You’ll have to forgive the lateness of this 30Q article today. I was working on a discussion of the backup center battle brewing for training camp and the likely and anticipated outcomes, and then our friend James Ham went ahead and said pretty much the same thing in the length of a single tweet:
According to a league source, barring something unforeseen, both JaVale McGee and Alex Len are expected to make the Kings’ final roster and compete for backup center minutes.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) September 9, 2023
This is the natural conclusion when you look at skill sets, experience, and contracts. Which brings me to a slightly different question as we prepare for the upcoming season: Why do the Kings have so many centers going into training camp?
This offseason the Kings have four potential options on the training camp roster (as of today) that are traditional centers that could backup Domantas Sabonis: JaVale McGee, Alex Len, Nerlens Noel, and Neemias Queta. Len and McGee have guaranteed contracts. That doesn’t mean the Kings have guaranteed them a roster spot, but rather that cutting them is a little more expensive than cutting Noel or Queta would be at this point.
So was this always the plan? Or did the Kings expect Queta and Noel to battle it out, only to have JaVale McGee suddenly become available? I suspect it’s the latter, but given the Kings seemingly unending search for a reliable backup center last season perhaps Monte McNair wanted to ensure he had a plethora of options. The Kings could carry three backup centers again but it would certainly be unusual, especially when you factor in the likelihood that Trey Lyles will see some minutes as a small-ball center at times.
I think when all is said and done, Queta and Noel will not be on the opening day roster. But as we’ve seen this summer, these situations evolve rapidly.
Training camp begins in October 3rd.
What is the deal with all of these centers? You can’t shop at them, and they don’t stay in the middle! Some of them are quite mobile!
Good read, though, Seinfeld.
“He’s a long-armer, Jerry.”
”A long-armer?”
”Really long arms”
”I like a long-armer”
We are in a totally new era and organizational behavior is finally changing…..
Owner hires GM
GM hires coach
GM and his coach work together.
Coach tells GM he needs a backup center.
GM holds open tryouts for a backup center by signing any center available that can still run up and down the court.
I am so glad you used the word, plethora. It means a lot.
OMG
You magnificent bastard.
They have too many because this speaks thatthey don’t have just what they want.
and each new addition has brought them closer, I suppose.
I agree the Len, McGee, Noel, Queta quartet are of the same (limited) type. To me, they specialize in the skill of height, length and low post defensive presence – block shots, clog the lanes, grab a few boards, and body the opposing bigs, use 6 fouls and are not relied upon for offense other than oops and put backs.
None of these 4 would beat Trey Lyles as first off the bench to relieve Domas on most nights.
In my (limited) thinking, these are playoff pieces and regular season pop-ins/insurance. And it will only be Len and McGee. Hey- JaVale McGee was @ nearby Nevada/Reno Wolfpack.
I wonder if there is any truth to the speculation that the Warriors were looking to scoop up McGee so Monte grabbed him first. It would not surprise me one bit if Noel is cut and ends up in the Bay, meaning the Kings won the backup center arms race. Dubs still need a backup big.
This 100% seems like something that would happen.
It was reported by Amick so I firmly believe JaVale chose the Kings over the Warriors.
I think we just hopped on McGee being surprised he was available. He has pretty deep connections with a lot of our coaching staff. Nerlens can easily be cut in camp which I expect he will be. Maybe with even another addition.
An aside was reading a Spurs offseason review on the Athletic. Hollinger when breaking down there additions alluded to expecting one of Cedi Osman, Reggie Bullock or Doug McDermott to get cut. Could see rationale for any of those three on our team. We have a fair amount of forward depth but most may sway more to the four than three. The same could be said with the larger guards who spot play at SF. Might be nice to have a little quicker feet at that spot.
Badge Legend