The Sacramento Kings entered this game feeling good after overcoming the Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately for the Kings, they have a new nemesis to overcome in the New Orleans Pelicans. The Kings entered this game having lost all five matchups against the Pelicans, and this game followed the same script. The Kings were flummoxed by New Orleans’ length, couldn’t hit open shots, and were outplayed by the Pelicans throughout. Every time the Kings would close the gap, New Orleans responded. The Pelicans held on to the end, defeating the Kings 105-98
It’s a frustrating loss that encapsulates the season as a whole. The Kings spent the entire year struggling against teams with size, length, and depth, which the Pelicans have in spades. Sacramento got essentially no help from their bench. Prior to the final 5 minutes, the Kings had just 10 points from the bench. 8 points from Davion Mitchell, and 2 from Sasha Vezenkov.
To their credit, the Kings never gave up. Despite trailing by as many as 20, the Kings kept pushing. Unfortunately, the Pelicans just always had an answer. Every time the Kings would cut the lead to 7 or 8, the Pelicans would answer back and push the lead to 13. As much as I was frustrated with this loss, in pretty much every facet, I was happy that the Kings never threw in the towel.
A quick rundown of how the roster performed:
De’Aaron Fox – Get this man some help. De’Aaron Fox didn’t have the most efficient night, but had 35 points and absolutely carried this team as far as he could. Fox stepped up and desperately needed anyone to help him down the stretch.
Domantas Sabonis – 23 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 1 block. Despite some early foul trouble, and despite a terrible matchup against Jonas Valanciunas (19 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks), Sabonis had a solid game. He started the game aggressively attacking, and didn’t shy away from taking open looks when the Pelicans gave him space.
Keon Ellis – Oh Keon where art thou? 0 points on 5 shots, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, in 28 minutes. Keon was a game changer against the Warriors, but a complete no-show in this one. Keon came into this season on a two-way contract, and in this game was asked to be a starter in a critical game. He did it last game, couldn’t this time. It sucks, but the future remains bright for Elllis.
Keegan Murray – Keegan was bad tonight. He finished with 11 points on 12 shots, and was 2-7 from three. He did leave the game in the first half with a hip injury, and played through it in the second half, but even in the first half he was missing open looks. If he had a good shooting night, the Kings win this game despite everything else. I still love Keegan, but this one hurt.
Harrison Barnes – HB came to play. 17 points, 3/5 from 3, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, drawing fouls, Barnes was the third best King tonight. Sadly, history tells us that if HB is your third-best player you’re a bad team, and that was the case tonight.
Davion Mitchell – Davion had a tough game. He was absolutely brutal in the first half, to the point I questioned if he should play in the second half. He bounced back and hit a couple shots, but still was not great. Still, he had 10 points off the bench, 8 more than any other bench player.
Trey Lyles – Garbage game. 0 points, 2 turnovers, 3 rebounds. Unacceptably bad in 13 minutes
Sasha Vezenkov – The only other bench player other than Davion to score. He had 2 points on 4 shots. The fact Brown even went to Sasha speaks to how desperate Brown was. That isn’t a knock on Sasha, but Brown clearly intended an 8-man rotation that did not include Sasha
Alex Len – Played 4 minutes. I have no idea why he didn’t play more.
This game highlights issues that every Kings fan knew about this squad coming into the season, issues the front office failed to address in the offseason or at the trade deadline. The pressure will be on Monte McNair this summer to make major improvements to this roster. The Kings were the three seed last season in an injury-riddled Western Conference. This year the conference returned to normalcy, and just two fewer wins took the Kings down the 9th seed. The Kings will now have their first round pick in what is viewed as a very weak draft class, rather than conveying the pick to the Atlanta Hawks and freeing up future firsts for trade packages. We can make excuses and wonder how this game might have been different with Malik Monk or Kevin Huerter, but the harsh reality is that we’ve already seen how those games go.
Congratulations to the Pelicans for absolutely owning the Kings the entire season. Here’s hoping the Kings can somehow land unrestricted free agent Naji Marshall this summer. I think the city of Oklahoma City breaths a sigh of relief tonight, knowing that the Kings would have been a worse matchup for the Thunder, but the Pelicans are the Kings kryptonite.
Here’s hoping next season is better.
In case some have forgotten our old sister site….TANKATHON
That Kolek kid out of Marquette might fit the bill for backup pg. Shades of J-Will. Older prospect like monte likes.
Then we just need to figure out how to clone Jaren Jackson Jr and we’re all set!
or Ace Bailey in the 2025 draft!
If the Kings don’t trade their pick, I’d rather draft a F than a backup PG. Drafting JJJ would’ve been really helpful.
If you had told me before the game Fox would have 35 and the Pelicans 105, I’d have been pretty happy. Monk would have made a difference. Their length was too much. Tip the hat and get to work Monte.
Live by the three, die by the three. Ugh.
Don’t think they ever lived by the three.
I mean, they were 10 games over .500 while shooting the 3rd most 3pt shots in the league.
Case in point, 18/39 from deep against the Warriors on Tuesday.
Indeed. When it works, we are hard to beat.
When it doesn’t work, there seems to be no good backup plan, and very few adjustments. That annoyed me.
I really think the Kings are not a good or even fair three point shooting team as it has shown all year. 27% last night when it really mattered they just don’t cut it. IMO Brown needs to find another offense but in reality he doesn’t have much to work with or say Fox doesn’t have much to help him. Our bench is really pathetic. If possible Monty needs to do some major changes or next year and years after the Kings won’t be close to playoffs or even playins. Too many young teams ready to step up and do their thing. Let’s see what he does this summer. He doesn’t have a ton to work with but maybe he can produce a couple of miracles. Let’s wait and see.
A basic half court offense to go to when one is needed would help.
Higher three point percentage in a half court offense as well.
This is what is so frustrating. I asked the playoffs last year. We all knew the kings needed to adjust and get a half court offense.
But they did nothing. Again, it makes me question Coach Brown a lot.
It is a strategy problem.
Beyond basic strategy does Brown have a roster that can play in a half court offense?
Fox needs to run the floor to have an advantage. I think Sabonis, Barnes, and Murray can do it.
Who else though?
I don’t want this team to stop playing with pace but winning teams can take over a game and control it using a half court offense when needed.
Brown needs to run 1/2 court sets. Keegs running off screens. Sabonis is high and low post. Cutting.
Pace and full court is good. Just think Browns O in 1/2 court needs to change
This team has one trick and it is easy to disrupt.
Brown says you have to play good defense to play for him. He rides Sabonis, Barnes, Monk, and Huerter. Mitchell, Edwards, Len, and the rest of the defensive players ride the bench. Give him credit for finding a spot for Ellis, but what took so long? And why did Huerter need to get injured for him to make the change a lot of us were calling for in the offseason?
Agree. Brown and Monte seemed to ignore/not do anything to make this team better after seeing their flaws last year.
They wanted to ride it out and see how it went? Dumb.
Just my opinion:
Stability. McNair took a team that overachieved last season with a +18 advance, that was a Game 7 from Round 2 in the playoffs. 2 All-NBA players, unanimous COY and rolled the dice on keeping what worked, together.
As you note, that track disappointed.
Had he traded away Huerter, not re-signed Barnes and obtained Kyle Kuzma or Jerami Grant for double the price (or more, draft picks, who knows) certainly the season would have played out differently. Domas is still unsigned (you used the extra scratch from the Richaun Holmes and FRP (#25) to buy your new starting frontcourt third star.
Would that give them the 6th seed, 5th seed, 4th? Better than OKC/DEN/MIN?
Did Keegan get better? Did Domas have 61 consecutive/77 double doubles? Did the Kings make it out of the first round? Did injuries happen?
It’s fun to FANtasize. And what better venue to float your ideas and concepts than here, where words run free.
Would it have worked out just as (collective) you predicted? Maybe. but I’d bet against it.
What if …
What if it tumbled worse? 😱
What if Sac won 41 – but the West had them 11? (or 10? or 9? etc.).
What if they didn’t make it out of the first round?
What if UFA Sabonis went… elsewhere?
Ya rolls yer dice and ya takes yer chances…
To rearview mirror with such confidence is a quality I don’t possess.
So – the season didn’t pencil out the way it was drawn up. Let’s erase the entire board and draw up a new plan!
This form the commenter who criticized me for being negative.
Free thinking and logical criticism will be justly punished.
Which resulted in being a play in team bumped out of the play in.
Not living by the three.
End this season with tolling of bells
As we just couldn’t deal with the Pels.
It’s talent we lack,
So we can’t run it back
If we want a Kings team that excels!
+1 Thanks again for putting up with my rhymes!
Catch a few lunkers.
Thanks JMan. Pure gold.
Always enjoyable. Hat tip.
I’m sorry to be (again) a patronizing prick
But this form of rhyme is called a Limerick
No need to be in denial
Everyone recognizes the style
That you could write more than 80 of these is really sick!
Haiku:
Warriors brought joy
Hope opened our eyes and blinked
Pelicans brought tears
I was always worried about NO & didn’t necessarily have hope that the Kings would beat them. It’s why I was really hoping that NO would beat LAL.
There’s no rhyme or meter to this comment.
There once was a man who lived Dutch
A Kings Fan he is way too much
Though his comments are clever
His matrimony would sever
Had Sacramento come through in the clutch
He voiced his disdain regarding the threes
A Live high or Die low strategy
I’ll say it if you spray it
Preach D but obey it
He’s begged Brown on his hands and his knees
I’ve enjoyed your limericks all season. Thanks for the time and effort you put into them for every game!
I had fun watching this team play this season but it’s terribly frustrating to see the Kings get absolutely wrecked six times by the same team.
Here’s to an eventful offseason to give us something to be hopeful for next year. Go Kings!
Agree 100%. Fun winning team but must get more talent . Need more length and a better bench . West will be even tougher as Houston and S. Antonio,will be improved .
Tim has already said this on Twitter but the Kings options to improve are incredibly limited. The most likely outcome is probably taking someone they think can help them win now and trying to re-sign Monk. But they don’t have enough assets to compete for any top tier talent. In short, it’s not great unless we can hit a home run in a draft everyone agrees is the worst in 20 years.
So you’re saying there’s a chance?
Dude, if you don’t have faith then who has? It’s in your job description!
As odd as it may seem given my line of work, I’m pretty dispassionate about most things. The upshot is, when I’ve got to preform two Memorial services in a week (like this week sadly), I don’t get overwhelmed or fall apart. I can work closely with families but then compartmentalize so it doesn’t wreck me emotionally.
But as a Kings fan I try to be as objective as humanly possible. There was a time years ago when I didn’t worry about the long term outlook of the franchise but I think the playoff drought sort of broke me. I just want this team to compete for a championship. That’s the goal and all I really want to see in my lifetime. I know people are happy with just not being horrible anymore but that just doesn’t excite me very much.
All that said, I think it’s possible they could get a nice player at 14! In fact in a terrible draft at the top, 14 might not be a bad place to be. I’m certainly rooting for it!
Absolutely agree.
I know I shouldn’t tell other people how to fan (and therefore I do apologize for this statement) but that weak sauce drives me, personally, crazy.
I agree with this. I am grateful they don’t suck anymore, the games are more watchable and they can be entertaining.
However, my critical comments on here, which I catch flack for, are in regards to the Kings becoming championship quality not a fringe playoff team.
I’m right there with you. I think the playoff drought reoriented people to that being the goal. Making the playoffs is that absolute bare minimum we should expect. Competing for a title is the actual goal that other fanbases aspire to.
Giannis was drafted in the middle of the 1st round in the last “weak” draft (that draft doesn’t seem all that weak in retrospect), so there’s a chance to draft a superstar in the middle of the 1st round in a weak draft, but I wouldn’t expect it to happen.
Competing for a title should definitely be the goal.
Very true so it’s possible! I’m not expecting it but who that’s what we’ve got.
I agree the Kings could get a good player at 14. This draft is considered weak because there aren’t superstar players that could singlehandedly chance a franchise. But there are a lot of guys that could play roles on winning teams.
That’s the big issue. The kings really needed to make the playoffs to convey that pick and open up their options. Now they are looking at the possibility of not being able to improve the roster in any significant way while also losing Monk.
Or take the pick and attach it to a contract like Huerter and/or Barnes. There are some tax paying teams they may want to move a larger contract.
It’s possible but pretty slim pickings. Monte is going to have to work some magic.
Are they allowed to attach the pick to any trade? NBA trade rules generally confuse me, but I was under the impression they can’t trade this pick until the Atlanta pick conveys due to the Stepien rule?
They can trade the drafted player on draft night, essentially make the pick for another team and include him in a trade.
Ahhhh ok, got it. I’m not sure there is much that would net them in terms of impact next year. This is a week draft class. The 13th pick and a Barnes or Heurter probably doesn’t net the Kings the impact they need in order to contend.
A team that is capped out and devoid of picks may value the #13 as its a relatively cheap long term deal to help round our a roster.
Completely spitballing, but something like Huerter/Barnes and the #13 for Andrew Wiggins might appeal to both teams.
To start with maybe we could our MLE and oick up Jalen Smith Jr. At 6’10” he rebounds, can shoot the 3 and defend the weakside.
The important thing now is to overreact. 😉
While I’m disappointed, I take a lot of positives from this season. Keegan’s improvement on both sides of the ball, the revelation of Keon’s play on an incredibly friendly contract, and marked improvement in team defense, this last game notwithstanding.
I am looking forward to next season with optimism, something I never felt during the Boogie/Vlade years.
I still feel like this team is changing its culture, which at times was outright poisonous–“Welcome to basketball hell”–and that has to be a good thing.
I’m with you!
That’s never a good idea.
If, before the season, I could have wished for 2 gifts to give the Kings, I would have given both to Fox, improved 3pt shooting, and improved/more physical defense. The basketball gods, once again, proved they hear our prayers… but they can be cruel!
Nice to be positive but we’ve reached a crescendo. We just lost to a playin team without their best player and now have a very difficult task to become championship competitive.
i thought the Kings made a specific effort to go inside to Domas early, and it worked. Then they went away from it and just threw up random 3s with no ball movement nor movement without the ball. That didn’t work.
Then they hunted the Barnes postup mismatches and that worked. And went away from that. And tossed up some more 3s.
Fox forced the issue too much and that was never going to work. Some horrible shot selection and zero team ball. That rarely works for us and didn’t tonight.
Keegan was horrible. St one point late ib the game he hsd a steal and didn’t even look to go up the floor for a layup. Zero sense of urgency, very little fight.
Hard to understand how Keon went from hero to zero in just one game. I thought his D was so-so.
Brown has been jerking Sasha in and out of the rotation the whole season. Hard to do that and then suddenly expect him to contribute in such a game.
Defense was not up to par. The Pels kept dictating the game and got dribble penetration whenever they wanted. Also kept hunting mismatches and we kept giving it by switching instead of fighting through screens. Ingram scored big buckets when needed.
We got outplayed, outcoached and outhustled. Didn’t deserve the win.
I think BROWN misused Sascha this year, I know he had a lot of injuries, but he should’ve given him some more run throughout the season. I also noticed Fox rarely looks for him.
I’m confused when people mention Sasha as someone deserving more run. Why? I didn’t see anything that leads to believe he’s a net positive NBA player. To be fair, I didn’t think he’d be much of an addition before the year either. He’s a good shooter but he doesn’t really do anything else.
Really?
I think he never got an actual chance to show what he can do.
I also think he’s an underrated team defender and decent rebounder and was in the right spot on D last night more than not.
With our team’s heavy reliance on 3’s, and that being his one known quality, I don’t understand why guys like Jones and Duarte got burn before him, even when he was healthy.
But then again, the way Brown waited so long to pull the plug on the McGeee experiment also puzzled me.
Yeah I don’t know maybe I’m missing something. I just remember watching some of his film before he came over last year and I didn’t really enough athleticism or passing ability for him to be a consistent rotation player. Nothing I saw this year really moved me off that stance. He just feels like a 10th man to me.
I agree on Brown’s rotation decisions though. The McGee and Duarte stuff was comically bad for way too long.
I wonder if this is showing the disconnect (seemingly) between what Monte wants to build and how Brown does.
Monte talked about shooters/shooters and getting back to last years O. Brown preaches D.
So Monte gets a player Brown won’t use cause he won’t adjust? It’s all very questionable
Could be. Even just seeing how long it took Brown to play Ellis consistently was weird to me. Clearly he was worthy of a rotation spot earlier in the year.
I agree with this. Something seems off. Would be interesting to be a fly on the wall in their discussions to know what is really up.
For sure. Something seems a bit off, that’s for sure.
I think the issue is Brown has one particular style of offense and only guys who fit his style play or thrive. It’s quite stubborn and ridiculous.
Huerter/Barnes/Sasha/ Keegan even and Sabonis are not suited for this O. It makes me seriously question if Brown is right for this team. Plus, it’s not good for making championship runs—-which is what Brown claims the Kings are after.
Only way it works is if Brown gets guys for his system.
Brown preached D but IMO he only really started to practice it after Huerter (who tried, but was mediocre on D) went down. And despite all of Monk’s abilities, he’s one of the team’s worst defenders at the PoA.
But yeah, I would not be entirely surprised if there is some friction between Brown and Monte.
Agreed.
Before Monk got hurt I was looking forward to seeing him pair up with Ellis or with Fox too in three guard line ups. That way Ellis can take the POA (which he has elite potential at) and give Monk an easier defensive assignment. Basically what he was doing for Fox in the starting lineup.
What is Brown’s system and how does Sabonis not fit into it?
His system is dribble-drive-get into lane and dish it out to 3 point line. At which point the player shoots or drives into lane and repeat.
There are not set plays. It’s good for Fox/Monk and ???
When I watch I often see multiple DHO actions per possession with Domas. It seems successful for him with that 23 14 7 stat line and his averages for the year. The offense needs to evolve overall and Sabonis can still be disrupted when he is attacked as he starts his dribble but he fits this offense because it was created with him in mind. I also think Keegan can work well but NOP provides a difficult match-up for him. He averaged 11 ppg in the six games against then this year.
The losses to the Pelicans expose the largest weaknesses of the Kings. Namely a need for added length and athleticism. No Monk took away explosiveness from the bench, which may have been enough to get past them for one game.
Yes but the DHO is taken away in playoff hoops. So the O isn’t running through/around Sabonis and he and Briwn need to adjust.
Im talking about playoff O. Not regular season. That’s entirely different
The Kings ran a ton of DHO against the Pelicans. The problem was execution as players didn’t hit their threes. Better players are needed for this team to go further in the playoffs but naming every player on the team as not a fit is ridiculous. The Kings were not good enough but that doesn’t mean they aren’t good at all
First of all, I didn’t name every player on the team as not a fit. But quite a few of them are not a fit.
And I’m not the only one seeing this. James ham says the exact same thing. Because it’s true.
Secondly, they ran that O with splash threes. They did not adjust. They did not have any half court sets.
And just because I criticize the team doesn’t mean I don’t think they’re not good at all. But they definitely don’t have a half court off fence that does well in the playoffs. It was the same as last year. If you can’t see that I don’t know what to tell ya.
Completely agree.
I sometimes wonder if Brown understands how to use the talent he has. I think he is a good coach in some aspects but like you mentioned Jones, Duarte and McGee getting mins for too long is questionable.
And how it took Huerter getting injured to give Keon a real chance. He was forced into that decision he didn’t really make that choice. I was calling for Keon over Huerter months before it happened. Meanwhile Brown was calling for better defense and Keon is staring him in the face every day for most of the season.
I think Sasha never got a real chance. The timing of his injuries probably caused this to be fair so that one is not all on Brown.
That´s just not true. He´s a very good rebounder, is unselfish, has quite the knack for being in the right spot and while he´s not athletic or quick, he always tries to defend hard. He´s a smart player and giving him at least a chance to adapt a little to the NBA would have helped this team.
IMO the handling of Sasha was one of MB´s biggest failures this season.
I see people say this and I’m not sure what I’m missing. Very good rebounder? Based on what? The numbers don’t really reflect that. He tries hard? That’s nice but it also doesn’t mean he’s good at defense. The Kings were almost 9 points worse per 100 possessions with him on the floor. He had a true shooting percentage of 48! His rebound percentage was 11%. He was not good this year by any metric.
What happened with Sasha this year is nowhere near the top of my personal list of issues with this team.
I agree
Everything here you said is true but if you go 0-6 against a team and none of the games are all that close, there are no adjustments to make to get you over the hump. The Pelicans are more talented, and have very specific matchups that the Kings can’t counter. All the Kings worst tendencies are exacerbated because of the Pelicans length and physicality. The Rockets are exactly the same way just not quite as talented. It is what it is. The Kings need another Fox/Sabonis level player to compete in the west. They have very few avenues to accomplish that. It’s not great. Monte is going to have to work a miracle if this team wants to do anything more than compete in the play-in.
Last year was very clearly the outlier with so many West teams being injured or too young. Maybe we get lucky and other teams are injured next year but that’s really the only path unless we have major changes.
The Pels’ length issue has been echoed by everyone but I wonder if it has been really examined.
We did quite well against other teams with plenty of length (Twolves, Nuggets), but that is apparently irrelevant?
Not irrelevant but definitely some caveats. I don’t think Murray played in two out of the three Nuggets wins. They never had their full starting lineup against us in any of the losses. As for the Wolves, we beat them once without Jaden McDaniel and once without KAT. Not that the Kings didn’t play well in those games: I think they did. But I’m not sure we win as many of those games if the opposing teams are at full strength.
I think one of the big differences is NOP has multiple players with length who can bother Fox and get him off his spots. MINN and DEN have length but not the guys that really bother Fox.
NOP is just a terrible matchup no matter how you slice it.
Crazy thing is the Kings I think would give OKC or DEN some serious trouble in a series.
So right you are. This is why I didn’t like the Huerter and Sabonis deals longer term.
It was a disappointing, but completely expected loss and season
End of last year/playoff run issues were not addressed. After they made no trades at deadline in was like watching a death March to nowhere.
A disappointing season that will be a waste if Monte doesn’t learn from it. His inactivity/complacency won’t fly. Again-moves that needed to be made last year still have to be made.
Plus, Fox somehow choose to go away from his clutch game to chuck it up and Brown seems ?able with his lack of mailability. His offense/lack of plays-improv hoops is why the Kings seems so disjointed in clutch.
I do appreciate finding a 5/6 in Keon amd Keegs D improvement.
But this year the Kings went backwards.
Agree with all!
‘We got outplayed, outcoached and outhustled. Didn’t deserve the win.’
I would add first we got out GM’d. Looked like highschool vs middle school or big brothers vs little brothers. Outsized and out-athleted almost to a man.
I blame Monte. The issues are no secret and he did nothing over the past year. There were minor trades (Mavs, Suns did it) available at the deadline that could have helped. Enough to change the outcome? Probably not but at least moving in the right direction.
Tough loss. Our stars came to play tonight, and kept fighting even when completely gassed.
We mainly lost tonight’s game on the sideline and in the front office. As good a game as Mike Brown coached against the Ws, we looked completely without a game plan tonight. The offense devolved into single screen action with three guys standing around the perimeter as we shot 3 after 3. We never adjusted the scheme, and since Willie Green isn’t dumb, the Pels were able to close out with ease and disrupt us.
Our limited roster (small at most rotation spots, no one with the length and athleticism to hold up against Ingram, few shot creators) kept the game easy for the Pelicans. Blown assignments from the perimeter and weak rim protection from Domas let the Pels turn back any momentum.
This roster needs upgrades to stay competitive in the West. I think we will find out this summer whether the organization has the guts, smarts, money, and desire to become a contender. I’m hopeful.
Ingram looked like he was playing against middle schoolers could shoot right over anyone he wanted.
Lets face it we lost because we don’t have the talent most teams have. Fox is reallt good. Sabonis is reallt good. Murray has improved on the defensive side and has added some moves he didn’t have last year but still hasn’t showed me more on offense. He needs to wotk on his 3’s as well as other moves. Ellis has been a good find for Monty but you can’t rely him to be the savior. The rest of the team especially the bench as hard as they try don’t do much and aren’t much. Monty needs to make as many moves possible if its only one.He has a hard task to do this. He is not a miracle worker because every other team wants to do the same. GO KINGS!
Correct it, the Kings never gave up, except Keegan Murray………
He gave up the game in 4Qtr already, I learnt that from his poor defense, and body language, and he passed up wide open 3…and like RikSmits said previosly, he did not even has the guts to goes up for a layup when he got 1-on-1 chance…
Keegan missed his first couple shots and was completely gun-shy after that. He passed up multiple opportunities in 1Q alone, and missed more than one open, high-percentage shot because he hesitated. Keegan’s worst enemy is between his own two ears. If he can approach the game with consistent confidence and aggression, he will be a 2-way star. If not, he will be a career 4th or 5th option on any halfway-decent team.
But he never gave up.
Very disappointed, though the matchup clearly favored the Pels as this season’s 5 games showed. In spite of everything, it once again came down to making free throws. That was the difference in the final score. Kings failed miserably at the line, with DeAaron having an especially poor performance at the line. Two missed free throws should be counted as a turnover.
Thank you for bringing up the free throws. This team being the worst free throw shooting team in the league is just unacceptable.
Yes, the FTs! If they make 4 of their 7 misses. It is a close game late in the 4th. Most likely still a loss but a much better chance.
How about the turnovers. In one stretch 3 in a row and 4 out of 5.
If I was Monte I’d offer Atlanta this years first and a second to convey the pick. The West being the west, the Kings could have the exact same outcome next season, in which case the Hawks would get two second rounders I believe.
A first and second this year, seems better than two seconds two years from now.
I believe the 1st rounder is top 12 protected in 2025 & top 10 protected in 2026.
The Kings looked soft tonight and the effort was meh. They seemed to fold like puppies in the 3rd and the last minute spurt seemed like an effort to reduce the embarrassment of a 20 point blow out. There just wasn’t the same level of defensive intensity as the other night. I loved Sabonis for the effort but man, the guy try so hard and was still outplayed by Jonas.
PS: As annoying as KOC is, he was kind of spot on about this team.
To your final point, I agree! KOC is pretty insufferable but he’s also probably right. Which sucks. But the only way to improve is to objectively assess the team and figure out where the weaknesses are.
And there are weaknessess.
How was Sabonis “outplayed” by Jonas?
Apart from having one less blocked shot and the TO’s (which come with his role), he won every single other statistical category (points, rebounds, assists, steals, shooting percentage, FT’s).
The Kings got outplayed by the Pelicans, as a team.
Sabonis also won the minutes category – 15 mins more. Domas will always be a stats god but Jonas was a huge inside presence on defense and offense.
Yes, the whole team was outplayed but role players will always be inconsistent. That’s why they’re role player.
Fox was super inefficient but I can live with the game he had since everyone else was afraid to drive and afraid to shoot. However, I can’t live with my $200M center being outplayed and kinda dominated physically by the other team’s 5th option in the biggest game of the year.
You can’t argue with the Domas apologists, they’ll throw the empty stats at you. Anyone who watched the game could see that Jonas had a bigger impact. BBall is two sides of the floor and Domas sucks on one side of it.
I will say this is why Sacramento Kings fans are the best in the league. Mediocre team and mediocre players and people will defend it…even the great Jerry Reynolds
Who was and still is a better coach and GM than you will ever be. Look at the stats.
Jonas had a plus/minus of -4. The Kings got killed when Larry Nance played center.
Sabonis was a -7?
Your right, Their team is better. For Sabonis being outplayed you need to look at the stats.
Why is KOC annoying, he saw what only King’s fans with blinders on couldn’t see. And his position on Domas is spot on.
It’s annoying KOC’s right! I’m a Domas fan and would’ve loved nothing more for him to shove it in everyone’s face.
But Jonas is an all-time play-in “god”…
There was no surprise tonight. This team is exposed for what it truly is by the Pelicans consistently. The weak points to be addressed in the off season have not changed.
Do something about it MM.
That is what annoys me about Monte, these are known issues and he did nothing in the past year to address them. Nothing!
The season is dead ☠️
Long Live Next Season 👑
Things this team need to do:
1) Move on from Brown. He gave us a playoff season but he will never give us a championship. I’d rather we upgrade Jordi as the head coach because he has proven he knows what needs to be done. Thank you Mike Brown for your contributions but your style of coaching will never win us a championship.
2) Get a better starting 4 that can block shots. Move Barnes to the bench and move on from either Davion, Monk or both. Keon earned his starting spot. Give him more minutes and I can see him flourish.
3) Trade Huerter for someone, anyone. He was unplayable in the playoffs and this season. I love Red Velvet but he’s struggling and badly needs a new environment. He still has value cos he is on a team friendly contract. Get to it Monte!
4) Fox is a star and so is Sabonis. They still need to improve but Brown ain’t cutting it. They need a better coach to push them more and have at least a better gameplan when the 3s don’t fall. Keegan has IT he just needs consistency.
Overall, I am disappointed with this season. Hopefully this will be the last year we’ll struggle and make the necessary adjustments, no matter how painful it might be. Peace out y’all, Kings 4 Lyf!
I thoroughly agree with 1 to 3.
I’m no longer confident in MM to make the right moves.
Agree with all. Brown needs to be gone or they have to bring in players for his system. But even then, he’s not using Sabs correctly.
and what concerns me overall about Monte and Sabonis is that a traded away shooting in Halliburton. And Halliburton is the best player of these three players. So did he risk it all for players that aren’t great in the playoffs and can’t shoot?
It’s still to be determined with Sabonis I think. And I also think the coach matters for him.
Fox can be good in playoffs if the coaches would get him to play to his strengths. Not just 3s
First of all your #1. Jordi just became the Nets head coach so you can forget that. I agree that Barnes would be good coming off the bench. We use our MLE to go after Jalen Smith. 6’10” can rebound, protect the weakside rim and shoot the 3. Yes use Huerter in a trade.
Well. Fun season I guess?
Going to take some time to determine what should be next. Tough loss. The Kings deserved it though. Far too much lack of focus this year. Blow 1 or 2 less 20 point leads and they’re not in this situation.
That said, man the Pelicans are a good team. Big, long, and athletic while missing one of the biggest, most athletic guys in the league. All the things that the Kings are not.
Onto the off-season. Many decisions to be made.
Just as the Warrior game highlighted everything that was right, New Orleans picked apart the weaknesses.
This team has two clear and different stars in the foundational team player in Domas and the highlight star in Fox.
They were stars again, as they have been all last season and this season.
But Keegan further growth must translate to consistency. Keon even more. As for the rest- Lyles, Davion aren’t much of a bench. Monk would’ve helped, tonight particularly. Fox had to take 30 shots because no one else would take the initiative. Keon passed open looks, and Keegan was rookie-like and unsure after going 1-5. Sabonis shot more than he’s comfortable because the offense was stagnant. 9 assists. 9!
The Kings need more aggressive talent – they simply can’t return with this roster next season. And it’s going to co$t. This draft gives them a FRP to either trade, package with another player, or convey to Atlanta – who will likely love to have the pick now – to pick themselves or package to move up or trade as they face some big decisions themselves this off season.
The Long Summer starts tomorrow for us Kings fans.
A new playoff drought begins
(Playoffs once in 18 seasons)
Sorry guys, I can’t help but make this comment, It is my own personal opinion or strong feeling since I saw him back with the Kings org. Maybe a little bit pissed off on how he ran the franchise during his tenure.
Once I heard that Vlade Divac was back with the Kings org under some capacity, I said to myself the Kings season is doomed.
correction – very, very, very pissed off. not a little bit pissed off.
Agree 100%. He shouldn’t be allowed within 100 miles of G1C. I mean what if a meteor hit during a FO meeting and only Vlade survived?
Thank you for agreeing. I just don’t like him back.
Divac a great player. Divac as a GM the worst. If they bring him back in some capacity don’t let him make any decisions.
Was brutal…what about the trade idea I proposed earlier : Barnes+Huerter+Monk (sign and trade) for Poole+Avdija ? Gives us a good and athletic 4 + a good 6th man ?
Don’t let Jordan Poole within 1000 miles of the Kings’ home locker room. That guy is the dumbest, brain-dead delusional chucker in the league.
You maybe right but how do you get a nice 4 ?
Through FA. Go no further than Jalen Smith.
Love Marshall and Dyson Daniels, maybe they could be had…especially Marshall
Greg really? Get Fox some help?
12-29, 4/16 from 3 was emblematic of his inefficient season.
we need to discuss if Fox was even a positive entity for the Kings this year as a volume scorer or suboptimal efficiency, without being a good facilitator or defender
There it is…
I do think there is a discussion to be had there.
Fox was a reasonably efficient 10 of 20 (4 of 10 from 3-pt range) through the first 3 quarters. His efficiency fell off a cliff in the 4th quarter when he tried to bring the team back from that 20 pt deficit by taking the first available shot instead of taking the time to work for a good shot.
It’s a trend though. Fox and Monk hero ball in the 4th by going ISO or jacking 3s is not a recipe for success. I really believe there is a misconception that Fox and Monk are good shooters, when they reality is, they are simply not. Call it coaching, roster makeup, or player traits, it’s still not good basketball to have those guys taking contested 3s.
Something has to change.
Coach Brown has been focusing on defense this year, and said he’ll focus more on offense next year. the 4th quarter hero ball gets a bit tougher for Fox when he has to play defense all game. Have to improve at PF and draft a good player.
I call BS.
Brown only really started focusing on D after the AS break, and even then, IMO the most impactful improvements were due to roster changes after injuries, not due to some grand design by Brown.
Also, these are professional NBA players. Can’t he work on two things in tandem, for crying out loud?
Exactly. It’s a ridiculous thing to say/excuse for not adjusting.
A good coach can and should.
I’d give him the benefit of the doubt.
Next year? What the fuck is that? If Broen actually said that? That’s a joke. Horrible if that’s his excuse.
the offense was tops in the league last year and the defense was near the bottom. before he arrived, the defense was historically bad. so it made sense to prioritize improving the defense, which they did. obviously they worked on offense also.
They worked on the O? No they didn’t. They got much worse on O.
And the D improved mostly by benching Heurter and starting Ellis.
Brown should not have gone backwards with the O and there no excuse to not fix both this year.
I agree Fox is not a good 3 point shooter but not a bust either. His bread and butter is to attack the rim or pull up for a midrange. He can shoot a couple of threes during the game. What the Kings really need is someone at the 2 to help relieve the pressure on Fox open up the court for him. Someone who can score as well. A one two punch at the top. Huerter to me doesn’t do it. Just a hypothetical answer would be someone like Dejounte Murray who can score and open up the other side of the court for Fox. It would take quite a bit to get him but IMO would be worth it. Pick up Jalen Smith in free agency and now you have a scorer in Murray and a defender at the 4 to help Sabonis. Smith can rebound, orotect the weakside rim stretch the floor and run. He is young and hasn’t reached his full potential. With Fox Murray Murray Smith and Sabonis you have a really good starting five. Now work on tne bench. If you can’t get Murray then look at Mikal Bridges to run the SG. He would cost more than Murray but if possible add a Day Ron Sharpe with the package. Now you have a good young tough backup center.
I have been very critical of Fox and I do agree with your points I have echoed them at times. But to be fair to Fox, with Monk out he almost has no choice at times to force shots. Nobody else on the roster can create their own shot.
It’s a roster flaw and coaching flaw as much as anything.
Fox is an individual contributor…not a leader.
Fox is replaceable.
Veriy much agree!
Unfortunately, he definitely went backwards on O -taking away his superpower-most clutch game in the league. That’s what made Fox great.
But this year-eschews mid range/floater/drive for 3. Worse % age from the field and freethtow line and not clutch cause of it
He just needs to get back to that. Because, credit to Fox for his D and getting better at the 3. Just lost focus on where his value is. How to be efficient. Which shits to take. Coaches should have gotten him back to last years model.
Keon Ellis with his best Klay Thompson impersonation. This is where bringing back Terrance Davis as injury insurance could have helped. There is no one on the bench who can come in and spark the offense besides Monk.
You rag on Keon for one game and dismiss as nothing. Shame on you.
Mike Brown made absolutely no adjustments through out the game. He might be the Kings’ Mark Jackson.
MM should have had the balls to drop Brown and give the HC job to Jordi.
And that is why every regular season game counts. Losses to basement teams (Portland, Charlotte, etc), giving up huge leads and losing (Chicago, etc), gets you in the play-in.
They need upgrades throughout the roster, and I really hope Monte has a plan to improve next season.
MM having a plan? Lol.
Great point.
Which would make me want to know from Brown, should you have switched from Huerter to Ellis early in the season?
I think if he had made the switch and they are better defensively as a team in December instead of March, they win some of those games. And we are discussing a 3-6 matchup or better instead of what went wrong.
If this is what you believe and if MB chooses Ellis over Huerter next season, you should be hopeful. Winning a handful of those games like those that we gave away would put us around 50 wins with a good shot at a guaranteed playoff berth.
Yeah, I’d like to see Keon in the starting 5 next year.
He’s good but not that good; I would use him both as a PG and SG of the bench to help Fox and or who is our SG for next year. Also a great backup PG or SG if heaven forbid either gets hurt. He will get his minutes.
Alright. Had a night to let the kids set in. Time to turn the page. What’re we gonna do to get better? Helps me to out my thoughts in writing. Here goes.
all is not lost. On to next year!
Let the loss set in. I really gotta proof before hitting post. Why does my autocorrect equate loss with kids?
The dark horse trade candidate is Murray. He improved in all facets this season, but if the Kings don’t think he can ever assume the role of 3rd Star, now is the time to move him with other assets for a guy who is already that kind of player. It would kill me, b/c Murray is my favorite King, but Monte has a history of trading popular young players with high potential for “sure thing” stars that don’t need any time to develop or come with any uncertainty about their ceilings (see: Haliburton/Sabonis).
DeRosen no way. Murray definitely yes. It will take a lot but as an example let the Hawks use thier option for this year. # 13 or 14 isn’t bad then add Huerter, Lyles , Mitchell 2 firsts and 2 seconds and trade for Murray, Bey and Griffin. Atlanta should do this, They want to trade Murray don’t play Bey and think Griffin is a bust. Murray starts along side Fox giving him the player he should have next to him to talke off a lot of pressure. With those 2 at PG and SG now you have a great tandem. Murray now plays SF where IMO is where he should be. Use our MLE to pick up Jalen Smith.An up and coming big man much better than Barnes. Can rebound, defend the weakside rim and shoots the 3 around 40%. Yound and still improving. Bey and Griffin along with Ellis and Barnes gives you a much better benck. Still have Duarte, Vezenkov and Edwards as a small trading chip although I still like Edwards.
I don’t think Davion should be playing at all and HB deserves backup minutes at best, it’s been a problem all year. Pels are one team you try Sabonis with Len or McGee. Lyles should’ve got more minutes all year, many of Barnes minutes. Keegan is way too inconsistent for Kings to be a good team, problem all year. Mike Brown had a good year coaching last year but was average this year. With no injuries this is a pretty good team and with some it’s a little above average as we saw at end of year.
Monte has shown he can make some good moves but still hasn’t proven he can turn this team into a contender and Brown to me is good at his best, never been great.
Stopped watching game near beginning of 4th because it just wasn’t fun, disappointed in what I saw last night but it’s just sports so I don’t take any of it too seriously. Will always love this team hopefully we improve next year.
The kings can’t play real basketball. Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray are not power forwards. In fact, they’re mostly perimeter fairies floating around the 3-point line. Not much playmaking and almost no rebounds. This team needs a major power forward and more paint prowess to compete. The Warriors worked because Draymond is a terrific passer, rebounder and defender… And Curry-Thompson are once in a lifetime accurate shooters. I don’t think we have a starting shooting guard, small forward or power forward. Barnes is still a good piece of the bench, maybe. Huerter and Monk are both bench SGs. Monk could start but would lose all that firepower off the bench. A lot needs to be done, I’ll never understand the lack of effort from Monty in the offseason after such a brilliant job getting to that point.
I think Barnes and Murray floating around the perimeter is by design. Brown system is grounded in spray threes. I guarantee you a different coach or system would change those guys’ roles.
Maybe. But Keegan is soft, he will never post up or box out bigger players. You have to be able to run plays and get two point baskets consistently. If you have an off night hoisting contented threes you’re done. Teams that can pass, rebound and score in the paint will usually beat a finesse three point team. In those terms we have Fox and Sabonis and Monk and then nothing.
‘Oh come on. Keegan isn’t soft. He is constantly boxing out even bigger players that’s why he is the second best rebounder on the team. And by the way you call taking a charge soft you try it some day.
I totally agree.
You better get your facts together. Murray is the second best rebounder next to Sabonis. IMO Monk will not be a King next year. I do agree Barnes coming off the bench is good.
Hoping your players transform in the offseason and become something they’re not is a loser mentality from the front office, the Ben Simmons saga taught me that.
At one point in the 4Q Barnes and Sasha were the frontcourt and I remember thinking, if this is your answer, you indeed are “just lucky to be here”.
Fun team for sure that looks like a 9 or 10. If I were Fox I’d probably be thinking of asking for a trade.
I’m not sure what worries more: Fox demanding a trade or Monte giving him a max extension.
Fox isn’t going to demand a trade.
This. And it specifically applies to the three best players on the Kings. They’re not going to suddenly get better. (Keegan may get to peak Harrison Barnes level at some point, but that’s not going to add more than a couple more wins.)
This team is not going to get more than a few games better by tinkering around with the bench, especially after Monk leaves. I don’t see the front office making an aggressive deal involving Fox, Sabonis or Murray, but without major changes, the Kings will be lucky to lose in the first round next season and we’ll all be back here again having the exact same conversation.
At this point, Fox and Sabonis are not going to get any better. They are at their peak. If Monte comes to the conclusion that he can’t tinker around the edges to make the team significantly better, then it just may be best to move one of them (maybe even both?)
Monte has Sabonis locked up long term and will be paying him $50M in the last year of his deal. Fox is up for an extension and could potentially approach $60M in his final years. Does Monte keep both of those guys at the price if you are a middling play-in team or first round exit.
Now, what if Fox doesn’t sign that extension and goes into next season with just 2 years remaining? I think you have to explore moving him before he asks for a trade. Monte could possibly get multiple first round picks for Fox this summer as any team getting him can give him that extension that the Kings may be wavering on.
Just and example, Orlando could take his deal and give some nice assets in return. Something like Wendall Carter Jr, Anthony Black, Jalen Suggs and 2 first round picks is akin to the deal Ainge got for Mitchell in Utah. I’m not necessarily advocating for hit, but I’m sure there could be a haul for Fox if Monte chose to go in that direction.
Get something for Fox before he is worth less or leaves as a free agent.
This team’s ceiling is well established and Fox is the ceiling.
I’m really beginning to agree. Utah did it with Mitchell, PDX did it with Dame and CJ, Spurs cashed out heavily with Dejounte Murray, even the Dubs did it back in the day with Monte Ellis.
It’s not like Fox is a Curry, Dirk or Kobe that you pay to keep forever because they brought you titles. When you come to the conclusion that your fringe all-star guard isn’t going to get you there, you need to maximize a return while you can or you may end up with a John Wall or Bradley Beal anchor of a contract.
Fox is fast and athletic. Both of those erode with age. He doesn’t lead a team or dominate a game. When he scores thirty five the other team will score 130.
Fox has a big role but he isn’t the one to take this team beyond where it is now. I truly think Haliburton is gone because Fox wasn’t going to return anything decent.
Fox is a good player just not the one this team needs.
I could swear that Fox scored 35 last night, and the Pels only scored 105.
Who won?
So the other team only has to score 105 to beat Fox at 35. Thanks for the support.
Happy to lend whatever support I can muster since we agree so often.
Appreciate it.
Who is the Markannen level player in that return? Suggs is good, Carter Jr. Is fine, and Black is up an coming.
I know you laid out a thought experiment/example, just wondering if that (hypothetical) return of players would do it for Monte.
I’d say Suggs is that guy. Lauri was’t an all-star when he was in Cleveland. He was just good. Also, Donovan Mitchell is better than Fox. I also think it would be good to get a rookie asset like Black in any deal, plus I think he’s going to be good, like in a Josh Giddey/Dejounte Murray kind of way. He’s just buried on a team full of guards.
Yeah, I forgot Lauri wasn’t the same guy he is now on the Jazz when traded for. I do like Suggs, always thought he would be a good player.
That would be an amazing deal for us
As much as I would hate it I would have to really ponder on your above trade. Now you also don’t have one big contract but 3 smaller ones which would really help in the future. Adamsite a question to the above trade would Suggs be your starting point guard? I like Carter next to Sabonis and IMO Black is really up and coming.
Murray is already better than Barnes. He scores more and rebounds a heck of a lot more than Barnes does. Look at the stats before start comparing. And IMO Murray is only in his second year. Wait until he’s 31. He will have been an all star more over.
Ok Adamsite I thought about your trade idea and this is what I came up with. Murraytant is going to go crazy. Take those 2 firsts or one or two of ours and add Huerter, Lyles and Mitchell and trade for Dejounte Murray Shaddiq Ben and AJ Griffin. Bey doesn’ even play and Griffin is pretty much a forgotten player. Still pick up Jalen Smith. Now your starting 5 would be Murray at PG, Ellis or Suggs at SG, Keegan at SF, Carter or Smith at PF and Sabonis. Your bench would be very much improved with Black at PG, Ellis or Suggs at SG, Bey or Griffin at SF Barnes or Edwards at PF and either Carter or Smith at center. Jones would still be factored in. What say you?
They have an overall lack of talent in the roster.
Fox and Sabonis are top 30 players.
Murray/Monk are maybe in the 60-100 range (?)
Then a 10 mile wide chasm, and you get to Barnes? Huerter?
Keon and Lyles are fine bench guys, but the 3-6 guys need to be better.
This teams window for being any kind of threat in the West is closing fast..
They need a 2, 3, and Solid 4. Murray, Barnes, Ellis and Huerter don’t scare any good team in the West. In addition Sabonis is a great regular season player that will always be exposed in the playoffs.
This team is multiple players from being a real threat.
I am in the minority here.MM is taking a lot of blame here. But what does he really have in the cupboard.
Think about it. Your assets are Huerter, Mitchell, Barnes, Len.Jones, etc. Mid level cap room, and late first rounders
What in the world do you think Monte could get for that grab bag? All of those players are rotation players at best in this point of their career. No one wants Barnes or Huerters contract.
Everyone wants MM to be aggressive. But with what assets?
This team is not loaded with cap, young assets or picks. Teams that are loaded and will probably pass the Kings in the standings the next year or 2.
Rockets, Spurs, Pels will improve even more with so many extra picks and tons and tons of young assets.
Much of the GMs job is identifying and developing assets. How many seasons until Monte bears full responsibility for the roster?
It’s 100% his. The only players not originally put on the team by him are Fox and Barnes, but Monte gave Fox an extension in 2020 and re-signed Barnes last summer.
There are no holdovers or pick obligations from the Vlade era.
Well said. This is 100 per on MM. hope he owns it in the end of season presser.
His job is on the line, if we miss the playoffs next season he is likely gone. So I expect him to make moves this offseason.
I think McNair has two more seasons no matter what happens. This seems like a pretty risk-averse front office, so while I’d like to see aggressiveness, I don’t expect it.
Agreed. I also think that Browns should have one more season, despite my misgivings. But if Brown is not able to take a step forward next year, he’s most likely gone. OIr should be, at least.
Exactly.
Those are all assets the front office acquired, so any lack of assets is on them.
Everyone wants MM to be aggressive. But with what assets? Vivek’s excess money.
Just read all the comments. Didn’t have the stomach for it last night. There were a lot of good, clear takes despite the depressing outcome that was sadly foreseeable. Here are mine:
-Brown does seem like the kind of coach who gets you to that first level of respectability but not farther. He really is a ‘system’ coach, who can’t make the adjustments needed to win against certain opponents, or coach the final possessions of a game.
-Monte/Brown really underestimate the physical aspect of the game, as well as the need for size. There’s no better example than the recent New York game. They got outmuscled and pushed around.
-I now see why Indiana got the better of the trade, or why the Kings need more moves to maximize Sabonis and Fox. Halliburton is a real deal playmaker and Turner is a real deal rim protector. Sabonis and Fox are not those things. Sabonis needs help up front, and Fox needs another passer so he can focus on scoring, or they need to do some old fashioned high pick and roll to get him some space for his great midrange game.That’s what he’s good at.
I remember something about Monte ‘seeing how this group does’ before making any more big moves. OK, we just saw.
For those who want to trade Fox and/or Domas, who would replace them? Do you trade for picks and blow it up? I remember KOC saying to upgrade from Domas but who is an upgrade that isn’t Embiid, Jokic? The kings really need to get out of being a middling good team (like the Hawks) next year.
That’s why I’m currently of the mindset that if you decide to move one of them for assets, it’s Fox. What Domas does is much harder to replace. Fox is in the camp of Tre Young, Dejounte Murray, Terry Rozier, etc. Those types of players are far more common than Sabonis, who can lead the team in both assists and rebounds.
I should add that Domas is not just he team leader ins boards and assists, but the league leader in rebounds and is 5th in the NBA in assists. That normally takes two players to replace that…unless you have Jokic.
I would say that 75% of NBA teams have a Fox on their team.
Domas is one of ten.
I like the options with Fox and Orlando. They have a number of young guards and need scoring punch. I would be looking for a player on the Keegan timeline (or even younger) and picks + expirings. If the expirings can actually play, great.
Most other potential Fox destinations have a guy similarly aged, but who I deem likely to age better/be a better value. I’d still like to get more assets in these deals. Other Fox destinations I’d explore: Brooklyn (Bridges), Hawks (Murray, if they also deal Trae), Cleveland (Garland).
Anthony Black is on the Keegan timeline and is still on his rookie deal. I’d almost insist on him in any proposed Fox deal.
I might even prefer service players (Suggs and Carter Jr.) over expiring and picks. Orlando is going to be very good for many years so their picks may not be worth all that much.
If we were able to get Murray he would play point for a year or two then bring in Black and move Murray to SG. Real nice combination.
Not Murray and Trae. They proved they couldn’t work together. I would take Bey and Griffin instead.
If Fox is the one traded, my question is whether there are any players the kings could get in return who have a higher talent ceiling than Fox.
I came up with only 2 potential candidates.
Ja Morant – I could see Memphis getting tired of his off court baggage plus he has had some injuries. This trade could have a similar feel to the Richmond Webber trade.
La Melo Ball – he has had a lot of injuries. Maybe Charlotte is tired of dealing with that and wants someone more dependable.
I’m curious if anyone thinks there is another player who has a higher ceiling than fox that we could obtain in trade. Also curious if you think Memphis/charlotte would seriously consider those deals?
I see Charlotte being more than willing to deal Ball, but he hasn’t shown to be a winning player. It would be very hard to acquire a player with a higher talent ceiling.
What you’d have to settle for is basically resetting and avoiding giving Fox the contract where he is maybe even money the first season, then $10m negative the 2nd season, worse the 3rd season, and so on. That gets you to a bad place.
To simplify, unless I can get a player better than Keegan this offseason, I would trade Fox for a top 4 pick in the 2025 draft. Would Detroit do that at the deadline to lock in an All-Star?
Your taking a chance. Try all other options first like a trade for Murray before gambling.
I personally believe Dejounte Murray is close to Fox.
If you trade one if Fox n Ox, may as well trade the other. Domas at 4/$186 isn’t very tradeable imo, you’re just not going to get very good offers. Fox should land a haul on the other hand, especially given the contract he’s on.
I’d be fine with a full teardown, Fox n Ox as your two highest paid max players is never getting you to the Finals, so what’s the point? That was the fallacy in trading away Hali, you completely destroyed your potential future ceiling.
I agree with Adamsite. A center like Sabonis would be better to stay than Fox.
Does anybody else sense a potential shift in the league’s dominant playing style in the years to come? GSW’s reign is at an end, and many of the today’s dominant players are bigs (Jokic, Giannis, Embiid), as well as future stars (Wemby). Teams dependent on outside shooting and movement, like the Kings, have serious problems against opponents with superior size, strength, and skill in the middle. When the shots aren’t falling, the finesse-based O’s can’t get enough rebounds or easy paint attempts. IMHO, the death of the big man has been greatly exaggerated. Quality bigs provide a huge advantage, especially since so many teams took the small-ball, perimeter-dependent schemes to an extreme in recent years. There’s a reason why Wemby was consensus #1, why Jokic is MVP, why Embiid and Giannis get so much love… and why the Pels, with Valanciunas and Co., just kick the Kings’ perimeter-oriented asses every single time.
Sarr, the projected #1 pick this year, is also a big
I love Fox N Ox. But I don’t think that ‘the power forward is dead’ or ‘let’s surround these two with slow, soft perimeter guys’ were sound strategies after pairing those two. There is an art to getting role players. Monte hasn’t shown enough skill at it yet. He’d better show it this off season. The league has plenty of 2’s who can shoot, pass, drive, and defend a little, and plenty of 4’s who defend the rim and make an open jumper. You don’t need Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. C’mon Monte, you can do it.
Yay, we get to keep our draft pick…!!!
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