Despite how you feel about the moves Monte McNair made to improve the Sacramento Kings this offseason, the end result is a roster that looks a lot like the roster that lost to the Golden State Warriors in Round 1 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. I think it’s fair to say, while inserting however many caveats you’d like here, that the Kings are running it back and banking on internal improvement, health, and some new options on the fringes of the rotation, to improve.
I also think it’s fair to say that this isn’t a bad bet. It’s probably a sensible bet. There are enough good young players on this roster that internal improvement and new options on the fringes could be enough to secure a deeper playoff run – a successful season to most critics. And I don’t believe that we’re just having the dreaded internal improvement conversations of the Maloof era all over again. These young Kings actually have the capacity to improve to the degree necessary for a better result next season.
However, if the Kings stumble and take a step back, an entirely possible outcome in an improved Western Conference, McNair is going to take some heat for what he didn’t do. But we aren’t there yet. There is a lot of basketball to play, and plenty of trades to (likely) waste our time discussing.
That leads us to today’s question: Wiill Monte McNair make a big move this season? Will it be out of desperation because the Kings are struggling? Will it be out of aggression because the team is playing well and he wants to turn this squad into a legitimate title contender?
Nobody can answer that, but it sure feels like there is a lot on the trade table right now. OG Anunoby. Pascal Siakam. Karl-Anthony Towns. DeMar DeRozan. Paul George. Deandre Ayton. Zach LaVine. Trae Young. Mikal Bridges. Damian Lillard. James Harden. Some of those players make significantly more sense for the Kings than others, but there is plenty of discontent around the league, and McNair has the assets to strike.
We know the Kings have had legitimate trade discussions about several of these players. I’m looking squarely at OG Anunoby when I say this because the fit seems so ideal considering cost, skills, position, and team needs. If OG is a King at some point this season I will not be surprised, and that addition would change the ceiling of this team dramatically. The Kings don’t need a savior. They need one more legitimate difference maker.
Will McNair find one before the playoffs start?
This team reminds me of a plus version of the 2011 Houston Rockets: a solid, middling team with lots of solid pieces that could be easily used in a package. Now, unlike that team, Fox and Sabonis are legit star and difference makers, but the balance of contracts and assets are such that we can make a really solid swing at a difference maker.
The main challenge is that for the best of the best, some teams have some absurd war chests. We’re not going to be able to outspend the Thunder if they decide they want somebody. So it’s going to be someone who may be underrated or has the possibility of breaking out, where a team isn’t going to burn their warchest over.
I think the biggest improvement this team has made is in building our war chest. I agree our war chest isn’t as deep as most but we have finally put together a roster of decent NBA players. Before we simply dumped out our war chest and lit it on fire on draft day without anything in return.
I feel like the only real asset that can complete a “big move” is Keegan, and as of today, I’m passing on moving him. He just projects to be such a solid NBA player on having him on his rookie deal is gold.
That being said, that same was for Haliburton and we see what Monte did with him. Would Monte move Keegan and change for a fringe star like he did with Sabonis?
Of that list, OG is the obvious fit next to Sabonis and Fox, but that would likely cost Keegan AND an additional asset like Monk or Sasha. The other issue with OG is he has a player option after this season. That is quite a gamble to trade for a possible free agent. I’d also add Brandon Ingram to the list of things go south in New Orleans.
Now if Keegan and the Kings start out slow and things don’t seem to be the same as last season I could squint and see Monte making a swing, but as of today…no.
If Keegan is involved with Raptors it needs to be for Siakim . Don’t see OG as much an improvement if at all . Also misses a lot of games Ave 61 per year over 6 seasons
Good points plus OG has the question marks about being a bit injury prone…and he apparently would have issues with being a 3rd or 4th option. It’s one of his mine gripes with the Raptors, being behind Pascal, Vanvleet and Barnes…although Vanvleet is gone will he still be behind Schroeder? It’s possible he would be 3rd on the Kings behind Fox & Domas. But if they managed to keep Keeg, he would possibly be the 4th guy again. I don’t think I’d even like the move, if it meant trading Murray because of the risks involved with Anunoby. For Barnes/Huerter, Mitchell and two 1sts, I may be on board with something like that. Still seems like a bit of gamble though if OG leaves after the season.
It’s enough for me that McNair won’t be talked into doing anything stupid.
He definitely plays things close to the… vest.
the Mongoose
He doesn’t answer your calls?
I agree. He has a plan and is actually building something without having to dump everything good to repair the mistakes.
Legitimately good retort, boss.
McNair’s mantra is “patience and flexibility”. Look at how long it took for him to pull the trigger on the Sabonis trade. Those opportunities don’t come along very often so based on probability alone I think it’s extremely unlikely anything comes along this season. He’s not going to give away the farm on a deal that will eliminate his future flexibility.
I agree with your assessment of McNair’s acumen, although I’m not sure what you’re referring to in regard to how long it took him to pull the trigger in the Sabonis trade.
Haliburton had a nice rookie season, and a good start in 2021, but I don’t imagine that teams were offering players of Sabonis’ level at the beginning of his second season, not with Tyrese as the centerpiece. As his sophomore season rolled on, it became clear that he was real, and that’s probably about the time when it became possible to get back an all-star-level player.
It never felt like the trade had been sitting on the table for a long time, and if you recall the shock it generated, a lot of it was due to very little, if anything, having been said about such a possibility. If the right deal presents itself, I don’t believe that McNair is going to fret about it or waffle, he’ll do his usual due diligence and make a decision. Given his acumen, and that of his staff, they can make informed decisions in a short time if that’s what is required.
Fans were getting impatient with McNair’s “patience” after a couple of years of not doing anything significant, actively questioning if he was ever going to make a significant move. It got to the point where people on this site and elsewhere were beginning to doubt that McNair would get his contract renewed/extended. People questioned his drafting of Tyrese and didn’t consider it a significant move at the time.
Then he made the Sabonis trade and I agree that he didn’t waffle or fret that trade. When he saw what he wanted it didn’t take long to pull the trigger.
For the time being, Monte has earned my trust as the GM (something we haven’t been able to say in a long time). Even when he traded Haliburton for Sabonis, after getting over the initial shock, I shifted to a “let’s wait and see how the upcoming season goes” mindset, and thankfully it all worked out well. He’s done a lot of good things in the past year and a half, and part of that may actually be because he’s got a coach he works in sync with and Vivek seems like he’s letting him do his job without meddling. Let’s hope that continues.
“and Vivek seems like he’s letting him do his job”- this is the biggest roadblock that Monte has moved out of the way… I hope.
Monte’s proving himself to be a conservative asset manager, which is why Jerami Grant and Kyle Kuzma are not on the Kings. McNair doesn’t pay A+ prices for A- talent. An overpay is only justified when the player being acquired is definitely “the guy” that’s going to push a team into real championship contention.
IMHO, Monte isn’t ever going to go “all-in” on a huge acquisition that burns lots of capital in exchange for a short-term title shot. He’s using the Denver Nuggets model of organic, long-term roster construction.
Kuzma and Grant are B+ at best.
I don’t disagree! Was giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Kuzma is kind of an enigma. He has his moments of brilliance then he shuts it down.
I am also fixated on OG Anunoby being the missing piece to opening the Kings’ championship window. The question is if OG is even available? Reading the tea leaves from the Raptors front office, I’d say no and that they are looking to deal Pascal before OG.
If OG were available, we would most likely use some combination of Davion, Huerter, HB and picks in a trade proposal. Is this enough to beat out other teams’ offers and convince the Raptors to accept our trade? I doubt it unless Davion makes a significant jump.
Overall, Monte has stayed true to his principles of optionality while maintaining and improving. He has improved the team on the margins while maintaining the current core and flexibility to make a big swing like this article suggests.
Man, it so refreshing having a competent GM and trusting in his ability to make sound decisions.
Ive been pounding the drum hard for Siakam this offseason. But honestly, if the price isn’t right then move on. This team has such flexible contracts, so much depth, so much versatility, so much youth, so many options.
The whole world is in Monte’s hands, and he got here being patient and savvy. I’m not expecting him to rush into some win now move and overpay. It’s simply not his style.
Right now, I’d love to just see how the roster looks and reevaluate at the trade deadline. But if Keegan starts looking like a 20+ ppg guy, and if Sasha is too good to keep on the bench, and if the roster is gelling and playing league average defense, we might already be looking at a title contender.
What’s your Siakam trade?
Someone on Kings Reddit pointed out that Davion + Huerter + HB salaries match Siakam almost exactly. If the Kings threw in a first with those players, then I think that could get the trade done for an All-NBA caliber player. His pending FA status doesn’t bother me as much as I doubt he turns down a max contract from the team that trades for him. His threat to not re-sign with any team that trades for him is more so he can stay in Toronto to get the supermax contract (if he is All-NBA this year.)
Before people flame me for this, I am not advocating for this trade but seems to be the ballpark for a player of Siakam’s stature.
The problem with Siakam is that he is a UFA next summer. That’s a big risk and high price to pay for a guy who may walk in 9 months. I’d hope Monte would have conversations with both of OG and Siakam’s camps before he made any trade from them.
The Kings would have their bird rights but I’m not sure there is much value in it for Siakam. Would Monte want to sign a 30 year old Siakam to a 5 year max? I’d hope not. At least with OG, he’s 26 an may be worth a 5 year max deal.
I simply like Siakams fit, skillset (in particular the weakside rim protection and tertiary playmaking), and availability better than OG. Anunoby is a fine player and he’d be a good addition, but I think his age and contract will make him cost more than he’s worth.
That’s fair. I feel both could be excellent additions but just worry about the contract gamble.
Team chemistry is pretty good right now as well, I’d hate to rock that boat. I’m in the camp of just sit back and wait and see. Sasha may be a god send and Keegan may take a leap forward. They could be enough to take the Kings deep into the playoffs without any risky swings for the fences.
I am also in the camp of wait and see. The Kings might have enough talent already to contend.
As for the contracts, the Kings are about to get expensive fast with Monk’s new contract, a contract extension for Davion and Sabonis’s new deal kicking in after next year. They’ll have to do a consolidating or cost-cutting deal here in the next year or two.
Monk may end up being the odd man out if the likes of Duarte, Jones, or even the two-ways make an impact. Monk is going to be expensive next summer, but may have value to a contender looking for a contributing expiring deal. Mitchell could be in the same boat.
f there were some big move down the road, it wouldn’t surprise me if those two are included. Toronto could make sense for them.
Siakem would be a good fit, better than OG who gets hurt all the time. But he is 30, his contract is up and the Raptor’s always want way too much. Love Markenon but Jazz think they are rising.
What about Detroit Bogi for a second-round pick? Interim only.
Have to get past next years draft and pay off Huerter. .
Thats pretty much my offer for Siakam, too. It works both with salary and with value for both sides. But I’d feel a lot more comfortable moving Huerter if Colby or Duarte prove capable of replacing him. Ik Monk is already a starting caliber SG, but everything about his style just screams perennial 6MOTY candidate.
Yeah, Duarte being somewhat productive again is a key to that trade as he would allow Monk to stay in the 6th man role he flourished in.
I’ve been a fan of Siakam’s for a while, anyone who defends hard will always be on my good side. He’s twenty-nine, and coming off of a very good season.
If a trade was to happen, I’d figure that Murray would be sent in the deal. Here’s the thing: Siakam immediately makes your defense several levels better, and he’s no slouch on the offensive end. If Veznekov is as-advertised, I’d give a long think to a deal including KM, whom I’d obviously hate to lose. Murray is going to have a nice career (at least), but if contending for a title this season rather than next (and next, ad infinitum), Spice Man puts you in that conversation.
Then you have to consider who may be available in summer ’24, and who can realistically be had. If there isn’t likely to be a difference-maker out there for the Kings, that helps me lean into a Siakam trade a bit more.
Obviously, you’d want some kind of commitment from PS to re-sign, but if one can be got, well, that’s why Monte gets the big bucks. I honestly wouldn’t know what to do. The pros and cons are clear as sunny day, but knowing them seems to be of no help in making a decision if the opportunity presents itself.
Not to me, anyway.
Every so often there is a lopsided deal out there. The Mongoose wants young proven players- second contract at most. He will be reluctant to give up any of the top 3 on the current roster
The bottom teams do not appear to be tanking (yet). Some of them are on the rise and will not trade any young assets (Detroit, OKC, SAS, Houston etc.). Injuries and poor performance may force some of the mid-teams to re-group, re-tool and reconfigure.
Raptors are the perfect target- going nowhere BUT they have inflated prices.
Ja finds one of the many guns in Memphis, TN, picks it up, shoots it, gets suspended, Adams knee is so bad he can’t walk, Bane gets hurt and Mongoose jumps for JJJ.
It is tough to guess but I think the Mongoose waits and pounces but next summer.
Siakim is someone to chase. He can definitely help this team and if for some reason it doesn’t work he can definitely return another good player in another deal.
This off season GM McNair bought the Kings one of the key ingredients that are the hallmark of successful teams and missing from the Kings team of the recent drought filled era.
Stability.
He signed a 4 yr coach who, in just his first season, won the CoY.
He himself is on board for the equal time frame (and won Exec of the Year)
His best player, De’Aaron Fox, is signed for another 3 seasons.
His most valuable player is signed on for 5 more seasons.
His made a 1st Team All-Rookie pick last season
Heurter, Barnes, Lyles, Vezenkov – 3 more seasons.
This group,!with Monk, improved 18 games last season. 18.
And you all want to make a big trade?
After shuffling through players, coaches, GMs at a dizzying rate – Sacramento finally has boring ol’ stability!
Unless Don Corleone calls, or worse – King Vivek/Queen Matina/Princess Anjali
decide they want to be more involved –
I expect no major changes.
Who do you think this team is – the 2021-22 Minnesota Timberwolves?
Jaren Jackson Junior brings us the ship.. I say we give them McGee, Barnes and an unprotected 2025 pick and throw in a 2 way player.. sounds fair to me..
Heh, looks like the Pacers are moving on from Buddy now.
I’m not surprised by that. They have Mathurian waiting to take his spot next to Hali. He may still end up a Laker when it’s all said and done.
You mean he ends up with the team that was (likely) his destination before Peralta and Lebron instead went for Westbrook?
No big trades the season would be my preference. For at least 12 years I was hoping and praying for stability. Now we have it, I think it’s incredibly un wise to want or even ask for anything more than that when we have had a ton of success and have a clear path to internal improvement in year two of this squad. Specifically Keegan (Spock). I actually expect Keegan to make a big leap forward in yesr two and I think that’s completely reasonable considering how he played in the playoffs and the work he’s been putting in this summer with Fox. In my opinion trading Keegan would be a huge mistake. I’m all for waiting until next summer and playing the free agent market along with considering some trades including Huerter, Barnes, Mitchell, Lyles etcetera. Those guys have serious value, their contracts are fair and they can bring improvement where needed. Going for that mid season for guys that are not guaranteed to stay after the mid season trade is simply being impatient.
everyone should just chill and see what year two under the same system with the same coaching staff that was awarded coach of the year is blatantly the correct path forward.
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