I'm actually surprised by Sabonis' defensive impact numbers this season:
LA-DRAPM = +0.56 (79th in league)
DLEBRON = +0.74 (91st in league)
DRPM = +3.80 (29th in league)
DRAPTOR = +1.90 (42nd in league)
Even his 3 year averages of these numbers aren't bad:
LA-DRAPM = +0.60
DLEBRON = +1.12
DRPM = +2.88
DRAPTOR = +0.80
That doesn't scream liability and makes me second guess this team's defensive potential with Sabonis at C. He does move his feet decently well for a guy with his size & strength, has held up well against Jokic defensively, and is terrific at ending possessions with a defensive rebound. Makes me more open to the idea of bringing Collins aboard.
The one thing about Collins that I like is that he seems to be improving each year which is a good type to bet on. His defense has improved, his shooting has improved, and now his passing has improved this year.
If we were to trade for Collins, we almost have to include Holmes for salary purposes. ATL won't be interested in Holmes with Capela and Okongwu already there so it would have to be something like:
Kings Gets: John Collins & Team X Asset/Pick
Kings Gives: Richaun Holmes, Mo Harkless, Alex Len, & 2022 SAC 1st
ATL Gets: Team X Filler & 2022 SAC 1st
ATL Gives: John Collins
Team X Gets: Richaun Holmes, Mo Harkless, & Alex Len
Team X Gives: Team X Filler & Team X Asset/Pick
Having said that, I'd rather us...
- Draft someone like AJ Griffin or Keegan Murray with our pick
- Trade Holmes for Powell & 2022 DAL 1st (currently tied for 20th)
- Draft someone like EJ Liddell or Kendall Brown with the DAL pick
- Resign DiVincenzo to a long term bargain deal
...and rollout a 2022-23 roster of:
PG - Fox / Mitchell
SG - Holiday / Divincenzo
SF - Griffin / Davis / Harkless
PF - Barnes / Liddell / Lyles / Metu
C - Sabonis / Len
Then next offseason rolls around and we would have around $40 mil in cap space with the following players under contract: Sabonis, Fox, DiVincenzo, Mitchell, 2022 SAC 1st, 2022 DAL 1st, & 2023 SAC 1st. If we strike out on a big name in free agency, we could still resign Barnes with our cap space. If the concern is Sabonis leaving, you'd have Mitchell, 2022 SAC 1st, 2022 DAL 1st, 2023 SAC 1st, 2024 SAC 1st, 2026 SAC 1st, 2028 SAC 1st, & 2030 SAC 1st as rookie contracts/picks that could be used to bring in immediate help.
But I agree. It would be a bummer to not try and land someone in free agency before looking to move our young assets/picks. You could potentially sign both Jerami Grant and Barnes with that cap space without giving up any assets.
PG - Fox / Mitchell
SG - Divincenzo
SF - Barnes / Griffin
PF - Grant / Liddell
C - Sabonis