NBA: Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers

Dec 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) and Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Sacre (50) guard Sacramento Kings guard Nik Stauskas (10) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

(Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Speaking to the media earlier this season, Sixers head coach Brett Brown said he at one point expected to have both Andrew Wiggins and Nik Stauskas as his 2014 rookie class.

Well, the Wiggins ship has more than likely sailed. His wish of coaching Stauskas, on the other hand, might be possible.

According to a report from Basketballinsiders.com, the Sacramento Kings have made Stauskas available for trade prior to Thursday's deadline.

Stauskas, who was the 8th overall pick in last year's draft, is averaging 3.4 points this season in just 12.1 minutes per game. The 6-foot-6, 205 pound shooting guard has not seen his touch from beyond the arc carry over from Michigan to the NBA, as he is shooting just 26% from deep this season.

So should the Sixers have interest in Stauskas?

They did prior to the draft, and many projected (including their head coach) thought Stauskas would be the pick at No. 10. The Sixers' interest in Stauskas makes sense, as has both the size and length the team seeks in their players, and has shown he can be a lights out shooter. For a team that wants to build from the inside out, Stauskas has value as a guy for center Joel Embiid to kick the ball out.

The question is, just how much value.

As the No. 8 overall pick, it's hard to see the Kings parting with Stauskas for anything less than a first-round pick or a very solid young prospect. The Sixers could offer up center Nerlens Noel, who might be expendable once Embiid returns, but so far the team's rookie center has proven to be a better prospect that Stauskas. It is also easier to find a shooter than it is to find an elite rim protector like Noel.

Still, the Sixers stack up assets, both in players and draft picks, for moments like this. As the deadline draws closer, and if the Kings becomes desperate, the Sixers would be wise to swoop in and try to steal away Stauskas.

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Sports on Facebook.