The Kings Herald Show returns seven games into the Domantas Sabonis era in Sacramento. Hear Jerry Reynolds, Will Griffith, and Tony Xypteras break down all of Monte McNair’s trade deadline moves after watching the new Kings play for a couple of weeks, plus what this roster is still missing before you can consider the team a legitimate playoff contender.
Timestamps:
- (1:40) Have our thoughts changed about the big Domantas Sabonis trade after watching the team for a couple of weeks?
- (4:30) How big of a risk did Monte McNair take in trading Tyrese Haliburton for Sabonis?
- (9:50) Was tanking ever an option in Sacramento?
- (12:50) What has stood out the most about the Kings on the court since the trade deadline?
- (23:30) What does the roster need now?
- (31:30) Should the Kings trade their draft assets for more win-now players?
- (36:00) Has Alvin Gentry earned another season as head coach of the Kings?
- (54:00) One thing we watched this week
- (101:05) Patreon Question of the Week
You can find The Kings Herald Show wherever you listen to podcasts, but if we’re missing a platform of your choosing, leave us a note in the comments and we’ll get to work. If you can subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on any and all platforms, that would be greatly appreciated, too. It’s the easiest way you can support the show!
Apple.
Spotify.
Google.
Stitcher.
In addition to our bi-weekly podcast with Jerry Reynolds, we also record a Patreon exclusive Q+A once a month where Patrons at any level can Ask Jerry Anything.
You can submit questions for Jerry on Patreon, or write your questions in the comments below this post! Or you can just yell questions to Tony or Will on Twitter.
And finally, you can sign up for our Patreon here.
Thanks for listening! See you all back here in a couple of weeks.
Monte will 100% trade this year’s pick for win-now
I could sure see that happening – the one thing that could deter it will be if McNair’s valuation of the draft pick as an asset is exceeds the market.
By “win-now” do you mean, win possibly next year if the pick gets traded some time in the six months after the season ends?
If it makes the team better now and the future sure hope he does ! Two former great lottery prospects sat the bench last nite- Josh Jackson 4, Alex Len 5 !
I’m not a draft expert, but pls let me know if this is correct:
I don’t think Monte can afford to simmer in hellfire-soup waiting for this pick to develop while Fox and Domas play another losing season or gets eliminated in 22-23 play-in tournament?
To your point, the Kings traded for Sabonis, who will have two years left on his deal after this season wraps. I think that Fox will be entering year six as a King, and he has to be reaching make/break point. If the Kings can swing a deal for a John Collins or Brandon Ingram and the pick & Harrison Barnes is the price, I think the timeline of Sabs & Fox seals the deal.
I’m still in the camp that I’m not giving up Barnes AND a pick for an upgrade like Collins. What is gained from what is lost is somewhat a wash, IMO, and still leaves a gaping hole on the wing. If I’m Monte I’m moving that pick(s) and anyone not named Barnes, Fox, and Sabonis for an upgrade at the other positions.
An aside, I’ve read that the Pacers want to move Brogdon to rightfully hand the keys to Haliburton. I wonder if he could be had without even giving up this year’s pick? A package around Holmes and Mitchell, and maybe a future protected pick? I think Brogdon could do very well next to Fox in the backcourt.
On this one I tend to agree with Jerry. I would rather trade for White over Brogdon. One of the reasons is age.
Sorry, didn’t listen. Which White?
Jerry was spitballing Coby White for the pick, around the #7.
Oh, no thanks.
He also mentioned that it’s an idea you at least consider.
Oh, I think you absolutely consider moving the pick in a deal. Especially around 7. I’m just wouldn’t target Coby White with it.
Of course you consider moving it. Why wouldn’t you? My point was that Jerry was noodling a bit on what kind of trades you consider. And that good value is very much in the eye of the beholder.
He also mentioned Kim Mulkey as a good coaching candidate in his opinion.
Jerry says lots of things in an hour long podcast. That’s why it’s fun to listen to. James Ham’s podcast with Brenden Nunes today was a good listen also.
White is likely better than you would get at 7 !
Coby White
I’m not especially excited about the idea of Brogdon since he’s so injury prone, but I’d happily take his advantage in facilitation and defense over White.
Now, if we were talking about Derrick White…. But I can’t see why Boston would be interested in unloading him.
There’s nothing stopping him from doing that now, as long as he keeps it off the record.
I take “win-now” as this season, i.e. now. How far out do you extend that designation?
21/22 Win-now is an oxymoron to me, at best it is Gentry throwing shit on the wall and see what sticks with Fox and Ox. 22/23 Win-now is Fox+Ox+”Not-Nik-Rox” – with a 3rd “star” draft trade + new coach = 7th or 8th seed. 23/24 who knows 😀 I do know Domas is a stud, I hope he sticks with us for a few more years to give us a competitive ceiling. No championships with the dismissive chap at the helm, but a few good playoff years.
In regards to trading the pick, right now, IMO, it’s a 3 player draft. I don’t put Ivey up there and really don’t like him on the Kings. The only other guy I like in that 4-10 range is Keegan Murray. If the Kings land at number 5 and all of Chet, Paolo, Jabari, and Murray are gon, than I think they should absolutely entertain the idea of trading the pick.
As was stated in podcast, the Kings only have 2 guaranteed years of Sabonis left. Drafting a project player that is two years away doesn’t work. The Kings need talent NOW. The #5 pick packaged with Holmes and/or TD, Harkless, Holiday, etc. may get a nice return. Who knows, maybe it gets the Kings a Siakam, Collins, or Anunoby.
Agreed- no projects, no Chet.
Thank your lucky stars if we got Chet. The balls would really have to fall our way.
We don’t need to draft another lightweight big who won’t develop on the current timeline, no matter how good he looks against other WCC teams.
No, we need talent and skill. And this team doesn’t have a “timeline.” I feel like that concept has gotten WAY overplayed. Loading up on similar aged players doesn’t do you any good if, well, you aren’t any good.
Of course, just what is the timeline for this team. Agree we need quality players but will concede we need to lock up Sabonis beyond two years.
There is no “timeline” for this team. The timeline for every noncompetitor is ASAP. Once you’re competitive you can worry about windows. But until then making decisions based on a theoretical “timeline” is just a recipe for continually pushing that “timeline” further out.
Agree, I think. I will stick with continuous quality and sustainable improvement. The quality of the roster must improve and the record starting next year has to start showing improvement. Also, management needs to have defined short and longer term goals and then be measured on how well they achieve those goals. I was going to say signing Sabonis to a longer term was a goal but that’s not really the goal. The goal is to get long term value out of Sabonis. It could be a follow on trade that yields that value or it could be securing him to a long term contract. If he leaves in two years to free agency it will be a monumental disaster.
Just what is the timeline. If you’re expecting something dramatic in the next two years, I think you’ll be very disappointed. I’m looking for continuous improvement that results in sustainable success and that means being a legitimate playoff contender for many years similar to the Jazz, Bucks, Nuggets, etc.
IMO the timeline is the next 5 years.
I guess it all depends on the definition of “timeline”.
But in my view, there is a clear timeline due to the pending free agency of Sabonis. We have a little bit over two seasons to build a decent enough team without breaking the bank in order to convince him to stay in Sacramento.
That is a pretty tight window, and it is even tighter because it’s not that easy to build a good team around the weaknesses of Fox and Sabonis (specifically defense and outside shooting). Add to that a new coach and the baked-in excuse of having to adjust to new schemes and the clock is ticking.
If this will succeed; great. If not, and if we waste our pick on a win-now player who doesn’t move the needle enough to retain Sabonis, we have wasted another two seasons and likely have set back the team for 3 more (at least).
Good luck, Monte.
So take the pick and hope he develops much faster than Fox, Halliburton,and Mitchell in relation to actual winning !
Of course it does. My point is that’s probably the projected hopeful timeline. Sustainable success, put another way.
I’m not arguing whether or not it will happen, there’s no point at this juncture. I do think it’s possible, but we shall see.
That’s too non specific. What do you want in 5 years. We need to obtain continuous roster improvement that results in more wins.
It’s plenty specific for my tastes which is why I said it that way. You are welcome to define timeline however it works for you.
I don’t think Chet is all that much of a project. He has an extremely polished game. Obviously, his body is an issue, but he still plays with effort, edge and aggression. The moment he walks into the league I think he’ll be useful as a stretch big with excellent weakside rim protection. He’ll struggle to defend on-ball in the post, but you can work around that, especially by matching him up with the opponents stretch bigs.
Oh it’s more than a three player draft especially if Shaerp is eligible. Also, don’t be surprised if Ivey cracks the top 3. This is why these last 19 games are so important. I’m not interested in a 10th playoff spot, I’m interested in a top 6 draft pick. Lastly despite his high profile nobody has Timme on the draft board. I’d love him as an early second rounder. I do also like Murray.
For the Sabonis trade to be worthwhile we will have to extend him to a longer term max contract and we have to get some more players around him which is a tall order considering we are at least two impactful players away from even sniffing a top 6-8 finish next year or more likely the year after. We have to knock it out of the park in this draft and follow that up with an impactful trade otherwise with or without Sabonis this team is going nowhere.
I wouldn’t say it’s a 3 player draft, but it’s a pretty clear 3 player top tier. Ivey isn’t especially close IMO. In fact, I’d be less surprised to see him fall below guys like Sharpe, Davis, and Murray than I would to see him break the top 3. I think you’ll likely be able to get Timme with the late-2nd or as an UDFA if you really want him.
When I watch, and I watch a lot of games only number 1 is clear to me but agree it’s pretty clear there are 4 in the top 6 and that includes Ivey. Also I will guarantee Timme does not become an UDFA.
I won’t guarantee anything. But Timme looks to me like a typical late-50s/UDFA candidate. The highest he appears on any recent mock that I can find is 50. On many he doesn’t appear at all.
There’s a classic case of overlooking a player because he doesn’t look the part. He will have a role in the NBA. He’s the perfect Billy Ball player. Also let’s see how the tournament affects the draft board. It always has an impact.
Timme is the next Brad Miller ! Brad was undrafted out of Purdue and was a two time All Star ! Just did not look the part and also why Jokic slipped to. 41 !
Yeah, there’s no chance that my opinion is build on a rational assessment of what I’ve seen of his skills and how his archetype translates to the NBA. It’s clearly that I’m just overlooking him because he doesn’t “look the part.”
I really like Nicola Jovic and Keegan Murray as two guys in 5-10 range that could really help the Kings..
Have you seen enough of Jović. I watch a lot of basketball and I can’t evaluate Jović. I do like Murray however.
I’ve seen a handful of full games (FIBA and Euro) and, of course, lots of online scouting reports and videos. I feel like you can get a pretty decent read on his game. Obviously, we don’t have the access that the Kings’ scouting department would have.
Dyson Daniels is another gamer climbing up draft boards.
I am far from an expert, I am going off highlights and lots of commentary. I am big on fundamentals and things like court awareness…I struggle it’s lots of athleticism commentary.
If we could do this I would take Siakim first Anunoby second and Collins third.
I’d probably agree with this order if Anunoby could stay on the court. As it is, I’d probably take Collins over Anunoby.
There ws rumors around the deadline that OG might have been available. I think the Raptors may want a legit big and move Siakam back the 4 and Barnes to the 3. If the wanted Holmes, the Kings pick, and filler, I’d do it. I think it would actually help both teams.
Eh, I don’t think Holmes is really what teams think of as a “legit big.” He’s more of an energy combo big. They have a glut of 6’9-6’10 Richaun-sized guys.
Yeah, I said 3 years at 30 mil with a third year team option was the most I would have paid. That’s a high volume backup which is what he is at best.
Agree to disagree. Prior to his rash of injuries this season and displacement by Sabonis, Holmes was a top 20 center in the league by most advanced metrics. Couple that with his contract and I think he has more value than we think. He’d be an excellent addition to a contender lacking a “legit” big.
I’d say on a contender he’s most likely a solid back-up big.
A top 20 center if he is that doesn’t really move the needle. I would say he’s a high volume back up on a contender. I mean he’s an undersized post player with no perimeter game. That skill set is not in big demand these days.
I hope we can get Anunoby. Great defender who can score.
OT: Yeah IT!
Good podcast. I appreciate all the ideas about possible coaches. Sounds like there must be good candidates out there. As for free agency targets, is a PF who blocks shots necessarily the answer? Don’t get me wrong, it would be nice to add some shot blocking. But didn’t the Pacers have a shot blocker next to Sabonis that never seemed to fit well? I don’t think Jokic at Denver has a real rim protector next to him but they have a really good defense. How about a forward who is a difference-maker on D, whether by blocking shots, or just nasty all around defense?
Actually Gordon is a version of what was discussed ! Long, athletic etc much way Collins and Portis seem to the panel great fits !
That’s Anunoby.
Anunoby would be a helluva pickup. I was thinking of players on a shortlist, in no particular order, but here are some that come to mind for me:
Siakam, Anunoby, Miles Bridges
Kyle Kuzma, JaMychael Green, Bobby Portis, the Morris twins, Covington, Jerami Grant, Kyle Anderson, Yuri Watanabe (spelling?)
I also like the idea discussed about evaluating the current players. It was suggested to give Josh Jackson some minutes. We saw last game Trey Lyles make the most out of an opportunity. Along those lines, does anyone think Holmes could play next to Sabonis? Defensively, I’d say yes. Holmes can guard 4s. Offensively, he might have to play differently, which might remove his best (and our most beloved) weapon, the world-famous push shot, but it would not surprise me if he could hit corner threes, and make well-timed baseline cuts into the dunker’s spot. the eye-test up till now might not support that idea, but he’s always been an efficient shooter. There’s not much to lose by giving it a try sometime during the last 20 or so games this season.
Love the podcast but sometimes feel like no one questions Jerry’s takes out of respect for him. In what world does it make sense to trade a lottery pick for Colby White?
Jerry talks about how you can be in the lottery and draft a Thomas Robinson, Benny Mac, or Jimmer. Yes you can. But you can also have listened to your scouts and drafted a Lillard, McCollum, or Giannas. How about holding this team to regular expectations rather than brushing aside the importance of hitting of draft picks as a small market team?
I love Jerry but some of his takes make me wish Will and Tony would actually push back on what he’s saying rather than just chuckling and moving on to the next topic.
Coby White is very good ! When did he say you should trade for him ? He said if you think the player you could get there is not as good you should consider it ! Plus admitting the Kings made a lot of draft mistakes – past and present is a fact as well as many of so-called lottery stars in this draft will make zero difference- fact ! Name a sure thing at 7 ! White is proven former lottery pick!
I am amazed at Coby White being dismissed ! He was the 7th pick from North Carolina and top 10 HS All America. Now 22 years old – ave 14 ppg, 45%, 40% on 3, on a top Team in NBA ! Actually doubt Chicago would even consider trading him for an unproven pick !
Badge Legend