The Sacramento Kings and head coach Mike Brown have agreed to a 3-year contract extension, according to reports from Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania.
Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown has agreed on a new contract that takes him through the 2026-2027 season, his agent Warren LeGarie tells ESPN. Brown, the 2022-2023 NBA Coach of the Year, gets a new deal with a significant raise.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 1, 2024
Sacramento coach Mike Brown has agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract extension through 2026-27 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 1, 2024
Kings coach Mike Brown gets a $4 million raise to $8.5 million on the 2024-2025 season left on his deal and then $8.5 million annually in the two new seasons on the contract, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/CGHiFSEPAf
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 1, 2024
Earlier reports indicated the Kings had offered $7 million per year with incentives, while Brown was seeking $10 million per year. While Shams’ report makes no mention of incentives, it’s likely that incentives account for the differences between what Shams and Woj are reporting here.
I never doubted that the Kings and Brown would reach an agreement, it simply made too much sense for both sides, and the sides were close enough in price to reach an agreement. The fact that the sides reached an agreement so quickly after “tabling” talks a week ago underscores how stupid and unnecessary it was for details of the negotiation to be made public.
The good news for Kings fans is that the drama is behind us. The Kings have extended their most successful coach since Rick Adelman.
Congratulations, Coach Brown, this is well-deserved.
Thank God that’s out of the way. Glad a deal got done so that he won’t be a lame duck.
Agreed Klam. That was a needless bit of silliness, especially if Monk enjoys playing for him.
It was the right decision.
Next, Monk.
Next up is the draft. I have a strong feeling the #13 is going to be packaged with any Kings players not named Fox, Sabonis, or Keegan.
Adding talent prior to free agency could be key in keeping Monk.
…and here we go.
https://x.com/basketbllnews/status/1797085778511798773
I hope those rumors turn out to be true, because then I won’t have a reason to sit through the NBA draft.
Franchise greats Duarte and Papagiannis went at number 13.
Do we want to trade those opportunities away?
I’ve just never seen an NBA draft that I hadn’t wished I’d slept through.
The interviews are bad and the suits could are blinding.
And I’d wait for franchise great Stojakovic at number 14 anyway.
Pretty sure we are on year 33 of drafting random Euros and Greek guys hoping for the next Peja or Vlade.
We?
Lost you?
You said we. Are you the burner account of a minority owner?
We…as in the team.
We…as in a group of fans that follows the team.
We need a power forward.
We cannot get into the playoffs.
You switching teams?
We… as a group of fans, are not on the team. We can’t afford a PF. We aren’t eligible for the playoffs. I don’t need to switch teams, I’m not on a team.. I fan for three though. 1)Sac 2)Minny 3)GSW. I grew up in Oakland, family from Minn., H.S. in Sac. Discovered Kings fandom in ’96.
You didn’t answer the question about who you are!
So you demand my pedigree so I can fan with you?
Seems odd.
Who cannot afford a power forward?
You or the team or us?
Nooooo!!! Devin Carter is a stud, he’s perfect for this team!!!
I’d be thrilled if true but am baffled as to why they didn’t do this last year?
All saw Huerter and Barnes etc needed upgrade-what they had wasn’t enough. Why did they waste the year?-
Monte McNair disagreed with your opinion or couldn’t find a deal he liked.
You’ll get over it someday.
All I did was make a valid point. Why do you feel
the need to belittle me or try to tell people how to fan.
Very valid and clearly stated.
Your ideas always interesting and based in reality. Appreciate your contributions and conversations.
Wish I could say the same for you
Angry today?
Careful…sensitive ears.
Because it doesn’t just apply to Barnes/Huerter. There is mis-matching personnel, mediocrity, competing agendas, and simple incompetence though out the organizations history, and still today we can only hope things are improving. There’s no West, Riley, or Pop. I believe MM is competent, Brown also. Ranadive is not a basketball man, (or even a fan.) IMO he hasn’t been that bad considering he obviously doesn’t really know what he’s doing. It’s an investment for him, and one we should all be thankful for (elsewise no team in Sac). Now he’s involved in other things. As long as he spends, that’s probably good. The leaking tells me the lesser owners are getting antsy again .
Vivek doesn’t like basketball?
You just dropped quite a few gems there.
It’s well established Vivek grew up a cricket fan. It’s probably not fair to say he isn’t a basketball fan, but he’s hardly a student of the game. He’s acknowledged he needs basketball minds to make BB decisions. Still, he likes his input. So far, beyond the requisite billionaire arrogance, his shortcomings have mostly been BB related. He, at least, hasn’t proven himself hateful. Does any of that add up to gemstones? Vivek is hardy the first to be be introduced to a sport in an ownership role.
There is the little matter of record setting missed playoff appearances under the first 10 years of his ownership. He’s been an awful Governor to this franchises in most every way there is to be awful. He has our long lasting gratitude for saving this team from leaving Sacramento. That said, he is not untouchable.
As for awful, you’re entitled to your opinion. He’s certainly not been good. I’m hoping the best is yet to come.
Vivek is hardy?
That is another gem.
You know him personally?
Hardy…the first time anyone has described as that.
Appreciate your willingness to talk basketball this time.
Ok, hardly. You win.
Not a contest. Just trying to converse with you.
A bit challenging.
I can see how it would be challenging when one person engaging in “conversation” deliberately misinterprets a misspelling as a means of attack.
No where near all saw Huerter as a needed upgrade, he was fantastic last year…Barnes I agree but it takes two to tango
Congratulations, Coach Brown!
Now get a power forward and a bench.
Try to find some basic defense too.
Cool. Now we can transfer our handwringing to Monk and the draft.
My handwringing comes in the form of—-
Is Monte really going to make moves now-as he has discussed/claimed?
Because, What the hell went on last year-standing pat for absolutely no good reason?
if Monte fails to make some big moves this thing is done. I do believe though, that it’s more likely Monte will than won’t ????
…and of course there’s always Vivek lurking
You can only trade assets. What assets have value to package?
I think they do have assets. Plenty of players other teams would want (Heurter/Barnes/Davion/Vez-etc) plus picks.
McNair seems to think they have assets to deal.
I think Vez is barely worth cash considerations. He has been exposed to the NBA. He isn’t a mystery anymore.
no reason? They were the #3 seed with natural roster development through youth and chemistry to happen
The handwringing more precisely now shifts to MM and his roster construction which was and is more important than the HC’s contract.
F–k Yeah!!! Now it’s McNair’s turn to fix the team.
This might prove to be a mistake. Mike Brown rightfully gets tons of love around here for helping end the playoff drought. However he also failed to lead them pass the warriors in the 1st round when he clearly had the better team because of his stubborn lack of adjustments. Missing the playoffs this season while losing to the Pelicans 6x in one season also shows his lack of ability to see and make adjustments. He tends to be stubborn in his ways and lacks flexibility shown by his refusal to try and start monk even once. I believe he is the Kings Mark Jackson. Good enough to lay the foundation but they need someone else to take it all the way home. Only time will tell.
I partly agree. I definitely do see the argument that he doesn’t make adjustments. The other side of that is the fact that his hands are tied with this roster. There are only so many things he can do and the other teams have taken advantage of the simplicity of this team.
Fast…Sabonis is the only one they need to stop…and they cannot guard anybody.
You cannot guard anybody’s mother
Do I get paid to play basketball?
“could prove to be a mistake”. Hot take.
This extension is not a mistake. Period end of story. We are two years removed from Luke Walton and a complete F’n Shit show with no culture, no identity and an energy of incompetent, bumbling bafoonery. Mike brown turned all of that around in 1 season. All while creating the most efficient offense in nba history with at the time only one player to ever appear in an all star game. THEN… The following season he took a nearly league worst defense with the exact same squad from the previous year and brought it to a mid ranked defense.
both of those things are exceptional.
the culture, attitude and mindset of this entire franchise was saved by Mike Brown and it is very much still growing and in progress. The best thing for this franchise, the team and all of us fans was to keep Mike Brown to continue what he has started.
there is a time and place to seriously consider replacing Mike Brown. That time is very much not now. His shortcomings are his short comings. EVERY SINGLE COACH except for maybe Pop and Spolstra have them. Any replacement will definitely have them. Failure by Mike brown over the next 3 seasons will still be a success for this franchise regardless of how many playoff wins he gets. Playoff success is what we all want and Mike Brown can get us there and has proven it over a very long career.
we are lucky to have him.
very
I agree with this thesis. But having said that, like Arco Thunder commented, MB deserves to be the coach of the Kings, at least for now. Play year 3 out and go from there.
If he is given a decent power forward and an NBA bench he will be just fine.
That’s a tall ask lol.
I hope MM nails this offseason.
All’s well that ends well?
Where were the leaks coming from?
Maybe one of the various minority owners? Who knows. There are probably a lot of cook in the kitchen that ownership has to run business decisions/contracts by that someone said something to somebody.
Mike Browns team for sure. And god for them.
Public shame is an amazing thing.
It hasn’t slowed you any
You woke up on fire today!
No shame in your game!
Thanks. It was the “Sabonis can’t guard anyone” comment that set me off.
Who said “Sabonis can’t guard anyone”?
I was referring to the team. Sabonis can guard people very well but he suffers because nobody will guard anyone at the perimeter.
Sabonis vs. the world.
Who Said “Sabonis can’t guard anyone”?
Curious…
Standard negotians for almost any business…except for the leaking it to the public bit.
Now go and find a plan b and c when the DHO isn’t working, a new PF, and figure out how to keep Monk.
If they keep and make Monk a starter, they can do the Domas-Monk pick-and-roll that seemed to work so well as a plan a, b, or c.
Then stagger Fox, Monk, and Domas as much as possible so that two out of three are almost always on the floor.
If that isn’t always possible, Brown playing Fox with four bench guys often, and that seemed to work all right.
I think they already stagger those 3, even with Monk coming off the bench. But either way, 2 of the 3 should be on the court together. They don’t have the personnel that can create their own shot or shots for others (consistently) outside of those 3.
Yeah, I could’ve said it better, but my point was basically that it wouldn’t be difficult to start Monk and still get what the Kings want.
I just meant Monk starting or coming off the bench is basically a non-issue.
I just think that Monk is probably leaving, maybe 60/40 he leaves. Either way, Brown needs to have some more options offensively.
Monk leaving would be rough. I hope the staff does an article about the cap situation with the assumption that he’s gone, because the Kings will need a power forward as well as another creator, and with the available money the Kings have, I just don’t know if the 2024-25 Kings are likely to be as good as last year’s play-in version.
If we can keep Monk have him come off the bench. Don’t mess with success. If you are worried about his minutes don’t be. He will get those. We need that spark to keep us going.
I only mentioned the possibility of Monk starting if Monk makes starting a condition of re-resigning.
Most of the drama I saw was from this site. Other sports sites treated it like normal business.
Other sports sites have not covered the history of the Ranadive era as closely or as thoroughly as this site, and/or simply don’t care as much about the Kings as the folks around here.
????
Touche’
True.
OK. Now you need to find a guy that fits properly up front with Sabonis & Murray, and even if you re-sign Monk, he can’t be your 3rd best player…if you’re counting on Keegan, it’s a helluva leap to take his good nights and replicate them game after game after game. It can happen, but it often times does not.
Time for the front office to get to work after taking last summer and trade deadline off.
And 1 – If you want to get rid of a large percentage of Brown’s “questionable” rotation decisions, balance the roster.
I just did.
Oh you didn’t like the Fox/Mitchell/Monk/Lyles/X lineups?
Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter, Keon Ellis, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Duarte, and Colby Jones are all 2 guards. IMO, only 3 to 4 of them should be on the roster next year. Too many holes to fill elsewhere with all that money tied up in guards.
If Ellis is the starting 2 guard it would be nonsensical to to have close to $35m tied up in Huerter and Monk coming off the bench.
Exactly. I made a point similar to this awhile back. I think in the Keon season recap. He – Keon Ellis is arguably the anchor point to our favorite basketball team taking a massive leap. Let me elaborate.
i don’t say that thinking that the kings live or die by the improvement of Keon Ellis. While I do expect him to improve and help make the kings better it’s his contract and corresponding role on this team that is MASSIVELY IMPORTANT. He’s arguably a starter and at worst your 3rd guard at an incredibly low rate. I like the guy but Huerter needs to be traded in combination of draft picks, +mitchell/duarte for a PF who can replace Barnes. I’ll go one further and say whoever that PF is needs to be long, rebound and able to play solid – good – great defense. Offensive contributions would be a welcome bonus. If they can keep Monk, transition Barnes to the bench and replace him with a new starting PF this team will take a very big jump.
Trade Barnes and Huerter plus a first for Brandon Ingram. The Kings would have to do an extention after this next year. That would be up to Radadive. Now trade Mitchell, Lyles and Duarte plus this years #13 and 2 seconds for Tre Jones and Zach Collins. Retain Monk and pick up Naji Marshall in FA. Now you have:
Fox
Ellis
Ingram
Murray
Sabonis
Jones
Monk
Marshall
Vezenkov
Collins
I like Ingram but there’s two question marks with trading for him and placing him up front with KM and Domas.
FIrstly, the overlap between Ingram and KM.
Secondly and most importantly, he doesn’t solve what we need next to Domas at the 4 which is a defensive big that can stretch the floor, Ingram gives you the shooting to stretch the floor but not the defense.
I’d still be happy with trying to trade for Ingram as this a franchise that simply needs to accumulate as much talent as possible and Ingram is still surprisingly young with upside if he can stay healthy.
The Wolves look headed to Cap hell, and if they decide to role with Rudy and KAT up front, perhaps that makes Naz available. I like his fit next to Domas up front.
I have a feeling it’s going to be a fun and active offseason. Lowe reported that the Kings ownership were not happy with the results of this past season and hence the contract issues with MB. I’m guessing the ownership group expects win now roster changes.
I agree that the Kings need more of a Jonathan Isaac type at the 4 spot and that BI is not that. On the other hand, if you can’t get an Isaac type then BI is still very much an upgrade over Barnes in the starting lineup who still offers defensive versatility alongside Keegan. If you can get and retain a talent like BI without giving up too much then I think you bring in talent and worry about fit later.
Today’s league is really non positional so there should not be an overlap. Second I wanted Naz Reid 2 years ago and IMO they aren’t go to let him go.
Minny is in the second apron which is very restrictive for making roster moves. Decent chance they try to shed salary. My guess is they try and find a taker for Kat.
Given how loaded they are and how close they were to the Finals, if I was a Minny fan I would want them to run back that same roster. ANT is only getting better.
Roster changes without hitting the first Apron?
There have been 3 major candidates I’ve seen for Kings 3rd best player and I have concerns with each:
Brandon Ingram – Simply, does he resign in Sacramento? No value in a rental. If he’s willing, he’s probably my favorite target. Defense is shaky, but probably no worse than Barnes on that end, maybe a little better even. Otherwise he’s an excellent secondary scoring and playmaking option to relieve some pressure off Fox. Good fit and a fringe All Star talent.
Mikal Bridges – Great player, great contract. But he’s gonna cost a lot more than Ingram most likely, and are we sure he’s even better than BI? Defensively yes, offensively no. We could call it a push, but in that case what am I spending all the extra assets for? I’ve been seeing 3 firsts and swaps being suggested for him. That’s a price you pay for a guy like KD or someone you KNOW elevates you to title contention status. Not someone that’s gonna be your 3rd best player (and maybe 4th depending on how Keegan comes along).
Kuzma – Great value! Contract is decent, he’s productive, can grab boards and even playmaker a bit. One first and maybe some salary filler could get it done for what is quality rotation player. Only problem is he’s not a 3rd star on a title contender, but the value alone makes me interested in picking him up.
All these guys have their pros and cons. But if I’m being honest, I’m becoming less interested in a big swing that gives us a hard ceiling and locks us up on the cap sheet and more interested in continuing to bring in building blocks. Young guys on good deals who could blossom into something more, or get flipped when the time is right. In the draft I’m looking at Knecht, Carter, maybe Filipowski or Edey. In FA I like Jalen Smith and Naji Marshall. Resigning Monk is my first choice but I also am intrigued in the potential to cheaply replace his production with guys like Bones Hyland or Terquavion Smith. Every single one of these guys would play for the MLE or, in most cases, far less.
Young productive guys on good contracts make for good rosters in the short term, and in the long term become the assets that can easily bring in a major star when the time is right (look at Indiana or OKC). I’m kinda okay if Monte wants to keep with his mantra of patience and flexibility, even if it may be a bit boring as a fan when you just want a big splash.
I think a sneaky player to look at is Haywood Highsmith. He won’t be a star or anything, but is a good defender, long, and has gotten better offensively.
I remember he cooked the Kings in their loss to the Heat when Butler was out. Tough perimeter defender that can knock down the 3. I’m not opposed.
Bobby. Portis.
I had been opposed to Portis for a long time because I was under the wrongful impression he was like 38 years old. I looked it up and he’s 29 lol. Id absolutely take him.
BP!
You and Jerry think alike. Portis would be an excellent fit at the 4 and I love how he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He would being toughness to this roster.
i agree with you in part. Of the 3 Ingram is my favorite and probably the best as a winner. His negative is his contract. Some how the Kings need some type of guarantee he would resign after 1 year. Bridges would be a great fit but would probably cost the Kings an arm and leg. Also you would now have to get a power forward like John Collins to play along side Sabonis. Kuzma comes with the best contract, can score and rebound and play next to Sabonis. Don’t know about the fit. One player we haven’t mentioned and would’t cost that much and has better stats than Bridges is Dejounte Murray. He would be my second choice next to Ingram. He plays really good defense can facilitate, score and has a knack in rebounding for his size. Again you need a Collins type to help Sabonis. The bench I have is also the retaining of Monk. If he doesn’t sign then the bench has to be restructured. I have Naji Marshall over Jalen Smith for our FA. This was a hard one. Smith would have been a really good choice as he can play PF as well as Center. He would take Sasha’s place. If Monk goes then Marshall would be a better choice as a replacement. Tre Jones would be a great fit as backup point guard and Collins a great backup to Sabonis. He could also play alongside Sabonis.
Dejountes ability on defense is greatly overstated, and he needs the ball in his hands to be optimized. I pass. Marshall would be a fine signing but he’s not a replacement for Monk – totally different players. Jones and Collins are both quality.
For me, Kuzma has dropped to dead last on my offseason with list at the 4 spot. He is high usage, inefficient, a below average 3pt shooter, a,poor defender and doesn’t rebound all that well. Couple that with the notion that the Wiz want two first rounders for him, when I don’t even think he is worth one.
I think he’s no worse of a defender than Barnes, and imo he’s a pretty good rebounder. Id also argue the efficiency and usage issues come from being the No. 1 option on a very, very bad team and that maybe he’d be good here as the 3/4 option. But by no means am I banging the table for Kuzma, and absolutely not for 2 firsts. But if the Wiz are selling real low, say one first and expiring contracts in Duarte and Lyles, I’d take that with pretty little resistance.
I don’t think he’s coming that cheap and it would take more salary than that. It would likely take the inclusion of Barnes or Huerter. I’m not comfortable giving up a core rotational piece and the #13 for a rotational piece you are asking to sit 3rd or 4th fiddle.
I still feel you could get a more efficient, better defending, better rebounding, and better shooting John Collins for a lot less. He wouldn’t cost the Kings the #13.
James Ham reported that the new trade rules for teams under the apron is that you can take back 2x the salary you send out. I think Kuz is around $23M/yr so Duarte and Lyles combined $13M would get it done. Maybe I’m wrong about this.
Really??? I hadn’t heard that. If true that could change the whole league. Doing so and paying to keep Monk would definitely put the Kings in the tax, so I’m not sure how that would work.
2x is right, but there are other conditions
I agree.
Spot on assessment Adam. Fit matters, and Collins looks a lot better next to Domas, with his athleticism (being able to fill the lane on a break, be a vertical threat for our guards) and being able to provide some weak side rim protection, as well as being fine with making his living on catch and shoots, cuts, and fast breaks/hitting the offensive glass.
AS long as you’re not mentioning J. Poole or banging the table for him I think we could do worse than Kuzma but at his price point we could do better. I believe at this stage of HB’s career Kuzma would be an improvement. Even though the Kings are limited in what they can pay Monk I would prefer paying Monk Kuzma money.
IMO I don’t think we can get serious about headline type trades unless we include Keegan and it’s really possible that he’s not far off from being the quality of player the Kings need and may be trying to trade for this offseason.
Once you get past Kev, Lyles and Len and assuming you can trade HB the rest of the rotation players, the entire rest of the bench, are largely disposable in my view. We lucked out on Keon, do we have another Keon currently playing in Stockton?
The question I have would be …do you need to include Kev in order to move on from HB. I think it would be worth holding on to Kev as the 6th man but if you HAVE to include him to get a trade done you include him.
If somehow the Kings are able to trade for Ingram by throwing everything in the pot and possibly including a 3rd team then we have created our own big three which is extremely expensive, roster limiting and haven’t generated the results their teams expected.
I don’t say this often but I agree with Jack’s first two comments above. The trades Dallas made at the deadline made a huge difference for them and we would be better off making those types for skilled rotation/part time starters than we would making one player generational rich.
Everyone loves Kuzma…except for every team he has played for.
He’s the Jordan Poole of PFs. The Wiz are so terrible.
Once upon a time I would have agreed but I live in Washington and have seen him play in person several times. He’s far more unselfish and hardworking of a ballplayer than narratives around him would have you believe. I think he’s matured since his LA days and might be ready to be a real contributor to a good team.
Thank you for that perspective. I’ve only seen him play on tv a hand full of times on tv the past few years
My biggest concern with him is his usage. He’s averaged over 18 FGA attempts per game for the past few years in Washington, and a 3rd of them are from three where he shoots 33%. That kind of usage would put him second on the team behind Fox.
I’d want him to be 4th or even 5th in usage on the Kings behind Fox, Sabonis, Keegan, and Monk. Would he accept that kind of role?
If he does then that might and I say might be worth looking in to.
He can play.
For some reason he is always available. Individual player with good numbers but not a player that empowers a team.
Sums it up. Productive player, but seems like there is always another player that can do 80% of what he provides for 50% of the cost.
The Kings probably have at least ten guys that are “might be Kuzma” guys.
Please tell us what your plan would be as GM so we can all have a good laugh, and spend the next season creating memes.
Get a power forward and an NBA bench. Said it a few times before.
Your plan?
Maybe you just want to spread joy and love?
Beyond spreading joy and love for AnybodyButBagley, I’m just a lowly, humble commenter trying to be as positive as possible w/o becoming Pollyanna.
You are definitely setting yourself apart from the positive commenters.
The joy and love is specifically for me?
A little more combative than usual.
What is your plan for the team?
I think the results of this offseason will make it very apparent whether Vivek cares about winning enough to invest in the team.
James Ham reporting that Mike Brown is the first Head Coach since Rick Adelman to sign an extension.
That’s pretty heady stuff – 20 years of inconsistency is amazing in of itself.
IMO – Two items in short supply in Vivek’s Sacramento Kings control of the franchise have been respectability and credibility.
GM Monte McNair and Head Coach Mike Brown have worked long and hard to change that reputation.
As a STH (partial) I am delighted that this deal was done.
Give MB and MM another year to see if they can right the ship and get this team back in the playoffs and to win a playoff series. The West is loaded, but wide open at the same time. The time to make some win now moves is now IMO.
Happy we got coach brown locked in.
Im hoping we can steal Smith from indy to pair with Domas. Rumblings that the wolves may have to break down the roster due to luxury tax, could Kat be a possibility?
In the draft I’m really starting to love Collier at 13, especially if we lose monk. Seems like the perfect 6th man with tons of upside. That kid can get a bucket
Smith should opt out of his contract and become a free agent. Tke Kings have over 12.5 in MLE. That should do it. It won’t take all of it . Maybe they can comblne it and get both Smith and Naji Marshall. That would be fantastic. Maybe something like Marshall for 16 mil. for 3 years and Smith 21mil. for 3 years. Just hoping.
Smith and Naji would be amazing additions for this team. I’d love Collins too if possible. Ideally they’d want huerter and HB coming back in trade
I don’t think Smith is going to cost much. He is behind Siakam, Toppin, Turner, Jackson on their depth chart, and basically didn’t play in the playoffs.
The market for a 5th big can’t be that demanding, and if that’s the guy the Kings want as their starting PF or backup 4/5, then I think they are looking at the wrong player.
If the money is near his current $5m/per year deal, then sure. If he was that good, he would be playing more than Toppin and Jackson, and he simply didn’t.
There is a lot of truth to that. What I can’t wrap my head around is when he does play, he does really well. Indy had a lot of depth at the PF this year, and it got even more crowded when Pascal arrived. Was he just lost in the shuffle?
Smith averaged 9 and 5 while shooting 42% from 3 and 59% from the field on just 17 MPG. Now compare that to Lyles who in 20 MPG averaged 7 and 4 while shooting 38% from 3 and 44% from the field.
I just feel like there is a Naz Reid cooking in Jalen Smith and he just needs the opportunity.
I really agree with you. You double the MPG and that’s 18 and 10. Not bad for a 24 year old given the chance, You can get him on part of our MLE. He IMO will improve this as he hasn’t reached his peak yet.
I can’t figure it out either. I see the numbers, percentages, rate stats and think the guy should have been starting, but then he is behind Toppin (who I don’t think is that good) and Jackson (career 10th or 11th guy).
Something is the issue, and I just don’t know what.
I second this. JS would be a great get and wouldn’t cost much.
I think there is a lot more Mo Bamba cooking in JS than Naz Reid. He has been productive and still struggles for minutes. Having watched the Pacers a bit over the last two years with multiple fantasy players on the team, in my opinion, JS has multiple skills that look good on paper, but his motor is both low and inconsistent.
I’m happy that we put this to rest and honestly couldn’t care how we got there. MB’s got flaws that everyone has pointed out, but he has established a much improved defensive culture. When you only just got your second +.500 coach in nearly 40 years in this city, it’s worth holding onto that bird in hand.
Nobody’s going to be talking about this manufactured “drama” in a week.
This is good news. Glad MB is staying and I like the 3 years.
btw – anyone else curious as to what contract Brooklyn Nets signed with Jordi Fernandez?
My feeling is the handwringing over the tabled negotiations/leak theories was over the top (clickbait, Kangz neurosis, …?). It’s fine Brown was extended. Given how the lame duck coach narrative goes (which I don’t like), 3 years 30 M including incentives is OK.
A deal felt inevitable. I guess Vivek wanted some crowd sourcing with all the media leaks? Not the smoothest process but taking an extra week or so to get to the right place is improvement from previous decisions with coaches.
Now that’s competed. Kings wait on Monk. I will be very surprised if he’s back. The bag is far more imp than loyalty. He’s one of the prized FA’s this summer. The man will get paid.
Kings will be mentioned to almost everyone avail
Huerter and Barnes are available. But realistically. Does someone really want Huerter and his 17 mil? Barnes on the decline at the same salary? 2 players that are really bad defensively.
I think some of you are really overvaluing them. They are both coming off horrid seasons.
Kings have a 13 pick to trade. Is that really valuable? A package of the 13th, Huerter and Barnes will not get you a quality starter. It just won’t. Real talk No team is giving you a quality starter for that package. Why on earth would the Pels take that? They have so many young players with a high trajectory. Pels have Tons of assets and picks. They will get a lot for BI. At least 2 first rounders and quality depth.
The Kings are dead set on keeping Keegan and see if he makes another jump.
Realistically the Kings will not be integral players in free agency. Very little cap
room, limited assets, and an owner that will very unlikely go over the luxury tax.
I agree with you. MM likely walks and we don’t have the assets to make a significant trade.
So this is where a GM earns his money. Got to retool the depth on this roster with the resources available with shrewd signings for undervalued players that can pop in the right setting.
Simply getting an ideal 4 next to Domas will help this roster a ton. Couple that with some good bench signings and we’re good.
I still think we can get Brandon Ingram and it wouldn’t cost us an arm and leg. The Pels IMO want to trade him and if MM is good enough can get him.
The problem with trading for Ingram is that he is a UFA after next season. There is a very real risk he just walks the summer of 2025.
That being said, the Pels are in a pickle with him. They are over the tax line with his contract and Herb Jones really should be getting his minutes. They almost have too much depth. I wouldn’t be surprised if they get pennies on the dollar for him instead of loosing him for nothing next summer. They need a center and likely want smaller movable contracts and prospects. The Kings really don’t have that to offer.
Other teams have a lot more to offer for BI than we do in a trade. I just don’t see it happening, not to mention having to pay him next offseason and KM is going to get paid as well. Fox too. Haha. Good luck to Monte figuring that all out.
There MLE is over 12.5 mil. That would get you Jalen Smith and maybe just maybe Naji Marshall also. If not Smith would be a really good player next to Sabonis of a bachup center.That in its self would be a good move or moves.
Hindsight is 20/20, but let’s hope MM doesn’t make any shortsighted trades like these lol:
Los Angeles Lakers acquire Russell Westbrook, a 2024 second-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick from the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and the No. 22 pick in the 2021 draft (Isaiah Jackson)
LA Clippers acquire Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Danilo Gallinari; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; unprotected first-round picks in 2022, 2024 and 2026; an unprotected 2021 first-round pick (via MIA), a protected 2023 first-round pick (via MIA) and swap rights on first-round picks in 2023 and 2025
Phoenix Suns acquire Kevin Durant and TJ Warren from the Brooklyn Nets for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, 2029) and a 2028 first-round pick swap
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10120562-nba-trade-do-overs-5-deals-teams-would-take-back-from-the-last-5-years
I’m of the opinion that the Kings already have two max stars on the roster. What they need are ancillary pieces and not swing for the fences like those trades you mentioned. Denver did this when they acquired Gordon and Caldwell-Pope. They were fit placers placed next to the stars in Murray and Jokic. Monte needs to follow a similar formula and not leverage the future.
This doesn’t even take into consideration that it’s damn near impossible to build around a big 3 with the new CBA. Those tax paying, 2nd apron teams are going to struggle to put together a quality roster. Just look at how hamstrung the Suns are.
I was listening to an NBa pod the other day and they were discussing the 2nd apron. It’s wild how restrictive roster building gets once you hit the 2nd apron.
The Suns are f’kd. Such a shortsighted trade for KD. Couple years ago they were in the Finals and they’re likely in good but not good enough purgatory the next few years at least.
Ingram will either end up in Philly, Memphis, Clev, or NY.
All those teams have money,
assets and trade pieces to help the Pels.
Philly and NY are about one piece from being a contender. Memphis has excess picks to facilitate a trade and can resign BI to a large contract. Clev also will have the cap after next season to offer BI a very sizable contract.
Kings are rolling with Fox, Sabonis and Murray. The front office believes that core is a championship caliber team. I don’t. But MM and Vivek surely do.
Losing Monk and the Kings will really need to focus on their bench. Because it will be one of the worst in the league if he leaves. At his price point, Monk is irreplaceable. Yes.
The Kings are not going to find Monk Part 2 for 17-18 mil a year. Not happening.
i also want to throw a wrench into things. Even though Brown signed the new deal
I still think he’s on the hot seat. Kings don’t make the playoffs again next year. I wouldn’t be surprised if Vivek does something stupid and fires him.
“The front office believes that core is championship caliber team.” This is the threshold question that must be answered. How many years does this core get before the answer is no? I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t see this core leading us to a championship. A corollary to this question is whether this core, considering how much their salaries use up cap space (Fox eligible for a super max and Keegan will be due for an extension) handcuffs the GM from making any substantial additions.
If we are limited to this core plus fringe moves around the edges, that’s just not a good formula unless you are content with a first round playoff exit or at best a second round playoff exit.
This core has only made it to the playoffs one time. Far from championship caliber.
Fox is not the core of any championship.
Your suggestions above were a PF and NBA bench. None of that changes Fox. So, were you not talking about championship building?
Does Fox have to change teams?
Fox as role player with a true point guard that can lead a team as part of the core works. Fox isn’t part or a core that wins championships.
What are your thoughts on how to get this team into the playoffs then the championships?
Actual conversation with you is worthwhile.
OK. Brown is signed. On to the off season for real. Time to retool this team. Here’s your challenge Monte: Dallas has two ‘core guys’. One is a weirdo Dallas fwho doesn’t play defense, and the other one doesn’t play defense either, and is in about as good a shape as old Vlade ‘cigarettes in the locker room’ Divac’. Last year they sucked. This year they are in the Finals. They got two of their starters at the deadline this year!! That’s how fast you can turn it around. Monte, and now Brown, are on the clock. Yes, they have core guys. You have to have the role players who best fit with your core guys. You have to have a system that maximizes the talents of your core guys. And your role players. How many threes do Gafford and Lively shoot? Zero! And they win! Jones shoots 34% but Irving and Doncic feed him. You don’t need 10 complete players to win. You need 10 confident, competitive guys who know their roles and trust each other. It starts at the top. Dallas figured out who fits with their stars. Indy figured out who fits with Halliburton. Denver became champs when they added Aaron Gordon. Boston got Porzingis to be a role player! Get to work Monte. This is your playoffs. Show us what you got.
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