The first day of free agency saw a lot of players land in new homes. Paul George is going to Philly, Chris Paul to the Spurs, Hartenstein to OKC, Tobias Harris to Detroit, Jalen Smith to Chicago, Naji Marshall to Dallas, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to Orlando, Mason Plumlee to Phoenix, and Derrick Jones Jr to the Clippers, among others. And yet the Sacramento Kings have not made a move to add a free agent yet. The Kings have retained Malik Monk and Alex Len, but that’s it.
Free agency is not won or lost on Day 1. There’s still plenty of time for the Kings to bolster the roster via signings or trades, but it’s always frustrating to see other teams landing impact free agents and crickets from the Kings.
The Kings are rumored to be engaged in trade talks for Brandon Ingram, and there’s talk that the Jazz could be open to moving Lauri Markkanen (although there have been no rumors connecting him to the Kings). We’ll see if anything materializes on the trade front.
As always, we will post updates for any Kings news, but in the meantime use this thread to discuss any news or rumors from around the league.
Yawn
Totally. I’m getting tendinitis from clicking refresh on the various sites I’m watching while I should be working.
I’ll just re-post my thought from yesterday about 30 minutes prior to the start of free agency:
And this is what I just posted at the end of the last thread:
Yeah, I wonder what does McNair actually do all day. Let alone his assistant.
Call up reporters > say the Kings are in talks to make a big trade > take a nap > be too risk averse > miss out on trade > call reporters, and so on and so forth
I’d wager he spends 15-20 minutes each day laughing at online dipshits like you and me.
Well, we know that the 15-20 minutes hasn’t been used on closing an actual deal, so you may be right.
Monte McNearly (as someone posted on Twitter).
I’d bet good money that this isn’t the front office’s plan, even if it ends up turning out that way. Unless you’re fairly certain that McNair is a moron, do you actually believe he’d find himself “content” after not facilitating any improvements?
He has an inability to close the deal, I’d say that has been proven the last two years. Closing a deal is a skill in and of itself, and MM doesn’t seem to have it.
Wanting and trying to make a deal and actually closing a deal are different things.
He clearly does have the ability to close deals. Look at his first couple years as GM. He’s just currently choosing to not close deals, for whatever reason.
I disagree. He has been so close on so many deals lately. He just cannot close them.
I hear ya. Ultimately with how uninformed we are as fans at the end of the day I see both sides of the opinion. I just think he has a very strict control on how much he will not give up and he won’t budge, for better or worse. After Vlade, it’s quite refreshing. I will admit though, I am beginning to really dislike his salary dump moves (Holmes last year and Mitchell/Vezenkov this year).
He had the Hield/Kuzma deal basically done, but LeGM stepped in and kicked and screamed to get Westbrook.
LeGM also selected his own son when said son had no business being an NBA draftee. Amazing how the NBA media never critisizes their self proclaimed king.
A) your take on whether he’s got business being an NBA draftee is your opinion. Your opinion is not a fact in any way. I might agree with you, but plenty of people around the league do not. Allegedly.
B) the move has been criticized relentlessly around sports media. Almost no one is on board with it.
C) who. cares. I believe the conversation was about whether or not MM can close deals. Which is a silly conversation, granted. Until its not…
He closed two big trades with Sabonis and Huerter…I know we like to only say things that fit our narrative but….
I appreciate your voice of reason, Mike.
Good point, and I’d be remiss in not mentioning the absolute mental breakdown many had about sending Haliburton out in the deal.
“Just do something, Monte!”
“Oh. Not like that.”
Kings fans still argue that we lost what was a clear win-win trade.
Some do. Many don’t. And there are a few that think the Kings won the trade.
You’re right, I should have specified “some”. I look back on that trade wistfully. I love Domas and how he brought us into playoff contention. But boy, the amount of attention that Hali has brought the Pacers makes me a little jealous.
I did not favor the trade at the time, but I understood it. McNair had a limited amount of time to turn the team around, and this was the deal to do it. I did think that a lot of people were sleeping on Domas. He had somehow gained this reputation of being a ball pounder, and I suspected it had more to do with Carlisle’s system. This marks one of the few times I was right, which still does not offset the fact that I thought Bob Sura would be a better player than Steve Nash.
He did have promise though. Size, athleticism, motor. Almost happened.
I thought Rocket Rod Foster coming out of UCLA was an absolutely sure bet to become the next Gus Williams, but that didn’t happen.
Turns out, De’Aaron Fox was the next Gus Williams, so it worked out.
In all fairness, Sura was nearly as good as Nash.
I’m sure Monte could have pulled the trigger on some deal or another that would have had the Kings get ripped off for a player that might not even have fit well. Maybe there have also been trades where he should have given a little more at the right time to seal the deal. A solid free agent signing would be enough for me. I’d also love to get Brandon Ingram. Is NO really trying to move him? I’m imagining they would need something back which would at least insure they don’t take too big a step back this year.
I’d rather he not make a bad deal just to keep us chuckleheads happy. My fear is giving up the farm for BI or Lauri only to have them walk at the end of their current contract.
I think what really screws us from landing a big trade is because our next pick is tied up with Atlanta. Which is why I hate and always will hate pick protections. Make your move and trust that it’ll workout and keep your future picks without locking yourself up from being able to use them. Has Monte even woken up yet?
You’ll feel differently when we get the pick back next spring.
Nope. If we were able to, which I doubt we were I would’ve lifted the protections and gave the pick to Atlanta this year. The going rate for stars and ultimate 3 & D wings is 3-4 first round picks and swaps included. It’s nuts. But that’s just what it is right now.
it’ll be interesting to see how the Clips recover with PG gone and how they build going forward with no picks. But the Kings don’t have the luxury of throwing picks in deals knowing they can attract FA’s. But we gotta strike at some point or do SOMETHING because running it back with the same squad is not doing anything.
With the way the 2025 draft is shaping up, I’m sure ATL would be willing to remove next year’s protection if we offered it. So if we really need to add fist rounders, we could pretty easily do them as soon as 2027. The only reason they wouldn’t have wanted that this year is because the 2024 draft was already viewed as weak, and then they got the first pick.
If Monte doesn’t swing a deal, it won’t be because of the 2025 pick.
If Devin Carter becomes Derrick White you’ll be happy we kept it
Nuggets got worse, Clippers got worse. On balance, I’d say Sacramento had a pretty good first day.
Have any teams in the West that finished ahead of the Kings last season gotten worse than the current same Kings squad?
The deal the clips just gave DJJ wasn’t much of an overpay if it was at all and something the kings very much could of offered so idk if they’re a team that would make us feel better. They lost a usually injured guy that is going to be 35+ making 50mil+ a year. I’d personally take that trade off from a cost analysis perspective
We’re still not better than the Nuggets so what does it matter that they got worse?
And let’s not forget the teams that were below us that appear to be improving (Mem, Hou, Spurs…even Portland).
OKC added Caruso and Hartenstein. All it cost them was Giddey. And they can give Topic that entire year off. Yipes.
And 5,343 picks
Eventually it will be “Welcome to the
NBAOKC 2028 draft.”A move or moves are coming. They have to in order to even have a punchers chance of staying afloat in the Western Conference. They ran it back and it didnt work out. I’m okay with them testing the waters on the big guns, Ingram or Markkanen…before moving to Kuzma or Cam Johnson.
Thanks again, Greg for keeping things going during the summer. Even with no deals, at least we can come here to complain to each other. 🙂
.
Acceptance is the key to happiness.
I for one welcome our Cast-off Free Agent/Overpaid Average Player overlords.
Jalen Smith to the Bulls.
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1807768160587694560
Crandell’ed
12 roster spots, 3 (probably) to go. Looking at the depth, I’m assuming he goes after two bigger forwards and a third center.
Negotiating to sign Stanley Johnson, Jeremy Lamb and Skal Labisserie from the Stockton Kings!
3 dogs from Stockton? We need Mike Breen yelling BANG for each one as soon as pen hits paper.
Collins, Miles Bridges and Stewart. Stewart is your backup center and Len is your third center.
Miles Bridges would seriously have me contemplating my future as a Kings fan.
Down with the type of player, hard pass on the person. Hope we don’t sign him.
I liked his play a few years ago (admittedly, it was before the assault), and while his scoring has gone up every year, he hasn’t ever picked up his defense or rebounding. I don’t think he really helps all that much and he is looking for around $30M/yr (I don’t see how the Kings could get him other than through a S&T).
I could still see how the signing could help make another move as you at least pick up an asset that could later be traded. At this point, I think someone along those lines might be the play. Not saying it would be enough or that Bridges is the right guy, but lets say we traded Huerter to CHA in an S&T for Bridges…if you were Danny Ainge and you’re getting at least 4 FRPs and some picks swaps in a deal with the Kings, would you rather receive Huerter and Barnes back (combined $34M), or Bridges ($30M)?
Might be trying to thread a needle with a rope there.
agreed, if you’re gonna compromise morals at least get a top 5 player for it.
I like Collins and Stewart. Hope we don’t sign Bridges. I’d love Bey and a cheap Gordon Heyward off the bench. Wouldn’t mind bringing Boogie back as a backup Center, since our roster is riddled with the Ned Flanders gene.
*a cheap Gordon Hayward on the bench
Barnes, Lyles, a second for John Collins. Huerter a second or two for Isaiah Steward. Shaddiq Bey with MLE.
Starters: Fox, Ellis, Murray, Collins, Sabonis.
Backups: Carter Monk ,Jones, Bey, Stewart.
I like the ambition…but is that team really that much better? Does Collins, Bey, and Stewart move the needle that much?
I agree that they fit, would help, and I like them…but enough to add picks and sell De’Aaron that we are actually trying?
I think we need to go after bigger fish like Markennen, Ingram, or even sadly Kuzma or Grant.
I agree on Markannen and Ingram but IMO Collins is a better fit than Kuzma or Grant.Ex.Collins vs. Kuzma. Rebounds better protects the rim better shoots the 3 better what more do you want? With Grant IMO I wouldn’t pay that much money for his services.
I think Collins and Bey alone move the needle to lock for over 50 win team
Bey had ACL surgery on March 27, 2024. Usual recovery time for that is anywhere from 8 – 12 months, FWIW.
Perhaps a good opportunity to buy low(er)
Saddiq BAE.
Bey had ACL surgery, so he is basically done for next season.
Stewart seems fine as a backup C but I don’t see how Beef Stew fits into the starting lineup with Domas. I’d almost rather see what we could do with Wiseman but I’m concerned he’s a bit damaged at the moment. Just not in love with the Pistons’ offerings.
I wouldn’t hate John Collins, I think he’d be a slight upgrade over Barnes at this point. Bey would be interesting but I’m not taking on Hayward’s salary without some kind of sweetener.
First Stewart would be backup up to Sabonis, I said nothing about Hayward. I would,t take him at all. Collins is the best fit next to Sabonis. I think Collins has far more value than Barnes, Just look at his rebounding stats. Out of sight compared to Barnes and protects the rim especially the weakside which we really need. Barnes isn’t even close to doing that.
I love Collins or Ingram or Markannen. I hate giving up assets for a player on an expiring contract.
An interesting supposition as it relates to Bridges. Landing him would appreciably improve the Kings’ roster, and at a position of need, no less.
Would this signing briefly slow down the consensus that McNair can’t close deals, or would the goalposts move to a place where McNair can’t close deals on players with solid citizen reputations of whom we all approve?
I don’t particularly want Bridges for many of the same reasons as others, but can we live with a substantial upgrade to the team at the cost of some reputational hit to the organization?
No and no.
But is it better than, or worse than doing nothing?
Yes and yes.
No, nO, no…NO
I was hoping that MM would somehow manage to snag Paul George. I feel like that would’ve cemented the Kings path to the Finals and I knew it was a super long shot, but damnit. I would’ve been fine watching us basically throw money at a chip whether we’d have won it or not. PG is one hell of a basketball puzzle piece that makes finding all the rest of the pieces just a little easier. And he’s a hell of a ball player.
I think the whole league knew Markkanen was available before the Jazz were out of the playoff picture. The problem is he is being actively courted by the Warriors at the moment.
I’m sure Monte is making these calls (right?) just like every other GM. And for every player of note you hear about us being in talks with, you can read an article about how there’s 4 other teams that sound like way better options than the Kings also being interested in them.
We need another 15-20 pts a night in the starting lineup. Those guys are disappearing fast. Somebody mentioned “Run it Back 2.0” and all I have to say to that is “please, no.” Keegan Murray would have to make a Fox like Jump in his 3rd year and Carter would have to be a legit top 3 level draft talent carving out rotation minutes for that to have a shot at working. And I’m not ruling it out but I’m also not quite seeing both of those things.
Monte…. where are you….?
George gone to the 76ers.
That’s what I was lamenting in my opening paragraph.
“Somehow” doing the work of 100 stout men, here.
Knowing less than most, my assumption is that this would only have been possible as a sign & trade. If that’s actually true, what do you suppose the cost would have been for the Kings? And assuming we can agree on what would be reasonable, is that cost to acquire an oft-injured (admittedly still-great) thirty-four year old player likely to grade out happily for the Kings?
Sincerity isn’t my strong suit, but I ask these questions sincerely.
the cost appears to have been 5 years, 204 million and a team that has some level of championship aspirations. So…. YES. It would have absolutely been worth it.
We’d have been talked about all summer and absolutely would’ve been a frontrunner on paper to contend.
As far as injury, he’s had 4 years of sub-60 games during the Balmer / Load management game plan. He managed 74 games last year after the league clamped down on load management, not to mention prior to being a clipper he managed 60+ game seasons every year he wasn’t dealing with a shattered leg.
I don’t know why it would’ve “only been possible via a S/T” except for Vivek being stingy. If you get one year of PG and win a chip does that make it worth him walking the next year? Ask Toronto fans. I’d do that in a second.
Doesn’t matter tho, he’s in Philly. But that was my “perfect world” rosterbation. PG would’ve been a game changer for this team, IMO.
The question I have is whether you actually believe we’re just one Paul George away from a chip?
If we don’t have to sacrifice one of our top 5 players to get him, absolutely. The sixers didn’t lose a thing except cap space.
A Godzilla-sized IF, this.
My thought, exactly. With PG, we’re still two top 50 players from even considering WCF.
2 top 50 players away from even considering the WCF?
lol
Why even watch this team, then?
Would not be happy with a 38 year old PG in year four of that contract. Talk about an albatross.
The albatross is an amazing bird! With an average wingspan between 9 and 12 feet, the albatross achieves maximum distance flight and are part of the Diomedeidae biological family. They have been observed flying at speeds of up to 80 mph and can fly for days at a time.
That was fun. And PG as our starting 3 would have been also, I would’ve been super happy with a 38 y/o PG getting his 2nd chip with us.
😉
Kings fan base, 7/1/24, AM, in gif form:
The rest of the NBA the weekend before:
We Got This!
https://giphy.com/embed/xULW8tHKcYK9uaJzA4
Wait, I’m not good with mathematics but the 76ers will pay about $145mil to only 3 players?
probably right, we’ll be doing the same eventually once KM is up
well, to be fair…all of our guys are under 30yrs old whereas only Maxey is less than 30
But arguably if healthy. The Best Core 3 in the NBA and it’s not close.
Well, I’d definitely argue that they aren’t.
Brown/Tatum/Porzingis > Maxey/PG/Imbiid
Realistically, the odds of all six being healthy and playable at any given time is fairly remote, and that would seem to favor Boston.
I didn’t even bring up that Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are also better than anyone else on PHI’s roster.
If you chose the top 10 best players from the combined rosters, you’ll see that 7/10 are on BOS
All true, those guys are the ones that give Tatum and Brown the latitude to be great. Both are still capable of generating all-star numbers, and would no doubt step up and do so if needed.
2/3 of the core are incapable of staying healthy. And the team has little depth.
I think the sixers and pacers are a tier below the Knicks and C’s.
Jalen Smith to Bulls . 3 years at 9 million per . Getting very concerned .
Cmon Monte…it’s time
Some trades that work (according to the good ole trade machine)
OR THE SCARY ONES (that might make a little sense lol)
THE KINGS HAVE TO DO SOMETHING
I like #1 but to get both Markannen and Collins would be the hall of the day. Don’t think Ainge would do that.
I don’t think the Kings make for good trade partners with the Pelicans. Pelicans are trying to move off of wings, and the Kings only really have wings to offer. Huerter and Barnes would be the lesser of any of the other wings they have currently (CJ, Murray, Herb, Murphy, and whatever Zion is thought of as).
So there must need to be a 3rd team that can offer the Pelicans a Center (Poeltl from Toronto? Jarrett Allen?) to entice them.
McNair’s inability to create trades unilaterally is a true character flaw, shared by only thirty -one NBA GMs in the entire world.
It’s a results-based industry, no?
McNair did a great job of taking a crap roster and turning it into a 48 win, 3rd seed surprise. The Kings pretty much sat on their hands last summer, fell back to 46 wins, the 9 seed and out of the playoffs. They failed to keep up in the West, and that was with Memphis dropping out of the race very early.
The Lakers, Suns, Clips and Suns are all vulnerable, but Memphis, Houston and even San Antonio lurk in the rear view mirror. Dallas has gotten better this off season. OKC has gotten considerably better. If Dillingham is for real, Minny is improved (they aren’t worse). KCP leaving hurts Denver, but probably not to cover the 10 games that separated the Kings and Nugs last year.
To paraphrase Norm, it’s a dog-eat-dog world and Monte is wearing Milk Bone underwear. Excuses are easy, His job is hard. And the results are the yardstick under which he will be measured.
Of course it’s a results-based industry. Results are generally assessed at the end of an agreed-to time frame. If we get there without results that we generally agree are improvements, then sure, have at it.
We aren’t there yet. We aren’t even particularly close to being there yet.
I’ll offer this guarantee: If/when McNair makes a move, a majority of the commentary about it will be along the lines of how stupid McNair is. And it may turn out to be true over the next season or two, the best-laid plans of mice and men and all that.
Less than two days into this, it’s difficult to read much of this as anything more than impatient petulance, not befitting of what I’m told is one of the more knowledgeable NBA fan bases.
If this is how some need to cope with free agency, well, it’s a free country, particularly if you happen to be President of the United States. Speaking strictly for myself, I don’t have an obligation to pretend that it’s anything more than it is, a nearly Lakers-level sense of entitlement to get everything that they want, and right now.
Have at it, I’m the asshole for not assuming that what is currently is fated to be how it is.
You’re definitely capturing my thoughts. I still think there will be a move or two still to come this offseason. I don’t advocate the run it back approach but I’m not in favor of a “just make a move, Monte” approach, either. Thankfully, Monte isn’t embracing that strategy anyway. He has assets he doesn’t want to trade unless they move the needle and he’s holding tight to them.
I do find it amusing that people are starting to clamor for the Kings to trade anyone, including Keegan or Keon, just to improve the offense. Are these the same people who complain that the Kings play “no defense”? I don’t know, but the two absolute dawgs on defense are Keegan and Ellis. Those two guys set the tone, they improve the team in less perceptible ways. They elevate a player like Fox and they pressure players like Huerter to improve or sit. If I’m in Monte’s seat, I’m not giving them up for a marginal improvement.
Running it back would suck. But I vastly prefer that over subtraction by addition. Between now and the trade deadline, there will be plenty of opportunities to improve the team.
The deals that I have seen involving guys like Keegan and Keon also include players such as Lauri and Ingram. And the opinions have been framed along the lines of improving the top end of the roster and then backfilling. And while I do not agree with many of the proposed deals, I respect them more than the deals that are put together as though it is another team’s privilege to do business with the Kings. The real deals are the ones that usually hurt at least a little (giving up Hali, for example).
Maybe I’m missing it. But to me, the threads these past couple of days have been entertaining, enlightening, and at times brilliant. The contributions that fall short? They are simply that, and not, in my opinion, indicative of the whole of the contributing membership.
And 1 – If the front office did something, we’d talk about that instead of each other.
Amen…does anyone have the data on number of transactions? It feels like the Kings seem risk averse.
The Kings hope on health, chemistry, and continued improvement. At some point, the players are who they are. Healthy, probably a 6 seed. Unhealthy they are the 9th seed.
The Kings have 2 All NBA Players, a quality player on a rookie deal, and a super 6th man…and they can’t make it out of the Play-In Games.
I am not sitting here saying the sky is falling (even though teams like OKC, Min, Dallas and others have passed them)…but I am hoping for a move to at least try to improve this team.
The problem is that after those 4 guys, the rest of the roster is highly mediocre in totality.
Agreed – so how do the Kings change that?
High level free agents are not choosing Sacramento. Draft picks are limited to a few a year.
The only option is for trades and free agent moves on the fringes. There needs to be risks taken.
However; staying the course and running it back is not an option that will change winning.
Trades are hard to execute, but as the other Andy would say:
As of this post, I have the high side of this team being a 5 seed and the low side being a 13 seed, with 8-9 the likeliest outcome. The team as comprised right now would be fun more often than not, compelling, but ultimately disappointing if it winds up out of the top 6, in my opinion. And in my opinion, they are not likely to be a top 6 team right now.
Tick-tick-tick.
I agree with you overall on the contributions. I learn a lot from reading the comments here. I lurked here for a few years before commenting just to pick up some knowledge. Both you and Andy are two commenters I feel I’ve learned quite a bit from.
His comment about a Lakers-level sense of entitlement rings true to me. There are plenty of people who propose realistic trades, but so many people have unrealistic expectations. I’m fine with that part of things because most of them are entertaining to me, too. But there’s a running general theme that you’re an idiot if you don’t advocate for the outrageous trades.
This isn’t a North Korean style dictatorship. People have different opinions and even nuances within shared opinions. We can disagree, even vehemently so. But spam opinions aren’t particularly welcome for me.
Absolutely! I really enjoy the ideas, other view points, takes, etc.
Kings fans are few and far between; and I like this website for the community and fandom of wanting Kings to just win!
I too was on the sidelines for years but I try and share/contribute to this now. Lot of insightful/interesting perspectives I enjoy reading here.
I think us Kings fans value Keon twice what the other 29 fan bases do. I love the kid but he had a good 20 game run. I hope he’s spending the summer shooting 3s, floaters, and working on his ball handling.
Agreed 100%.
At $2.1m, I think that he already has value to contract, but he’s a million miles from being untradeable. And he’s one of my favorites.
I could not agree more. Best comment on this thread!!!
There is a conversation to be had not only when something happens, but also when / while something isn’t happening. The front office has us in the latter right now, and pretty much had us there all last summer. And therein lies the heightened cause for concern.
When you say stuff like. “a nearly Lakers-level sense of entitlement to get everything that they want, and right now,” you once again expose your true colors of being at least as concerned about the conduct of the fan base as you are of the conduct of the front office. And for the life of me I will never understand why that is.
I get much more from the members here than I give. Your mileage may vary.
I am in total agreement. There are some incredibly sharp minds at work here, and I have learned a great deal over the years.
So, we’re pretty good. But as with the roster, is it unfair to hope for something a little better?
Even with the ridiculous trade proposals, they provide something to goof on, and there’s value in that. The constant “sky-is-falling” takes are, in the most-literal sense of the word, boring.
No one is going to confuse me with being an optimist, I tend to keep my expectations low, and still find myself frequently disappointed.
But I am content to see how things play out before making seemingly-definitive statements about the status of things at any given moment. Forty-eight hours in, McNair’s grade remains as an Incomplete, and that will change to something more definitive, for better or worse, once we actually know something.
Hoping is fine, wishing is useless, and needless doomsaying is, yeah, needless. If this is the only outlet that some have for their frustration about the Kings (and probably some other stuff), then I suppose wading through all of it is better than seeing someone in a clock tower with a sniper rifle.
There’s a ton of middle ground, and my goal is to spend more time there. I don’t always make it. At the moment, there’s nowhere else to reasonably be. The oven is still heating up, and there are loud demands to be served dinner immediately. All of us are gonna eat.
It may be Yacht Thanksgiving, and it might be a shit sandwich, but shrill declarations about either are premature. “We’ll see,” said the Zen Master.
Do think we have missed on some possible opportunities but heres some random opinions/thoughts in regards to us. First I’d be very curious about Precious Achiuwa. Considering what some numbers are I think 8/9 per is well within possible. Checks alot of boxes rim roller lob threat with some defensive cover.
2nd thought is possibly something with Huerter for Paul Reed with maybe some sweeteners. Arguable a talent discrepancy but we likely could create around 7 million to allocate or to rope in a 3 team trade, while clearing out our backcourt logjam. I could see the Sixers having some intrigue KH’s fit with there group. Paul Reed, another 7ish million dollar player along with the none tax mid level could be seismic in addressing some depth questions.
Some random names id be curious on. Slow Mo apparently at an impasse with MIN, defense and some shot creation on 2nd units would be welcomed. Daniel Theis always. Saric I would be curious in in regards to being able to cover at 4 and stretch the floor. At 3 Haywood Highsmith, Fontecchio if new regime is looking to move on, and Gordon Hayward honestly if for a decent price
The real deep flyer I cant shake….Jabari Parker. Has an opt out option with Barcelona. Honestly looked great this year in Spain. I would be comfortable with a vet min flyer for him to have another cup of coffee in Sacramento.
Slo Mo fits perfectly. Unathletic, floor bound wing.
we def need some skywalkers and contesters for weak side rim protection. But in regards to the halfcourt on both ends Slo Mo is still really additive. His switchability defensively is still at a high level. On the other end he plays on a swivel and would not struggle in our more egalitarian ball sharing offense.
If Monk is still mainly calling shots when the starters sit or stagger yes its probably not the best addition considering our tendency to run and rely on PnR. But defensively especially Anderson could be massive for us.
Anderson has never been anyone’s idea of an ideal NBA player, particularly as it relates to athleticism. Despite that, he does seem to make his teams better.
Context is king, but barring a deal that’s completely out of proportion, I’d be pretty happy to land the man.
He would be fine, he just isn’t someone that will take the team to the next level.
A roster improvement is a move towards a higher level, but I understand what you mean.
With that in mind, who are the guys that make this next level possible, and what are you willing to part with to get one?
Without moving Fox/Domas/Keegan, I don’t know if there is a player the Kings could get in return to help them get to the next level. That being said.
That being said, I am expecting fringe moves like Slo Mo to happen and running in to next season with mostly the same roster and looking at internal improvement and cohesiveness (ugh) as the most likely outcome.
Just my opinion:
I like Kyle Anderson and think he would be a useful addition. I don’t think he adds more, and possibly not as much, as Harrison Barnes.
If the Kings trade Anderson for Barnes, that would be a negative IMO and likely cost more $$.
As for the others – and it has been posted here already, by many –
Collins is also a filler for the starting line up, and would be the 4th best starter, or if what I hope and Keon Ellis continues to improve, the 5th best starter, and then there’s Malik Monk off the bench.
John Collins isn’t someone who can get his own offense. Brandon Ingram is very good at that, and Zach Levine is as well. Lauri Markannen is just below that, but not much. These guys have made All-Star teams for a reason.
John Collins is a 4th/5th starter. That’s why he was traded from Atlanta and why he saw limited time in Utah. Hawks overpaid him and Jazz took a chance on unleashing his potential at that price point, but it’s just not him. Like Kyle Anderson, Barnes and Collins is much better than either Barnes or Collins and really rounds out the Kings frontcourt, but remains undersized.
Kyle Anderson is unrestricted free agent, so he can be had to add with Barnes, Murray, Lyles. Adding Collins would help shore up the frontcourt. Not sure how much better the Kings would be, but better than what Sasha and Kessler proved last year.
That’s nicely summarized.
I don’t see KA moving the needle at all. That is a player to maybe add at the tail end of free agency. Maybe.
None of these players move the needle imo and aren’t any better than the players we already have. Need more talent to compete, can’t keep recycling through the bottom of the barrel and expecting improvement. At this point, players that are unsigned are unsigned for a reason, yes FA moves that quickly.
Damn, we missed on Garrett Temple who just signed for another year in Toronto!