With Vlade Divac and Peja Stojakovic out and Joe Dumars in, the future of the Kings is uncertain. But that uncertainty is refreshing, in a way.
Had Divac remained in charge, the future was set in stone. He’d match an offer for Bogdan Bogdanovic, pick up Nemanja Bjelica’s option, and use the 12th pick on a guy projected to go 25th. He’d mostly run everything back for another year, convinced that injuries and a trip to India and an unfortunately-timed pandemic were the only factors keeping his team from success. He’d have kept Buddy Hield around, confident that Vlade-the-great-facilitator could mend the breach, and eventually trade Buddy too late to maximize his value.
Some of these things could still happen, of course. Joe Dumars’ reign in Detroit ended with a horrible roster and with bad contracts that Detroit is STILL paying for. But the fun, at least to me, is that the mistakes of the future are unknown. We knew Vlade’s style, meaning we could see the disasters coming well before they became reality, but we were powerless to stop them.
Now, there’s an element of surprise. Perhaps maybe even an element of hope. Maybe Vivek will hire a great GM. Maybe things will improve. Who knows?
But now there are major questions. Will the Kings keep Bogdan Bogdanovic? Will Buddy Hield be traded? Anything seems possible. Only De’Aaron Fox seems safe.
I wasn’t looking forward to another offseason of Vlade. And while I wasn’t clamoring for an offseason of Joe Dumars, I at least feel like there’s a chance for things to get better. Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not this coming season. But change is exciting.
Hold that football, Lucy. I’m ready to try kicking it again.
Kingsguru, this one’s for you!
I like!
Yeah the main uncertainty is this:
Will the Kings act like a real NBA franchise and conduct a thorough search for the best GM candidate and give them all decision- making power?
Or will it be same old Kangz? Gifting the job to Joe Dumars because he’s around and will save us some money… Plus maybe he’s someone who will make Vivek and Matina feel important by giving them a seat at the table. Instead of doing what needs to be done, and tell them “I got this” and stay the fuck out of basketball ops because you suck at it.
There better be a REAL search for a general manager, and the hire made to the most qualified person who will be left to do their job.
Otherwise it’s more of the same.
…who gets to pick his own coaching staff!
Agree with overall sentiment here, but it’s also kinda sad that our best case scenario is to once again burn it down and start over.
I think the consensus with TKH is we’re ok with the burn it down.
We knew it was a matter on when not if it was going to be burned down. Now does Vivek raze the land and start fresh or is he going to try and use some reclaimed building materials.
Farm team attitude. both of you.
Let’s hear them cowbells!
How so?
it is the same roster that was predicted to make the playoffs this year. It’s not something you blow up.
Predicted by whom?
Most around here/StR were pretty pessimistic and predicting a step back/regression to the mean.
I thought that the team had a chance when Bagley was coming off a really good rookie year, and the Kings were running a system that was tailored to their roster. But Bagley can’t seem to stay healthy, and the change from Joerger’s system to Walton’s system has decimated Hield and completely negated the signing of Dedmon.
Long story short, this was a team that, under Joerger, may have very well snuck into the 8th playoff spot this year. But one look at the West next season tells you that it would take more than one miracle for the Kings to end their playoff drought.
They were generally predicted to be a fringe 8 seed competitor. Which they were. Now, if we’re happy with that as a best case outcome then, by all means, we should charge ahead with the Fox, Hield, Barnes, Bogdan, Bagley, Holmes, Bjelica core. Because that is the absolute definition of a fringe 8 seed competitor. Then again, if the goal is to actually be a good team, major changes will have to be made. There’s a decent chance none of those guys will be on the next good Kings team.
Yep. I’m on record that none of the current roster will be on the next Kings playoff team.
I think Fox is the only guy that even really has a chance.
I`m starting to believe there´s a decent chance none of us will get to see a good Kings team.
Why didn’t this one get a downvote? I’m searching for rhyme and reason. There isn’t any, I guess?
Well I guess its all about perspective.
My perspective is the kings arent making the playoffs next year. Luke is fired after next year. New coach comes in with a new system and will want his people and system in place, not the roster that will have an average age close to 30.
any incoming coach would want to have playmakers, especially at the guard positions. That’s Bogi. he’s ours. give a big FU to anyone who tries to poach him off our roster. just because it’s a cow town does not mean it has to be a farm team.
So my rebuttal is this years version of the Kings further emphasizes my point to blow it up.
You need play makers that fit the coaches system. The same core play makers are in place this year yet they clearly regressed. And in my opinion in 2 years the current play makers wont improve enough to push the team into the playoffs.
Bogi fits any system. Joerger started him when he arrived because he could play well with both the veterans and the young players. He can play on ball and off the ball. PG or SG. Soooo many teams would love to have him. But it is not our job to make our rivals happy. You keep the good players. Try to win games.
Trying to win games is the goal, but there are multiple ways to do that. For the Kings, tanking is probably the best strategy.
The Kings shouldn’t get rid of players for nothing in return. BB8 should either be part of a sign & trade or re-signed in the offseason & traded when a good deal is available. Bjelly’s option should be picked up, but he should be traded as soon as there’s a good deal. Buddy & Bagley probably shouldn’t be traded immediately. Hopefully they can increase their trade value before they’re traded. Fox & other players should be traded for the best possible deal, but I’m not sure if that’d happen quickly or slowly.
It’s not only trying to win games. it’s having a team play a sport that looks like basketball. Bogi plays basketball. It’s a nice sport when played right. But to play it right, you need basketball players.
I’m thinking that you are getting beyond your share of down votes. I like teams that play hard and have fun. Winning is good too. My identity is not defined by the team. ie They don’t have to be San Antonio and win 20 years in a row. Just put out a good product, have like-able players who enjoy the game, as I enjoy the game. I can say that is what I want to watch.
If I can have some exceptional players end up on the team, not by trading. Like Lebron, but watch them grow into exceptional. I’m good too. I would not buy a team, ala- The Yankee’s, or Lakers and be good with it. I’m not excited by free Agency, as much as grow organically. If we get the exceptional defender that is needed. I’m good any way we can get it. I like the way the Warrior’s got good, as apposed to how the Lakers get good.
If it is through good player management, hire Jerry West. Then get him, or someone like him to build a team.
Keep Bogi at a fair price and not at a Barnes or Buddy one ! Must keep in mind this roster finished 12th in the west and G State will be a playoff team next season ! No reason for for great optimism at this point !
But we’re America’s Farm to Fork Capital!
So you’re saying it’s time to put a fork in this team?
“Farm team” implies that the Kings actually have players other teams want. I’m not sure that’s actually true. Bogi is decent – a 5-8 rotation guy. We’ve already sunk $50 million per year into two other players at about the same level. Good playmaker, good-sih shooter, and versatile, but also inconsistent, and not a great defender. He’s average.
Sure, that may make him a top three player on this bad team, but every player has a value, and if Bogi’s salary exceeds his worth (Hi Barnes, Buddy, Cory Joseph, Zach Randolph, George Hill, Trevor Ariza, Dewayne Dedmon) then don’t pay that player the cash.
Bogi is 28. What’s the minimum time this team has before making the playoffs? Three years? So you’ve paid an average vet three years of a four year deal for what exactly? I’m not saying the Kings should get rid of the guy, but I am saying that a 28 year old, average NBA player has less value to a team with no chance to make the playoffs than he does to say, an East team that has a positional need and where a couple game difference in the standings might move them up a couple of spots.
Humperdinck!
Farm team? More like pasture team IMO.
Rusty nails and balsa wood, comin’ right up!
Yes, it stinks and what happens when your team has a piece of shit owner. Can the Kings actually get anywhere with the Vivek albatross?
It is sad but likely very true ! Vivek is not stepping down so it is not likely to get better !
At least it is a step in the right direction. The problem is that Vivek has created a piece of shit, poorly run team based on his ego. Maybe he accidentally hires a real GM.
And no sadness over Vlade. He was terrible. Wonder where all the idiots are who kept telling us to trust and believe in Vlade.
Grant gone-GREAT
Vlade gone-AWESOME
Matina-????
Vivek-????
so nice to see those two things checked off the list. Also add
Peja gone-Awesome.
side note: many of those idiots would be on here asking the opposite of that question had Vlade simply selected Luca. I know it’s not part of the F off Vlade narrative but it’s true. Dude made mistakes but he was so damn close to tripping over himself on his way to becoming a super hero.
Yes, Vlade almost weazled his way to another extension.
Unfortunately, Vlade left a bag of shit on our doorstep as a parting gift.
….Luke Walton. Bags and all the moves that will hold this club back awhile.
Its not so much about ready to be hurt again, its the hope for a different kind of hurt.
This time we actually make contact with the ball.
Literally the only thing that gives me hope is that this isn’t that hard. You hire smart people, and allow them to do smart things, then those things lead to a scenario that provides enjoyment to fans. We may ultimately end up disappointed but it’s okay if the decision making process was sound. It’s really not that difficult.
Hence my incredible frustration and odd impulses to smash my head in to the nearest wall.
Vivek has set a low bar, though.
He says he doesn’t need to hire smart people, just people smarter than himself.
we should remember that a FO doesn’t even have to be especially good to build a playoff team. Most teams make the playoffs. Only the absolutely worst FOs go more than a few seasons outside the playoffs. Even often mocked GMs end up making the playoffs every few seasons or so.
the downvoters are so chickenshit. If you disagree then state your case. Otherwise, you’re just kinda embarrassing. Like the only thing more awkward than a fan site commenter (ð) is a fan site perpetual downvoter.
Heh, I saw that coming ;0
Well well well…the next few days should be interesting.
https://twitter.com/JandersonSacBee/status/1295059813072683009
I dont know how to feel about this.
One part of me likes the fact that there are candidates interested in the job.
Another part of me is thinking “Great its Vivek is going to keep Viveking”
I’m going to sit back a bit and see if Dumars actually guides this through a proper hiring process. That would already give me some hope.
And then, if they bring in decent candidates for that process, that would give me some more hope.
Step by (baby)step.
I hear he has three candidates lined up already, me, myself, and I.
It’s nice to know that there are people that actually want the job. It’s scarier than hell to think about who those people might be.
“Yes, we’re here to the Kings GM vacancy.”
I’d certainly hope Vivek is at least smart enough not to hire the Maloofs…
Remember Henry Bibby?
HUSH! We know Vivek reads TKH, we dont need to remind him.
Sorry Rik I had to down vote this one. 🙂
Lol I almost chucked my phone at the wall when I saw reports Vlade was interviewing him for the head coaching position.
Any club that would have me as a member is not a club I want to join.
I’ll take an 86 year-old Bill Russell for $800, Alex. Or maybe we can entice McHale with a custom-made purple MAGA hat.
According to league sources, the RORDOG has fired up Microsoft Word and searched for resume templates. When asked for comment, RORDOG exclaimed I got high and watched Moneyball recently and it just kinda inspired me. Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Art Howe is kinda funny in retrospect (RIP).
The benefits are that the narrative of our owner coming to his senses is starting a new chapter. But personally that’s little reason for optimism in the present. Fact is no other front office would hire Dumars worth comparing with, if anyone. And this is a league based on competition with those same people.
Another case study of the need for modernization hopefully will be demonstrated on an interim basis only, but considering the familiarity of the chain of events to how Dumars is getting this job, have my doubts. Dumars pulled a Vlade in relation to his appointment (tried to in NOLA if people are curious). If history is to repeat itself, we will not be afforded a new GM in the near future. Nor ever have a legitimate job search or interview process for any key positions which is personally unacceptable.
Personally I feel no different than pre Vlade’s dismissal. Dumars is a poor hire, and hasn’t demonstrated any qualities worth substance in the modern league. There is always the chance he can adopt such tenets needed in todays league, but thats a hope, one frankly unwarranted based on his track record and removed from his predecessor being abysmal. Objectively no smart team would take this chance.
If we interview or make promises to a legitimate job search I am with you the story is evolving, but personally optimism or significant changes are very wishful thinking under Dumars, and based on nothing but a hope. Thats not good enough for me.
For Carl:
Well, shit. Last week, Rob requested that Marty make a movie poster regarding front office incompetence. Not being named Marty, I decided to get to the task. Fortunately for us, one major and one minor problem are out, but unfortunately for me, I spent several hours last week making a few takes on classic film posters. The Hitchcockian “Dial F…For Fucking Incompetent” and the western-themed “How The West Was Lost” both heavily featured the Peja/Vlade duo, so I essentially wasted a bunch of time and there’s really no need to finish them. However, here’s the third one, without any relevant context whatsoever…featuring Vivek in an Italian comedy from the sixties.
Dial F for Farm Team. The NBA thanks you.
What do you mean when you say “farm team”? I honestly don’t understand the criticism. Is it that we let players go and they thrive on other teams? Or that we draft young guys and then ship them off to early? I’m struggling to even figure out what your point is.
The NBA heavily markets 2-3 teams, then bases the rest of it’s marketing budget on individual players. Basically creating a “trickle down” marketing structure. It leads to about 4-5 teams getting max attention from a national standpoint, and the rest getting sporadic at best attention on a year to year basis.
This creates a culture where 4-5 teams win the vast majority of championships and the rest are essentially “farm teams”.
Is that what he means though? And is that even true? Was the NBA aggressively marketing the Spurs for 20 years? I get the national attention thing but isn’t that just based off of who is good? Like if the Kings had drafted Luka wouldn’t they be on all the time and be marketed like crazy? Seems like they would.
This is badass
Wow I feel like this is a challenge to Marty lol. This is awesome!
Thanks, but definitely not! I’ve only ever used Photoshop for photography purposes in the past. I’m far from an expert.
I wouldn’t mind getting rid of the older guys (Barnes, Bogi, Buddy) for a rebuild that fits Fox and Bagley’s timeline. I don’t even care about playoffs at this point. The drought is gonna continue. Everyone in the West is getting stronger. Just give me guys who will grow together and a few vets who will play hard (Baze, Holmes, and Len).
You can make a case that we’ll be last in the West next year. Phoenix made a leap in the bubble, KAT and DLo are better than any of our players, as are Ingram and Zion, and the Spurs will always be better than us as long as Pop is there. Warriors vaulting back into the playoffs. Memphis has passed us by in 1 year.
I hope we’re last in the West next year! It would mean a genuine, total Process-style blow-up is in effect.
Or or it would mean the four overpriced veteran mentors signed this coming offseason didn’t work out. Gulp.
I like your roster suggestions. Dumars or the new GM should blow it up. No chance at the playoffs next year. I agree.
I’d keep Barnes, I think he’s a good leader for a younger squad. If he’s not interested in playing out his contract in Sacramento then they can attempt to trade him.
I’d even prefer this: Dumars and Ken make the draft selections and or trades. Then… Have fun, be bold!!! Prep things for next season and a new GM. That means gut it! Anyone that’s not a pure fit or Barnes, TRADE. Get picks, expiring contracts and young prospects in return. Again, set a prime stage for the new GM. Not only will that increase the interest, it gives you an entire year to select the perfect GM.
If you can move Barnes for any real value, or even an expiring IMO, you have to do it. Vet mentor ship is great, but there’s no reason to pay $20MM per for it. You can either sign it for well less than half that or, if you are going to pay for it, get some additional compensation for your trouble.
I think there a quite a few contending teams out there that would love to have Barnes as a key cog. OKC could be a solid landing spot for him as Gallo hits free agency. If they intend to roll with CP3 and Adams next season Barnes would be a goof fit, and lord knows they have a shit ton of picks to trade.
Without including Paul, Adams, or at least Schroeder, it’s really tough for them to match Barnes salary. Assuming they won’t have space under the cap to just absorb it.
It would probably take Schroeder.
Unless you did something like package Barnes and Holmes for Adams. That would really shake things up, but not sure I’d want to see Adams playing alongside Bagley.
Yeah, I’m not worried fit with Bagley and I’d love to have his big expiring at the next deadine.
I 100% agree. I was just saying I like Barnes and wouldn’t mind him being the team leader along with fox going in to next season. But, a good trade offer comes through with a team looking to acquire Barnes… bye Harrison.
You want to get rid of a high IQ guy like Bogi so that you can keep guys who “play hard”? Holmes and Len are backup centers at best. Neither of them really have an offensive position. Sure Holmes plays D and he realizes his limitations on offense. I like that, but he’s a backup. Len, same story, except he has no idea what he wants to be on offense. When guarded by James Harden, Len doesn’t call for the ball, he doesn’t yell “mismatch, feed me the ball”. nope. one lame attempt, Harden stopped him, and then Len just accepted that there’s no way he can score on James Harden. So Len is sort of at a Spencer Hawes crossroads, a guy who’s just going to hang out on the 3 point line, watching and waiting for something to happen. Do you want to watch basketball? Or do you want to retire Jason Thompson’s jersey because he “played hard”?
Yeah the reality is that we aren’t making the playoffs in the next couple years regardless with this roster so we might as well blow it (mostly) up. Personally I’d still keep Fox unless I got a godfather but everyone else can go if there’s a decent return.
Im ready to get my heart broken again!
I hope we have a GM in place before the draft, Im not comfortable having Dumars make the pick for a future GM. I hope they take advantage of being bad and tank instead of having these veterans play most of the minutes and we are still a bad team.
Who are the GM candidates TKH wants? I know Hinkie is a popular name around here. Who else? Sharif? Kenny Smith? Bobby Webster? Hell, I’d take a voice like John Hollinger at this point.
Webster would be my #1. Then maybe Zarren (though I think Zarren is a Celtics lifer). Assuming established guys like Hammond are off the table, of course. Langdon would be worth talking to IMO. Then the FO experienced pundits like Hollinger, O’Connor, and maybe Marks. I do think Abdur-Rahim is an option. Hinkie is a natural option. I’d be really interested in hearing what his approach would look like. I assume it wouldn’t necessarily be just another Process.
Abdur-Rahim could be nice, but I think it might be a step back for him. As president of the G-League I could see him going the league route and someday be running the NBA.
Agreed. Though think a successful stint as a GM would boost his NBA resume just as much as other options.
Your idea of Webster would be my #1 pick as well. but I’m not sure why he would leave Toronto. It would take a massive overpay to get someone like him.
Zarren would be nice as well, but you’re right, he ain’t leaving Boston.
I’d just like to see Hinkie get an interview and start from there.
I wouldn’t count on them, but I think the allure for those guys is the chance to have THEIR team. Instead of having the title GM but perhaps not really having final say. Clearly Ujiri is the decision maker in Toronto. I’m not saying Webster would but into that, just that that’s the theory.
Due to the presence of Vivek & Matina, they might not have the final say.
Absolutely, but that’s what you try to sell them on and likely the only sales pitch that gives you any chance at all at a good GM.
Given his previous experience w/Vivek, I doubt that SAR’s an option. In retrospect, his resignation was probably the 1st warning sign of Vivek’s tenure.
SAR would be a nice redemption story. I don’t think we’ve ever fully acknowledged how dirty they did him. He was basically fired for having correct opinions.
As a side note, it is rather depressing imagining a scenario in which they gather a dream team of front office executives to right the ship since they’ll most likely just not replace Vlade and Peja while whistling past the graveyard.
I hadn’t heard about this can you expand on this SAR story? Or share a link?
By the way, I think John Hollinger would be a great option.
It’s never actually been fully reported IMO. But here’s some quotes that indicate, to me, that Shareef was treated unfairly. First from Geoff Petrie:
And this quote is directly from Vivek:
What are people’s thoughts on Scott Perry? He was pretty involved here for a while before going to the Knicks. Seems like they might be willing to part with him?
No thanks. Obviously it’s hard to parse responsibilities. But after the Pistons under Dumars, he went from a dysfunctional Magic, to dysfunctional Kings to dysfunctional Knicks. His one season under Presti doesn’t seem to have rubbed off much.
Totally agree with the title of this article. Just give me at least 1% hope.
It was 0% with Vlade. At least moving forward, I won’t hate our GM a little more every time I watch Luka play.
That’s something.
At least with the new GM we won’t be able to say “this is the guy who passed in Luka”
Just the guy that passed on Wade, Bosh, and Carmelo! Which admittedly IS better.
Let clarify, the new non interim GM that isn’t Joe Dumars.
I know. I was just playin’.
I agree with the fresh start perspective.
roster wise, our start point should be to build a better supporting cast around Fox and Bagely. This guys have to become a focal point. If they aren’t that, then it is best to completely blow it up and trade Fox for an early pick.
there’s a couple guys who will have to stay because of contracts (Barnes, Joseph, Parker) I think outside of that should be a new cast. Keep Holmes. Maybe re-sign Bazemore. Let Bogi, Belly, Giles walk. Trade Hield to a team
in the back half of the first round while taking their pick and some money back. Keep the you guys in Jeffries, James, Guy. Use your Draft picks well and let that team role.
Fox, Jospeh, Guy
Baze, James
Barnes, Jeffries
Bags, Parker
Holmes
start here and build from there
Wow! One and half playmakers on the entire team! Oooh boy. There are more ball handlers on a 7th grade basketball team than that roster. Bogi, Giles, and Belly know how to play basketball. Keep them.
Snark aside, I do agree that those guys are more worth keeping than any non-Fox King and that the team needs to be targeting and building around high-BBIQ guys.
I should have been more clear…
I am personally of the belief that trading both Fox and Bags (as well as Heild) is the most prudent long term approach to the team.
I just don’t think you can win longterm in this league with a PG who is’nt a good shooter or an elite 2-way playmaker. Fox is a GREAT player, but still limited. Bagley as well. And you don’t build around big men anymore.
Therefore I would love to keep those guys listed. My above comment reflected what they should do if they build around fox/bagely.
that team would set a league record for least assists in an NBA season. Please don’t forget we want to watch basketball.
eddie my dog you are entering troll territory and you should try to be less of an a-hole with your posts if you want to get your point across. signed, your friend
You clearly aren’t comprehending what I wrote. Carry on
Dear Vivek, please read this and seriously consider my dream scenario and or my suggestions for Yourself, Dumars and Ken.
1.) call every player but Fox and MBIII and say this: we are making every player available in trade offers. We are going to break things down and look to start fresh with a new GM in 2022. That means 2021 we plan to use as a developmental year for the young players we hope to have as part of our future. Do you want to stay through this process or would you prefer to be moved? If the answer is prefer to move then try to do exactly that. If it’s prefer to stay then tell them you appreciate the commitment and will take that in to account when trade offers start being thrown around.
2.) Call Fox and say this: We are going to gut this thing and plan for a fresh start in 2022 with a new GM and coach. You are our priority and the player we’d like to commit to and build a team around. Are there any young players we could look in to acquiring that you feel would be a good fit with your game? We plan to play as many young guys as many minutes as possible next season. There likely won’t be many wins but there will be much gained from the 2021 season. We will be able to asses an abundance of young talent to keep on the roster and we will be putting ourselves in the best position to select the most talented player in a very deep draft with the intention that that player will be a huge piece to our future with YOU!
3.) CALL MBIII and say this: we are sticking by you, we believe in you, we want you to succeed more than anything. To help with that we are going young next season. As young as we can. Wins will not be important. Your development and a general youth development with guys like Giles (hopefully), Jeffries, James, Guy and the 2020 draft pick will be getting consistent minutes. That is the priority. The number one goal of the season will be to provide YOU with the freedom and opportunity to excel. With what we predict will be a low win season we will be in a prime position to add a very talented young player through the draft to compliment you and De’Aaron. In 2022 we will be in a prime position to start fresh with a new GM and a new coach with a strong group of young talent a ton of roster flexibility.
4.). Trade Buddy. There is definitely a market for him. I know you like him, I do too but his attitude isn’t great and the rest of his game out side of the shooting leaves a lot to be desired. This team needs a smarter playing and more versatile starting SG. Trade him on his own or packaged with another player. Get it done.
4a.) Try and hope that you can retain Giles.
5.) Only keep bogi if his offers are reasonable to match. He can be a piece to retain if the price is right. He’s a smarter player than buddy with a well rounded game and his attitude is exceptional.
6.) Consider keeping Holmes/extending his contract in to 2022 and beyond.
7.) Give Giles (hopefully) Jeffries, Justin James, Guy and your 2020 1st round draft pick MAJOR minutes. Prep them for the 2022 season.
8.) Declare a new and unwavering King’s policy to find players that fit the Sacramento Kings style of basketball. If you don’t know what that is I’ll tell you right now.
*1.) MUST be a high IQ player.
*2.) Must be an above average passer. MUST!
*2b.) part of every players game must include the ability of passing and the reputation for facilitating teammates. The more skilled the passing ability and talent for facilitating teammates the more you should want that player. (FYI who have a decent young group that possesses that skill set now in Fox, Giles, Jeffries, James and Guy. That’s an above average starting point so you’re in a good position).
*3.) Must have a high motor. Hustle and heart is key in Sacramento. Maybe more important than 1 and 2. If the player has a heart, hustles and works hard the fans will embrace that player.
If you made this the basic criteria for all players acquired in Sacramento I guarantee you the team would win more and the fans would love every player on the roster.
9.) After you’ve made all your trades, Buddy is gone and you have the very young roster set with the remaining vets from this season you put out a press release saying this:
I truly believe that the smart thing for this team next season would be to focus their energy on Marvin finding his place in this league and on this team (or finding his way off it). Give him 30+ minutes a game and let him jack up shots from anywhere and everywhere all season. No leash. He should average at least four 3pt attempts per game. If he misses all of those 248 attempts throughout the season so be it. He should be in conversation for most improved player by the end of the season and if things go right maybe he’s a budding star on a team with Fox, the #1 pick in the deep 2021 draft class and a ton of roster flexibility. The GM pool will grow significantly, the coaching pool will grow significantly. You hire a new GM as soon as the 2021 season is over. This new GM is gifted a mostly gutted roster with no albatross contracts, a top 5 draft pick in a deep draft and Fox and MBII to build from. It’s a better situation than what Sacramento has been in for 15+ years. That GM then selects a coach. Together he and his new coach select the best player available in the draft. 2022 will be an incredibly exciting season for the fans. The franchise will make a lot of money. MBIII will be primed and ready, Fox will be entering his prime, you’ll have a top 5 prospect to plug in to your starting line up and several new roster additions through free agency. My bet is even the pool of players interested in signing in Sacramento will increase drastically if you follow this basic model I included here for you.
Thank you for having the guys to move on from Vlade. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
That’s not a real press release Vivek, I was just playing. It’s more of a summary and plan for you to have in your mind when you do address the media.
again, thanks for having the guts to move on from Vlade.
letter intercepted by the NBA, which responds. Thank you for circulating quality basketball players like Bogi to contending teams. The NBA will enjoy kicking your butts up and down the court. We will be waiting for you to part with Fox after your lineup of Fox, Guy, James, Jeffries and Bagley becomes the first in NBA history to lose all regular season games. Tell me when Bagley is ready. I think it will be a couple years after you give him a max contract. Anyway, we thank you in advance for going through all the growing pains with Bagley, getting him ready to play for a real team.
This made me laugh because it implied that A) The Kings haven’t gotten their butts kicked for 14 straight years anyway and B) That Marvin Bagley plays basketball.
I don’t disagree with a lot of what you wrote.
But when you talk player characteristics:
Two of my issues with Fox is that he only seems to have a passable BBIQ but I would not call it particularly high. And his motor is very inconsistent; he only seems to gear up for about a third of the games. That’s not enough. And that’s supposed to be the leader of the horde.
I certainly have plenty of opinions for what moves the Kings should make, as you’ve all heard more than enough about I’m sure, but ultimately here are my hopes for the new FO:
Self-awareness – Have a realistic understand where the Kings are both in terms of talent and in terms of market context. Talent – Vlade always seemed to think the Kings were one big move away from being good (Mathews, Porter, Lavine, trading for Barnes, locking up Hield and Barnes etc.). The next FO needs to be objective about the strengths and weaknesses of the roster. Market context – The new FO needs to understand that for a building team in Sacramento, FA is not a realistic avenue to acquiring impact talent. As such, they need to understand that cap space is only an asset in terms of taking on money for additional assets.
Vision – It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten the feeling that there’s an overarching plan other than “let’s sign A, draft B and see what happens!” The new FO needs to be looking multiple moves ahead. Not just what can we do now, but what can we do and how does that enable the next move and the next move and the next… In short, what’s the 3 year plan and how does each and every move serve that plan.
Moneyball – The new FO needs to be looking to less conventional methods of talent acquisition. They need to be scouring the Euro FA list and the G-league for value signings like Melli (Euro FA) and Wood. They need to take advantage of things like the ability to stash talent overseas to manipulate things like development time, roster/cap space, and pick value.
Basically, they need to be savvy, creative, and ruthlessly objective. All things the past FO was not.
Walked over to get groceries and saw this.
Having had a bike stolen before, this gave me the same feeling that I got when I heard the words “Trust Vlade”.
I still feel that way, because even though Vlade is gone, he is one of the mistakes that were put in place by ownership. I do not have faith in ownership leading this franchise anywhere competitive.
I’ve had bad luck with bikes…
Once during summer break in college in Sacramento, I rode my bike to a park to plein air paint. The bike was literally next to me where I sat and I plugged my earbuds in. After I was done painting, I looked up and my bike was gone!!
Then when I was living in SoCal I locked my bike mistakenly at a gate that opened, and it damaged the front part of of that bike, so that bike ended up just being put in storage.
Then when I moved back to the Bay Area for my current job, I got my front tire stolen on the next bike I bought while it was locked up at a bike rack at the gym. Then that same bike got stolen by a homeless dude that would go through our neighborhood trash cans.
Finally, the current bike I have got its seat stolen, so now I literally have to lock up my frame, both tires, AND seat…
You weren’t kidding about the bad luck! Wow.
Sorry to hear that, Klam.
(hmmm, Klam is bad luck, eh? ……..I wonder if I should ask him if he wouldn’t mind rooting for a different team. Just as an experiment.)
No one is untouchable on this team. That includes Fox. A new GM will have a vision on what a sustainable successful franchise looks like. If Fox is part of of that foundation, Great. If not blow it up.
Top to Bottom. I would be thrilled to have 80 percent or more of this roster gone by Dec.
That hopefully means we’re finally going in the right direction. Draft Picks, Expiring’s and developmental pieces.
I agree with that. As much as I think Fox is a good player, I am not mentally married to ANYONE in the entire Kings Organization. I might make an exception for Jerry Reynolds. He is about the ONLY voice I care to keep hearing.
I’d LOVE for Vivek to hand the reins to Mastrov. (Won’t happen. Never gonna happen. But I’d love it if it did.)
I demand that Walton go away. I can’t wait for that to happen. I’d rather have literally ANYONE coach this team but him.
For players… I like a few. I like Barnes. I like Bogi. I like Holmes. I like Fox most of the time. That said, I don’t care what the new GM does, or how they build this team. He just needs to improve it, no matter how it gets done.
The NBA thanks you. Farm Team number one. yeah, Farm Team!
They’d probably be good at HORSE…
lovin this!
personally I would keep Bags and Fox as I don’t see the return value being equal to the potential and upside that is still there for both players (at different levels respectfully). Other than that I’d like to see Giles stay. Everyone else is a tool to help find the pieces to build something legit by 2023.
deal as many vets as possible this off season so it’s a youngn’s squad that loses the most games by any other team but is also fun to watch. They’re fun to watch because you run BBC a fast paced offense that moves the ball well, plays tough defense and shares the scoring load. A season of young assets developing and building towards that goal of playoffs 2023 would satisfy most Kings fans if there was a competent 3 year plan in place that’s being run by a competent human.
Basic NBA executive competence.
It seems to be a tall ask.
Growing Pains is better than Pain without a vision…I’m ready for a clear and focused rebuild if it is done with a good vision in mind. Not if it’s another dart board experiment.
First it was let’s build around Cousins, and then it was let’s build a team around the picks and pieces from the Cousins trade, and then it was let’s focus on Fox and Free Agents. Pick a path, embrace it, and stick to it. If it fails, then own it and resign.
We all knew the Luka pick would haunt this front office forever. However; I would be interested to see if Vlade still has a job if he didn’t fire Joeger. Interesting what if.
In the end, this is what’s best for the franchise-if Vivek does a thorough search and hires the right person. As we’ve seen, that might be a BIG IF.
It is an interesting what if. He probably does still have a job. My bet, Joerger has the Kings in the playoffs right now.
I just think the Kings would have had at least 10 more wins with Dave as coach. I mean Luke started off what was it 0-6? No way that happens under Dave and the fast paced identity he had going. Plus… the roster under Luke was significantly better then the roster Dave had. Significantly more talented and more experienced.
One thing that I think needs to be pointed out is the last time ownership bended toward fan outrage was also the beginning of the Vlade era.
Which raises the question: Will ownership hire Jerry Reynolds, Slamson, or Sign Lady to be the next GM?
This is exactly what worries me. They are doing this to appease fans who think Vlade (and Peja LOL — really, how can a guy whose actual job duties weren’t really defined be missed or be seen as an important part of this story?) was the real problem.
But I see no evidence as yet that suggests anything meaningful will change. Proof will be in the pudding.
So glad Vlade is gone. That in itself is cause for celebration
I once again move to hoping that they can actually hire a person/persons who know how to build a basketball team. Vivek has been so bad at the basketball ops part of ownership that I fully expect a 4 year deal for Joe Dumars to be announced next week but it hasn’t happened yet so I guess I can’t be mad yet. Is it really too much to ask them to simply go through a normal hiring process and then pick the most qualified candidate? Isn’t that what normally happens in most organizations? I feel like this isn’t even that hard to do.
Nope…can’t make me do it….
Badge Legend