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Exploring the idea of Richaun Holmes to Charlotte

A Charlotte cover joins me to talk about what a potential Richaun Holmes deal would look like.
By | 84 Comments | Mar 23, 2021

Courtesy of Sacramento Kings

The Charlotte Hornets have a clear hole at the center position, and are in the playoff race in a struggling Eastern Conference.

They have recently been linked to Sacramento’s Richaun Holmes by Shams Charania. To gain some perspective into the Hornets and their potential assets, I was joined by Brian Geisinger who co-hosts the Buzz Beat podcast focused around the Charlotte Hornets. 

Brenden: Let’s start with this. Explain to me the rumored Richaun Holmes interest from the Hornet’s point of view as the March 25th deadline rapidly approaches. Why would they acquire him now rather than waiting to extend a deal in restricted free agency?

Brian: Charlotte largely decided to punt on finding help at the center position last offseason, electing instead to bring Bismack Biyombo back €” at a number a little bit above the vet minimum €” to be the reserve 5. 

Depth at the 5 was a concern heading into the season €” with PJ Washington, a hybrid forward, expected to see increased workload at center. (Lineups with PJ at the 5 have been very efficient on offense, and not so much on defense.)

The starter, Cody Zeller is, amazingly, still in Charlotte, too. Zeller is a rather productive player when healthy, but he struggles to finish at the rim, and he’s not much of a presence in terms of pure rim protection. His defensive strengths don’t perfectly fit with this roster, which needs a boost at the rim.

James Borrego hoped to wall off the paint this season; Charlotte planned to live with corner 3-point attempts in an effort to be more forceful in the paint. Well, the Hornets have yielded plenty of corner 3PA (13.6% opponent FGA), but the rim attempts are still omnipresent, too. Charlotte’s defense ranks bottom five in both rim frequency and rim FG% for opposing offenses.

On the other end of the floor, the Hornets are shooting under 60 percent at the rim, next to last in the NBA.

There’s a desire to Win Now for this franchise and get back to the playoffs. While those notions feel impatient and short-term oriented, Charlotte currently sits 1.5 games out of 4th place in the East. If the goal is to push for the playoffs, there’s a need on this roster for a big man that can provide two-way vertical presence at the rim. Holmes, who is a good basketball player, would check those boxes.

Of course, with the unfortunate LaMelo Ball injury news, Charlotte will need to do some critical thinking heading into the deadline: have the goalposts moved? The timing of Ball’s injury is incredible, and the Hornets front office will be tested.

What are your thoughts on Holmes this season?

Brenden: Richaun Holmes has been phenomenal for a few seasons now. I have not sat down and made the exact list, but I believe he is somewhere around the 15th best center in the NBA at this current point.

Holmes is second in the league in field goal percentage, sitting at 64.4 percent, and finishing 74 percent of his looks at the rim, per Cleaning the Glass. There have been a handful of games this season where Sacramento would have surely lost if not for Holmes’ neverending effort on both ends of the floor and stellar finishing. His push shot has become well-known and respected throughout the league for good reason, he sets solid screens, rolls hard, has shown improvements in decision making in the short roll, and is a slithery yet fierce finisher inside. 

Defensively, he is far and away Sacramento’s best current option at the center position. Opposing teams are converting 3.6 percent worse at the rim with Holmes on the floor compared to his backups. When the Kings were switching everything, to a fault, Richaun showed that he was more than capable in that scheme and I believe it is how he is best utilized. His main critiques on the defensive end are that he is slightly undersized for a center, 6’10€, and foul-prone.

Undoubatley, he is left in poor positions at the rim by the handful of teammates that are, let’s say, subpar perimeter defenders. Still, he averages the second-most fouls per game, 3.9, and has tallied five or more fouls on 13 occasions — including three times he fouled out fully.

The reason I would understand Sacramento being hesitant to retain Richaun Holmes is that there are not in a position where the playoffs next season are all that likely – even if the fanbase does not want to hear that. Spending $15-million plus on a 27-year-old center could lead to a stagnant future and may not even be possible if there are no trades of Buddy Hield or Harrison Barnes at this approaching deadline. 

To me, the Charlotte Hornets are in a better spot to compete for the playoffs over the next few seasons with LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington, and a promising head coach. I love the Holmes fit in Charlotte, the question comes down to the offer.

I think Sacramento is coming from a standpoint where if a team does not make a deal for Holmes now, that the Kings are going to be willing to match any reasonable (who knows what exactly that is) offer for him this offseason – so it’s not like they have zero leverage.

What sort of assets do you think would be on the table for a Holmes deal?

Brian: Richaun had the push shot stuck on automatic the other night in Charlotte! Well, right up until he air-balled one. But that was a delight for me to witness. Overall, he was awesome in that game vs. the Hornets. I wouldn’t be surprised if that added to their interest.

I’m glad you brought up the pick-and-roll defense, too. The Hornets play a lot of zone defense; over 14 percent of Charlotte’s half-court defensive possessions have come in zone, the most in the NBA. (That number has trended downward in recent months, though.)

When Charlotte is in man, they have the ability to switch 1-5 as well €” with Zeller or PJ. Although they don’t really have the personnel to switch all that effectively. In fact, one of the other reasons Charlotte’s used so much zone is simply to try and keep the ball in front.

Hypothetically: if Charlotte added Holmes, I assume they would continue to mix defenses and pick-and-roll coverages. My hope, however, would be that adding a rim protector like Holmes would allow them to defend ball screens more conventionally: drop the big man into the paint.

Before I answer your question, I’m curious: what do you make of Richaun’s abilities as a drop 5?

Getting back to trade scenarios: various reports have come out in recent weeks regarding Charlotte’s interest (or at least his availability as a trade chip) in dealing point guard Devonte Graham, who is a free agent this summer; the two sides never came together on an extension, and now LaMelo is installed as the franchise.

The injury to LaMelo may change this calculus, though. It’s hard to see, currently, how they will play this. But Graham is the one pure point guard on the roster now; for Charlotte to remain in the playoff hunt, they need his ball handling. My guess is he’s no longer available, although maybe the Hornets believe they could get by with Terry Rozier (far better as a spot-up threat), Gordon Hayward and Malik Monk €” maybe rookie Grant Riller, too €” as a collection of playmakers. But that seems dicey.

Given his upcoming free agency, and the presence of De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, I don’t think SAC would have much interest in Devonte, regardless.

Monk is also set to hit restricted free agency this summer. He also has a $16 million cap hold, which could eat into Charlotte’s space.

Zach Lowe built a hypothetical Myles Turner-to-Charlotte trade that involved Zeller (salary), either PJ or Miles Bridges, Graham, and some draft assets. (Note: if Charlotte is to attach a 1st round pick in any deal, it better come with serious protections, given how easily they could land in the lottery now.)

Personally, that’s too much for me, though I tend to play these things far more conservatively. I would be very cautious with regards to attaching valuable draft capital to go out the door in the first year of building around LaMelo. 

PJ and Bridges may be a little redundant together on this roster, but there are key differences to their games, they both complement LaMelo, and they’re both on cheap rookie contracts. I would be very cautious to move off a 23-year-old forward that can shoot and pass for some short-term boost at center.

Holmes is a great player, but (I suppose) there’s a delta of sorts between him and Turner, who is two years younger and signed through 2023. My guess is that a Holmes deal would come with a smaller price tag.

How would you feel about Monk (and his bird rights) and two 2nds for Holmes? Or potentially Bridges and two 2nds for Holmes? Am I aiming too low? Do you think Holmes could garner a 1st in return?

Brenden: To start with your question about Holmes in drop coverage, I think he is competent there but it is hard to give him a set label with how rarely we see that defense from Sacramento.  It is primary switching or hedging, and Holmes has shown an ability to perform in space throughout those schemes. 

With how hard-working Richaun Holmes clearly is, and his defensive growth in other areas, I would feel comfortable betting on him being a solid player in drop coverage. Myles Turner is surely on another level than Holmes, even if Kings fans don’t want to admit it.

I am with you that the Kings have little reason to be intrigued by Graham and feel the same way about Malik Monk. Even though reuniting De’Aaon Fox and Monk (former Kentucky teammates) could be fun, their playstyles, with Haliburton factored in, make little sense for future roster construction. Monk also being an expiring deal, albeit restricted, would put Sacramento in a similar situation as the one they are currently in with Holmes just revolving around a worse player and fit. A few second-rounders are not going to move the needle in that deal.

Miles Bridges, though. I could see a lineup of Fox, Haliburton, and Bridges working out – tell me if I’m wrong. While ideally your wing would have more size, we have seen what Bridges is able to do in the open court and his three-point shooting growth would allow ideal spacing – he would also statistically be the best free-throw shooter on the roster already. 

I think that Bridges and a few second-rounders could potentially get the deal done, assuming that Sacramento’s front office feels they are in a situation where they could likely lose Holmes for nothing this coming offseason (who knows if that is the case).

At the same, Richaun Holmes is surely worth a first-round pick. Could you be talked into a lottery-protected pick that then quickly converts to two seconds along with Miles Bridges?

And for the sake of conversation, if Bridges is not McNair’s cup of tea and the primary return demanded is a lightly protected first-rounder, what would you be willing to do? Bismack Biyombo at a top-5 protected 2021 first? 

Holmes would fill a major hole for the roster in the immediate and future (assuming Charlotte re-signs him, and why else would they be considering this deal) which should improve the roster this season. As you mentioned LaMelo has feasible replacements on the roster where I would think the Hornets are not a bottom-8 team and should continue to battle for the playoffs in a struggling Eastern Conference. 

Brian: I quite like the fit of Fox, Hali and Bridges, and think it would make some sense. Bridges is all 3s and dunks, plus he has some passing craft as well. He has the potential to be a really nice secondary piece around other primary/high usage creators.

Bridges shoots a ton of corner 3s (15% of his FGA) and he’s efficient around the basket (73 FG% at the rim), especially as a lob finisher. He’s an imperfect decision-maker, but Bridges is also a useful short-roll passer. It’s all too easy to see him screening for Fox, the defense throwing two at Fox, while Bridges slips into space, receives a pass, and helps move it to Hali on the second side.

As a team defender, Bridges has made strides in terms of his processing speed. He’s in the right spot more often than two years ago, and there’s less of a delay with how he reads actions as a back-line helper. Bridges is relentless contesting shots at the rim, too.

Prior to the LaMelo injury, I maybe could’ve been talked into those types of protections. This seems fair/realistic. If it were up to me, however, I would likely choose to walk away from the conversation €” hoping to find (lesser) center help elsewhere, for less. (I still have some cap space to work with, too.)

I will always be of the belief that a slow-burn rebuild is the best way to manage roster construction in a smaller market. I’m not willing to trade away the foundational elements of that process €” the 1st round draft picks €” for some short-term boost in rim finishing/protection.

There are good young players on this roster; LaMelo is obviously a star and a piece to build around. But they still need more talent in the pipeline and pieces to grow with Ball, which is why the draft is so critical. Those picks are the lifeblood of the rebuild.

Bridges is also a very nice piece to have with LaMelo. He has the most rim-run/vertical gravity of anyone on the roster, though the addition of Holmes would assuage some of those concerns. Bridges is also eligible for a rookie extension this summer. Perhaps that matters here, too.

Now, do I think Charlotte’s front office would be interested in an offer like this? Sure, I do. It certainly doesn’t hurt that they own all of their 1st round picks. They could feel emboldened to pull a move like this knowing that they aren’t mortgaging the last of their tradable picks/assets, while also having future cap space to harvest and maybe get a pick back down the line.

There’s clearly an onus to make the playoffs. Hayward is signed for three years beyond the season. He’s going to decline. If you wanted to make a playoff run with Hayward, this is the best version of him you will get. However, as I mentioned earlier, I’m not sure what the thought process is after LaMelo’s injury. It’s a huge curveball.

Despite having a solid backcourt rotation behind LaMelo, the Hornets will be without their top playmaker, which is critical for a postseason run. It would be rather risky, knowing LaMelo is likely out for the season, to burn a pick(s) in an effort to improve your roster in a way that may only marginally improve your playoff odds. 

€œCongrats on getting the opportunity to be swept by the Nets! Also, you don’t have a 1st round pick this year!€ This doesn’t sound ideal to me.

Brenden: The slow build, patient team-building process is something that Sacramento could really benefit from if they were not chasing to desperately end the playoff drought every three years or so. 

As I said earlier, if the Kings are not able to move on from Buddy Hield or Harrison Barnes before the deadline, it could make retaining Richaun Holmes extremely difficult this offseason (assuming he does not take about $10-million annually to stay in Sacramento). There is always a chance they could create space this offseason as well, but doing so is more difficult then compared to at the March 25th deadline. 

If Monte McNair realizes there is a real possibility that Richaun Holmes is going be lost for nothing, I would be very content with a return of Miles Bridges and a few second rounders – while obviously preferring the lottery protected first we mentioned.

This deal would also make the Kings notable worse for this season, and a top-five draft pick should be high priority as that could quickly put the franchise in an ideal position for the next half-decade at least. 

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Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
March 23, 2021 9:24 am

Hell yeah, give me Bridges and picks for a Holmes package. I take that all day. If it’s a protected 1st, even better.

Bridges fits the timeline, is a multi-positional wing, defends, hits from three and compliments Fox and Hali. He also potentially frees up any hesitancy on trading Barnes or Buddy.

If the Kings still like Holmes and Holmes still likes Sac, throw money at him in free agency, but as of today, it’s better to cash out on him rather than losing him for nothing.

Last edited 3 years ago by Adamsite
MidtownMike
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March 23, 2021 9:39 am
Reply to  Adamsite

“If the Kings still like Holmes and Holmes still likes Sac, throw money at him in free agency, but as of today, it’s better to cash out on him rather than losing him for nothing.”

Absolutely! I’m fine with that deal and ideally compound it with a buddy trade to help with re-signing Holmes (although Cha would also try to have talk pre-trade about a re-sign).

As much as I like the idea of a move like this and then pushing for the playoffs next year, I honestly think I’d be more excited if they fire sale’d the vets.

andy_sims
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March 23, 2021 9:45 am
Reply to  MidtownMike

I’m not sure that you understand what the term “fire sale” means. If you do, I absolutely apologize, but it’s hard to divine another meaning from your suggestion than “just give them away to be done with it, and don’t worry about the return.”

RORDOG
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March 23, 2021 9:51 am
Reply to  andy_sims

comment image?cid=549b592d5bd7425c4f63704273ace364

MidtownMike
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March 23, 2021 9:56 am
Reply to  andy_sims

Sure, I don’t actually mean give them away for peanuts, just that I would be more excited if they were able to find fair deals and pull the trigger. Something like the Nesmith, G. Williams and a 1st for Barnes type stuff.

Not a “we absolutely fleeced them deal” which is what it sounds like Monte is looking for with Barnes.

Last edited 3 years ago by MidtownMike
andy_sims
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March 23, 2021 11:31 am
Reply to  MidtownMike

There’s a staggering amount of distance between “fair deal” and “we totally fleeced them.” Everything that I’ve heard is the the return offers are underwhelming, or as you say, peanuts. There’s nothing to suggest that McNair won’t say yes to something equitable.

MidtownMike
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March 23, 2021 11:36 am
Reply to  andy_sims

We actually haven’t heard anything about details and only that the kings want a very good return which I could take as wanting a fleece or no deal.

Two days seems a long time right now haha

sonny
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March 23, 2021 1:49 pm
Reply to  MidtownMike

Andy Seems to parse every word you tyoe….
smh..

andy_sims
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March 23, 2021 2:22 pm
Reply to  sonny

Examining words, our sole means of communication, regardless of form, for meaning?

I guess that we’re different tyoes of people. It’s a big world.

sonny
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March 23, 2021 3:46 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Yeah. It’s a big word.

Henry
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March 23, 2021 9:27 am

Perfectly reasonable discussion all-around. I would miss Holmes (and Dr. Holmes) quite a bit, and would rather keep him than anyone outside of Hali/Fox, but I would happily settle for Bridges and two 2nd rounders. I’ve always liked Bridges and if there’s any chance he don’t keep him in the summer, I’d say do it. Any push to retain Holmes should be looked at in the context of contending, and we’re no closer than we were last year.

Last edited 3 years ago by Henry
LandParkJimmer
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March 23, 2021 1:28 pm
Reply to  Henry

I don’t want more 2nd round picks….we have plenty already. 1st or no trade

Last edited 3 years ago by LandParkJimmer
furious.d
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March 23, 2021 2:20 pm
Reply to  LandParkJimmer

I don’t value 2nds very highly either, but I’d do Bridges for Holmes straight up, so any picks coming our way would just be gravy in my book. Bridges is essentially a draft pick that’s ready now, since he just turned 23 and is already productive, efficient, and has an excellent NBA body / athleticism. With one more year of cheap team control, then the ability to match his market value in restricted free agency it all adds up to a piece that fills a need and is less likely to be lost for nothing like Holmes.

Easy yes in my book.

NorCalKingsFan
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March 23, 2021 6:49 pm
Reply to  furious.d

Unfortunately, the 2nds are useful to sell, we need offset Walton’s salary and the cash we get from selling 2nds is disappointingly useful.

If this team’s ownership weren’t broke, I’d definitely prefer they keep taking flyers on 2nd round players looking for a gem/improving the bench rotation.

andy_sims
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March 23, 2021 9:28 am

Good conversation and write-up, definitely covered the important details for both teams.

I would probably pull the trigger on Holmes for Bridges, as it would give us another young and improving player, while also improving the lottery odds this summer. It’s probably a pipe dream to think that Holmes can be re-signed as a free agent if he’s traded, but if the deal is handled the right way, everyone involved can move on without having a bad taste in their mouths.

causalfan
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March 23, 2021 9:54 am

Please GM McNair: Unless it’s a major trade, do not make a trade. Give the core guys this year of playing together, then next year bring back the core guys with a much, much better bench and shoot for the playoffs.

MidtownMike
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March 23, 2021 10:01 am
Reply to  causalfan

and a much much better coach yeah

9sac8
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March 23, 2021 1:06 pm
Reply to  MidtownMike

AND 1!!!!!!!!

andy_sims
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March 23, 2021 10:02 am
Reply to  causalfan

I guess I’d need to know who the core guys are. I’d assume Fox and Haliburton, and not Holmes, given his upcoming free agency. If you’re also including Barnes and/or Hield in that must-keep core, then it would be essentially impossible to make a major trade, since the rest of the roster isn’t going to move the needle very much as far as dangling them as trade bait.

Maybe McNair can break the Sacramento curse and sign an exciting free agent this summer, but I can’t imagine why a player like that would want to play for Lose Walton. That’s got to be a dealbreaker,

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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March 23, 2021 10:08 am
Reply to  causalfan

I’m not sure how you keep the core guys together, while also giving Holmes a pay raise, and build a better bench. It is just not financially possible.

causalfan
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March 23, 2021 10:38 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I’d hate to see Holmes leave. The guy brings effort every game. The drop off is when the kings go to the bench. If they could sign one or two guys that come off the bench but are good enough to start I think they could make the playoffs. Maybe if they trade Buddy and/or Bagley, let Whiteside and Joseph go that would clear enough cap space to give Holmes a pay raise and sign one or two very good players. In addition they would also have their 1st round pick who may be NBA ready like Hali is.

bjax1
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March 23, 2021 10:04 am

Simple. Sign Holmes. He is the perfect center for this team. Trade Buddy and/or Bagley to free up space, and hopefully get some assets back. I like Bridges, but not better than Holmes. Also, off -topic, but I’m o.k. to trade Harrison, just not for scraps.

andy_sims
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March 23, 2021 10:32 am
Reply to  bjax1

I hope McNair reads this, trading Barnes, Bagley or Hield, sounds like a pretty good idea.

furious.d
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March 23, 2021 2:26 pm
Reply to  bjax1

I don’t think we can call him perfect for this team when he’s the anchor of the worst defense in the league. Holmes is extremely easy to root for, but we are last in the league in points in the paint given up. Something has to change.

NorCalKingsFan
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March 23, 2021 6:57 pm
Reply to  furious.d

This defense would be catastrophically worse without Holmes. Seriously, we have last year’s “best” rim-protector serving as Holmes backup and the team is decidedly worse with Holmes off the court.

I really don’t want to trade Holmes, but its the rare occasion of being able to sign him right back in the offseason. Holmes is damn near perfect as a modern center, he only lacks a 3pt shot but makes up for it a great deal with his push shot from the free throw line, he’s like a walking assist-getter.

2018DraftTimeMachine
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March 23, 2021 8:06 pm
Reply to  bjax1

Agreed, have thumb #6.

Adamsite
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March 23, 2021 10:06 am

You know, with Brian from Charlotte mentioning a possible need of PG depth for the Hornets, I wonder if they’d be interested in Joseph as any part of a Holmes deal? His partially guaranteed deal might be of interest to them for this year only in a playoff push.

Holmes and Joseph for Bridges, Zeller, and picks works and saves them some cash. Could it be enough to entice them of including a lottery protected first in 2021 instead of two second rounders?

9sac8
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March 23, 2021 1:13 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Why Zeller? Why not Monk? I’ve thinking about a Fox and Monk back court since “dumb ass last GM, who shall remain nameless” traded the 10th pick in 2017. The guy that decided to slap the ball straight to Horry in 2002. Yeah…that fucking guy.

sonny
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March 23, 2021 1:54 pm
Reply to  9sac8

Should have tried to rebound the ball with TWO hands like Holmes and not tap it to his former team.

unretire vladamnit!

RORDOG
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March 23, 2021 10:07 am

If they do feel like they need to trade Holmes, then Miles Bridges would be a good return. If they could also get R. Williams from Boston, then that could be a fun frontcourt duo. I love monster dunks!

MidtownMike
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March 23, 2021 10:17 am
Reply to  RORDOG

I’d love RW3 but don’t think they trade him.

I’d honestly consider RW3 straight up for Barnes, the dude has absolute superstar potential, especially if they trade Holmes for Bridges.

Fox
Hali
Bridges
Bags (ugh)
RW3

That is a really excited group moving forward, of course something to replace Bags would be ideal but…Maybe a Bags and future 1st for Collins

Last edited 3 years ago by MidtownMike
RORDOG
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March 23, 2021 10:29 am
Reply to  MidtownMike

I would assume if the Kings were to acquire Bridges, then that would coincide with the end of the Bagley era in Sacramento for all intents and purposes.

Adamsite
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March 23, 2021 11:24 am
Reply to  RORDOG

I think the Bagley era is already over. I’m fairly certain we don’t see him in a Kings uniform again.

Dub_TC
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March 23, 2021 2:57 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

As much as you’re probably right, what a sad thing to read. Ugh.

NorCalKingsFan
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March 23, 2021 6:59 pm
Reply to  Dub_TC

speaking only for myself, I read that with a smile

2018DraftTimeMachine
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March 23, 2021 8:38 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

That would be awesome.

furious.d
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March 23, 2021 2:29 pm
Reply to  RORDOG

Why would Bridges leave Bagley as odd man out? We would have a hole at SF if Barnes is traded for Williams, so Bridges slots in perfectly there.

Henry
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March 23, 2021 10:29 am
Reply to  MidtownMike

Then Buddy, Bagley, and top 5 protected pick for Collins and salary?

Last edited 3 years ago by Henry
andy_sims
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March 23, 2021 10:34 am
Reply to  Henry

Seems like a lot to hand over for a guarantee of 20+ games. I love Collins’ game, but it’s about 50/50 that a team will put a max deal on the table for him this summer, and I’m not sure he’ll be worth that.

I’m also not sure that he isn’t.

BestHyperboleEver
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March 23, 2021 11:42 am
Reply to  andy_sims

IF they trade for Collins, then they’ve probably already decided that they’re matching all offers.

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March 23, 2021 8:40 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Hate to say it, Kangz fans, but if Fox is a max player, so is Collins.

MidtownMike
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March 23, 2021 10:39 am
Reply to  Henry

I’m not giving up a ’21 pick unless lotto protected.

Probably any pick that isn’t lotto protected tbh

rockbottom
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March 23, 2021 10:11 am

I think it is ironic that Hornets need Holmes to improve at Center ! Clearly it would be an improvement over two former lottery picks ( Zeller #4 and Byombo #7 ) !

NickS
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March 23, 2021 10:12 am

OT: Lauri Markkanen would be a big swing that could be worth taking. Maybe a trade involving Barnes and Bagley? Add OPJ to make the salaries work.

furious.d
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March 23, 2021 2:33 pm
Reply to  NickS

I think that ship has sailed. Lauri has been excellent this year and I don’t see any reason a rebuilding team like Chicago would move away from him unless we’re offering our 2021 1st.

MidtownMike
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March 23, 2021 11:24 am

Nothing to do with the thread and yes a brag comment…It’s frustrating to see a rookie I was absolutely clamoring for (Paul Reed), just destroy the G League and be at a position of need for us…but hey, we traded Kenyon Martin Jr to the rockets with that pick

Last edited 3 years ago by MidtownMike
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March 23, 2021 8:41 pm
Reply to  MidtownMike

But then we realize it’s the G League and we’re still all OK.

1951
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March 23, 2021 11:29 am

Not wowed by what Charlotte can offer in return, but this all comes down to how much Monty wants to offer Holmes this offseason. If Monty knows now that he doesn’t want to overpay then trading Holmes is a must and one of Bridges or Monk would be an okay consolation prize.

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March 23, 2021 11:31 am
Reply to  1951

Bingo

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March 23, 2021 7:02 pm
Reply to  1951

Bridges only…Monk doesn’t do it for me at all.

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March 23, 2021 11:33 am

I would make the Holmes for Bridges package.

I’d like us to kick the tires on Oubre and Siakam. Are any of yall Siakam fans?

I would offer a package around Barnes and Cojo for Siakam. I feel like Siakam is running out of time there and could be had. Raps would get a serviceable replacement in Barnes and Cojo to help with cap relief. Add in a pick next year or Bagley. They would need to add salary if Bagley is included.

We would be buying low on a quality player next to Fox and Hali who would be locked in for 3 more years. We would just be in the market for a C.

Fox, Hali, Bridges, Siakam, (C) with Hield off the bench would be trending up to me.

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March 23, 2021 11:38 am
Reply to  PlayoffModeT

If Siakam was really on the table and the only major asset it cost was Barnes then that’s a no brainer. I can’t imagine it wouldn’t cost significantly more though.

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March 23, 2021 11:59 am
Reply to  MidtownMike

I hear you. I do like the names McNair seems to be linked to. It shows he is trying to actually nab value.

Bagley for Wendell Carter would be another buy low. Kings need some size too.

Marty
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March 23, 2021 11:57 am

This was a mighty fine article and I enjoyed reading it.

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March 23, 2021 12:20 pm

I love Richaun. He is 27. That is NOT old. He is getting better every year. He is the team’s best on-ball defender and rebounder. He’s become actually potent on offense. He tenacious and cares. He actually likes Sacramento.

I keep him and offer what it takes to bring him back.

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March 23, 2021 1:13 pm
Reply to  SexyNapear

You just covered what I wanted to say! His game in still improving and is a good fit with our team. I’d love to be able to keep him around.

MidtownMike
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March 23, 2021 1:32 pm
Reply to  HumboldtCPA

We all would, but the money has to work and it’s rough w/out moving other pieces

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March 23, 2021 1:47 pm
Reply to  SexyNapear

Bravo!! My thoughts exactly.

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March 23, 2021 8:43 pm
Reply to  SexyNapear

Agreed. I feel like if we had a Big 3 it would be Fox, Hali and Holmes.

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March 23, 2021 12:26 pm

As much as I like Collins, the guy that I’d really love to get in a swap with Atlanta is Clint Capela. Holmes is a better shooter, especially free throws, but as good as he is, Capela would be an upgrade with respect to rebounding and defense, and is a career .627 on field goal attempts. And, he’s still only twenty-six, which is a solid fit.

Capela is on very reasonable salary for two additional years. Offering them Holmes plus one of Barnes or Hield seems like a fair return, with the Kings needing to take back some salary, picks, or something. Tony Snell would work, as would Rondo, although he has an additional year, whereas Snell does not. Rondo could be bought out at season’s end to let him catch on someplace else.

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March 23, 2021 12:44 pm

This is complicated for us, shouldn’t be complicated for Monty at all.

Monte should have already had a conversation with Holmes and his agent about the true commitment to return to Sacramento after this year. This is doubly important for Holmes because he is in a contract year. If he already said he wants to stay and the Kings and his agent have already discussed the basics of the contract extension and agree to it in principle then you Keep Holmes and hang up the phone on the Hornets.

If you are Holmes and don’t see yourself returning to Sacramento then you want to be traded and would have told Monty that already. If he could get traded to a playoff contending team he would be able to showcase his talents more which would increase his options as a free agent and increase his asking price. For Holmes being traded or not is a decision for his own future right now. He has likely already made the decision of what his future holds and if it’s in Sacramento.

If Monty has not had the Conversation with Holmes and his agent then he is not doing his job. If Monty has not already negotiated Holmes’s next contract (in principal) with his agent then Monty is not doing a good job.

For us the choice between keeping Holmes or trading him for Bridges is complicated because we don’t know the Market for Holmes and we don’t know if Holmes want’s to come back. Monte However should have very solid answers to both of those questions which would make this trade proposal really easy to accept or reject.

NickS
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March 23, 2021 12:52 pm
Reply to  ArcoThunder

Can you have conversations like that with agents or would that be considered possible tampering?

andy_sims
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March 23, 2021 12:53 pm
Reply to  NickS

I was wondering that, too.

NickS
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March 23, 2021 12:55 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

I recall listening to Sam Amick on the radio talking about how Monte may be careful with the tampering rules during his first year as GM. Also, in this scenario you don’t know what other teams are going to offer him and if his asking price may increase at the end of the year.

Last edited 3 years ago by Nick Sloggy
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March 23, 2021 1:22 pm
Reply to  NickS

I don’t see how it could be tampering when he is already under contract. You are just working with your employees, having discussions about the corporation you both work for and if the future vision has them in it.

Also, My point is that yes, WE do not know what the market for Holmes is next year. However, Monte should absolutely know what the market for Holmes is and act accordingly. If Monte can’t figure that out then he should not have this job. Sure, some team could swoop in and offer 2 million more than you thought another team would but that shouldnt affect your plan as of 3/23/21 on whether you are keeping Holmes in a Kings uniform or not.

You make the well thought out decision to keep him or not because you know the ball park figure it will take to keep him and you know he want’s to stay or leave for an amount in that ball park.

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March 23, 2021 1:34 pm
Reply to  ArcoThunder

My understanding is (and I could be wrong) that tampering really applies to an attempt to recruit outside players to the organization. But…I think there are also rules against negotiating the actual nuts and bolts of a deal (such as a handshake agreement) prior to the player entering free agency.

So I’d think the Kings can express their desire to bring Holmes back, and Holmes and his agent could express their desire to come back – but they can’t actually start negotiating a deal until Holmes is a free agent.

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March 23, 2021 1:14 pm
Reply to  NickS

Don’t quote me on this but if the player is on YOUR team and under contract then I don’t see how it could be tampering.

Theres no other team to be tampering with, it’s simply communicating with your current employees.

I would think.

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March 23, 2021 8:47 pm
Reply to  ArcoThunder

€œIf the player is on YOUR team and under contract then I don’t see how it could be tampering.€ – ArcoThunder

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March 23, 2021 8:45 pm
Reply to  NickS

I would assume talking to your own guys is OK, although specifically the part about working out a deal to come back next year after being a rental at the trade deadline might be considered tampering.

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March 23, 2021 12:58 pm
Reply to  ArcoThunder

They can have general conversations, but there’s no way for Holmes to know the actual market for his services until free agency.

Otis
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March 23, 2021 1:03 pm
Reply to  ArcoThunder

This is looking at things solely from Sacramento’s standpoint. This is Richaun’s sixth year in the league, and his career earnings including this season are less than $15 million. Now that’s a lot to you and me, but not all that much for a professional basketball player.

Richaun’s agent would be committing malpractice not to let him test the market before agreeing to anything with Sacramento.

andy_sims
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March 23, 2021 1:08 pm
Reply to  Otis

All true.

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March 23, 2021 1:47 pm
Reply to  Otis

You are correct, it would be malpractice. I am not saying Holmes should sign a new contract today. A verbal agreement YES.

Monte and the Agent for Holmes should absolutely have a basic understanding of what each other thinks and wants from the other. That includes real interest to stay and a ball park figure of what Richaun’s agent knows his market value is. Monte should absolutely know what Holmes can expect outside of Sacramento.

furious.d
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March 23, 2021 2:49 pm
Reply to  ArcoThunder

Richaun should and will take the highest amount offered. He was a 2nd round pick (ie. zero guaranteed money) then had to struggle for minutes behind Embiid and Ayton just to stay in the league. He knows this opportunity to cash in may be the only one he ever gets, given his age and how dependent his game is on athleticism.

The conversation with his agent should be one sentence long: “Richaun will be happy to stay with the Kings if you can outbid every other team in the league.” Given that the team stinks, the coach who gave him this opportunity is likely to be fired, the roster probably overhauled, and we might use a top-5 pick on his replacement, there’s really nothing else to say.

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March 23, 2021 1:29 pm

Trading Holmes would be a mistake. He wants to stay in Sac, fits the timeline, and is a great center. He should be signed for a long-term deal if possible.

MidtownMike
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March 23, 2021 1:45 pm
Reply to  LandParkJimmer

The “wants” to stay in Sac doesn’t mean he will accept whatever it is we can offer. If another team throws out 2-4 mil more then us he isn’t turning that down

andy_sims
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March 23, 2021 3:01 pm

In the event that Barnes & Hield are both on the roster at season’s end, it may be possible for McNair to restructure their deals in a way that frees up money for Holmes (or whomever).

McNair was Morey’s right hand, so my guess is that he learned a thing or two worth knowing.

Jman1949
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March 23, 2021 4:15 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Except for buyout situations, I don’t think restructuring can be used to reduce player salaries.

From the CBA FAQs:

A renegotiation can only be used to provide a salary increase — players can’t take a “pay cut” in order to create more cap room for the team.

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March 23, 2021 6:27 pm

Bridges cannot even start for the Hornets. Not a good shooter.
Monk ? no
two seconds- that’s a joke, right?
I would do PJ Washington + a couple of firsts. Which is to say- not interested.

Mike120
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March 23, 2021 6:36 pm

I’m a big Holmes fan and hope we keep him. I like his attitude, efficiency, appreciation for Sacto, and his mom. I think he’s the 3rd most valuable player on the team behind Fox and TH. That said, I’d be fine with Bridges and CHA’s unprotected first for him. That would necessitate getting rid of Barnes who I also like a lot. The problem isn’t our staying five, it’s the bench. Need a lot of upgrades there. That might be the ticket to the playoffs.

Inthestarz
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March 23, 2021 7:25 pm

Reading the hoopshype interview where he mentions money and competing (€œtaking care of family€ and championships) as motivating FA factors makes me think you deal him if there is value on the table

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March 23, 2021 8:04 pm

Just say no to trading Holmes!

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March 23, 2021 8:36 pm

If we’re talking Hornets trades, I say Buddy, Barnes and Bagley for PJ, Bridges, Monk and a first-rounder.

Holmes stays, and we get better by subtraction.

Last edited 3 years ago by LaBradfordsCreditCard
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March 23, 2021 8:49 pm

Just remember, everyone … in part because of picking up Bagley’s option, we may lose Holmes.

Let that marinate for a while.

Go Kangz!

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