The Vertical Insider Bobby Marks, a former longtime assistant general manager with the Nets, breaks down the Sacramento Kings' situation as the Feb. 18 trade deadline approaches.

HANG UP IF THEY ASK ABOUT ...

DeMarcus Cousins



Unless Boston is going to empty its treasure chest of picks and young assets, Cousins should be off the table in any potential deal. Locked into a cap-friendly contract through 2017-18, the All-Star center is a difference-maker when he is on the court. A rare big man, he has the versatility to play down low while also having the ability to stretch the perimeter.



Willie Cauley-Stein and Ben McLemore

Taking the rookie Cauley-Stein and third-year player McLemore off the table in any potential deals is a byproduct of past failures in the draft. Those mistakes have resulted in the Kings being void of young players. With a lack of picks in the near future, Sacramento's development of what remains will be key in building out the roster.



Omri Casspi

If Casspi were on the open market this summer, he would be looking at a salary triple of what he is making. The $2.8 million cap hit for Casspi is one of the best bargains in the NBA. Casspi, 27, is having a career season across the board. Moving a valuable piece would not be wise.



Could the Kings get enough in return to part with Rudy Gay? (AP) More

UP FOR DEBATE

Rudy Gay

If the Kings go in this direction, they need to make sure they receive long-term salary in return and not a short-term rental. As we saw this past summer, key free agents are not flocking to Sacramento. Losing a key piece like Gay without getting much value could seal the Kings' fate for the next few years. Gay, who has a player option for the 2017-18 season, is best suited to play power forward at this point in his career.





NO-TRADE CLAUSE OR WITH A RESTRICTION

None.



MOVE THAT PUSHES THE NEEDLE

What you see is what you get



The product the Kings put on the floor every night will get them in the playoffs or have them in the lottery for a 10th straight year.



TREASURE CHEST OF PICKS

Walking a tight rope without a safety net

The Kings owe Chicago a first-round pick, protected in the top 10. Sacramento would retain this pick if it misses the playoffs or falls in the top-10 of the lottery.





The 76ers would have the right to swap picks with Sacramento if the Kings keep this pick.

Sacramento's future is complex, with a trickle-down effect on Chicago and Philadelphia.

If Sacramento owes Chicago a first in 2016:

Philadelphia would then have to swap rights for the 2017 season. The Kings would also owe Philadelphia a 2018 first-round pick, protected Nos. 1-10 and unprotected in 2019 if no pick is conveyed.



If Chicago does not receive the Kings' first in 2016:

The Bulls would have Sacramento's first in 2017, protected Nos. 1-10. Philadelphia would have the right to swap picks if no pick is traded to Chicago.



If Sacramento owes Chicago a first in 2017:

The Kings would send Chicago a first in 2017 if Sacramento falls outside of the top 10 of the lottery or makes the playoffs. Sending a first to Chicago would impact the 76ers. Philadelphia would have Sacramento's unprotected first-round pick in 2019 if the Bulls receive a first in 2017.



If Chicago does not receive the Kings' first in 2017:

Draft conditions between Sacramento and Chicago would become extinguished. Philadelphia would have the right to swap picks with the Kings. Philadelphia would also have Sacramento's first in 2018, protected Nos. 1-10 and unprotected in 2019 if the pick is not transferred in the previous year.



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