Analysis: Two early trading goals for the Sacramento Kings 2025 NBA offseason

In this article, we will explore the two players that the Sacramento Kings must trade in the 2025 NBA offseason.

Entering the 2025 NBA offseason, the Sacramento Kings face far more questions than answers. They had just ended their 16-year playoff drought just two seasons ago, but now they seem to be in a frustrating dilemma. This team seems to be gifted and difficult to bottom out, but it is not enough to really make a difference in the playoffs. Their 106-120 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the playoff playoffs was more of a complete collapse than a loss. This exposed the rifts in the team's lineup that never really gathered together.

Talent misplaced

No doubt, this is a talented team. However, talent misalignment and systemic loopholes have made the Sacramento team vulnerable. The trio of Domantas Sabonis, Zach Laven and Demar DeRozan failed to improve the team's strength as they wished. Even with two maximum-paid players and a $163 million contract, the Kings remain among the top teams in the league. Their 40-42 record reflects the team's unstable form, defensive turnovers and unclear chemistry on the court.

Now, they have completed the coaching staff replacement and have received $14.1 million in exceptional and luxury tax space, thus gaining some flexibility. So, Sacramento must make a decision: Should we double down on existing core players this summer, or should we re-adjust the lineup and create a new lineup? If they choose the former, they must actively trade to improve the areas they need most: outside defense, shooting, and stability in point guard positions.

This article will explore the two players the Sacramento Kings must sign in the 2025 NBA offseason.

Trading Goal 1: Jose Alvarado

Kings do not need superstars to be point guard. They already have three players with the advantage in scoring and shooting numbers, Sabonis, Raven and DeRozan. What they need is an adhesive. The Kings need someone who is fierce in defense and will not collapse at high pressure.

Jose Alvarado meets these conditions.

The New Orleans Pelicans guard will not leave too many traces on the stats. Even so, he can still offer the kind of advantage that Sacramento lacks. This season, Alvarado averaged 4.6 assists and only 1.5 turnovers. He is a responsible ball handler who can organize the offense and create chaos on both sides of the offense and defense. His defensive end is daunting and he often puts pressure on the opponent's ball handler throughout the game. He forces opponents to make mistakes and provides the Kings with much-needed energy.

It should be noted that the Kings' defense is at the bottom of the league in the 2024-25 season, especially in long-distance shooting. In the game against them, their three-point shooting percentage was only 38.1% of the league's bottom, and averaged 14.5 three-pointers per game. Although Alvarado is short, he has a keen intuition and resilience to reverse this trend. He can't change the team's defense alone. Still, he is the Kings’ real deterrent in possession and will not require opponents to touch the ball on both sides of the offense and defense.

As for whether he can trade freely, the Pelicans are not in a hurry to trade him. However, they also need to make financial decisions and strengthen the depth of the defender position. Alvarado is about to turn 28 and is likely to seek to take on a more important role, and a change of environment is suitable for both parties. The Kings can get him without giving up important assets. Yes, he is not a long-term choice for point guards. Even so, Devin Carter can act as a bridge before he is ready to take on a more important role.

The Sacramento Kings need a defensive finalist. Alvarado is perhaps the perfect choice to start this transformation, and it is affordable.

Trading Target Two: Andrew Nemhad

Alvarado showed a firm will, while Andrew Nemhad showed superb skills.

The Indiana Pacers guard is not dazzling, but he has all the requirements for the Kings from the modern field commander. He is calm, efficient and versatile. Nemhard averaged 10.0 points and 5.0 assists per game this season, while rarely making mistakes. He will not hijack the offense, nor will he make mistakes, and he can fight silently on the defensive end. More importantly, he is good at organizing offenses and can open up space without the ball. This rare double skill makes him an ideal partner for Sacramento's highly used wingers and big men.

The Kings are very short of such a linker after trading De Aaron Fox. Of course, Fox's score and speed are hard to replace. Yet, Nemhard would bring balance to Sacramento. He can help launch the offense, keep pace, and throw opens when Raven or DeRozan attracts attention.

Nemhard also solved the rotation problem. He can start or come on the bench, partner with Carter, Malik Monk, and even form a small ball lineup with LaVine. Monk is about to enter the free agent market, while Carter is still groping, and Sacramento cannot let the point guard's position be lost.

Finance, Indiana must make a decision. The Pacers are about to pay luxury taxes and haven't paid them for 20 years. Since Tyres Halliburton has already established himself as the team's main defender, they may not see Nemhard as a long-term fixed player. This is especially true if they can use him to fill the rest of the team's squad. Sacramento, with a salary of $24 million below the tax line, has plenty of room to digest his contract and can add to the appeal of the deal with draft compensation or players like Kevin Hult.

The Kings need more than just stars, they need players who can improve the overall strength of the team.. Nemhard may not be the leader of the playoff team, but he can help the team succeed.

A summer that determines direction, there is no doubt that Sacramento is facing a decisive offseason. They can re-arrange the roster, hoping that chemistry can solve the team's structural problems. Or they can focus on finding players who better fit the stars. No matter which path they choose, they cannot do nothing.

Jose Alvarado and Andrew Nemhard represent two very different types of transactions. However, they all point to the same goal: to improve Sacramento's defense, shooting and ball-handling without sacrificing the future. The Kings may not need to get a title fight for power without a sensational trade, but a smart, well-thought-out move like this could be the first step in building a truly effective roster.