The Sacramento Kings conducted another Zoom call with local media Friday. Harrison Barnes and Kent Bazemore participated in the call.
Bazemore discussed how difficult being away from his family is going to be during this renewed portion of the season. He also expressed that he would like to stay with the Kings over a longer period of time.
“This is definitely a place that I could see myself playing for the next couple of years – with a team with so much promise. I definitely want to be a part of that,” he said.
Barnes gave an update on his playoff beard and how he hopes he can shave it off if things go well on the trip. He also discussed the Black Lives Matter movement and said he plans to add a social justice message on the back of his jersey in Orlando.
“I’m definitely going to do something I’m just waiting on the official guidelines for what we can do,” he said.
(A list of options for messages on the back of jerseys were reportedly approved Friday by the NBA and the NBA Players Association.)
Check out the full press conferences below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcmG9uQQyuA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcqy1n9O5Rw
Additionally, on Saturday, the NBA released its schedule for the scrimmages that will take place leading up to the start of the renewed season on July 30 in Orlando. Each of the 22 teams participating will play three scrimmage games.
The Kings will play the Heat on July 22 at 8 P.M., the Bucks on July 25 at 12:30 p.m. and the Clippers on July 27 at 4 P.M.
Details for potentially broadcasting these scrimmages haven’t been worked out. That will come at a later date, according to the release.
I could see myself being happy if Kent Bazemore plays for the Kings beyond this year.
Depends on the price, but I agree in general.
Having said that, and as much as I appreciate the positive soundbite (in this digital era, could it also be a soundbyte?), how many soon to be Free Agents would say while the season is still not finished: “Nah, I’m outta here at the first opportunity!“?
Plays have coded ways of saying what they really want. If he wasn’t interested in staying, he might’ve instead said that he wanted to see his value on the market, or be even more vague and just say I don’t know, it depends on [how we play/what’s best for my family/if the money’s there]. Expressing blanket interest in returning is typically a good indicator.
Or go out and play tennis after testing positive for COVID.
I’m envious he could play tennis.
See: Hield, Buddy
Well said Rik. WIth pending free agency and the lowering of the salary cap its in Kents best interest to play nice in order to maximize his next contract.
(Matt Foley voice)
“Gee I don’t know mom and dad, is it typical for upcoming free agents to sound like model employees?”
If it’s really short it could be a soundnibble.
I like Baze quite a bit, both on the floor and off, and think he fits in well with our team in that we have plenty of scoring without needing him to shoot too much since that is the most inconsistent part of his game. There is certainly a sustained effort and intensity when he is on the floor. The NBA economy has seemed to be in a bit of flux the last couple of offseason, and now with the challenges of this season and what it means to the salary cap, it is going to be very interesting to see how things shake out in both upper tier free agents as well as role players. I hope we can keep him at a fair value, as I think he can be moved easily if other opportunities arise with a player that might fit our needs better.
Baze is the ultimate King. NBA role player that comes to the Kings and doesn’t shit the bed and forever becomes a guy we need to play well above his talent grade to become a truly competitive team.
(hint – he never turns into something he is not.)
ps – I like Baze in his proper role. I don’t like Baze forever chasing the expectations of star money and need.
Sounds good, Baz. How does the minimum sounds?
To be fair to Baze, he is still a quality bench player in the league. He’s not a 6th man, but he would be apart of nearly every team’s 8-9 man rotation. My guess is he’ll get and MLE offer from someone for something like a 2 year $12M deal.
I wouldn’t argue with any of that. And I wouldn’t throw a fit if the Kings gave him that. That said, I think you could get his production for less.
Any ideas who? I think 2 way wings are still the priority for most teams and Baze does fit that cog. I imagine he will get a slight overpay on the open market by whoever signs him because of this. He may even make for than Namanja because of his perceived swiss army knife skill set. I should also add that he just turned 31 so his age shouldn’t be an issue.
FWIW, I se a bit of Bazemore in Justin James. He might just be the cheaper version the Kings need going forward.
Baze isn’t really a two-way wing. He’s been a consistently bad offensive player pretty much his whole career. He is a good defender though. Here’s a list of thoroughly uninspiring guys that, nonetheless, compare favorably to Bazemore. All will be looking for deals this offseason. All except Jones will likely get the minimum. And Jones probably won’t get a ton more.
Cap is estimated at 116 next year (and that is pre covid), and who knows if the cap will fall further because of the China stuff. Kings are at 98 mill and you have to add a couple mill for the draft picks. If they resign Bogi there won’t be much money left.
Baze has been much better than I expected but I don’t see where the money comes from. Unless he’s willing to play for the minimum. If he is going to do that I’m not sure why he would stick with Sac. Might as well chase a ring if you can’t get paid.
Ugh. Kings shut down their practice facility due to a positive test in their traveling party. Think the Bucks did the same.
This is not going well.
The show must go on!
Especially during times of crisis, people need
moneysports!Ehhhhhhh
https://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/1279990576436228096
Harrison Barnes if the Kings don’t make the playoffs this year reporting for training camp.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/v6bxlZdshbhAZIsLEUtzMD8Qr7OoQNExgf3WsSwep1-vnjpRQAp55Vbp9hBquKiE8YDMVkeH-9A66YoKV6mJDV9jN7PsPt-gwuS-0kLKuSmhbPI78Cugbc3hzW6ldA
Badge Legend