Sacramento Kings trade rumors 2016: Marco Belinelli an expendable as trade deadline nears?

Marco BelinelliWikimedia Commons/Matteo Della Malva

It seems like veteran forward Rudy Gay is not the only player from the Sacramento Kings that teams are inquiring about with the trade deadline nearing, as experienced shooter Marco Belinelli is also drawing interests. 

According to James Ham of CSN Bay Area, sources have confirmed with CSN California that teams are also asking about Belinelli. 

Belinelli is in his first year with the Kings after signing with the team as a free agent last July, following two seasons with the San Antonio Spurs where he won one championship (2014). 

The 29-year-old Italian is known for his shooting especially from three-point range and that is what Sacramento expected when they signed him. 

Unfortunately, Belinelli is failing to shoot well for the surging Kings and Sportsnet mentioned in its report that he is only making 38 percent of his shots from the field this 2015–16 National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season, including 31 percent from the three-point line. 

In 47 games played this season, Belinelli is averaging 10.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 25.5 minutes of action per outing. 

Sportnet suggested in its report that teams seeking for help with their three-point shooting might inquire about Belinelli and pursue a potential deal. 

However, the Kings are likely to be meticulous when it comes to trading their players and the availability of Belinelli might have the same conditions like that of Gay. 

Gay is available for trade, but the Kings reportedly want a quality young player or a player who at least has one more year in his contract in exchange for him. 

The same standards may apply to Belinelli, who is playing and contributing fine for Sacramento even though he struggles with his shooting this season. 

Sacramento ended a four-game losing slide last Monday, topping the Milwaukee Bucks and improving its record to 21–27 for the 10th spot in the Western Conference standings.