Kings, Pacers Make Intriguing Trade Involving Chris Duarte

The Pacers drafted Duarte with the 13th overall pick in the 2021 draft out of Oregon. The 26-year-old signed a four-year, $17.7 million rookie scale contract after getting drafted. He’ll make $4.1 million next season.

Duarte averaged 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists for the Pacers this past season in 46 games while shooting 36.9% from the field, 31.6% from beyond the arc and 84.7% from the free-throw line. The Montreal native has career averages of 10.7 points, 3.4 boards and 1.8 assists while shooting 41.0% overall, 34.7% from 3-point land and 82.1% from the charity stripe.

The Detroit Pistons were interested in trading for Duarte, an NBA executive told NBA Analysis Network. The Kings beat the Pistons to the punch.

Sacramento made the playoffs this past season for the first time since 2006. Even though the Kings lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 2023 postseason in seven games, the franchise has a bright future with Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk, Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter leading the way and now Duarte is in the mix.

The Kings made a big move on June 29, signing Barnes to a three-year, $54 million extension. The front office did a good job of not overpaying for Barnes, which was critical since they may sign Sabonis to a massive extension this summer.

Sabonis and the Kings could agree to a four-year, $120 million renegotiate-and-extend deal, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. The All-Star big man is entering the final year of a four-year, $74.9 million contract that is set to pay him $19.4 million in 2023-24.