The Kings made two bombshell moves in short succession Wednesday on the eve of the NBA trade deadline, acquiring two veteran players who could help them make a push for their first playoff appearance since 2006.
The question is how these trades will affect the chemistry and culture of a team that has taken the league by surprise this season. The additions of Harrison Barnes and Alec Burks may benefit the Kings in the weeks, months and years to come, but the immediate departures of Iman Shumpert, Justin Jackson and Zach Randolph left the locker room stunned.
“A lot of us are a little bit shocked, but at the end of the day we know it’s a business and we can’t take it to heart,” Kings guard Yogi Ferrell said.