NBA rumors are swirling that Sacramento Kings forward and fan favorite Omri Casspi will be shipped to another team before the trade deadline this season, according to multiple media outlets.
Although Omri Casspi hasn’t asked the Sacramento Kings for a trade yet, his agents have begun inquiring with other NBA franchises about the 6-foot-9 Israeli athlete, according to the Sacramento Bee . The Kings are aware that Omri Casspi and his agent are hoping to find a situation — either with his current team or via trade — that will help the forward earn more minutes this season.
That’s an important issue to Omri Casspi as the 2009 first-round NBA Draft pick is coming off the best season of his seven-year career. In 2015-2016, Omri Casspi played in 69 games, averaging a career-best 11.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per outing. Building on that terrific season with the limited minutes the Kings rotations has permitted thus far is frustrating, Omri Casspi recently told the Sacramento Bee .
Omri Casspi’s Reps Quietly Exploring Trade Market https://t.co/LMxb1fIMyr pic.twitter.com/FSkGLfPXWe
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 23, 2016
“It’s a tough spot to be in. I’m 28. I feel like I’m reaching my prime. After last year, when I proved that if I got minutes, I could really contribute, to go from that to not playing is very hard. People don’t realize we are human beings. We talk to friends, agents, fans. Sometimes you just have to shut the phone down and focus.”
ESPN’s Marc Stein also wrote that the NBA trade rumors surrounding Omri Casspi leaving the team is to be believed . Calling an Omri exit a near “lock,” fans of the Sacramento Kings may lose one of their favorite players before the NBA trade deadline, Stein penned.
“The closest thing to a trade lock in the California capital is the exit of the popular Casspi, whose representatives have been blessed by the Kings to search out potential deals now that the versatile swingman — coming off the best year of his career — has been exiled from the rotation by new coach Dave Joerger.”
Omri Casspi remained upbeat that he could still fit into the Sacramento Kings’ plans moving forward, according to the Sacramento Bee article. With a first-year head coach in Dave Joerger, the forward recognized that the Kings’ players are still adapting and learning the new system. In exercising patience, however, Omri Casspi made a request in return: playing time.
“I really wanted to be part of building something special here… Hopefully, I will still be part of it. I think I can fit in. The system is a lot like [former head coach] Michael Malone’s, and I adjusted. But I want to play. I need to play. If not here, then somewhere.”
Five teams that should trade for Omri Casspi (via @FanSided ) https://t.co/CvsXy53ndm pic.twitter.com/n9r8EsCZf2
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) November 21, 2016
A local CBS affiliate published a Christmas wish list of items for Sacramento Kings fans. In addition to quelling the constant NBA trade rumors surrounding DeMarcus Cousins, Omri Casspi, and Willie Cauley-Stein, the TV station added defining the players’ roles to the fans’ desires this holiday season.
The TV station’s reasoning for the request is based on increased player productivity. The Sacramento Kings have used multiple starting lineups and inconsistent bench rotations through the first 15 games, keeping players from growing comfortable within their role on the team.
Early season NBA trade rumors have swirled for multiple players and teams alike, according to the Inquisitr . Like Omri Casspi, fellow Sacramento Kings player DeMarcus Cousins is a constant for the NBA trade rumor mill with Denver and Portland being likely landing spots. And much like the Sacramento Kings have been discussed this season, several of the young and talented Minnesota Timberwolves have heard they could be available if NBA trade rumors are accurate.
#NBA | 5 Outrageously Wild DeMarcus Cousins Trade Scenarios https://t.co/tcmXUs0MVa pic.twitter.com/bE3RnRhaDQ
— AllBasketb0ll (@allbasketb0ll) November 18, 2016
The early-season trade rumors don’t end there. Detroit Pistons’ athlete Stanley Johnson — a first-round draft pick like Omri Casspi once was — is also garnering some attention on the NBA trade rumor mill with his sophomore slump . Nerlens Noel joined this list as the center has heard NBA trade rumors swirling about his future with the Philadelphia 76ers for nearly a year now. Greg Monroe has also made the rounds on the NBA trade rumor mill because — like Omri Casspi — the player has seen his playing time reduced this season.
Do you believe the rumors that the Sacramento Kings will strike a deal using Omri Casspi before the NBA trade deadline expires in February? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
[Featured Image by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images]