Keeping It Heel
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UNC in the NBA: What players could be moved at the trade deadline?

By Trevor Marks

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Watsco Center on January 19, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Watsco Center on January 19, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 14: Justin Jackson #25 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after making a basket against the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center on January 14, 2019 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 14: Justin Jackson #25 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after making a basket against the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center on January 14, 2019 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Justin Jackson, SF/PF, Sacramento Kings

By all accounts, the Sacramento Kings and Justin Jackson seem to have an amicable relationship.

The Kings are not actively looking to move the second-year forward to another team. By all accounts, everything is perfectly fine.

But things can change in an instant.

For the first time in over a decade, the Kings are within reach of a playoff berth, with the dynamic backcourt trio of De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic leading the playoff-hopefuls to a 28-25 record. Only one game outside of the eighth seed with a roster that is actually good, Vivek Ranadive and Vlade Divac are looking to add useful talent that could increase their playoff odds in the final stretch.

Equipped with multiple players on expiring contracts (Zach Randolph at $11.7 million; Iman Shumpert at $11 million; Kosta Koufos at $8.7 million; Ben McLemore at $5.5 million), the Kings can offer NBA front offices with the chance at clearing future cap space should they choose to do so.

Additionally, smaller contracts and younger players can be thrown in as sweeteners in any potential deal.

According to various reports, Divac is in the market for a large small forward to play alongside his vertically-challenged (i.e., short) backcourt. Justin Jackson, albeit tall himself at 6-foot-8, could be included in a package that brings back superior talent. With averages of 6.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists, the former Tar Heel is far from untouchable, despite his status as the 15th overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. If some trade hinges on the inclusion of Jackson, the Kings shouldn’t think twice about trading him away.

As far as frontcourt options go, the Kings have several: Washington’s Otto Porter Jr., Portland’s Mo Harkless, or a particular Dallas forward whom Tar Heel fans are quite familiar with…

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