NBA Rumors: Kings Make Center Available For Trade

The Sacramento Kings are all-in for the playoffs this season, hoping to end that excruciating 16-year drought. And yes, they'll be looking to add talent at the trade deadline. They're making backup center Richaun Holmes available as trade bait. 

"Richaun Holmes is available for trade, league sources told Yahoo Sports. After signing a four-year, $46 million deal in the 2021 offseason, Holmes has not been a part of head coach Mike Brown’s rotation this season." (via @JakeLFischer) pic.twitter.com/dMJCrLLY5b

— Unbiased NBA Fan (@nonbiasednbafan) January 12, 2023

As noted by Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Holmes has been out of the rotation in Sacramento this season. He's played just nine minutes a game over 26 contests, averaging 2.7 points and 2.0 rebounds. And when he does play, fouls have been a big problem as he's averaging 5.6 fouls per 36 minutes. 

Holmes had been the Kings' go-to guy in the middle for the previous three seasons—until two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis arrived at last February's trade deadline. Over the 3-year span from 2019 to the middle of 2022, Holmes averaged 12 points per game and 8.0 rebounds, with well over a block per game, while shooting 65% from the floor.

Head coach Mike Brown says he's "been a professional" all season, even though he's not seeing much action. 

Just 29, Holmes can still be a serviceable center for a team in need, but any takers would have to take on the final two+ years of the 4-year, $46M deal he signed before the 2021-22 season. 

Photo: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports