On the night of 3/24/2021, the Sacramento Kings traded G Cory Joseph and two 2nd round picks to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for G Delon Wright. This was the first trade of the 2020-2021 season for the Kings and freed them of Joseph’s $12.6 million salary for the 2021-2022 season.

Wright, who is 28 years old is in the middle of his 6th season is a versatile lengthy guard that can play both guard positions and shows at least some touch from three (career 35.6% 3P%) as well as being a capable defender (1.5 SPG in 2020-2021). Delon has two years left on his contract, making $9 million this season and $8.5 million the next. 

Joseph, who debuted with the team last year, usually took the floor in substitution for one of the Kings’ guards in De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, or Tyrese Haliburton. A generally unimpressive player, Joseph was a below-average shooter (career 33.3% 3P%, 75.6% FT% in 2020-2021) and was usually put on the floor to fill a position. Cory had two years left on his 3 year/$37,200,000 contract, slated to make 12.6 million dollars this season and the next.

Ultimately, this was a terrific move by the Kings to bolster their lineup offensively and defensively as well as free up over $10 million dollars in cap space for next year. This could be the start of a flurry of moves as the rumors of Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, and Richaun Holmes possibly being traded have echoed throughout the media.