A fatal mistake the Kings must correct at the 2025 NBA trade deadline

The Sacramento Kings they are currently 20-19 overall as NBA trade deadline is approaching. Sacramento is in ninth place in the Western Conference. If the Kings feel confident enough with Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan leading, Sacramento could try to buy at the deadline in hopes of adding more talent around the stars. If this is the path they choose, what exactly should they be looking for?

The The Kings’ decision to move on from former head coach Mike Brown was surprising. Still, Sacramento managed to stay competitive despite the controversial decision to move on from a respected head coach. Some teams fail to bounce back after a coach is fired mid-season, but the Kings held strong.

That being said, there is one specific element of the roster that must be addressed. For many teams, their fatal flaw is somewhat complicated. For the Kings, however, it became clear what they needed to take the next step.

The Kings need to add three-point shooting help

The Kings aren’t a terrible three-point shooting team. However, if Sacramento improves their three-point shooting, they should be able to take a big step in the right direction.

The Kings are currently 22nd in overall three-point percentage at 34.6 percent. It’s not like the Kings are just ineffective while shooting a lot of threes. In fact, Sacramento could probably use more three-point attempts per game, as they are just 21st in three-point attempts per outing.

Domantas Sabonis was incredibly efficient on his attempts, hitting 46 percent. However, he only takes 2.4 three-point attempts per outing. Colby Jones and Doug McDermott shot the ball well from beyond the arc, but neither player is getting many minutes.

The Kings need to add a player or two who can consistently start or come off the bench while helping to improve their three-point shooting.

The king’s potential trade targets

The Kings stars are quality players. DeRozan is a reliable veteran, Fox played well, and Sabonis is in the midst of another impressive under-the-radar campaign. Adding a three-point shooter alongside the stars would help the Kings get to the next level.

Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson or Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine they may make sense as trade targets. Of course, LaVine has a big contract to think about. However, from a purely basketball standpoint, both players would likely help the Kings.

Johnson is averaging 19.5 points per game while shooting 43.6 percent on 7.5 three-point attempts per outing. LaVine, meanwhile, is quietly coming off a quality season in Chicago, averaging 24 points while connecting on 45 percent of his 7.3 three-point attempts per game.

LaVine and Johnson are two of the better players in the league, but the Kings could also turn to a three-point specialist. The player they acquire doesn’t have to be a star.

Do the Kings have other areas of need on the roster? Sure, but improving their three-point shooting will play a big role in helping them get to the next level as they try to make a postseason run in the Western Conference.