Thunderous Intentions
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Carmelo Anthony watch: A royal answer to a taxing problem

By Tamberlyn Richardson

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 8: Vlade Divac and owner of the Sacramento Kings, Vivek Ranadivé, talk before a preseason game between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers on October 8, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 8: Vlade Divac and owner of the Sacramento Kings, Vivek Ranadivé, talk before a preseason game between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers on October 8, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Carmelo Anthony Trade options
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 29: Zach Randolph #50 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers on March 29, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Trade benefits Kings in more ways than one:

Although logically it doesn’t seem like the Kings would want to make this move there is a simple fact which makes this move practical. Just like teams are fined for exceeding the cap threshold they are fined for under spending

To wit, all teams must spend to 90 percent of the salary cap. With a $101.8M (M = million) cap that means every team must spend $91.7M this season. As per Spotrac, currently the Kings are well below this mark with a $77.7M salary commitment.

By adding Carmelo Anthony’s contract and sending back Randolph they’ll effectively add $16M to their bottom line moving their commitment to $93.7M assuming a full price Anthony buyout.

Which is why adding in Dakari Johnson or Terrance Ferguson is also feasible as it keeps the Kings still well under the threshold mark of $123.7M.

Ferguson of course makes the most sense to add for the Kings given their likely desires.

Answering the draft pick requirement:

The one draw back is the Kings are anxious to add a first round pick for the coming 2019 draft. Sacramento can only retain their own first round pick if they get extremely lucky and win the top pick. If the Kings pick falls anywhere outside the top pick it moves to the 76ers (or Celtics).

Therefore the Kings who’ll undoubtedly be open to an expiring contract they can use to hit the minimum threshold will also be covetous of a 2019 first round pick. Unfortunately, by virtue of OKC sending out their 2018 first round pick they can’t give their 2019 pick away (no teams can give away consecutive first round picks). And, since they’ve parlayed their 2020 first round draft pick to Orlando they also can’t extend their 2021 pick.

In terms of second round picks the first year OKC can offer up a pick in this area is 2020.

Suffice to say with so many picks already being dispersed it would behoove the Thunder if they could convince the Kings to take a second round pick over their 2022 first round pick.

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