There’s little glory in being a backup big, especially when the guy you’re backing up is one of your team’s best players. The best backup bigs make a name for themselves with their hustle and energy, coming in off the bench to provide some good defense, rebounding and the occasional bucket. Scot Pollard is a fan favorite to this day for his role as a hustle big back in the glory days despite only ever averaging about 6 points a game.
Alex Len has been on the Kings for four seasons now, including the last three in a row, mostly as a backup for Richaun Holmes and then Domantas Sabonis. His stats are pedestrian, averaging just 2.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 9.3 minutes a game this season, but he was a positive for the Kings when he came in to relieve Sabonis.
Despite seemingly winning the primary backup big role towards the end of last season, Coach Brown tended to go back and forth between Len and the newly added JaVale McGee at the beginning of the season. Len eventually fully won the role over the older McGee about midway through the season and kept it because of his consistency. McGee tended to be flashier but also more erratic, whereas Len was quiet, steady and more importantly, effective in his limited minutes.
As one of the only true rim protectors on the team, Len gave the Kings a much different look than when Domantas Sabonis was in. Defensively, the Kings were 11.4 points per 100 possessions better defensively with Len in the game, by far the biggest on-off defensive impact of any single Kings player. Len’s size and length actively deterred opponents around the basket, and he actually posted a career-high block rate of 6.8% this season. Per NBA.com, opponents shot 8.7% worse from the field than average when they were within 6 feet of the basket and guarded by Len.
Len was also a positive for the Kings offensively, with the Kings offense performing about 3.3 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor, giving him a total net rating of +14.7, the best on the team per Basketball-Reference. Sacramento’s offense tended to be more guard and Pick & Roll oriented when Len was in the game, and most of his offense came from finishing off dunks as the roll man or hitting the short jump hook in the paint (86.4% of his total attempts came from within 10 feet).
It’s not that Len can’t shoot from outside, as he has clearly demonstrated an ability to be able to hit the occasional jumper. There was one memorable shot late in the season against the Lakers where he faked a dribble hand off and instead turned and shot from just inside the three point line to hit a long jumper at the end of a quarter.
Len has shown in the past, particularly in his final full season in Atlanta where he shot 36.3% from three on 204 attempts, that he can hit the outside shot, but his time in Sacramento has largely seen him avoid that. Under Mike Brown, Len has only shot five total threes and not made any.
Len enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and while much of the focus is on bringing back Malik Monk, I would like to see the Kings bring back Len too if they can. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable, knows the team and the system, and he probably won’t be too expensive.
Knows his role, limitations, the system, etc., and hopefully be backing up Sabonis for a while in Sacramento.
Let the man play!
Could be interesting seeing some minutes with him and Sabonis together?
Still don’t really understand why it took the coaching staff that long to make Len the back-up center, but I’m glad they did. He’s tough, sets good screens, can play out of the high-post a little bit, and plays relatively good defense. Also seems to be a genuine good guy, who’s never complained (externally) about his lack of playing time.
Hope the Kings bring him back on a multi-year deal. Reward the (back-up) big!
The Javale experiment should have ended much earlier in the season. One of the many head scratchers by the coaching staff during the season.
Javale played basketball in a Kings uniform?
He was on the court, but “played basketball” didn’t really happen.
Look, JaVale scored more for the duds on his goal tend than klank did in the paly in game. Give him a break. He outscored a HOFer
Yeah Coach MB was TERRIBLE at adjusting to how players were performing when it was obvious to everyone else
Brown has his favorites and he is too stubborn and apparently too bad of a talent evaluator to acknowledge that.
He let KZ Okpala start games, for crying out loud. Alex Oriakhi would have been better.
I think the problem is the entire offense is designed around Sabonis being a facilitator. Len just isn’t that kind of player, so when Sabonis sits the entire offense needs to adjust. Brown needs a “Sabonis lite” type player in the backup spot
For the past 2 years the Kings really could have used a backup center that not only sets good screens, rebounds, and protects the rim, but is also at least an average passer. Olynyk and Plumlee come to mind.
When it comes to Len, he has been on the Kins for 3 years, so doesn’t that mean they have his Bird Rights? Doesn’t that mean they could go over the cap to re-sign him beyond a vet minimum deal?
So maybe like a Neemias Queta who was solid at all of those things and was one of the best passing big men in college? The same guy that was not good enough for this team and staff evaluators but was good enough for 12 minutes a game for the best team in the league…
Piss poor roster management/eval by the coaching staff.
Guys that play 12 minutes and have very little impact on games are difference makers we need.
Why not bring back Giles? Jimmer?
We have Jordan Ford and other G league guys..what about them?
All of these guys are good basketball players.
dude what?! This whole article is about a backup big you dolt lol
we had a young decent one under team control and just cut him
Losing Queta ended the season.
He killed it after he left.
I am a dolt?
That is a new one. Always great to see the name calling. Have a different opinion….call them names.
Giles would be great actually. Please!
He actually would be worth a shot.
Meh, Queta played in 28 games and those minutes were inflated due to injuries.
Yeah…Queta had to go.
My point was he isn’t anything that was going to improve this team.
So many Kings fans have been conditioned to believe in potential vs. reality.
Neemias didn’t want to sign another two-way deal with the Kings. So he went to free agency and found out his value was… a two-way contract. The Celtics opted to play Luke Kornet over him. A Boston big man the Kings might want to take a look at is Xavier Tillman.
this did seem odd.
As The great Jerry Reynolds brought up in the last podcast… Jonas Valančiūnas
i think it’s a great idea.
Big man classic. Just does the things you need a big to do. This season was a little wonky with the health, but he also surprised with his defense, it felt like he generated timely stops a fair amount. Excellent back up big.
Excellent lunch pail pro and quality backup. Probably the best backup center since Kosta, who was the best backup center since Pollard.
Monte is goning to have to fill the backup hole. Currently the only “bigs” still under contract are Sabonis and Lyles. A stretch 4/5 combo is something this team could really use. I wonder if John Collins could be had from Utah. The Jazz really only gave up a 2nd round pick for him and Lauri is better suited at the 4. Could the #13 and a contract like Huerter or Barnes get it done?
I don’t even know if a 1st needs to be included.
I think Utah got him cheap because they ate his contract into space for an expiring Rudy Gay. ATL was desperate to move him and Utah took advantage. I don’t think they’ll part with him as cheap as ATL did. They have no reason to and he was productive for them.
I’m guessing Ainge is still in asset collecting mode so maybe the Kings could off load Huerter AND Barnes in a deal for Collins? Throw in some 2nd round picks for Utah to eat their deals? I feel he’d be a cheaper get than Kuzma and fits the Kings better as a weak side rim protector next to Sabonis.
Collins would be nice, I do like him. I hope the injuries don’t creep back up. If they get Collins, and maybe both Jalen Smith and Naji Marshall, along with retaining Monk, then the offseason may be a success.
Then draft Ja’Kobe Walter as a future SG off the bench to provide some scoring and athleticism.
I did some advanced stats on both Jalen Smith and John Collins.These stats have Smith first and Collins second. Off. rating 133.7 to 120.6. Def. rating 125.6 to127.8. Ner rating 8.1 to –7.2(big difference). TS% 68.2 to 62.1. effective TG 67.0 to 59.0. offensive RB 12.1 to 9.2. defensive RB 24.3 to 24. RB% 18.2 to 16.7. AST BLK STL% about the same. TO@ 9.1 to 16.6. Overall both can provide offense with Collins leading in this area. The biggest area IMO is Collin’s defense. Not very good. Because of this area I would start Smith at PF just so he can protect the weakside rim. Sabonis can rebound no question but he really needs backup help especially when he has to come out to defend leaving the middle open. Smith IMO would do a better job protecting his backside. Smith also shoots the 3 over 40%. He is younger and although you are taking a risk he has alot to improve and in the long run(only 23 ) has potential to be a really good PW. My choice but who am I? Definitely not Monty.
I have since read reports that Collins can be a rim protector if HE WANTS TO. That’s a big question. How do we find out. I’m sure Monty will do his homework on this. If it comes out positive than I have no quams about starting him at the 4. Jalen Smith then can backup the 4 and 5 or if Collins isn’t doing good then he can step in and produce.
definitely Smith over Collins and I think Smith is a FA and has a logjam in Inday- an easier “get”
Marshall is URFA- and so are Derrick Jones and Royce O’Neill
I would also rather have Vanderbilt who is not a FA
Ahhhhhh, you mean like Willie cauley stein.
I too would prefer Smith in free agency using some part of the MLE. The idea of Collins was also to get out of the contracts of Huerter and/or Barnes.
Like I said, both could happen and the Kings do need bigs, especially a backup 5. Going after both players fills major holes.
not Collins, please. a second rate guy- all empty calories
I’d rtather have Jalen Smith than Collins. Would also like to include #13 and 2026 first and 2030 first for Mikal Bridges. Nets really would like to have those picks. Have to include either Batnes and Mitchell or Huerter and Lyles in the deal. Wow: Fox, Bridges, Murray, Smith and Sabonis. Pretty good starting 5.
I’m not sure the Nets are willing to move Bridges. I also don’t think the Kings need to swing for homeruns either. A couple of solid doubles could really take the team up a notch or two.
I can see a world where the Kings can trade for Collins (any combo of Huerter/Barnes/#13/2nd round picks) AND add a piece like Jalen Smith with the MLE. Kings could still re-sign Monk and basically return the same backcourt rotation. Shoot maybe they could even use the BAE and snag a wing like Naji or Bey.
Fox, Monk, Davion
Ellis, Monk, Jones
Keegan, Naji/Bey, Duarte
Collins, Smith, Lyles
Sabonis, Smith, Lyles
That’s what I was thinking. Get longer and more athletic, while hopefully maintaining the same level of shooting.
I do think Huerter will have a bounce back season. Just need to get defenders on the court with him too. Smith and Marshall would help there.
Alright I could go for this. I need to do some reserch on a couple of trade packages.
Question. Do we have the BAE? I thought you had to be over the cap to have one.
The Kings do have their BAE as they are over the cap, but under the tax. I believe it’s value is around $4.5M. It would likely be used on someone who is worth a bit more than a vet minimum deal, but not worth the MLE. My guess is it won’t be used. It’s kind of a break in case of emergencies exception, since once you use it, you don’t have it the following year.
If we could get Naji Marshall or Shaddiq Bey I would take a chance and do it Looking now and not in the future.
For sure, but my guess is they would want more than that. I would think they are close to the value Monk was when he was a free agent after being on the Lakers. He signed a 2 year $19M deal two season ago.
In order to get Bridges you have to trade with compatible player contracts and at least 3 first rounders. My question is aren’t the King’s first rounders closer to second rounders than lootery picks. Except this years #13. So wouldn,t it be better to trade for a player like Bridges than trying to get a player like him with late first round picks?
I might look at Collins as the King’s starting PF if and I say if we can convince him to play defense especially at the rim and weakside rim. He has to be willing to do this.
Collins is entering his 8th year in the league and the plan is to “convince” him to play defense? Lol.
agree. Once you reach I need to be convinced stage, you are not worth it.
Yup. You should be out of the league honestly.
Yeah, this worries me a lot. Can we just get a guy that DOES PLAY DEFENSE?
I’m not sure Ellis would be our starting SG. I absolutely love the guy but is watching him late in the season enough to start him. IMO we need a really good SG at that starting spot. Examples: Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Deyounte Murray or Brandon Ingram. I know most but not all would cost an arm and a leg to get but IMO that;’s want Monty has to do if we all want the King’s to move up and contend for a championship.
I’d imagine the starting SG spot is Ellis’ to lose at this point. Also, there are much bigger holes to fill in the front court. King could platoon the SG spot with Ellis, Huerter, Jones, and Duarte.
OK I can see your reasoning. We would need either Barnes and or Huerter to get Collins. IMO if we do this I would rather trade Barnes since we have Smith as backup. Also can play center. I like Huerter as backup SG especially if we can retain Monk then Huerter would probably play SF. No problem.
I could see Barnes, Mitchell and Duarte and 2 seconds for Collins. Now we need a backup point guard. Someone like Payton Ptichard, DeAnthony Melton Dyson Daniels or Ben Sheppard. Just a couple.
Ainge would not want contracts back unless it’s Davion . Building with young foundation . Would take about anything to rid himself of Collin’s contract .
Could use com trade value and #13 to get one of those point guards above.For me Daniels would be my first choice and Sheppard my second.
For backup point guard use Trey Lyles plus our #13 to get DeANthony Melton. Now starters: Fox, Ellis, Murray, Collins and Sabonis. Backups: Melton, Monk, Huerter, Smith and either Len or Smith at center. You have shooters, defense, young not old, rebounders and playmakers. Looks good to me.
Can’t get Melton. He is a FA. Can trade Jones and #13 for Payton Pritchard. Like this better.
When you have 4 starters at 2 you have no legit starter .
Ellis is the perfect 3rd guard. Starter should be Monk or an outside source that can create his own shot, like monk.
Just a heads up—the Kings can’t trade their 2026 first round pick.
Bridges is the Nets and the marquee guy in the KD trade. A tough move for them.
I am just asking, not advocating- what about the other Bridges- Miles?
He’s a perfect fit on the court. It’s his physically abusive past with his family that makes that a tough pill to swallow. Punching his loved ones cost him at least 100 million over the remainder of his nba career. That’s a pretty tough lesson learned. Not that it should need to be learned but… people are stupid and some are raised in an environment that teaches them that’s how to be. It’s a complicated shit show
John Collins is not a very good bball player, especially given how much he makes. He doesn’t being D and has regressed as a shooter, don’t like the fit next to Domas. Collins certainly isn’t worth giving up assets for.
I would take Collins over Kuzma . He IMO is more of a team player.
neither
yes
Collins huge disappointment in Utah. They would love to rid themselves of that.
I know this may sound odd, but I would take him plus Markenon- one good player and one bad. Kings can aggregate many of the smaller contracts to make it happen along with HB or KH.
Utah is playing I believe for the future and LM may be too old for their window
This is my fantasy I suspect.
It would take something like Barnes, Huerter, Vezenkov and Mitchell. Now how many picks are you going to throw in?
Off topic, The Kings broadcasting crew finished 10th in this poll, while the Warriors crew finished dead last. Thoughts?
And, to think, they could have had Bob Myers!
I think that the Kings broadcast crew is solid. Good but not great so to see them ranked tenth seems about right, especially during a season when many other teams’ broadcasts were were downright tragic. Fratello and Dominique Wilkins should be disallowed from getting with 100 feet of any mic in the interests of national sanity.
Our brodcast team sucks, surprised to see them that high.
Getting better but thought that was too high . Always remember Grant and Jerry voted 1st two times .
Bring back A Len, and let him be our “Stretch 5″…
Let give him green light, and shoot the 3 ball
You forgot the italic font.
yes….I miss Sactown Royalty….
which member can type italic font very easy….
Possibly my favorite King.
Bringing back Terrance Davis instead of signing McGee would have helped. Especially late in the season with injuries to both Huerter and Monk. Davis was the only guy left on the bench that could go for 30 and win you a game. McGee added nothing and took minutes away from Len.
TD wasn’t even in the league this past year.
Also, I can use your same argument, TD would have just taken minutes away from Ellis.
In the league or not…once a King always a Hall of Famer…except nobody can touch Ellis. He is the sacred one.
Kings fans “We need to improve this Roster, we can’t just keep running back the same roster and expect to get better!” Also Kings fans, “Man, I hope we can resign (insert all of the Kings free agents here…)
Forty man roster and the G league is our future.
Why don’t you see it?
Truth.
In the case of Alex Len, who plays his 10 minutes a game in a vet minimum deal, then he is fine to bring back. It’s the other Huerter, Barnes, Davion, Lyles level of players that need to be swapped out with more talented players.
It wasn’t all of the free agents the / marked them as candidate choices for those positions as in 1 per position not all, that I thought we could possibly obtain over the Summer free agency, since Portis & Derozan are not really options as some of you mentioned.
Jalen Smith could be our PF, if we are going to be moving off Barnes
I’d also move off Kevin Huerter too and see what it would take to get Alex Caruso off the Bulls, and either resigning Alex Len as our backup center or getting someone like Drummond or any of the other centers I mentioned that are the most viable option in regards to our cap space.
Since Lauri is out the question now
Ideally I’d want to get Bobby Portis at PF then pick up DeRozan as a SF and shift Murray to SG while moving Huerter to Chicago and Barnes to Milwaukee, and also picking up Drummond. I think this team would be pretty competitive for the next 2-3 years till we find someone to replace DeRozan as he’d be around 36-37 there. Although we can go a different route and try to pry either Saddiq Bey / Simone Fontecchio /
Sam Hauser / Naji Marshall / Cedi Osman / Robert Covington as much cheaper alternatives to DeRozan which would give us more flexibility in cap space going forward just it would just be at about 7-10 points less in fire power.
I’d like to see us get these for the PF postion Bobby Portis/ Dorian Finney-Smith / Miles Bridges / Obi Toppin / Kyle Anderson / Patrick Williams / Matisse Thybulle / Kevin Love / Nicolas Batum / Jae Crowder / Davis Bertans / Marcus Morris / Bol Bol
Of the ones mentioned I think Bobby Portis/ Dorian Finney-Smith / Miles Bridges / Obi Toppin / Kyle Anderson are those that help move the needle the most, although I wouldn’t mind Jae Crowder or Marcus Morris either as both of them got that dawg energy we’re lacking rn.
Bobby Portis would be my main choice and I’d be filling to give up a first to get him.
Realistically for back up centers we can just resign Alex Len because statistically his numbers we kind of insane but if not, we can go for any one of these centers to fill our needs during this summer free agency.
Kelly Olynyk / Moritz Wagner / Andre Drummond / Dario Saric / Jalen Smith / Precious Achiuwa / Daniel Theis / Mason Plumlee / Christian Wood.
Ideally I think Drummond/Saric would be our cheapest and best options,
especially if we don’t want to overspend on Moritz Wagner and pay him like 12m a year to keep him later after we try to pry him away from the magic with a trade for picks and someone like Davion or Lyles.
I’d even argue that instead of any of those we can also do a combination of Bobby Portis PF & Dorian Finney Smith SF(interchangeable position SG/SF with Murray) would be pretty insane and cheapest alternative to getting us very completive with the rest of the NBA especially if Murray goes back to SG while making another big stride this summer training with Fox and his trainer.
Any thoughts on this?
1) Why would the Bucks trade a better performing Portis for a more expensive Barnes?
2) DeRozan is a free agent and the Kings have no ability to sign him this summer.
Murray isn’t a shooting guard. IMO Jalen Smith is a better younger PF| C and can be gotten using our mle or part of it than Portis. No trades involved. IMO Miles Bridges just doesn’t fit what the Kings are trying to do.
Murray isn’t a SG but doesn’t mean he can’t play the part of one given his shooting he could be basically our Klay Thompson if he doesn’t want to play our SF.
Asides from Miles Bridges recent domestic abuse charges, why would he not fit with what the Kings are trying to do? or do you believe he’ll take a lot of touches away from Murray in that case I guess I can see it.
Badge Legend