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Kings pick up Team Option on Keon Ellis

The Kings can still work out an extension with Ellis after picking up his final year team option.
By | 140 Comments | Jun 30, 2025

Apr 13, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23) gestures against the Phoenix Suns during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images

One of the first major decision new GM Scott Perry had to make with regards to the current roster is what do with regards to Keon Ellis’s final year team option.  Picking up the team option locks Ellis in at $2.3 million for this season but also means he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, while turning it down would have made Ellis a Restricted Free Agent, allowing the Kings to match any offer but also having to pay him more now.  Per reports, Perry and the Kings went with the former option, increasing their flexibility for this season but also risking losing one of their most talented young players for nothing in the future if an extension can’t be worked out.

The Kings can still lock Ellis up to a big extension later in the season when he becomes eligible on February 9th.  The maximum they can offer him is around 4 years and $89 million.  But if an extension isn’t worked out, Ellis could test the waters in free agency.  That’s ultimately the gamble the Kings are making, but hopefully the Kings feel good about their chances to retain Ellis in the long term.  Ellis has emerged as one of the better young players the Kings have developed in recent years.  After signing a two-way contract with the Kings out of college, Ellis emerged in his second year to become a solid rotation piece and eventual starter, bringing tough-nosed defense and solid shooting (42.9% from three over his first three seasons) to a team in desperate need of both.

Now it remains to be seen what the Kings will do with the extra room they will have when NBA Free Agency starts today at 3 pm.  There’s a lot of smoke that the Kings are the favorites to land Dennis Schröder, and Marc Stein reports today that the Kings could also still be looking at adding another lead guard even if Schröder does join, with both Russell Westbrook and Malcolm Brogdon being mentioned.  The trade market might also heat up.  Regardless, big changes are coming for the Sacramento Kings, but at least Keon Ellis will be a part of the picture for now.

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Kfan
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June 30, 2025 9:12 am

If they’re looking to compete for a playoff spot this season, which I think is a given, then I think this was the only move. Going the RFA route would eat up all their space and make getting a PG more difficult.

Hope they can work out the extension, or better yet, already have had a discussion with Keon and his agent.

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 9:21 am
Reply to  Kfan

I really hope they discussed their plans with his agent beforehand. I think they’ll throw a great offer at him as soon as their able to – he’s in line to get something that’s $12M-$15M/yr, hopefully over 4 yrs.

TheGrantNapear
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June 30, 2025 10:33 am
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

I agree. I have to assume they have already agreed on the outline of a new contract and it’ll get signed in February.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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June 30, 2025 9:45 am
Reply to  Kfan

I think there are other ways of filing the PG spot than blowing the MLE on a middling stopgap. They have movable contracts in DDR and Monk. I favored locking up Keon then figuring out the PG thing later. Hell, maybe there is a S&T opportunity in Monk for Schroder, if they really want that dude. Who knows, there could other things coming down the pike that none of us expected, but if it’s Schroder or bust, I won’t be watching much Kings basketball next season.

BeTheBall
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June 30, 2025 10:12 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I’m not sure Monk and DeRozan are all that moveable, especially with word coming out last week about Monk re-signing here because it was his only decent offer. I also can’t imagine there’s a lot of interest in an old SG who grinds an offense to a halt and hates defending.

TheGrantNapear
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June 30, 2025 10:35 am
Reply to  BeTheBall

On the one had I agree, but on the other, the majority of the NBA is in win now mode (especially the East) and a lot of teams can use a bucket getter so I see there being a market for DDR and Monk. And I think having Perry as GM instead of MM may create a more active FO. Perry seems to have ties all across the NBA. It’s more of a hunch, but I think Perry will be active.

Kings-Rebuild
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June 30, 2025 12:49 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

Absolutely. Probably can’t afford them but don’t you think Denver can use Monk or DDR. Houston also but less so now with Durant. The Knicks, Heat, maybe Boston, maybe Orlando could use those players. They have market value, how much I’m not sure but if you just want to move it wouldn’t be a problem. Same with Val and maybe Lavine.

BeTheBall
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June 30, 2025 12:57 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

I don’t think DeRozan (and to a lesser extent, Monk) is a “win-now” player.

Kings-Rebuild
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June 30, 2025 12:23 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

That’s a confusing post. You want to move the contract of DDR and Monk. Okay fine, I’d like to also move Lavine, Sabonis, Val and possibly Murray. So if you want to move DDR and Monk, I assume you want to start kind of a rebuild and accept we are not championship competitive. So then why the hell are you worried about a point guard.

Player development should be the main priority, which makes it likely that the Kings will have a high lottery pick next year.
The Kings are/should be a team to watch for unloading players in the trade market. It doesn’t make sense for the Kings to be aggressive in free agency or worrying about filling a position of need at this stage which should be the beginning of a rebuilding process. 

Amonk81
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June 30, 2025 11:33 am
Reply to  Kfan

It smells of short sighted and typical
idiot owner vision of nothing. Unless they sign him to an extension.

andy_sims
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June 30, 2025 12:10 pm
Reply to  Amonk81

I like how you just blasted something out there, then blew it up with an extremely likely qualifier.

Last edited 21 days ago by andy_sims
Kings-Rebuild
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June 30, 2025 12:15 pm
Reply to  Kfan

Well said but do we know what the plan may be. Better yet, do they have a plan. I guess for now, that’s a good way to go and doesn’t commit them either way but at some point they better pick a lane and then hit the gas pedal.

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 9:36 am

I’m hearing that HOU is expected to go at DFS, that would likely mean that Tari Eason would not be able to receive an extension from HOU and will need to be moved before he is lost for nothing (contract runs out at end of 2025-2026 season).

If DFS is signed anything more the MLE, the Durant trade (& expected extension), the Jabari extension along with retaining FVF, Adams, Tate, and Green…HOU is pretty much tapped out for the next 2-3 years.

I’d throw 2 lightly protected FRPs their way for Eason.

Last edited 21 days ago by NorCalKingsFan
Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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June 30, 2025 9:42 am
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

As would I. That team is loaded with wings. I don’t know how they are going to play all of Durant, Amen, Smith Jr., Whitmore, Tate, Eason, and possibly DFS. Houston does have some time on their side since they have decided to go all in this upcoming season. They could just sit on Eason and see how things play out.

TheGrantNapear
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June 30, 2025 10:38 am
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

HOU has casually followed OKC in building a talented team with picks and depth that should make them contenders for years. Imagine if they had drafted Mobley instead of Green.
Anyways, if KD is healthy, I think they have just as good as shot as OKC to get out the West, could probably say the same with SAS to a lesser degree unless Fox turns back time to the LTB season play.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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June 30, 2025 9:38 am

What really chaps me about this decision is the Kings didn’t take advantage of a depressed market to lock Keon up on the cheap. Spotrac has every team projected over the cap going into free agency. That means no team, without additional moves, could offer Keon anything more than the full MLE at $14.1M. That also doesn’t take into consideration that a healthy chunk of those team won’t offer the full MLE as it would put them into the tax. Even if someone does offer the full MLE, the Kings could match, work out a S&T or simply let him walk since he doesn’t seem to be a long term priority. The very reality may be that he’s isn’t even offered the full MLE. The largest offer out there might be between $8-12M. The Kings blew an opportunity to let the market dictate his value.

The Kings blew an opportunity to retain arguably their best two way player on a Herb Jones type of deal, which is the exact kind of contract the Pacers and Thunder rounded out their rosters with.

Now, I’d imagine Keon’s camp will settle for nothing less then the full extension 4 years at $89M come next February. They will have the Kings over a barrel because next summer it’s projected that teams will have a lot more money to spend. Sure, the Kings could call Keon’s bluff and let him hit free agency, but then you’ve burned a bridge and Keon still sign a deal elsewhere worth more than the MLE.

Small market teams need to use the CBA rules to perfection, and IMO, Perry just took his first major misstep. If the Kings do end up offering Schroder the full MLE, that means the prioritized him over Keon. That’s an incredibly short sided and desperate move to crack 40 wins, and it also might even make the Kings the oldest team in the NBA. Old and out of the playoffs. Bravo Kangz, bravo.

TheGrantNapear
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June 30, 2025 10:40 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I agree with everything you said, but in the interest of being optimistic with a new GM, I’m just going to assume that KE will get resigned in Feb. Knowing this franchise and Vivek, my optimism will be proven wrong, but have to trust Perry as the new GM.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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June 30, 2025 11:13 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

I guess this past season used up all of my optimism. I now expect full Kangz.

Last edited 21 days ago by Adamsite
Amonk81
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June 30, 2025 11:39 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Exactly. Until proven otherwise. That’s why I expect them to pick up some shit like Westbrook. Maybe not even trade DDR.

LookS like Perry is trying to thread the needle but this owner is oppressive.

TheGrantNapear
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June 30, 2025 12:52 pm
Reply to  Amonk81

I would absolutely love signing RW as the starting PG. It would 100 percent aide a stealth tank. Plus it would be entertaining and he’d likely be tradeable at the deadline if signed to a cheap contract.

Jman1949
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June 30, 2025 11:05 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I’ve always depended on Spotrac’s accuracy, but it’s hard to believe that every team is over the cap going into FA.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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June 30, 2025 11:12 am
Reply to  Jman1949

I thought the Nets would for sure have space, but it looks like the folks over at Spotrac have already accounted for the recent re-signings (Sharpe and Williams) and the salary scale of all of the draft picks they had.

Scroll down to the bottom here. It shows no team is under the cap. Maybe a lot of that is cap holds, but I have to assume they are re-signing Cam Thomas and they also absorbed Terance Mann’s $15M contract onto their cap sheet.

Jman1949
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June 30, 2025 11:40 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I wonder if it’s some combination of unfamiliarity with the aprons and the relatively thin FA ranks this season. Whatever the reasons, it just reinforces your point about missing an opportunity to resign Keon in a down market.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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June 30, 2025 11:52 am
Reply to  Jman1949

Just noticing some recent re-signings and opt-ins, it sure seems players are taking less than what they have in recent years.

Every year prior I’m shocked at some of he ridiculous contracts players get, but this year it seems there won’t be any. The biggest opt-out to test free agency I’ve seen is DFS, and his deal was just $15M for one season. My guess is he’s looking for a long term MLE deal. All other opt-outs have been re-signings by their own team. No one seems to be testing real open market free agency because there just isn’t any money there.

Who is the biggest free agent right now? Brook Lopez? Clint Capela? Kuminga? There is no one there.

The league trend makes the Keon decision all the more upsetting.

Amonk81
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June 30, 2025 11:36 am
Reply to  Adamsite

This idea of remaining flexible for later while trying to win now the same bullshit as last GM?

Yes, because still seems like owner running the show. We’ll see.

Kings-Rebuild
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June 30, 2025 12:31 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Well if they do sign him for 4 years $89 mil it really means they got 5 years for $91 mil. Which is $18 mil a year, not much more than the $16 mil a year you proposed in a previous post. In reality, I think they can offer him 3 years for $30 mil and he should and will take it. That ends up being 4 years for $32.3 mil right at the $8 mil a year I’d pay him.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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June 30, 2025 12:57 pm
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

Well if they do sign him for 4 years $89 mil it really means they got 5 years for $91 mil. Which is $18 mil a year

Except that’s not how the salary cap works. The Kings would still be paying him over $22M per year for the four years after next. I don’t think he’s worth that, which is why I would have let the market dictate his value this summer.

Seeing some the recent re-signings over the past 24 hours, teams are being really frugal with the cap rules. Had Keon hit restricted free agency, he may have only received an offer of like 3 years for $30M. That would have been a win for the Kings with their right to match. Alas, we’ll never know, but I feel he will cost more than that after next season when more teams have more money to spend.

What I don’t understand is that if no one can offer him more than the MLE this summer, which the Kings could match, why would you choose extend him to a 4 year $89M deal come February. Is Schroder worth that kind of opportunity cost or do the Kings just not value Keon?

BeTheBall
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June 30, 2025 2:48 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I still have a hard time belieiving that every free agent signing with a new team this offseason will get no more than MLE money. As that sounds like it would be the first such occurrence in free agent history. There has to be something missing on Spotrac.

bignerd
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June 30, 2025 10:25 am

I think they got this one right. Keon’s value is a role player on a team friendly contract and they extended it for a year.

He’s got the right attributes but not sure you pay him as one of the guys sticking around for a few seasons. The team has two first round picks waiting to take his time. But this is the Kings, all three of those players could be vanquished from the roster by February.

andy_sims
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June 30, 2025 12:27 pm
Reply to  bignerd

Ellis is our bird in the hand, and a known quantity. I don’t take issue (yet) with how things have played so far, but that’s assuming that an extension has been mostly worked out. If that’s not how it develops, then all they’ve likely done is cost themselves money next summer, or potentially lose the exact kind of player that every team looks for.

I’d rather not assume that one or both draftees work out, although I hope for the best. I don’t think that either’s presence impacts Ellis, since he doesn’t play wing, power forward or center.

KangzofLeon
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July 2, 2025 1:26 pm
Reply to  bignerd

Honestly, I view him as one of our best players, and certainly one of if not our best defensive player. He fits into most team’s schemes and is a winning player in my mind. I sincerely hope we lock him in for an extension because you don’t let players like him go for nothing. Even if we traded him down the road, that’s a great value for an undrafted signing

TheGrantNapear
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June 30, 2025 10:32 am

Man, the Finals just finished a week ago and we already had the draft and now FA starts. I’m guessing the NBA is doing everything they can to have activity during the dead period of the NFL offseason.

Should be an interesting FA period. Teams just don’t have money to spend in this new CBA environment so I think we’ll see a lot of players sign for less than we thought they would. Hopefully Perry can work some magic to increase roster depth and get out of bad contracts that might be attractive to win now teams.

bignerd
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June 30, 2025 10:56 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

It’s about time the NBA got a real salary cap. It was a league where 25 teams pretended and swore to their fans it was a real salary cap while the Superstar players figured it out and dictated to the league where they were going to play.

TheGrantNapear
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June 30, 2025 12:54 pm
Reply to  bignerd

I agree with you. It’s nice to see the LBJ/KD/Beard era of player entitlement fade.

Hobby916
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June 30, 2025 11:27 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

They have a cap, but they don’t have a cap. All these stipulations and ways to float above it, ridiculous. Make a max amount of money that can be spent for each team, no exceptions. Many guys are making north of $40m/year, which is absurd.

Adamsite
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June 30, 2025 11:36 am
Reply to  Hobby916

It will never happen. The Player’s Association wants those big contracts for the stars and it also raises the floor for the role players. Should the league hard cap everyone, the cap would be considerably higher to satisfy the players, but that would then squeeze out the smaller markets and less wealthy teams (think baseball but with a stupid high cap).

The current CBA does its best to satisfy all parties. The players get their money, contenders have mechanisms to pay to win, and the smaller markets get some parity. It ain’t perfect, but at least its more or less working

TheGrantNapear
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June 30, 2025 12:58 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

The truly elite players (Joker, SGA, Freak) etc. will get those super max deals…but the players that are stars but not on that level will see their share of the pie decrease. Especially as teams are seeing the best route now is not a big 3 but really one elite star and sidekick lesser star with crazy depth around those two (OKC with SGA/JW, Joker/JM and Denver from a few years ago, Freak/Middleton) etc.

Adamsite
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June 30, 2025 1:31 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

100% agree to the lesser stars potentially losing out, and that is where the Players Association steps in. There are far more non-superstars in the league who help to dictate their demands.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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June 30, 2025 1:02 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

7 last NBA champions were all different. You have big market (Lakers, Boston, Golden State) and mid-market (Denver, Toronto) and small market (Milwaukee, OKC).

On the broad side, the system is working. Yes, major markets have advantages – always have, always will.

Even during the David Stern years (8 champions in 30 years) where dynasties were the norm (Lakers and Boston dominate, Chicago and Jordan as well. Let’s add big markets Houston and Dallas. Mid-market Miami because it’s football country. But so did the Tim Duncan Spurs and Detroit. They weren’t champs, Utah also always had a good showing.

With a larger cap the salaries rise across the board. De’Aaron Fox’s payday will be interesting. Julius Randle “settled” for $100M/3 years. You have the Zach Lavine $47.5M next, then $49M) contract, but what about, Bradley Beal, KAT, Jimmy Buckets, Jamal Murray, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard – I could go on, but there are 17 players at $50M or more.

Last edited 21 days ago by UpgradedToQuestionable
oshima9
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June 30, 2025 2:02 pm

The Warriors were a small market team until purchased by Lacob and Guber. It is a rather elastic concept.

Nathanssj
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June 30, 2025 11:05 am

Obvious pickup. Competing right now I would consider malpractice. This season should be development for young guys and seeing what you have long term. Keegan and Keon Ellis are building block pieces like when okc extended Dort. Kings should look at themselves where okc was after Paul left in setting the foundation/culture. Moving on from derozan, Lavine and Sabonis should be the priority as long as they can return future assets. I’m ok with keeping sabonis mostly because his salary hurts what you can get back and the new cap makes him extremely hard to trade for any amazing value.

AirmaxPG
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June 30, 2025 11:30 am
Reply to  Nathanssj

You are correct in what they should do imho.

But the Kings won’t.

It’s pretty obvious they are going after Shroder and other middling vets to put around their “core” of Lavine, Sabonis, and probably DDR.

Another play-in team at best most likely.

Man, Vivek is just so bad at this. …as always, hope I’m wrong though!

Kings-Rebuild
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June 30, 2025 12:33 pm
Reply to  Nathanssj

Very well said. Agree for the most part.

rockbottom
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June 30, 2025 4:38 pm
Reply to  Nathanssj

Seems OKC foundation and culture was formed the day P. George was traded for SGA and picks .

Adamsite
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June 30, 2025 12:06 pm

First Collin Sexton gone, now Clarkson. I have to think John Collins is next. Just do DDR for Collins already.

FROM SHAMS:Jordan Clarkson is finalizing a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz, sources tell ESPN. Clarkson will target contending teams for his new home — with interest from multiple playoff teams already expected.

Shams Charania Tweets (& Other NBA News) (@shamsbot.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T18:48:05.162Z

TheGrantNapear
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June 30, 2025 1:02 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I think UTAH is stealth tanking another season, so I don’t see why they’d be interested in DDR.
If Vivek is hell bent on competing now, a Lauri for Monk and DDR trade works, obviously the Kings would have to fork over a boat load of firsts and swaps. Ainge would turn around and flip DDR and Monk at the deadline for additional assets.
It’s not a deal I would even consider since I’m in the tank crowd, but Vivek who knows.

Adamsite
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June 30, 2025 1:33 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

I guess we could make the same argument for them keeping Collins. Ainge has to flip him before the deadline or he just walks. Trading for DDR at least gives them a bigger name with another year of flexibility. Utah can afford to sit him, flip him for future assets (something the Kings don’t seem willing to do) or even buy him out. Basically what the Kings want for DDR is likely different than what Utah may want.

andy_sims
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June 30, 2025 12:08 pm

Find diamonds in the rough, develop them, keep them around.

Keon Ellis!

Kings-Rebuild
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June 30, 2025 12:52 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Yes but don’t overpay like we did with Holmes and Monk.

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June 30, 2025 1:02 pm
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

Inevitably, most teams overpay to keep their talent. It’s the price paid for not risking them hitting unrestricted free agency. Few players take hometown discounts like Jalen Brunson. RFA is a tool to help prevent overpaying by letting the market dictate the price. By hanging onto the hope of extending Keon in February, the Kings will only be bidding against themselves.

TheGrantNapear
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June 30, 2025 1:04 pm
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

4/$78 for Monk seems like a fair contract and not an overpay and I think an easily moveable contract at 3 years at around $20 mill per remaining.

MidtownMike
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June 30, 2025 3:45 pm
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

That’s why you have him as a rfa in a tight wallet fa season to let the market dictate his value and then match or work a s&t for him

Want2win
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June 30, 2025 12:22 pm

Ok .. go ahead and roast me.. I love the story of Keon Ellis. I like what he brings the team, but I am not of the school that he isn’t replaceable. Again, strong defender, seems like somebody that everybody in the team likes, good three-point shooting percentage, high steal rate but if you like at his per 36 stats he is meh.. dont get me wrong I really like him, but I just don’t see him as a person that will get us to the promised land as and he will always kind of be a role player and I believe those are more replaceable.. so my thoughts are do we really want to make it harder to find a point guard or be able to move DDR or Levine by not picking up his option? So I can see this is a good and necessary move not one that I love.

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June 30, 2025 12:37 pm
Reply to  Want2win

Your assessment of Keon is shared by me. When you have virtually nothing on the roster to be excited about, it human nature to over value the small bright spots you do have. Overpaying for role players or supporting cast starters is one of the best ways to keep your franchise from progressing.

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June 30, 2025 1:05 pm
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

Your assessment of Keon is shared by me. When you have virtually nothing on the roster to be excited about, it human nature to over value the small bright spots you do have. Overpaying for role players or supporting cast starters is one of the best ways to keep your franchise from progressing.

I think most Kings fans also have this sentiment with Sabonis.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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June 30, 2025 1:14 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

I think most Kings fans also have this sentiment with Sabonis.

Don’t count me in that crowd. When you say “Sabonis”, are you referring to multiple All-Star, 3 years in a row lead the League in rebounds and double-doubles, behind All-World Nikola Jokic in triple-doubles, best player on your team and it isn’t even close, Domantas Sabonis?

He’s the 28th highest paid player on the League, presently, and he’s in Sacramento. I’m glad he’s here. Overpay? that’s an opinion I don’t agree with.

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June 30, 2025 1:37 pm

Agreed, he’s best player the Kings have had in some time. he’s easily a top 30 player in the league and 28th in pay is very on par. FWIW, LaVine is the 15th highest paid player. I’d look to move him long before Sabonis.

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June 30, 2025 2:15 pm

Don’t count me in that crowd. When you say “Sabonis”, are you referring to multiple All-Star, 3 years in a row lead the League in rebounds and double-doubles, behind All-World Nikola Jokic in triple-doubles, best player on your team and it isn’t even close, Domantas Sabonis?

Look at all the winning in the playoffs Joker has done, whilst Sabonis has never won anything in the playoffs. It’s comical to mention a player like Sabonis who has never won anything in the same breath as Joker who will go down as top 15 of all time. I don’t care about the numbers, I care about impacting winning.
There’s a reason why the nerds that cover the NBA for a living don’t think highly of Sabonis yet King’s fans do, and it goes back to the original point of fans inflating their own player’s worth because there’s nothing else to get excited over.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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June 30, 2025 2:52 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

That’s your take?

Sabonis is not Jokic?

He’s not “a winner”.

Jokic and Domas are world’s apart; not inches, or feet. Miles. But he is a top player in this League, and arguably one of the top 3, 5 players in Sacramento Kings history. Hate the team, not the player.

I appreciate your view. I don’t agree.

Last edited 21 days ago by UpgradedToQuestionable
AirmaxPG
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June 30, 2025 1:21 pm
Reply to  Want2win

I don’t think there are many who think Keon is a future all- star (or even close).

But he is the type of role player that contributes to winning in today’s NBA. We don’t have many of those.

In short, we’ve got 99 problems and Keon ain’t one. Which is why we don’t want to lose him.

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June 30, 2025 1:54 pm
Reply to  AirmaxPG

Great way to look at it

oshima9
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June 30, 2025 2:07 pm
Reply to  AirmaxPG

I agree with this measured assessment, and Keon is becoming a 3 and D player that is essential in the today’s NBA.

With that said, I think that Kings’ exercise of the team option means that he is gone after this year. If the team can’t pay him this year, why would it pay him more next year? I understand the cap/luxury tax situation, but I can’t see the team having a lot more to sign him during next season. My guess is that this is how Keon’s agent sees it.

I wish him well wherever he goes.

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June 30, 2025 3:43 pm
Reply to  AirmaxPG

Especially for nothing. Asset management is probably the most important job for a kings gm and why we have sucked for so long

Kfan
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June 30, 2025 1:21 pm

Might be good we didn’t open him to FA this summer.

An already thin crop of free agents is becoming sparser by the hour.With Kyrie Irving, James Harden and LeBron James off the board, who are the best of the players that remain available?http://dlvr.it/TLf8v2

The Athletic (@theathletic.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T20:01:39Z

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June 30, 2025 1:40 pm
Reply to  Kfan

Beasley is the interesting case here. Should his legal troubles be for real, Detroit may cut bait and work hard to retain Schroder. They really can’t afford to lose them both.

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June 30, 2025 1:44 pm

Whoa.

Russell Westbrook to Sacramento has a lot more momentum than I realized.And they may not have to pick between Russ or Schroder either…

Matt George (@mattgeorgesac.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T20:41:31.963Z

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June 30, 2025 1:57 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Yikes!

comment image

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June 30, 2025 2:04 pm
Reply to  Kfan

Perry: “if we sign all the guards in the league, even more than PHX, then someone is bound to trade us a wing for one of them. Amirite?”

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June 30, 2025 2:11 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Typical Scott Perry move…last time here he brought in Zach Randolph and Vince Carter.

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June 30, 2025 2:18 pm
Reply to  Jman1949

Oh wow! You’re right. He was here for the beginning of free agency when the Kings signed ZBo and Carter. He left days after those dudes were signed. Signing Westbrook is eerily similar. It also just smells Vivek wanting gate receipts.

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June 30, 2025 3:01 pm
Reply to  Jman1949

There seems to be a reason why Perry wasn’t in charge of roster management when he worked for the Knicks, and Mills/Rose were.

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June 30, 2025 2:17 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Reports are we are pursuing both Russ and Kuminga. I’d be fine with both. Take a flyer on an uber talented young player and let Russ start at PG to assist with the loss column.

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June 30, 2025 2:19 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

Sure, let’s surround Domas with even more non-outside shooting players. 😉

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June 30, 2025 2:18 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

If Schroeder and Russ come to Sac, does that mean one of Monk or Carter leave? Is Keon going to be involved in a trade to a team that wanted the lower salary of his existing contract? This should be interesting.

I also read that Russ to the Knicks is a thing.

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June 30, 2025 3:10 pm

I think my Free Agency is broken…is anyone else’s working?

Kfan
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June 30, 2025 3:12 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

after the brunson tampering they now all pretend to be negotiating til like 6:15 lol

Robby Kalland (@rkalland.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T22:06:03.421Z

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June 30, 2025 3:16 pm

What a joke of a franchise.

this actually made me laugh out loud

Michael Pina (@michaelvpina.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T22:11:44.630Z

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June 30, 2025 3:20 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Why in the world does Chris Haynes think this is reportable news? The first news alert of of Free Agency is about a team sending emails…lol

bignerd
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June 30, 2025 4:00 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Mmm, is it the zoom talk? Personally a visit to Sacramento on July 1st is not how to court anyone.

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 4:04 pm
Reply to  bignerd

no kidding…I bet Scott Perry’s background on the zoom call is still MSG

Kfan
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June 30, 2025 3:22 pm

5-$240 Mil, That’s a lot of cheddar. But hey, in his 7 years they’ve made the playoffs 4 times got past the first round and lost in the semis once!

FROM SHAMS:BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies and All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. are expected to agree on a five-year, $240 million maximum renegotiation-and-extension, sources tell ESPN. Head of CAA Basketball Austin Brown and CAA agent Max Saidman negotiated the new agreement with the Grizzlies.

Shams Charania Tweets (& Other NBA News) (@shamsbot.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T22:15:38.206Z

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June 30, 2025 3:31 pm
Reply to  Kfan

That’s a lot of money but JJJ is pretty much the ideal PF to slot between Murray and Domas and I wish he could be a King.

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July 1, 2025 7:21 am
Reply to  Kfan

All I know is that he invariably disappears playing against Sabonis. He’s a good player, but incredibly overrated.

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June 30, 2025 3:33 pm

DFS to HOU on a $53M/4yr (via Shams)

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June 30, 2025 3:34 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

That’s less then the full MLE. It’s a depressed market.

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June 30, 2025 3:40 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Would probably be a good time to have keon as a rfa eh?! Lol

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June 30, 2025 4:00 pm
Reply to  MidtownMike

Yup.

Kings-Rebuild
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June 30, 2025 4:25 pm
Reply to  MidtownMike

You need to start thinking out of the box. They are fine with how they’ve handled Keon so far.

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 3:44 pm

Cole Anthony is apparently being bought out or stretched/waived by MEM…they apparently needed to lessen his salary for the JJJ extension.

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 3:47 pm

LaRavia to LAL on a $12M/2yrs

Kfan
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June 30, 2025 3:48 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

Bummer. That’s not that much more than we could’ve done.

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 3:52 pm
Reply to  Kfan

I think LAL losing DFS opened a bunch of minutes for a good big wing like LaRavia.

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 3:55 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

What is going on? Chris Haynes just reported that LaRavia to SAC on a $12/2yrs…

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 3:57 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

the first report of LaRavia going to LAL was from Shams…NM, Chris Haynes just edited his tweet…LOL

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June 30, 2025 3:59 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

And that’s another 2nd round pick thrown away by the Kings. It took that to acquire him.

Kfan
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June 30, 2025 4:01 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

We’ll get it back when we send Keon out at the trade deadline.

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June 30, 2025 4:11 pm
Reply to  Kfan

comment image

Kings-Rebuild
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June 30, 2025 4:23 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Yeah that hurts. Would have loved to keep him at that price.

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June 30, 2025 4:02 pm

Less than the full MLE.

FROM SHAMS:Free agent guard Tre Jones has agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal to return to the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. Kevin Bradbury of LIFT Sports Management finalized the new deal with Bulls officials tonight.

Shams Charania Tweets (& Other NBA News) (@shamsbot.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T23:00:51.108Z

Kfan
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June 30, 2025 4:05 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Good deal for them. This cracked me up:

BORD$ had a $21.5 million valuation on Tre Jones. Even if you think that's a reach, he's a massively undervalued player right now. Chicago gets a great deal, setting Bulls up to trade him to a contender two years from now and receive no draft picks.www.nytimes.com/athletic/641…

John Hollinger (@johnhollinger.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T23:03:31.544Z

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June 30, 2025 4:06 pm
Reply to  Kfan

Excellent little jab there at the end, well done John.

Want2win
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June 30, 2025 4:06 pm

Welp.. no Jake Laravia 2 year 12 million with that team..

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 4:07 pm

MPJ to BRK for Cam Johnson (from Shams)

Denver gets off of MPJs contract and still gets a long shooter…not bad with zero draft assets

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June 30, 2025 4:08 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

Beat me to it. 🙂

Want2win
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June 30, 2025 4:15 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

The nets are stockpiling forwards and point guards.. the kings are stockpiling undersized high usage guards

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 4:09 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

spoke too soon, they had to include their next available asset

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June 30, 2025 4:08 pm

Kangz are asleep at the wheel.

FROM SHAMS:BREAKING: The Denver Nuggets are trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cam Johnson, sources tell ESPN.

Shams Charania Tweets (& Other NBA News) (@shamsbot.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T23:06:51.067Z

Kfan
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June 30, 2025 4:10 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Frees up some cash for the Nugs. I think that’s a plus move for them

Kings-Rebuild
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June 30, 2025 4:20 pm
Reply to  Kfan

The Nets are beautifully following a rebuild plan. Take on a bad contract for draft capital. It a little far out the pick but the right idea. I love what Brooklyn is doing. That’s what the Kings should do.

Kfan
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June 30, 2025 4:22 pm
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

You’re preaching to the choir. Unfortunately Vivek/Matina are not interested in rebuilding.

The Nets' updated haul from the Kevin Durant trade:

Tommy Beer (@tommybeernba.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T23:15:38.770Z

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June 30, 2025 4:09 pm

I have to assume the Kings could have retained Keon very cheap via RFA at this point.

FROM SHAMS:Breaking: Free agent guard D'Angelo Russell has agreed on a two-year, $13 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN. Mavericks officials and CAA Co-Heads of Basketball Austin Brown/Aaron Mintz and Antonio Russell reached the new contract after free agency began.

Shams Charania Tweets (& Other NBA News) (@shamsbot.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T23:03:23.178Z

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June 30, 2025 4:13 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Yeah.

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 4:11 pm

Ty Jerome to MEM

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 4:12 pm

Schroder to SAC

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June 30, 2025 4:12 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

of course…

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June 30, 2025 4:13 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

no other info yet, from Fred Katz

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June 30, 2025 4:15 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

The big question is for how much? If it’s more than 10, it’s Kangz

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June 30, 2025 4:17 pm
Reply to  Kfan

I’m gonna kick a puppy if the Kings are paying Schroder more than what DRuss just signed for in Dallas or what Jones just signed for in Chicago.

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June 30, 2025 4:22 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Personally, not a fan of D-Russell at all, and Tre Jones is probably my 5th fav FA PG (after Schroder, Mann, Tyus Jones, & Westbrook).

What was it that was appealing to you about them?

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June 30, 2025 4:25 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

Nothing at all. I’m just looking at their price tag and will be very disappointed if Schroder is getting more than them.

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June 30, 2025 4:27 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Hollinger had him rated at 7+ Mil. Looks like we’re doubling that. Kangz

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June 30, 2025 4:28 pm
Reply to  Kfan

the number reported yesterday was $28/2yrs, but that could’ve been floated by his agent

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June 30, 2025 4:27 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

gotcha

Kings-Rebuild
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June 30, 2025 4:16 pm

So on a championship payroll without busting the salary cap, you can afford to have two players with mega max contracts. Those two players have to be competitive with the top two players on the other championship competitive teams. Then you need a couple of highly productive young players still on rookie modest contracts. Then if you can, find a couple of productive veteran minimum players. Round out the roster using your remaining payroll to fill areas of need with MLE type players.

You can’t give max contracts to players who are not top 25 players and then expect to be competitive. Look at the OKC payroll. They have exactly that. Presti also knows in a couple of years he has to pay heavily for Chet and Williams. He also knows at that time he can’t afford to pay Hartenstein 29 mil a year like today so he’s already planning a cheaper replacement for that role. Fortunately he has a pile of draft picks to do that with.

The Kings currently don’t have any top 25 players so we are at an extreme disadvantage paying a player like LaVine and perhaps Sabonis mega max salaries. So there’s really only one thing to do, if you ever expect to compete with the OKC model.

  1. Clear out the overpriced payroll for draft capital and young’s prospects.
  2. Don’t create new bad contracts. We have the potential to do that with Murray and Keon.
  3. When you get to the point where you have payroll space, consider taking on a bad contract or two for draft picks and young prospects still on rookie contracts.
  4. Focus on nothing but player development ensuring you will be in the lottery for two or more years.
  5. Draft wisely, hope you find the superstar like the Joker. Trade wisely for young prospects and hope you hit on a SGA.
  6. Build around the star you hopefully acquire with all the draft capital you obtained through trades and tanking.
  7. Don’t give up your draft picks because those are used to bring your payroll under control when your players start demanding contracts in excess of their abilities.

so with that said, I think it’s time to move Murray while you can get something for him. Hopefully a nice upper end first round pick along with a young prospect.

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June 30, 2025 4:26 pm

Looney to NOP on a $16M/2yr deal

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June 30, 2025 4:28 pm

Signing Schroeder as a free agent doesn’t hurt at all. I’d also sign Westbrook. He has a bigger upside. Not long ago he carried the Wizards to the playoffs. If you’re not going to tear it down, those are good signings. Cheap wildcard position of need players.

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June 30, 2025 4:37 pm
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

Dude, you are fine with the Schroder signing, don’t want to pay Keon, and now want to trade Keegan? I’m at a loss.

bignerd
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June 30, 2025 4:52 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Because he is looking at the contract length of these contracts.

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June 30, 2025 4:31 pm

Kornet to SAS on a $41M/4yr deal

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June 30, 2025 4:33 pm

I don’t believe anyone has yet taken the full MLE. Please don’t make it be Schroder.

FROM SHAMS:Free agent center Clint Capela has agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Major frontcourt addition – and return to Houston for Capela.

Shams Charania Tweets (& Other NBA News) (@shamsbot.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T23:31:03.270Z

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June 30, 2025 4:35 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

HOU is going all in.

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June 30, 2025 4:41 pm

Lavert to DET for $29M/2yr deal

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June 30, 2025 4:43 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

Wow, that seems like an overpay, but I guess that’s what happens when you lose Schroder and Beasly may be out of the league for a while.

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June 30, 2025 4:49 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

That Beasley news was crazy shit timing for him…even if he’s cleared in the investigation like Rozier was, he’s lost the money he was going to get.

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June 30, 2025 4:52 pm

Brook Lopez to LAC for $18M/2yr

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June 30, 2025 4:59 pm

There’s been rumblings that the Schroder deal to SAC is not being reported as it might be part of an S&T, maybe Fontecchio? 14 Scrhoder + 8 Fontec = 22 DDR

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June 30, 2025 5:16 pm

Alexander Walker just got $62 mil for 4 years. Keon is not Alexander Walker yet so whoever suggested $16 mil a year for Keon is off by a lot. At most 3 more years for $30 mil with the last year being a team option.

Wish the Kings would have signed Walker for that. Exactly what they need. Too bad

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 5:50 pm
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

NAW (2024-25 stats) – 26yrs
38% – 3pt
55% – 2pt
78% – FT

9 Pts/gm
3 Rebs/gm
2 Ast/gm
2 TOv/gm
1 Stocks/gm

ELLIS (2024-2025 stats) – 25yrs
43% – 3pt
62% – 2pt
85% – FT

12 Pts/gm
4 Rebs/gm
3 Ast/gm
1 TOv/gm
3 Stocks/gm

The numbers say Ellis is a year younger, a better shooter from everywhere on the court, and a better defender. I think he’d would’ve received the full MLE had he be been made a RFA. I think Ellis will want at least $56M/4yr.

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 5:33 pm

I like Caleb Houstan now that he’s available

NorCalKingsFan
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June 30, 2025 5:35 pm

Tyus Jones to ORL on $7M/1yr deal

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