The Sacramento Kings followed up their mostly-atrocious game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night with a first-half performance against the Atlanta Hawks that sits among the worst halves of basketball I have ever seen the Beam Team play.
We’ll start… with the starters. Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter played just 5 first-half minutes each, and it was all bad. When Mike Brown subbed them out in the first quarter, neither returned until the 2nd half. Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray were both -30s in the first half alone. And when De’Aaron Fox’s teammates have struggled this season, Swipa has often played well enough to carry his team and keep them in games, but even Fox was limited to just 5 first-half points against the Hawks tonight.
What was a dominant NBA offense last season looked awful here. They could not hit a three despite shooting many, and only got to the free throw line 6 times – a terrible combination for scoring success.
The Kings did start to turn this game around a bit when the bench unit subbed in. Malik Monk and Trey Lyles combined for a nice scoring run that would eventually close the established Hawks lead to 6. I’ll talk more about this strong night for the bench unit later on, but I think it’s interesting to mention here that Davion Mitchell got the Keon Ellis backup point guard minutes and Alex Len got the JaVale McGee backup center minutes. I’ll be curious to hear Mike Brown talk about those decisions.
Alright, back to it: Once Quin Snyder’s starters returned, the game collapsed on Sacramento yet again, and Atlanta took a dominant 71-53 lead into the half. No answers or physicality on defense with hot shooting on the Atlanta side, and no offense to fall back on.
The Kings spent the 2nd half chipping away at the Hawks lead with some improved offense and much better effort and shooting luck defensively. The Hawks went cold, Fox got going, and it was just a matter of if the Kings would have enough time and energy to actually overtake the lead. It was both an encouraging and frustrating 2nd half because if Sacramento hand’t dug themselves such a whole to open this game they’d have likely cruised to victory.
Instead, the Kings had to scratch and crawl their way back into this game while conserving enough energy to push for the win in crunch time. The good news? That is exactly what they did.
Fox scored 26 of his 31 points in the 2nd half and was the best player on the court for either team. Trey Lyles continued his hot shooting and finished with 19 points. Sacramento doesn’t win this game without Lyles, and that has to feel good for him. It had been a while since the Kings felt his positive impact on a game this much.
His stat line won’t impress you, but I’ve got to give a little shout out to Chris Duarte here, too. Kevin Huerter would eventually leave the game with a hand injury, so Brown went with Duarte to close this one out. It wasn’t a perfect night for him by any means, but he gave the squad some defensive energy and hit what may have been the biggest basket of the game – a three pointer with 3:27 remaining and the score tied at 110-110 to give the Kings a 113-110 lead they never fumbled back to the Hawks. Duarte’s three provided just enough separation to get the job done.
I don’t feel great about it, but a win is a win? The Kings had to do some soul searching at the half, and whatever they did worked well enough to secure the victory, but they’ve got some issues here, particularly in that starting lineup. They simply need more consistent contributions from Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter. Until they get it, the starting lineup is vulnerable to performances like we saw in the first half tonight. Murray hasn’t been much better offensively, but at least Mike Brown knows he’s getting consistently strong defense out of Keegan every night. You can’t say that for Barnes and Huerter.
Next up: The Grizzlies in Memphis on 12/31.
Tale the road win any way you can. Especially in Atlanta where wins don’t come cheap!
Last season the Hawks season swept the Kings. That makes this comeback that much sweeter.
All wins are good, but man, this was shitty to watch.
Lyles and Len made the most of their minutes. Really hoping Fox doesn’t fall in love with the 3 ball too much, despite shooting it well for a few games
16 3PA is about 8-9 more than I want to see from him, that’s for sure.
Because hitting 8 of 16 is a bad thing?
No, but 16 of his 20 shots being 3s is less than idea for a guy who is so good at getting to the basket, creating contact, and sucking defenders in with him.
His 3 is much more beneficial to the whole team as an enhancement to his game, not the main focus.
While I agree that his taking the ball to the rim provides significant team benefits, I wouldn’t discourage him from taking as many threes as he wants if he can hit 45+% as he has the past two games. The threat of that level of shot-making opens up the floor for everyone and avoids the pounding he takes (often uncalled) when he goes to the rim.
Jman1949 is correct. Fox is in a position of greatness. He understands the game… If he can avoid the noid… being the ref thingys then let him dictate how he survives the regular season.
As long as he’s hitting 50%, he can shoot all night long. Even 40%
When he’s on, he should take as many as he feels good with. I will take 24 points on 16 shots every day and twice against the Lakers.
Could be worse . We can be watching Trae Young every night lol . I think fox is experimenting to see if he can do it .
Hawks swooped in on us in the first half, but we managed to finish with our heads held high!
Although this may be a secondary point, I would like to add a shout-out to Davion for taking two charges!
We have been victimized by opponents’ taking it to the rim. Most of the comments focused on our inability to stay in front of people and, secondarily, our lack of a rim protector. But there is a third way of stopping drives to the basket: beat the opponent to the basket and take the charge. Davion did that. Others have occasionally. We need to make that part of our dedensive arsenal.
I’d LOVE to see this team put more work into perfecting a charge take. I see 2-3 times a game where they could take one step and be in perfect position. For the contact.
I like defenders taking charges, but I wonder if it should be focused on as a valid tool for rim protection. The low volume of opportunities and the high amount of blocking fouls called make it problematic, IMO.
I agree. There are so many other ways to make an impact on the defensive end that provide greater returns than the risk of taking charge in the paint. I’d wager deflections and shot contests have more value. Charges are flashy, get a guaranteed turnover, and foul on an opponent but could also swing the other way in a block foul.
A quick look at nba stats shows the leader in charges taken, Hardaway Jr. only averages .6 per game, while the leader in deflections, SGA, averages 3.8.
Excellent point.
While I’m quick to criticize, I’m also quick to give props. I didn’t think they’d do it, and I’m flabbergasted to see they pulled it off. Great comeback!! LTB
Now can you guys please stop doing that “let’s go down by 20 early” shit?
Seems like ages since we had a dance thread!
Nice win. Let’s not forget that the Kings historically don’t win in Atlanta. Doesn’t matter who is better, Kings typically lose in Atlanta. So tonight they went and won.
Be happy.
I thought that was a butt pulled stat, but we’ve only won in ATL three times since 2005, and the record before that isn’t great either.
Kings squeak out a win while the other team shoots sub 40% in from the field and from three?
you would prefer a loss? You know you described some of our losses.
I complain when the Kings inexplicably miss a ton of open shots. I am fine when it happens to the opponent.
I have only watched a couple of Atlanta games, but they do not look like a team coached by Quinn Snyder. Roster construction probably needs to change.
I have always liked Capella, but if someone found out he Buddy Heild-ed his age and he was actually two years older, I wouldn’t be surprised. He moves like he is a very old 29. I don’t get Dejounte’s fit on this team at all, and I love him as a player. It seems like he could work in Toronto, if ATL wanted one of their forwards. I had high hopes for Saddiq, but he is sort of a dollar store Keldon Johnson, best suited as a bench wing. Same with Okongwu, there just doesn’t seem to be enough to be a full-time starter, his offense is rough. Bogi can still commit the weirdest turnovers for a skilled high iq player.
I wonder how good Trae would be if he concentrated on getting fifteen assists a game rather than 22 fga. He is such a good passer, and if he decided to just average 20-22ppg and passed more it seems like the team would be better. Johnson is a keeper, good lord would he look good in a Kings uniform. If I were ATL I would try and move Murray for more of a pure shooter, and maybe even Cappella for a younger center with a little offensive game, but they look sort of stuck where they are unless Johnson takes a big jump and Hunter can be healthy and productive.
Dig hole early…enter hole, stay in hole, eventually work to get out of hole…win.
Here’s hoping Davion can use this to get back into the rotation, create offense and facilitate more effectively. He is great when slashing to the basket then pulling up for a mini, or passing as the D collapses on him. The 3 is not for everybody.
53% FT percentage ain’t gonna cut it most nights.
Dude is shooting 40% from deep on what is no longer a small sample size.
All hail Tre’Aaron Fox.
And to those concerned about his volume, he’s not forcing them, y’all. He’ll be back attacking the rim as soon as opposing teams start respecting him at distance. Until that happens, enjoy the bonus points!
Yea I think I remember only one three that was ill-advised, he wasn’t set and was still moving towards the corner when he shot.
Fire away!
There was another one where he had a clear path to the rim, but shot the 3, but that’s nitpicking. When you’re on, a heatcheck here and there is normal.
I feel like Fox has a really keen feel for the moment too, like when the opponent hits a big shot and he races up the floor and takes it to the rim in four seconds. He is playing so well this season, it is hard to criticize his decisions. When he said “uh oh” I knew the Hawks were in trouble.
Pretty ugly game to watch, the Hawks gave it away. Fox andMonk to the rescue again as usual the only two regulars with the highest +/-. This is the problem with DaBoner, his stats are very empty, and don’t mean much when it comes to winning. Huerter and Barnes are basically worthless liabilities at this point. I think Vezzy and Javale should be getting some minutes but whatever I guess they didn’t need them tonight, glad to see Len get some burn. It’s really just Monk, Fox, and Keegan is solid at this point. DaBoner is not an All-Star to me, he’s just a good to really good player and that’s not enough for what we pay him. The Kings traded away the only top 10 player they’ve had in this franchise since C-Webb and that’s Tyrese. Having one top 10 player is what will make you elite and two top 20 players are your best shot at winning it (Jokic and Murray for example). Fox is a top 10-20 player maybe, Domas is 30-40 maybe. I will say it again DaBoner is overrated.
Still love this team but Domas just puts a major ceiling on this team, he is a third star on a contending team caliber player.
I love you
Yikes
Ummmm no. Sabonis is super good. Kings would win far less without him
I’m not sure I’m following your reasoning.
If Tyrese is a top 10 player, and having “one top ten player” makes a team elite, then why is Indy hovering around .500?
For me, Fox+Domas > Fox+Haliburton. All the rest is just noise.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and that sure is one.
Fox leads the core rotation in box plus/minus at 5.4. Sabonis is at 5.3. Monk is at 1.1. No other core player is posting a positive number.
Here goes Rob again. Basing his opinions on facts rather than narrative.
I’m just a stats hole.
Interesting stats related to FoxForce5 who has become a 3 level scorer this season.
On his shooting the 3 pointer:
2022-23:
119/367 for .324 3FG% (73 Games)
2023-24:
86/213 for .404 3FG% (24 Games)
Wow! De’Aaron also has the highest % on the team (Malik Monk is a close second at .401)
Pretty darn incredible.
Why are there some folks on here who resort to demeaning nicknames for someone they don’t like. It’s as juvenile as an ex-president.
I like it, actually. It gives me a heads up to discount the veracity of the comment.
love Tyrese but he has yet to play on a winning team or in a playoff game . Domas has aided Fox becoming a franchise player and he is among the elite in rebounding and scoring efficiency ( over 1.6 per shot ). So trash if you must .
I don’t see why Brown wouldn’t have Trey and Monk start for Barnes and Huerter. At least give it a try.
Sabonis is too good we don’t deserve him. Trade him now!
No!
That made me think of the ending of the Dad Life 2020 video.
“As easy as that!”
Oops? How did that happen? Also a great concert, by the way!
I love TinyDesk, they have some of the best acoustic sets from all kinds of artists. No matter what your taste is, there is a flavor for you.
Re: Lyles. I like this idea, but he has been (a) hurt, and up until last night (b) bad. I mean, baaaad. Now, that may be him rounding back into form. A few more games like last night and I’m with you, put Lyles in the starting lineup.
I think the bench would be a disaster without Monk. You’d basically have Mitchell or Ellis ru(i)nning the offense. I think the better approach is to have Monk off the bench, letting him close games where you need buckets as well. Monk is getting more total minutes & minutes per game than Huerter, so it’s not as though he’s not getting burn.
I do think the narrow range of what Lyles does well (corner 3’s, rebounding, physical play) fit nicely in the starting five. Not really a 30+ minute a game guy, but I think his minutes could be more productive used differently.
I think Barnes might be a bit more engaged with getting a few more touches coming off the bench, we have not seen a lot of post ups, nor him putting the ball on the floor and drawing fouls, both of which I think the Kings could use in their living and dying by the three-ball.
Whilst I understand the jonesing for some trades for bigger names, I look at Davion, Ellis, and Duarte, and the 900 minutes they have played this year as fairly unproductive. I think the team would look different if Davion or Duarte had been better or what a lot of us had hoped, or if they had been played by some solid vets like Delon Wright and Jae’Sean Tate.
Rec’d.
Yup. Had Davion developed a jumper, Duarte returned to rookie form, or now JTA attempting to rekindle his career, the Kings would be in a much better place. Hell, if Edwards could just become a Herb Jones lite the Kings would be winning more games.
All those players are worth a shot but none have seemed to pan out. Kings are just one ancillary missing piece away from having a sum greater than the parts.
No need to swing for the fences when a solid single or double could make this team hum.
Absolutely. I think there should be solid options to handle the minutes the players I mentioned are underperforming in, without affecting any flexibility or cohesiveness with the roster. I would assume there are several players that MM has in mind to improve this team, I wouldn’t want to see a gamble that affected long term success when they have only been good for fifteen months.
It was the worst of halves
It was the best of halves
Atlanta 1st Q:35 2ndQ: 35 3rd &4thQ: 39
The NBA is a funny beast. Atlanta has nice talent and someone many Kings fans coveted in Quin Snyder. And they have just been… good, pretty good.
Nice win against the Hawks. Go Kings!
&ct=g
Welcome to the forum,
ATL does have a lot of nice talent, but they just can’t seem to get it to click. IMO, a lot of that has to do with Young. I’m just don’t think you can win with that dude, despite him putting up 30 and 10
There are about 5 dudes on their roster that I feel could start for the Kings right now. Jalen Johnson is special. Moving John Collins has unlocked that kid.
Atlanta has been bad. Pretty bad. Thankfully the Kings pulled a win out but that was not an encouraging performance.
Tony saying the Kings were lucky to leave with the win makes me want to box out.
I am an Alex Len truther. The man made the right play every single possession tonight. 0 fouls, 0 turnovers, 4 assists, did a great job defending at the rim and on the PnR.
Wish we’d kept Queta over McGee. Len should be the backup center either way
Yes….Alex Len is really good at backup Centre…Great size, good follow after shots by teammates, set good screen….knows his role and what he capable of…
(unlike McGee, who tried to bring up the ball by himself, and ended up with turnover really drive people crazy)…
I hope after this game, Davion and Len can earn those back-up minutes.
For Davion, he’d better only focus on playing D, and only shoot those mid-range jumper, just no more 3 pts shots from him.
McGee>>Queta, but Len>>>McGee.
I thought last year Len played great too
Really good bench piece behind Domas, especially for the price.
So much better than McGee’s brain farts. Len has that lunch pale Koufos game that I like.
The difference in the usage rate of Len & McGee is crazy – almost 10%. McGee’s need to handle is very aggravating.
Good call. I loved KK. Competence can be underrated sometimes.
I agree about Len and Queta. Again, MM’s moves this past offseason look horrible thus far:
duarte
javale
hb
not trading kh
C-Webb loves it
https://twitter.com/NBCSKings/status/1740923175511405013/video/1
C-Webb has the look of a very happy & content man there. Made me smile. Thanks for sharing.
Looks like the Knicks snagged Anouby
IMO, Knicks came out ahead- got OG, Precious and gave up RJ who gets points but that’s it and a high Detroit second ( 31rst probably)
Kings do not have a comparable pick this coming year. And if Davion = Quickley, the RJ = who? Barnes no, Keegan yes but Kings won’t include him
too late now but was OG the answer?
No!
Quickley>>>>>>Davion and RJ>>>>>>>>Barnes. The Kings had no shot at OG unless the Raptors wanted a bunch of firsts and swaps starting in 3 years.
OG just got traded to the Knicks, we have to look elsewhere
OT
WOW!
The Knicks just got a lot better, IMO.
A lot better? They got better but we’ll see how much. OG has been fine this year but certainly not great.
Barrett and Quickly are useful and productive players, OG is going to have to be very good. Maybe this will allow Hart, Donte, and Grimes to have a more defined role.
Yeah I think it’s definitely possible this is a lateral move but we’ll see. I expect them to be a little better but not a ton. I think people are overrating OG a bit. He’s basically got the same numbers as Keegan and Keegan has been pretty up and down this year.
I don’t think his number are a fair assessment of his value on the court. If he puts up the same numbers as Keegan, would you hypothetically trade Keegan for Barrett and Quickly?
Probably not but that’s not really a reflection of either of those guys as players. They don’t really fit what the Kings need. Quickley is going to thrive in Toronto. He’s going to be averaging 20+ points a game as a lead guard. And RJ is pretty good and young but I don’t see any star potential there. So I think this deal makes sense for the Raptors and it’s very possible that Quickley is viewed as the best player in this deal in two years.
At least we can now stop talking OG to the Kings.
Knicks have put together an interesting roster. Maybe they go after Spida next.
All the talk of three firsts for OG seems laughable now. A lot of fans were cool with giving up that much smh. Looks like Masai finally got his head out his backside and got something for OG before FA instead of losing him for nothing as he did with FVV. Siakim likely to get traded as well as they rebuild around Barnes.
I want no part of Siakim, not a good fit next to Sabonis.
Both Siakam and OG have until tomorrow to sign contract extensions. I’d imagine the timing of this trade is no coincidence.
Pascal Siakam (who turns 30 April 2024) is an UFA at the end of this season. He completes his $38M/season contract at that time. He wants more (many players have eyed Jaylen Brown’s extension this Summer) and Toronto is unwilling to give him that (unless something changes before midnight tonight).
The other Raptor shoe should drop any time now…
Just my opinion – but I think he would fit fantastically with Domas and Keegan in the frontcourt for the Kings. But I can’t see how it could or should or would happen.
I don’t think it happens unless Keegan is included, and I wouldn’t do that.
The best the Kings should offer is Barnes, Huerter, Mitchell, picks and swaps, but I doubt Toronto takes that.
Agree – but if you are Toronto, you just got 24 year old former Kentucky Wildcat 6’2″ SG Immanuel Quickley ($11M/4 years ending this season and expected to want $85M/4 yrs as a RFA) and RJ Barrett SG/SF ($107M/4 years starting this season for the 23 year old) making Huerter somewhat secondary, I suppose. Barnes as a substitute help to fill in the frontcourt (especially if Siakam leaves). The Raps only have Dennis Schroeder as the starting PG (30 years old, started a $25M/2 years this season). Davion Mitchell the back up?
Yeah – can’t see it happening and as much as I like the Pascal fit, I don’t see his long term viability given his likely contract demands and age (does he become this season’s Harrison Barnes, who appears to have lost a half step after signing an extension next season?). Big risk and MM is not a risk taker to that extent, IMO.
Maybe Siakam is part of a multi-team deal. Maybe Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody for Siakam? I dunno just throwing out junk at this point.
I could totally see the Warriors going after Siakam by giving up Wiggins and youth.
If I’m TOR, I’m asking for M. Moody and J. Kuminga and unless GSW are willing to include 2 FRPs, there is no way in hell I’d take on Wiggins remaining 4yr/$109M contract (started this year).
Pascal shoots 24 percent from 3, Domas is a non-shooter, so how exactly do they fit fantastically when neither can space the floor?
Not to mention neither of the two are athletic which will further the issues we have on D.
I just don’t see the fit.
We need an uber athletic, spacing 4, defensive savant next to Domas.
Yeah, other than Pascal being really talented, he is not a perfect fit for this team by any stretch of the imagination.
Agree. You got to be able to shoot with Thomas. Though Fox being able to shoot it so well now makes it a little more flexible.
there are 1/2 gaping holes in the Kings team that need to be addressed. The defense of wing and or power forward who can shoot. And Huerter and Barnes holes in the lineup.
Siakam is shooting 41% this year (36.5% career) on corner 3s. He’s versatile defensively with the ability to guard the perimeter and play minutes at center. He not “an uber athletic, spacing 4, defensive savant” but he is athletic, a passable shooter in spots, and solid defensively. The asking price might be more than the Kings can part with but I think he could fit.
I’m surprised that the price for OG didn’t include a first. However, Kings didn’t have the young assets to make a trade for OG happen without including multiple firsts.
I believe one of the 2nd rounds picks was Detroit’s 2024, which likely #31 is about as good as a first.
you’re correct, it’s DET’s 2024 2nd
I think the Gobert, Beal and Mitchell trades were the apex of throwing out firsts and swaps left and right for non superstars. I think the return on non super stars is going to reduce to reasonable terms.
The Suns have to be regretting that Beal trade big time, it was dumb at the time and looks even dumber now. Just a new owner who knows nothing of roster mgmt nuking his own franchise.
OG A’s due $18.6M this season with a player option for $20M next season with him becoming an UFA 2025-26 if he opts in.
This trade tells me (my interpretation) that he will likely not opt in at $20M next season unless a hefty extension is included.
Again, much like for Pascal Siakam, players are seeing the KAT, Jaylen Brown, Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine, LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Halliburton, Trae Young, Rudy Gobert and Domantas Sabonis $200M, $250M contract signings and of course, want a piece of that.
OG has made his intentions very clear, he is going to opt-out and look for a max deal as an RFA. He previously said he’d let the market decide and would not be signing any extensions, but that was in TOR and he may be open to an extension deal in NYK if they come close to what he wants. Either way, they can match any deal he is offered as an RFA.
I like the fit of the two players Toronto got though, and good ages to compliment Barnes.
I think people are discounting the value of RJ and IQ, each is essentially worth a late round 1st and IQ will probably be starting sooner rather than later with Schroeder moving to the bench where he probably belongs. I really like IQ, I thought he could be an excellent PG behind Fox.
TOR makes sure they didn’t lose OG for nothing, like with Van Fleet last year. I imagine Siakam is next to moved along with Trent Jr.
I agree, RJ and Quick are both good players, solid trade for both teams imo.
These are the kind of trades a shrewd GM makes, buy low on guys with distressed values who have a chance to succeed on another team. MM take note. Good to see Masai be reasonable about OG’s price after holding the line for so long.
I do believe that Masai mishandled OG be demanding too much in return, he could’ve gotten a much better package last trade deadline.
Precious Achiuwa is included in that trade with OG. I have a feeling the Knicks might dangle J Randle as trade bait. Wasn’t there rumor Knicks wanting to trade him? Just a thought, but trading HB, Davion, and a 2nd or Duarte for Randle make the Kings much better. They would have a bona fide PF who could shoot, rebound, and handle the likes of Zions, and Draymonds, who we have problems with. We have “our bully” on our team who could bring toughness. He’s also a fellow wildcat. I know naysayers are going to say “why would the Knicks do that?” To off load his contract and his personality. I think Coach Brown could mold him in his offensive schemes.
Career 33% shooter from 3 (28% this season). Plays very little defense, doesn’t block shots. He is stronger than Barnes but height/length are generally the same.
No thanks. He doesn’t check any other boxes that the team needs.
Yup. He’s a very poor man’s Sabonis and would not help the Kings at all.
I can’t imagine Randle enjoying going to a team where he was very clearly the third best player, and the ball wasn’t in his hands. He is a pouter of Boog-ian proportions.
However, it may (or may not) be relevant that OG Anunoby left Klutch Sports to join CAA. Knicks GM/Front Office are CAA. Brunson is CAA. Thibodeau is CAA.
Julius Randle left CAA this Summer to go with WME (Bill Duffy). RJ Barrett is WME.
(by the by, Andrew Wiggins is CAA).
No idea what it means, but there are a lot coincidences there. OG signs with NYK for “team friendly” deal. Who knows?
this is a very astute comment and has me change my thoughts on this player
Randle is one of my least favorite players due to his inefficiency, defensive effort, and disinterest in passing.
Let’s hope tonight’s the night! We play them real soon…
THE STREAK IS OVER!!!
I was getting a bad feeling that Detroit would blow it somehow. Thank goodness, now we don’t have to be the team that broke Detroit’s losing streak.
Though I would like Siakam, Cam Johnson or Eason, some players -not perfect- but easier to get :
-Isaac ++
-Chris Boucher ++
-Bojan Bogdanovic
-Jared Vanderbilt +++
-Precious Achiwa
-Amir Coffey ++
-Jae Crowder
-Dorian Finney Smith +++
-Cody Martin
-Royce O’neal ++
-Okoro ++
-Lamar Stevens
-Isaiah Stewart ++
-Dean Wade
-PJ Washington +++
Best choices imo : Vanderbilt / Finney Smith / PJ Washington, then Isaac / Boucher / Coffey / O’neal / Okoro / Stewart
What do you think ?
Some good names. Many of them repeat what the Kings have, in terms of bench/rile players. But there are a few that stand out more than others.
Okoro gives the Kings something they don’t have. Listed at 6’5 225lbs, he is a big SG/SF defender that can hit an open 3. Keon is slight of frame, and Huerter doesn’t do well defensively.
I forgot Keldon Johnson, tough to get however…
I like Okoro also. Would replace Caruso in my comment above.
I like Caruso too 🙂
I think Cleveland has the interior defense to help when Huerter gets beat off the dribble. Mobley and Allen are good defenders. But they have Strus now, so maybe huerter would be redundant?
Nunes came up for 3 trades the Ki/ngs might make not including huge contracts but would improve their roster. Of the 3 mentions the two I like are Alex Caruso and PJ Washington. Both would bring good upgrades for Huerter and Barnes although Barnes wasn’t included in those trades. With a starting lineup of Fox, Caruso, Murray, Washington and Sabonis you would have offense and defense. Barnes could backup either Murray or Washington. Better yet in my opinion trade Barnes for Jonathan Issac and a pick or two. If not PJ I still like Tari Eason.On a comparison chart he or PJ are better than Barnes. Issac could backup Sabonis at center. He doesn’t score a lot but he is now healthy and is one of the best defensive players in the league,
Caruso and PJ make a ton of sense. Each likely costs a first, at least Caruso does. But if we can get out of KH and HB in the process, that’s not bad.
If we couldn’t get Caruso I would go after Okoro.
I don’t think we have the trade assets, but I really like the idea of going after Tari Eason (PF) and Isaac Okoro (SG).
Both players are coming off the bench so I believe each player is “gettable” (Max Strus just signed a new FA contract and is starting in CLE over Okoro, Eason is stuck behind J. Smith Jr. and JS Tate at the F positions in HOU), but they’re still considered important pieces for the teams they’re currently on so I don’t think they’d come cheap.
OT: I just noticed that the schedule crawler shows the wrong start time for today’s game in Memphis.
Hopefully everyone gets the correct start time—5:00 pm PST.
Good lookin’ out
Badge Legend