NBA trade rumors: Sacramento Kings targeting Otto Porter Jr. before deadline?

The Sacramento Kings are in need of a roster shakeup as we head into December. The latest NBA trade rumors suggest a deal for Otto Porter Jr. could be the team’s approach.

Things haven’t gone well for the Sacramento Kings over the past couple of weeks. They currently sit in 13th place in the Western Conference after starting off the season as a surprise playoff contender. Maybe a trade for a big-name player could be what they need to turn things around?

Well, according to recent NBA trade rumors, the Kings have been busy keeping tabs on one particular player as we inch our way closer to Feb. 7’s trade deadline. Here’s the latest, via The Athletic’s Jason Jones:

"League sources said the Kings are closely monitoring the Washington Wizards with an eye on making a play for forward Otto Porter Jr."

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Known as a dangerous offensive threat, Otto Porter Jr. is having a relatively ugly 2018-19 campaign. Averaging just 11.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and two assists per game, the former No. 3 overall pick is putting up his worst numbers of the last three years in nearly every category. Then again, the Wizards as a whole have had an awful season so far.

Maybe a change of scenery is what Porter needs to get things going in a different direction?  It might help him improve from long range — after connecting on 44.1 percent of his 3-point shots in 2017-18, he’s made only 36 percent so far this season.

Well the Kings certainly wouldn’t mind giving it a shot, especially considering their woes at small forward.

The performances of Iman Shumpert and Justin Jackson haven’t inspired much confidence. As a result of their general ineptitude, there’s been a gaping hole in the Kings’ lineup. Inserting Porter into the equation, though, could be just what Sacramento needs to start putting more notches in the win column.

Depending on what the Kings are willing to offer, a trade may also make sense for the Wizards. They’ve turned in a miserable effort through the first quarter of the season, compiling a 8-14 record. Although Washington has recently enjoyed an uptick in success since reports of a heated practice emerged, there’s no guarantee they’ll work their way back into the playoff picture.

If things continue to go south for the Wizards, don’t be surprised to see them pull the trigger on a trade. Or, changes could be coming on a much larger scale, as Bleacher Report’s Ken Berger suggested:

"But make no mistake—team officials are preparing for the possibility that things go the other way. If the evident lack of chemistry between Wall and Beal continues, as well as the knockdown, drag-out conflicts behind the scenes, the day may finally come to abort the win-now mission and “blow it up,” as one of the rival executives put it."

Whichever way you look at it, this is a scenario worth watching if you’re a Kings fan. This young team has shown promise in spurts, but isn’t doing enough to keep the victories coming. A trade for Porter could be exactly what they need to light a fire under this lineup and start putting more pressure on other clubs in the heavily contested Western Conference.