With the trade deadline just a mere 48 hours away, rumors have been flying left and right as to what teams are willing to part ways with either star players or cap space in order to ready their franchise for an upcoming title run, or to start the slow and painful rebuilding process. With the Sacramento Kings signing George Karl as their new head coach for the foreseeable future, the organization is looking to shuffle their roster, aiming to make the team more competitive in the Western Conference.
Kings have been offering a package that includes Nik Stauskas to see what it could return, per sources. Seems SAC wants to make splashy move
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 16, 2015
One player for the Kings who has popped up frequently in the rumor mill is rookie shooting guard Nik Stauskas. The Kings have been reportedly looking to pair Stauskas with either Derrick Williams or Jason Thompson in return for a player of high caliber to elevate the franchise to the next level. The Kings would be making a poor decision by getting rid of Stauskas so soon though, even with the lack of production the rookie guard has offered.
Although Stauskas is only averaging 3.4 points, 1.0 rebound and 0.7 assists per game, the playing time he is been given hasn’t been enough to develop any consistent efforts on the court. Critics may point to his low field goal and three-point shooting averages, but when you are only getting an average of three field goal attempts per game, your shooting average would be that low too.
When given the playing time, Stauskas can be an offensive catalyst for any second unit, averaging 17.5 points, 3.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds on 47 percent shooting from the field during his last season with the Michigan Wolverines. It’s just a matter of giving the young guard an actual chance. In a league where results are demanded immediately, Stauskas could find himself swept under the rug by the Kings or another NBA franchise until one team finally comes along and gives the rookie guard a chance. That will be when the Kings realize what a mistake it was letting Stauskas go in the first place.
Jared Doyle is a Miami Heat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @outofboundsjay, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google