincenzo spell Kings success?

Sandwiched in between dealing away Hailburton on Tuesday and landing Donte DiVincenzo, Trey Lyles, and Josh Jackson on Thursday (as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski), was an impressive win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. One win is just that, one win, but Domantas Sabonis looked comfortable and De’Aaron Fox showed his appreciation after the game.

So perhaps the Kings weren’t so stupid after all? They have added a two-time All-Star in Sabonis who has, for some time now, drawn comparisons to Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic.

In case you’ve forgotten, that is no bad thing. Vucevic is not only a two-time All-Star himself (getting there later than Sabonis did), but he’s the integral big on the contender Bulls.

Yes, Haliburton could go on to great things with the Indiana Pacers, his new home, but their time will not be for a few seasons yet. The Kings clearly saw an opportunity to make the playoffs this year and went for it, and after 15 seasons of missing the postseason, why not? The New Orleans Pelicans had the same logic, and although it was questioned here, they got more of a free pass.

Granted they didn’t give up anything close to the potential of Haliburton to get McCollum, but they are trying to win now at a time when the future of Zion Williamson is unclear. They also had arguably two better point guards in the last two years in Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball, and let them go. Imagine if the Kings had been as foolish.

This is why they should be taking a small victory lap with their dealings at the trade deadline. Even if nothing else comes, they got a legitimate rotation player in Donte DiVincenzo who has played in big games and can spread the floor for both Sabonis and Fox. He also represents another outlet for Sabonis to hit in the open floor, and knock down some three-pointers.

There was a thought among many that Sabonis would be a ball stopper and somebody who would stifle creation in Sacramento. If you’ve ever watched him play basketball, you will know that this is not his game. Sabonis is unselfish, and his passing (he averaged 6.7 assists last year) out of the post to players who cut for him is again reminiscent of Vucevic in his Orlando Magic days.

As hard as it is to believe, DiVincenzo has only been in the league four years, and at 25 is very much on the same timeline as Sabonis (also 25) and Fox (24).

At his best, he was a 37.9 percent three-point shooter with the Milwaukee Bucks. Playing on a contending roster meant plenty of open looks, but both Sabonis and Fox command defensive attention, which DiVincenzo will love.

There is also no telling what the addition of Domtantas Sabonis and Donte DiVincenzo could do for Fox. Alongside Collin Sexton, Fox may be one of the most quickly forgotten future All-Stars we’ve had in quite some time. Now in his fifth season, he has averaged over 20 points in three of those years, including this one.

Players who can average over 20 a night are always going to find a home in the league, and there was a belief Fox was the real deal as recently as 2020. If you gave Kings fans the choice, most would have kept Haliburton over Fox, there is no point denying that fact.

But just because Haliburton is gone doesn’t mean Fox is a complete bust. He is now being surrounded by players who complement his skill set so much better.

Lyles is a competent NBA player, and they get a free look at Jackson. In doing so, the Kings also got rid of Marvin Bagley III, a move they have needed to make for a while. Jackson comes in as a player who, like Bagley III, has never come close to reaching his potential. Anything they can get out of him is a bonus.

Right now a lot of people are talking about Sacramento basketball. They were dominating trade deadline talk for all of the wrong reasons, but as is so often the case, fans jumped the gun too soon. In a vacuum, the Haliburton trade was ugly, but Domantas Sabonis is no slouch. Donte DiVincenzo and Lyles can help right away. There may be more moves to come.

Rookie Davion Mitchell is a keeper, and Harrison Barnes may get some Kevin Love-like rejuvenation now that he is a part of a group that is trying to make some noise.

At 21-36 and 12th in the West, the play-in might still be too much of a tall task. But with the Lakers in 9th and 26-30, anything is possible, and that hope is all Kings fans want right now.

Consider this an apology to their trade deadline activity.