Since beating the Dallas Mavericks on December 27th, the Kings have gone on to lose five straight games by a combined 123 points, an average margin of defeat of 24.6 points. The Kings now hold the 3rd worst record in the NBA, but the league’s worst net rating overall. To make matters worse is the fact that with flattened lottery odds, the Kings aren’t even guaranteed a top 4 pick. To go through all this suffering and not land a top pick would be the cherry on top of the shit sundae that is this season. Let’s cross that bridge when we get there though.
Little reason to tune in
Long time reader HeuristicLineup recently asked me and some other Kings fans in a group chat how much we are actually watching the team right now. This group chat contains some of the most die hard members of the fandom, people who wrote and covered the team from Kenny Natt to Tyrone Corbin to our current disaster. To answer honestly, this is the least I’ve ever watched or paid attention to the team in my life. I used to watch each and every game in its entirety. Nowadays, it’s hard to give this team my energy. I’ll put games on if I have nothing else going on, but if the game’s going bad now, I’m ok turning it off and doing something else with my life. It’s hard to give this team the same energy when you don’t feel connected to half the players on the roster, or hold much hope that anything is going to change after years and years of mismanagement. I enjoy watching the young guys play like Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford and Keegan Murray, but when they’re not in the game or when the game is being dominated by the vets like DeRozan or Schröder or Westbrook, I don’t really care. Those guys aren’t a part of the future of this team. This team right now is basically just marking time until moves are made. There’s no young and exciting prospect to watch. We’ve had some terrible teams over the years, but some of them were still fun to watch because you could see the potential. One of my favorite seasons ever was Tyreke Evans rookie year even though the team itself was awful. But that season was full of hope. Sure it didn’t pan out, but it doesn’t take away the enjoyment I had at the time, or the memories of that crazy game in Chicago when it looked like Tyreke had announced himself as the next big star. This year, the only time the Kings make the news is when Westbrook or DeRozan move up some historic statistical leaderboard. And sure, good for them, but it’s not really doing anything for my rooting interest as a Sacramento Kings fan. I’m not even really looking forward to Domas being back, because that will likely reduce Maxime’s playing time, although I would be interested to see how they work together.
Hopefully next year and the years after will be better. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years is that it’s ok to take a break, especially when it comes to this team.
Early Draft Thoughts
Sacramento’s descent back into the cellar has forced me to start refocusing on college prospects, something I hadn’t done in a while. This year’s top three is fantastic, although I admittedly have been paying more attention to AJ Dybantsa than anyone else. I love Dybantsa’s size and athleticism, and the fact that he’s shown to be a willing passer despite being known primarily as a scorer is something that stands out as a green flag in my book. Cameron Boozer seems very solid as well, and to me seems like the highest floor of the three, but also the lowest ceiling. Darryn Peterson is the name most people have at #1, and he seems to have a fairly complete game and excellent size for a shooting guard although I haven’t watched him play much. Outside of the top three, Caleb Wilson stands out as someone who could be a defensive menace, averaging 10.9 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals in 30 minutes a game while also being extremely efficient. As the college season goes along, I’ll definitely be keeping more and more of an eye on this class. I will say I am very happy the Kings decided to get bad again this year in what seems to be a very strong draft.
Keegan Murray can’t catch a break
Keegan suffered an ankle sprain yesterday against the Bucks and will likely miss some time as a result. His season’s been marred by injury already, and depending on the severity of this one he could see yet another extended absence. For the Kings that means the loss of their best (and only really) defender, and a small team will get even smaller. Given how this season’s going, absolutely nobody should be rushed back from an injury until they’re fully healthy. Zach LaVine returned yesterday and came off the bench, but that was likely just to ease him back in. I’m guessing he’ll return to the starting lineup with DeRozan going back to SF starting Tuesday against Dallas.
T-Minus 1 Month to the Deadline
Today officially marks the one month clock until the NBA’s trade deadline on February 5th and I would be extremely surprised if the Kings aren’t involved at the time. Almost everyone should be on the table. I don’t expect that all of Sacramento’s big contracts will be moved (particularly Domas or Lavine), but I do think we will likely see the Kings move on from DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk, and possibly Dennis Schröder and/or Russell Westbrook as well. Big names like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Trae Young are holding up the trade market right now, as well as the January 15th date when more players signed this offseason can be traded, but I’m guessing the Kings will have at least one if not two trades done before the deadline hits. In my books, the sooner the better as long as they aren’t using assets to get rid of salary themselves.
Apologies for the site issues
Just wanted to let you know that we are aware of the site slowdown issues over the holidays, and we’re sorry if you guys were affected. Having to host and maintain this site ourselves instead of through a big corporation is both time intensive and expensive, but we will do our best to try to alleviate this going forward and it should hopefully be more responsive already. Always feel free to shoot us an e-mail directly as well if you ever have any issues to editorial@kingsherald.com.
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Upcoming Schedule:
- Tuesday, January 6th vs. Dallas Mavericks
- Friday, January 9th at Golden State Warriors
- Sunday, January 11th vs. Houston Rockets
look like we are the Washington Generals for a couple of years
who gets to be Red Klotz?
Lifted from the post-game thread:
If the lottery were held today, the Kings would land somewhere between 1-7. 40% of landing in the top 3. My draft list will be very fluid over the next several months, but as of today…
I should add that I am woefully behind in bird dogging the international players, and I would love to hear from our other draft hawks, as this list is definitely written in pencil, not pen.
Copied my response from the game thread as well, in large part because I feel there is little to talk about in terms of the current roster, at least until some major changes are made. Fingers crossed.
Nice breakdown, Rob.
I’m sold on Peterson. I think he’s a franchise cornerstone. It’s crazy to hear the Jordan and Kobe comps (Wiggins was the same), but I don think he’s going to be a generational talent.
I have AJ as my #2 at the moment, only because I have my doubts about Boozer. I can’t get it out of my head that he reminds me of Bagley, but with better passing. I have some serious concerns about his defense and foot speed. I want a sure fire two way player in the mold of Kawhi, and I think AJ fits that mold better.
All I know is that this seems to be a three player draft with the top 8 all looking really good. The Kings really need to land a top 3 pick.
I posted something about. Can we talk about the draft and it’s gone AJ is my number one but maybe just cause I want size , Caleb Wilson is another one I like. And if somehow we could get a second pick around 16-20 I would love the kid out of Virginia Tech NeoKlis Avdalas.. he might go higher than 16 to 20 but I think he’s better than Josh Giddey. I mean, I would think just to be nice. Oklahoma City would give us one of their 45 first round draft picks. They have this year two of them might even end up in the lottery.
I have Caleb a tier below the big 3 in this draft and it’s mainly because of his shooting. He can rebound, defend, and pass, but his not much of an offensive threat away from the basket…so far. If the Kings land at #4, I’m cool with it as he could be a solid fit between Keegan and Sabonis.
At this point in time, however, I think I’d take Flemings ahead of him. He looks like an elite POA defender with solid playmaking and shot taking abilities. I imagine him as Keon Ellis with legit PG abilities.
I’ve watched Wilson several times this year, and I have mixed feelings. I won’t see much of an impact on the floor, then I check the box score and he has an 18pts, 11reb, 3 blocks and 1 steal. The production is there, and he does standout on the boards and the defensive end of the court.
Offensively it’s mainly dunks, layups from the post, and put backs. A junk scorer.
OKC extracts a high price for picks- they want to give up one, get one and move their asset value further out into the future.
Not sure of the V. Tech guy- saw him a couple of times- lots of hype but no fire.
Neo? The European kid? I think he looks solid.
I like the top 6. The ones below are too risky to get as a reward for such a lousy season. The top 3 are great although I have concerns about Boozer (Bagley or Thomas Robinson)
The two PG’s would be great- everyone needs a PG even if this means missing out on better talent at the top tier.
f I have to put up with the horror of this season, I want a reward.
AJ ia eerily reminiscent to T-Mac by my evaluation
can we have vlade rank them and then use the reverse of that as our draft list?
The nice thing about the site slowdown is I had full confidence the crew would fix it, a confidence I don’t extend towards Nerdboy and his dysfunctional family business.
TKH cares about its users. The Little Chap doesn’t give a crap about Kings fans.
This is the least enjoyable team that I have had to endure under the Randive error, and that is saying something, as it encompasses the Cousins / Barnes / Lawson team, as well as the Luke Walton years.
Watching the push and pull playing time of Keon Ellis is more frustrating than rewarding, as is the continued stalled progression of Keegan Murray. It’s pretty much about 2nd round pick Maxime Raynaud, and not a whole lot else (I do appreciated Westbrook’s non-stop motor, but it is absolutely wasted on this roster, and his actual talent ain’t what it used to be).
I try listening to the broadcasts so that I can stay current with the conversation here, but I just can’t do it for more than a couple of minutes. Stop trying to put lipstick on this damned pig and just fry it up already.
Recapping, this may be the most uninteresting team in the NBA (would you rather be a Kings or Pacers fan right now? Or Wizards or Nets? The Kings and Pels may be at a subterranean level that is all their own.). Add in the broadcast, and you may very well have the absolute worst product in the NBA. Thanks, Vivek!
Last night Kayte went on-and-on about what it takes to build a winning organization. It’s just an incredible product NBC Sports CA rolls out.
Some day we will be free, and there will be so much rejoicing.
go Pels, win some games you low performing idiots.
And they have no pick – they just genuinely suck.
Would it have been better if we didn’t have the 2022 playoffs happen, because the consequence was an unrealistic set of expectations on a team that had an egotistical owner with his own dream of having his man-crushes join forces and be a championship force, fit be damned.
I am taking a breather from watching the games for the sake of my blood pressure, heart rate, and sanity. TKH is more than enough to get the pulse of the team, and this is where i get my team updates, albeit slowly in the last couple of weeks.
NO!
That was a top 10 best Sacramento Kings season.
Have to enjoy the good whenever/however it comes. And it
endedpaused a massive 2 owner drought of ineptness.No sign of Keegan at practice.
Hard to tell whether this is guys getting up shots or Zach playing defense.
I’ve always tried to catch as many Kings games as I could, but this year has definitely been a turning point for me. I’m now tuning in half way through the games, hoping to see the bench play, and even then it’s on in the background.
It’s hard to stay engaged when the team you love is down by 20+ points in the 4th and Westbrook, DDR, and LaVine are still on the floor. It seems the majority of the fanbase has thrown in the towel, but the franchise keeps highlighting every career stat both Westbrook and DDR make in passing another great on the all time lists. They are the temporaty faces of the franchises being shoved down out throats.
Truth is, I don’t give shit about those records, Westbrook and DDR are NOT Kings. They are hired mercenaries for a team to make a buck off of their names and legacies. Vivek is the P.T. Barnum of NBA owners sitting courtside with his B-list celebrities. It’s almost comical at this point, if it weren’t so pathetic.
Any hoot, I’m just biding my time until this shipwreck gets blown up and we can talk about an actual future for this franchise. Maxi, Keegan, and Nique are nice and all, but they are just promising role players waiting for their cornerstone player, or two, to take the reins.
Just burn down this house of cards already.
My two cents:
Maxi has nice flow to his game. I like his liveliness – he pays attention, is down on himself for mistakes and seems to be interested in improvement. Nice touch around the basket. Needs to get thicker/stronger.
‘Nique is okay. Not seeing a lot of confidence in his game on a consistent basis. I like his handles and passing. I wouldn’t mind seeing him as a PG alternative. He seems to defend well. His shooting needs improvement.
Keegan is still showing Tobias Harris/Harrison Barnes more than Paul George or Khris Middleton. Will play at being aggressive on offense but it is not his default. I could see this improving (because I really want to see that) but I have gotten to the point where I am not expecting it. I was hoping he would be going through the Brooklyn Nets version of Mikal Bridges but on this team, at the current time, nah. He is looking like a 4th or 5th option on offense, just like his rookie year. He is a very good defender.
Keon – will he even be here next season?
I may be one of the few, but I really enjoy watching Westbrook play and cheer him and his records, because of his drive and he happens to be wearing a Kings uni. He is the only King to ever have been an MVP. (Rock Richmond’s MVP of All-Star Game 1995 does not count Dennis Schröder’s EuroBasket MVP 2025 does not count and the Stockton Kings have never had a G-League season MVP except Frank Mason III who was playing for the Wisconsin Herd).
I’m with you on Russ. I really like his development of Max. Just keeps tossing him the ball. I think DeMar’s been a better player since Russ moved into the starting lineup. He’s been over shooting lately, but that just helps the tank.
Keegan’s block – coast to coast dunk needs to be a gif that we can post in every thread.
I get that Westbrook is a legend and entertaining, but I just can’t buy into him being a King. It’s like watching Jordan in a Wizards uni. I’m sure it was cool for Wizards fans back in the day and brought some joy seeing MJ play, but what was the point other than butts in seats.
It’s pointless having him on this team for sure. But of DeMar, Zach, Dennis, Drew, McD, Saric and Russ, Russ has at least had a positive effect on the team, IMO.
What positive effect has he had though? I think he’s definitely added a win or two, but is that a good thing? He obviously brings passion, but I’ve also noticed a bit of a short fuse, especially when he gets frustrated with Maxi.
There have been a few occasions where Maxi bobbled the ball or missed a bunny after Westbrook made a good pass and the disgusted look or loud curse word coming Russ raised my eyebrows a bit. Maybe he’s just frustrated being on an 8 win team, but unless I see him coaching up the youngsters, I’m not sure what positive effect he’s had. I say this because what I have noticed a few times is he, Zach, and DDR sit on the end of the bench when not in the game which gives me the vibe that they are pouting.
They have nothing else to offer but Russ.
Couple of other thoughts:
What do you think Domas thinks about all of this?
Doug Christie is now 8-28. Mike Brown fired (12/27/2024) with 13-18. I don’t see them releasing Christie this season, no matter what, and doubt next season even if it’s a repeat of this one. Maybe, possibly, could be in his third season. Then…. Mike Woodson or Bobby Jackson.
I worry about Domas. The dude always seems to bring positive energy and he makes those around him better, so I’m guessing he’s souring on the direction of the franchise.
It also pains me since it’s been reported that he loves the area and wants to stay. It sounds like he’s nested here with his family in Napa. Ha, maybe a trade to the Warriors would do everyone some good.
As to Christie, I’m a bit surprised he hasn’t been thrown under the bus yet. Maybe Vivek and Perry have come to the full realization that this is a lost season, and likely next year too, so why change the coach since it’s only going to cost money.
I’d hope once the rebuild gains footing and this team is young and developing, they’d find the right coach too, because I don’t think it will be Doug.
Hard to say. Certainly a likeable fellow, and maybe he’s the right guy for the young guys. He’s not Mark Jackson. Is he JB Bickerstaff? doubtful. He is an unknown with barely a sliver of a chance of success at being an NBA Head Coach and at this point, he doesn’t cut the mustard.
Unfortunately, the same idiots who hired him are the same idiots who will keep him. Or the ones to name his successor.
Sigh. The more I talk about this franchise, the harder it is is to fan for them.
I like the 2-man game he has with Max. I think that’s been a big part of Max gaining confidence. I haven’t noticed the looks or cursing. Looks to me like Max and Russ get along fine, but I could be reading it wrong.
And the play of DeMar has been better since Russ replaced Dennis in the starting lineup. To me that’s the point where the team started playing with effort on both ends at least some of the time.
I’m not advocating for Russ even being on this team, but DeMar, Zach, Dennis, Drew, McD, and Saric shouldn’t be on this team either. Move them all.
Russ dribbles too much and takes bad shots. “They” (Kayte) says he has chemistry with Max but he only passes out of necessity. Ax is open quite a bit and never, however, gets the ball from DDR, LaVine or Keegan.
He is not Sengun or even Kalkbrennar or Ware
I agree Russ dribbles too much and takes bad shots, but he does get the ball to Max quite a bit, unlike, as you mention, the rest of the initiators.
I like Westbrook’s motor/passion, but he is not “a PG”. Dennis has been OK, but when you see Dennis running the point you can actually see someone trying to manipulate the defense and the whole floor *with his team mates* not just playing 1-on-1, driving headon to the basket and passing only as a last resort. I admit to pro-Dennis bias.
I have had season tickets since 1985.
Kings lack “the guy”. It is not Keegan, not DS and was, to an extent Fox.
I have serious trouble watching or going to games. I watched every minute of every game since 1985 even if it was on “tape delay”. and rarely miss one. Now I sell half.
I am a fan- like Cubs, Red Sox and the like. I will stick it out but have taken a break this year from full fledged involvement. and BTW I am now a SAS fan- temporary yes but I get to root for wins instead of accepting losses for better draft position.
Good. Let’s kick this trade season into high gear!
Quick, hide Vivek’s phone!
I find it interesting that both Malik Monk and Jonathan Kuminga are piling up DNP-CDs by the bucketload. Coincidence?
Quick, break Vivek’s phone!
I don’t think it is.
I was at a New Year’s party in the Bay and talked with quite few Dubs fans, especially after they learned I was a Kings fan. One of them “claimed” to have insider knowledge to the Dubs. Take it with a truck load of salt but he said a gentleman’s agreement for Kuminga to the Kings has already been agreed to, but the Dubs aren’t getting Kings players, they are getting Claxton from the Nets. Some 3 team trade I guess, with the Nets eating contracts for draft capital.
Like I’ve said a few times already, should the Kings add Kuminga while retaining DDR and LaVine, it would be absolute nonsense.
Ugg. In a three-way where Kuminga ends up here and Claxton goes to GSW. The Nets are getting draft capital and I don’t think it’s coming from the Dubs.
Gawd, I hope it would be the Dubs giving up draft compensation. They would be getting the best player in the deal!
I remember when I used to get excited about three ways!
sigh. those were the days…
How fitting would it be to get Trae for like Monk/Dennis/salary matching players not named Lavine and DeRozan? Just run the “no defense” lineup on steroids out there!!!
Was just about to post that DDR, Dennis and Saric works for Trae. Kings would then have two massive expiring contracts next season in Trae and LaVine, assuming they both opt into their deals in 26-27.
Honestly if the staff had the stones to do it a starting lineup of
trae
keon
murray
max
sabonis
has good synergy.
From Sam Amick and Josh Robbins:
The couple years when they were good recently, I would stay up for the 9pm local start time in my area and watch the games. My 8 year old son wanted to know who won when he got up the next morning, so I bought a purplish tinted light bulb and would screw it in to simulate our own “Beam”.
This season? I don’t even watch the early games usually. Aside from Keegan, Max, Nique, and Keon, I don’t much care to watch the roster play. If there was a young guy they could build around (like Cooper Flagg), I would at least watch the games or the recaps. This team doesn’t have that.
It’s total apathy for me. I tune in to Deuce & Mo podcast the morning following a game and allow them to recap it for me.
yes the only guys I care about are Max, Nique, Keon and Keegan. I hope all the rest miss when they shoot.
Murray and Dybanata on the wings would look real nice.
I agree with most of this. It is the least watchable Kings team in the Sacramento era. The rooks are nice to watch but no one is putting on performances like Reke. No 20-5-5 to look forward to. This is a really bad team without any real hope for the immediate future. We’re a 4 year rebuild away. It’s crazy to think that this is two years removed from the beam team. The Lavine/Fox trade is looking awful. The DeRozan signing ended up being what everyone feared (ball stopping 1:1 guard). Sabonis’ prime could be slipping away. Keegan has regressed even further. Nique is a nice jack of all trades, but master of none. Reynaud is a nice surprise but I don’t think anyone views him as a franchise changing player. In retrospect, if Fox were flipped for future draft assets I’d be more excited about this team. One can only hope for a top 3 pick this year, and another crappy year next, to start building a foundation.
Agree, I have more interest to watch a rock sit in the sun than this season. My son and I usually attand 3-4 games by this point of the season and I have not had any interest in going so far. Now I watch a game and just wonder if it will be a Q1 or a Q3 meltdown.
In a normal Kings year, I will at least record every game and at least watch the first and fourth quarters, if not the whole game. Normal being about a 33 win team. Now, the Kings either get blown out in the first quarter, the game already over, or they’re competitive until the third quarter, and then the game is over. Watching the young guys? I keep thinking about the “young bigs” of 2008/9 Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson. Yeah, that was the start of something big. How much PT would a young Justin Jackson or a young Justin James be getting on this team? No matter where the Kings draft this year, they need to get either a star (wishing for the moon) or a solid player, starter, winner, team builder. Then do the same with the draft pick from the crappy 26/27 team. Add those players to who ever is left of Keegan, Maxime, Nique, Keon, Devin or Dylan. That’s the best hope.
This season has been much better for my sleep.
I don’t get up at 4:30 in the night to watch a Kings agme anymore.
Thank you Vivek.
I haven’t and don’t intend to watch one second of Kings basketball this season until at a bare minimum they trade some of the vets and even then, I may not care enough to tune in.
That said, I have absolutely cleaned up betting against the Kings since game one because this train wreck was entirely predictable. So I would like to thank the Kings for helping to upgrade the Christmas gifts I got my wife and kids this year. Silver Linings!
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