Update: 9 p.m.
The Boston Celtics defeated the Sacramento Kings 112-93 Friday night. Max Raynaud and Nique Clifford led the Kings in minutes, which is good. Raynaud finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Clifford finished with 15 points.
With the loss the Kings officially moved into last place in the Western Conference. A nice loss for the tank.
From Earlier Preview:
Just over halfway through the season, the Kings are already in the midst of their third losing streak of at least seven games. On the bright side, the Kings currently are tied with the New Orleans Pelicans for the worst record in the NBA, so yay?
Who: Sacramento Kings (12-37) vs. Boston Celtics (29-18)
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
When: 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET
Watch: NBCSCA / League Pass
The Kings nearly broke their losing streak last night with a spirited effort in Philadelphia, but Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid proved too tough to handle at the end. Now the Kings are playing the second night of a back-to-back in Boston, which doesn’t bode well for their chances at ending this streak. The Celtics have done a good job of staying competitive (currently tied for second in the East) despite the absence of Jayson Tatum this season. Jaylen Brown is having a career-year, averaging 29.4 points as Boston sports the second best offense in the NBA, but Brown is listed as out for tonight’s game as he’s dealing with a hamstring injury.
The Kings were without Malik Monk (Ankle) and Russell Westbrook (Illness) yesterday against Philadelphia, but it looks like Malik might be available tonight. On the other hand, the Kings are sitting Domantas Sabonis to rest his knee. The Kings are still without Keegan Murray as well as he is recovering from an ankle sprain, but we are coming up on the 4th week of his supposed 3-4 week absence.
Boston is still one of the best and most frequent shooting three point teams in the NBA, ranking 2nd in both makes and attempts for the season. The Kings meanwhile are last in both categories. Without Brown, the Celtics will likely rely more on Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons. Even without Brown, I’d still be surprised to see the Kings pull this one out on the road in a tough environment like Boston.
Prediction: Kings 95, Celtics 123
Free Keon! Let him stay in Boston, leave with their (currently) #24 pick.
I’d take that.
Apparently the Cavs and Lakers are having serious talks about Rui and Knecht for De’Andre Hunter. Cavs really want to lower their tax bill as they are far beyond the 2nd apron and value Rui’s expiring deal. They also have shown interest in Keon.
Just wanted to point out that Rui and Keon to the Cavs, Hunter to the Lakers and Knecht to the Kings works. I’m not sure that is fair value for Keon as Knecht hasn’t shown much. Cavs do own the Spurs pick (currently #28). Does Knecht and the #28 for Keon suffice?
I have zero positive vibes for Knecht, but it is only a four slot drop, and you have team options on Knecht ($4.2m, $6.5m) over the next two seasons after this one, so it might not be a bad play.
Yeah, that’s how a feel as well. It’s a kick the tires move on Knecht. The pick may even be better than the Spurs by the end of the season. There’s no telling, but it’s at least an additional first rounder.
To build on your idea, Sabonis and Keon to Boston for a Simons, Hauser, Walsh, Gonzalez package. I’ve been toying with that one ever since Jerry mentioned Sabonis to Boston on a TKH podcast. Kings could also get the Boston pick as well.
I just don’t see Keon Ellis, who is an UFA in another 35 or so games as being worth a FRP. An early 2nd rounder, maybe, mid-2nd rounder most likely.
He will be a sweetener on a Domas/DDR/Zach/Monk deal, IMO.
If he gets traded to a team that he has said he will sign an extension with, I could that team pulling a trade for him.
I know he can sign an extension with the Kings starting February 9th, but not sure that date carries over to another team when he is traded there.
The Kings fumbled this one mightily. Feb 9th is after the trade deadline so … that means he’s an off season trade. I don’t believe he will sign an extension with the Kings, which makes him an unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) – and he walks, the Kings get bupkis.
Maybe he has that value if his camp is willing to sign an extension?
I don’t like the DS to Boston trade- move a good, close to All Star center for a group of role guys
Unfortunately, Trae Young has set the market. Sabonis is likely worth a large expiring and filler (hopefully you get a prospect).
Yeah, it’s a bit of a new world with the 2nd apron. Teams will pay a limitless amount for a Giannis, but they’re not paying dick for those players that are top 25-40 but not top 15. Especially if they’re not on the younger side.
…and on a massive contract.
tbf to Knecht, he kinda got the pt shaft this year with Lakers having LBJ, Luka, Rui, LaRavia, Reaves all playing his potential sg/sf positions. He had a solid rookie season.
This, about Dalton Knecht
They also traded the dude last year to the Hornets, but that fell through because of Mark Williams physical. Knecht probably feels a certain way about the Lakers right now.
“Can’t guard anyone!”
That’s my impression and why I’d rather pass.
Fortunately, the Kings didn’t draft Knecht and chose Devin Carter…
(passing Bub Carrington, Kel’el Ware, Jared McCain, Tristan DaSilva, etc.)
I’d like to see Sacramento do something with Carter before chancing Dalton Knecht.
Yeah. Personally, I wouldn’t have picked up Carter’s option before this season. So we’re on the hook for 5+ mil next year. I think he’s destined for an overseas league.
Meh. He had a fabulous November last year (40-87 from deep), and followed that with 81-233 (.347) for the rest of the season. And if he ain’t makin’ 3s, he ain’t helping you. I’ve been on the Buddy Hield and Kevin Huerter rides already.
As I stated, might be worth a tire kick. But he has not been good since November 2024, and it’s going to cost you a bit north of the minimum contract to take him for a spin.
Yeah, I really don’t have any hopes for him, but if all it took was Keon to get Knecht and a late 1st, I’d do it.
Shouldn’t have any trouble bringing home that L tonight. Let’s get it!
Kings with a loss will be two games ahead of the worst 50 game record in Kings history. (2008-2009). That team finished 17-65.
It’s an achievable goal. 16-62 !! They can do it!
Then we go 4-0 to end the season to drop from worst to 5th worst then drop to the 9th pick in the lottery? Kangz!
Well played
My math was bad. 16-66. Oops
This Kings season remains off the rails
As Doug Christie’s coaching staff flails.
Facing Boston tonight,
The prospects aren’t bright,
Confirming again, Vivek fails!
+1 Can the tank stay afloat?
Vivek’s rules for trades (via Vlade Divac and Monte McNair):
Do they do nothing, based on rule 1? Rule 2 seems to already be happening with Keon Ellis, though I’m not sure anyone else is on the team is actually good enough to undervalue. Rule 3 got us LaVine, DDR and Westbrook, and is always a threat. Ja Morant, anyone? Do I hear any takers for Chris Paul?
Watch…they’ll somehow find a way to get Morant, Paul and Kuzma in the building.
Vivek happy.
Kings fans sad.
them be tanks trades: Ja +CP99 +Kuz.
Basketball trades: 3.0
Anybody but Kuzma.
it’s hard to believe that at this time 1 year ago the Kings were actually over .500 (24-23). Subtract Fox, Len, Huerter and Lyles and add Westbrook Precious, Schroder. Now we’re sitting at 12-37 and gunning for the worst record in the league -with a team that supposedly is trying to win. Feels like the longest year in basketball history, even for basketball hell.
Go back 2 season to Jan. 29th, 2024 and the Kings were 27-18 and the 5th seed in the West. On that night the Kings beat the Grizz in Memphis. Domas put 20, 26, 5. Fox put up 23,5,4. Monk and Huerter were still healthy, Keon was still in Stockton, and all was well heading into the deadline.
What a horrendous 24 months it has been.
thanks for making me even more depressed ;-). if we go back 4 years, we were 18-24 on 1/31/22 so i guess we can look at it as just a reversion to historical mean. why do we do this to ourselves?!
We need to go back: to the Future Marty!
Heading to the game right now. Last year we chanted “Light the beam” in Beantown and lived to tell the tale. Somethig tells me history won’t be repeating itself.
If you see a young man wearing a Kings shirt and bearing a resemblance to Charles Manson, it’s just my son.
Now I’m disappointed that I trimmed my beard and got a haircut recently. We could have Spiderman memed it
Does he also not wear pants?
In Boston? His schmeckle would freeze!
please find a way to lose. Tied at 12 wins on the bottom and ranked #1 by Tankathon.
Jaylen Brown is out tonight so this has the makings of a classic Kings trap game
I’m guessing Bos thinks they can win this without him.
I am guessing the same as Boston.
Way found.
How am I just noticing that Devin Carter looks so much like Kenny G?
Who killed Devin’s hairline?
If it’s going to be this ugly, let the 2-way guys in there.
Bigger bust, Carter or Bagley?
Bagley. 2 pick vs. 12 pick. And Doncic was not on the board when the Kings took Carter.
Meanwhile the Pelicans trailing the Grizzlies by only 3 at the half!
Pels win! We are alone at the bottom!
I made it for 30 seconds unmuted. Kayte railing about an obvious foul on Cadwell with the Kings down 28. Not her fault. I should have known better.
She HAS to know she never shuts the fuck up, right? Right?
Has to.
These were the games where it was arguably the most fun to listen to Jerry. I’m spoiled for sure, but man, she’s a cheese grater & my ears are parmesan.
The other night I was watching and she spoke through 2 complete possessions.
That’s normal.
And so, here we are.
Hmmmm.
So basically taking on the short Hunter contract while moving off the 3rd years of Dennis and Monk?
I believe it is Dennis or Monk, not both. They don’t want Monk’s deal however. I still feel the Rui and Knecht for Hunter makes more sense for the Cavs.
The Cavs having possible interest in Dennis is what caught my eye. I wonder if they are planning on moving Garland. IMO, the Cavs need to move one of Hunter and/or Garland to get their cap sheet under control.
Ah. Hunter would have been nice for the Kings back in 22-23!
Should this trade happen (I don’t think it will) it is kind of crazy that Perry’s main signing this past summer would essentially be dumped for an overpaid 6th man. The Kings already have one of those!
It would also add to the cap sheet next year as Hunter is $25M next season and the Kings would have no space to add a PG. This trade would only make sense in my mind if others were on the way to balance the roster.
And would be good if the Cavs included the 26 Spurs first they own
The Cavs could throw Proctor into the Schroeder deal. Fanspo shows the deal still working.
Interestingly, Schroeder + Demar for Garland almost matches dollar for dollar…
Yeah, I’ve noticed that as well, but I don’t think the Cavs want anything to do with DDR. They need help defensively at the POA, not another scorer. It explains their interest in Keon and Dennis.
This honestly looks like a Cavs-Lakers trade: where Sacramento was contacted to “give a price” that can be used as leverage in real trade talks.
That being said, I wouldn’t mind Hunter. He has some defensive chops and can be a 3-D wing.
I don’t get why SP makes this trade unless a FRP pick is involved.
Agreed. Hunter does nothing for this team other than adding another bloated salary next season. If the plan is to just let LaVine, DDR, and Hunter all expire next year and start the rebuild, then I would insist on a pick coming our way for helping the Cavs out of cap hell.
I agree as well, otherwise the deal makes zero sense for SAC.
The Kangz are in sole possession of the worst record in the NBA. An amazing accomplishment for a roster that was built and meant to compete for a playoff spot.
Traded deadline is but 5 days away. The Kangz nor any team in the NBa has done a thing, strange.
The NBA is trash at this point. Unwatchable.
Giannis has the league frozen.
And he’s likely staying put until the offseason
It makes sense to go All In on Giannis for only a very few teams this season.
The Bucks are in no hurry – this season is lost no matter what.
Warriors, Heat are about it, IMO. This could be why Kuminga to Kings hasn’t happened (He would be included in that deal), or it may be that under no circumstances will Lacob do business with Vivek (I just get a “Eff that guy” feeling about GSW to SAC). On the Giannis side of things, these are two solid organizations and you have future HoF Head Coaches in Spoelstra and Kerr.
But Scott Perry/BJ Armstrong ARE under pressure. You might dream that a high draft pick (1,2,3) is coming your way – but you won’t know that until late May. Season ticket renewal is in March and it is not going to be pretty this year. The only thing I can think of to bolster ticket sales would be news that the Kings are up for sale.
The ego of Vivek must be spasming with the Kangz in sole possession of Last Place. If only the 8th Grade Girls Team strategies worked! Why can’t I find an NBA Head Coach who shares my vision!? He’s such a Fidiot.
On the positive side: Doug Christie’s job seems secure.
Agreed, the Freak only makes sense for a handful of teams and even then the price will be too highbto justify it imo.
I don’t even think he’s justified to be holding the league frozen.
31 yo
oft injured
plays a very specific game that doesn’t blend well with the modern nba
is going to get a max
I would not trade for him given what the price will be.
But Vivek would love the jersey sales!
Wowzers!
The stuff coming out on Curry is even more wowzers. NBA is fast becoming a joke
What’s happening with Curry?
If the Kings should get Dybansta in the draft then Flemings would be out as point guard. What about Schroder, Ellis and a late first or 2 both of our seconds this year for Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason?
Tari Eason is nearly unobtainable right now and they have high hopes for Sheppard. Those 2nds would have to be 1sts.
What were the odds at FanDuel at the begin of the season of this happening?
Draymoron being a moron as always.
I’ve been looking for video of the technical foul, and can’t find it posted anywhere. I will reserve judgement either way until O can watch it. But, from what I do see, JT Orr and Draymond have a history of mutual dislike (JT Orr and Luka also have a history of dislike). Maybe the ref just doesn’t like whining, flopping, entitled jerks?
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