Guard Chris Duarte. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Kings acquire former All-Rookie selection from Pacers

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated 7/6/23

The Sacramento Kings are linking up with the Indiana Pacers on a trade once again.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported on Thursday that the Kings have acquired swingman Chris Duarte in a trade with the Pacers. Sacramento will be sending two second-round picks (2028 via Dallas as well as a 2030 pick of their own) back to Indiana.

A former lottery pick (13th overall), Duarte was teammates with Kings All-Star big Domantas Sabonis before Sabonis was traded by the Pacers. He was an All-Rookie selection in 2022, averaging 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Duarte is a strong player who makes tough shots and also has a high activity level on defense.

AND-1

Chris Duarte fights through the contact and gets the basket to go. pic.twitter.com/OfnTJTCYwQ

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 12, 2023

Chris Duarte is about a bucket which automatically makes him an early ROY candidate. He’s wired to put that Wilson in the basket.

@Pacers pic.twitter.com/6Rn5YxdrPs

— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) October 24, 2021

A steal and a wide-open basket for Chris Duarte.
Stream: https://t.co/IwE1NL7blP #GoldBlooded pic.twitter.com/8ZSFkz4a5Y

— Bally Sports Indiana (@BallySportsIN) December 7, 2021

The downside for Duarte is that he is coming off a sophomore year where he battled injuries and ineffectiveness (shooting a dismal 36.9 percent overall). As a result, he averaged just 7.9 points per game. Additionally, Duarte is a lot older than the average player entering his third season (26 years old). But the Kings getting him for just two second-round picks is a nice snag and continues on their pretty strong NBA offseason.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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