The Sacramento Kings reportedly are "pushing hard" to make trades happen before the upcoming deadline.  Among the Kings' players said to be available are rookie guard Nik Stauskas and forward Derrick Williams, and the their targets are said to include Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson and Denver Nuggets veterans Arron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler.

Sacramento (18-34) is 10 games out from the last playoff spot in the Western Conference, but that apparently hasn't deterred them from trying to win now.  On Thursday they made the unusual decision of hiring coach George Karl midseason, and that may not be the only big splash they make in February.

"They have been as active as anyone," a general manager told Sporting News.  "Obviously they want to make a lot of changes, and they're pushing hard to get something done."

Vivek Ranadive's first season-and-a-half as owner has shown he's not afraid to be aggressive, and all signs point to that not changing as the Feb. 19 trade deadline approaches.  On Sacramento's end, the team purportedly is shopping Stauskas, Williams and veteran Jason Thompson. 

CBS Sports' Ken Berger first reported in January that the Kings were willing to trade Stauskas for a frontcourt player able to complement DeMarcus Cousins, and Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times reported Wednesday the Milwaukee Bucks were interested in trading for the rookie 2-guard.

A power forward - ideally a stretch-4 - appears to be at the top Sacramento's wish list, but multiple reports suggest they'd be open to finding an upgrade for their backcourt. Sporting News reported the Kings had separate trade discussions Chandler, Afflalo and Jackson, and Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy also reported the Kings as having interest in Jackson.

Although speculation, Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic could also be a target - if Sacramento is willing to give up at least a future first-round draft pick.