The Sacramento Kings held an introductory press conference with new rookies Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud Thursday. It was your typical introductory press conferences with all of the hope and pleasantries. Clifford was rocking a large Clifford the Big Red Dog pendant necklace, though he should be the Big Purple Dawg now, right?
Here are a few tidbits from the press conference.
Doug Christie on playing Maxime With Sabonis:
“Rebounding is never something that you don’t need enough of. His size, his skillset, I think with Domas can mix in a big way because Domas shot 40% from above the arc and 50% in the corner. Max, just watching him play, he can shoot – pump fakes, puts the ball on the deck, so now you have playmakers in all of the positions and that’s kind of what we want to play is positionless basketball with the ability to move the ball around the court and share it.”
Doug Christie on the comparisons to Clifford and his game:
“A bit because I when I watch him, first of all, he’s got hair, well done sir. But his ability to do so many different things as a coach helps you because there’s ways to keep him on the floor because he can defend, he can rebound, he can shoot, he can handle the basketball. So, that was an attribute of mine that I think helped me throughout my career and latching on defensively, I think for a young player, early, is probably the greatest way to earn yourself playing time, but his ability to do other things – grab a rebound, push the ball, he’s not selfish so willing to share the basketball – minus the hair, I feel you.”
Nique Clifford on choosing the Number 5, De’Aaron Fox’s former number:
“Yeah, I know there was a little bit of controversy around that number, but honestly it was really just the best available number at first when I was looking at the list. There’s a lot of retired numbers around here so I ended up choosing 5, and then I started to look deeper into it and I saw the meanings of the number 5, and it represented personal growth and change, which is kind of what I wanted to embody going into my career – just being somebody that stays in the gym and continues to grow myself as a person and a player. And then biblically, it represented God’s grace and kindness, and so I feel like it was definitely a fitting number for myself. I wore 5 at my Pro Day actually, so I’ve worn it once before and had a decent Pro Day so I thought I would give it a go.”
Christie also confirmed that both Clifford and Raynaud will be playing in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League, which begins on July 10. Dipesh Mistry will be the head coach.
Watch the full press conference below.
“We’ve watched while the Kingdom was burned down, and creation played in entropy. The basketball universe freezing in eternity. Once I thought to escape. To end the basketball Hell, and step out of the path of constant repeats of a roster collapse. Escape would make us see God. Yet I cannot help remember one dilemma. A Sisyphus, spirtual healer. This is the only mystery, ending my fandom will never be solved. The only method of logic unaccounted for. Even the Sacramento Proud is no more, as the team is a disgrace, but in the end, frozen by anger, we joined the chaos we sought to evade. Our fandom has been dead a thousand times. Roster construction full of failures as even mediocrity is never won. As fans spiritually dead, grafted to machines from a past we do not understand. We follow the path, fitting into an infinite pattern. Ours to manipulate, to destroy the contract floats and finally rebuild. Now, in the quantum moment before the closure, when all suffering becomes null. One moment left. One point of space and time. I know who you are, Maximus Raynaud. You are destiny.”
Well, that was interesting. I think it was profound but in my Kings dull brain, I don’t see it yet.
I believe NC will be fine- less than Josh Hart better than Colby Jones. A wing off the bench. He needs to get a consistent shot.
MR is key- he could be a bust, he could be good. Comparisons to Olynyk and Kornet but I hope to god, better than either. Chet lite?
Within a year, baring injury we will know.
At least the two of them are not ball stoppers.
For the record- I am against getting JK unless it is Saric and 2 second rounders and he accepts 15M per year.
the duds have over valued him- think they will get a starter in trade, like Wiggins
I wanted to quote from the cult classic video game Marathon Infinity. The draft is a crap shoot but I really think teams were foolish to not grab him in the 1st round after say the 10th pick. His skill sets are exactly what the Kings need. Passing, rebounding, a big with stamina, rim protection, play making, finishing, and yes even a fucking 3. The guy wears 42 and was picked at 42. There is just no way he doesn’t pan out. One does not simply get picked by Stanford, balls the fuck out, and then suddenly is ass in the NBA. I refuse to accept that.
I don’t see anything horrific they’ve done in the offseason. We may have missed an opportunity or two to acquire more draft capital or another young prospect. Overall not disastrous.
The team is probably better overall with the draft and signing Dennis (not including whatever happens with Kuminga or Monk).
Not huge improvements, still probably a .500 team.
In the east they could possibly get up to a 6th seed. Maybe a play in team in the west. Depends if Murray and Ellis keep progressing.
Excited to see both play. They seemed like they were mature and knew what they were talking about. Let’s just hope they can be solid NBA players in Sacramento.
Trade: DeRozan for Rosier and Jacquez Jr.Rosier can backup Schroder for a year then 26 mil off the books. Jamie Jacquez a young up and coming forward with upside. Miami wants DeRozan so trade should work.
Or would you rather have DeRozan for Wiggins strait up?
I like both but would prefer Wiggins for DDR . Better defender and has been a key player on some quality teams . Likely, a better teammate !
Wiggins doesn’t seem to care about basketball much anymore. Just goes through the motions.
Just maybe he needs a new team to play for or doesn’t like it in Miami. We could meet with him and see what’s cooking then make a proposal. Hobby 916 what is you opinion on trading Monk and Carter for PJ Washington and Naji Marshall. Money works and the Mavs might be interested since they now have Flagg. Could include 2 seconds which IMO it’s worth it. I would rather have these two than Kuminga. Both play defense and would fit right in to what Perry is searching for. If we could get Wiggings for DeRozan we could be set for this year. Also off the trades IMO Markelle Fultr can easily backup Schroder at point guard. No need going after another PG.
Wiggins had that q good season in GS and then he just kinda went through the motions. I think he plays because it’s a job.
I don’t think Dallas trades two forwards for two small guards. They signed Russell, so I don’t think they want Monk too.
Rozier is a waste of money and a ball hog. So Wiggins would be a better swap. All might not be dead in a 4-7 team trade where Robinson goes to Detroit as does Monk, DS gets signed as sign and trade leaving the MLE open
As you may know, I proposed that trade a week ago several times. The obvious prize is Jaquez so no DDR for Wiggins.
I was hoping to get Watson, Jaquez, Kuminga, Black. Unfortunate we didn’t Watson in the Val trade. Kuminga appears to have priced himself out of discussion. If we made this trade at least we have some interesting young talent. Murray, Ellis, Jaquez, Raynaud, Nique, maybe Carter. I guess if we overpay for Kuminga it would not be horrific. I’d like to see some team options if we make a deal with Kuminga.
At least you can see the beginning of a rebuild,
Quite disturbing to see some defense on the idea of getting yet another overrated and unpaid player who will cost not only assets but a lot of money.
So I guess the GM shenanigans of the Kings has inspired fans to act the same accordingly. This is vile and disgusting. If you are a rebuilding franchise, your clear goal is to trade bad contracts for anything. I don’t care if it is 2nds and an expiring. You need to free up as much cap as possible and then out of your young guys who pan out successfully and want to build around, you pay those guys.
You can address needs with free agency but they should be paid reasonably and on a deal no longer than 2 years. They should take a back seat regarding role.
Right now the Kings despite being the 14th largest market, are one of the worst destinations for a player. The lack of drafted talent and poor player development, on top of lack of success compared to the 3 other California teams also play a role. Sacramento has a trash reputation. Getting someone like Kuminga when you already have Sabonis, DeRozan, LaVine, Monk (aka all bad contracts), this further gives the team a mockery meme status.
I’m disappointed and think I am genuinely going crazy. You do not overpay mid or bad players. You do not waste cap on said players. We have seen this happen with Sabonis and Monk. They acquired DeMar last year in a trade that has not worked and they traded Fox for LaVine as a last ditch effort to run a pathetic play in campaign last year. Now Kuminga? No. That is not acceptable. It’s embarrassing when you see how far behind the Kings are. The fact I expect Utah, Charlotte, Wizards, and the Trailblazers to make a deep payoff run in the future before the Kings will further echo my hatred and sentiments to this miserable franchise. Kuminga to the Kings especially overpay is nothing else but “horrific.”
I couldn’t agree with you more and if you read any of my posts a complete tear down is the preferred path and I’ve been screaming about not overpaying for mid tier and bench players. You end up chasing your tail forever when you do that. I’m worried we will do that with both Keegan and Ellis.
I laid out a complete rebuild path on previous articles. I do however sound a bit wishy washy when I say overpaying for Kuminga wouldn’t be the worst thing. My overpay however would have team options where you can get out after two years. We are however going to have to take some chances on young flyers and Kuminga fits the profile for that. I mentioned Kuminga quite awhile ago never expecting him to command these type of numbers.
I also have to accept the reality of Kings management and know they are just not ready for a complete tear down. With that said, I am vehemently opposing anything that precludes a well done complete rebuild. Schroder you can get out after two years and maybe sooner with minimal long term harm. A long term overpay for someone like Kuminga would be a complete disaster if it didn’t work out which is why I’m recommending some team options giving the Kings some flexibility. I’m also cautioning loudly not to overpay for Kuminga and Ellis. Alexander Walker just signed a 4 year 62 million contract. I would have taken that. The numbers being mentioned for Kuminga and Murray are also at twice that which is insane,
So to sum up, I want a complete tear down and rebuild. Dump long term payroll, acquire as much draft capital as possible, take a couple chances on young talent like Watson, Black, Strawther, Jaquez, Kuminga. When you have your payroll under control and minimized then consider taking on a bad contract in exchange for draft capital or a young flyer. I agree with you and you said it very well but I’m also thinking in a compromised way given the mindset of Kings management.
My apologies then. I got the impression you wanted that as opposed to what will likely happen. I am new here as an user and previously I would look at game threads for years since 2014 just to see reaction comments and laugh. Old Sactown Royalty days.
The good news is, the Kings are likely not getting Kuminga and the Warriors seem to be content with eating crow. And to be honest, I rather keep Carter, Saric and 2 2nds instead of Kuminga. Saric and Carter can help you get a top 3 pick. That alone makes them have more valuable than Kuminga because Kuminga hinders the development of Clifford, Carter and nets you a pathetic mid 30+ win aeason. I rather get early to mid 20s because that rewards you a top 3 pick where as sub 20 win gives you a number 5 pick as evident since the new lottery system. It’s not worth it. It’s a perfect strategy that works both ways. Saric and Carter are hungry to prove themselves. If they suck and don’t improve, they guarantee a high 1st round pick. If they make improvements, then they show development and thus trade value eventually because of their contract deals. Kuminga? Kuminga….is not gonna improve nor get any better. If he couldn’t get minutes on the bench buy guys like Len, TD can, then why pursue him?
I am afraid to say thiz but realistically, only Domas will give the Kings a pick in return. And honestly take it. Trading Domas for a 1st and expiring is based. Do it. DeRozan, Monk, I would trade for an expiring wing and a 2nd. That way you can assess your biggest weakness and test how your wings hold up. Pacers and Thunder have proven that the new meta of success is not only 3 and D but versatility in terms of executing defenses switches and excelling the advanced 2-2-1 zone and other complex concepts to not only defend the 3 but reduce opponent attempts. Factor in hedges, and getting guys to move towards the middle instead of the baseline or corner, is a guarantee success for your defense as a foundation to build upon.
DeMar, as much as I respect him, cannot work in this era anymore. Even with the knowledge I have on his shot chart leading 3 mid zones for scoring, that doesn’t mean anything. The game has changed.
I have no problem with Nique wearing 5. Fox gave up on Sac so I see no controversy on him wearing it.
Yeah, don’t get why there is or was a controversy. The number is not retired so it’s up for grabs.
It’s not like Fox lead the Kings to multiple playoff runs and was part of a winning culture during his time here.
Good player, had a few good seasons. Sac has had a derth of quality talent for their 40 years that they cling on to guys like him.
Yeah I think we were going to be faced with paying him a super max contract which to me is above his skill level. I just wish the trade with SAS included Castle.
$50+ million for 5 years for a player that wasn’t even the clear cut no.1 on his 40 win team.
SAS may not resign him if their draft pick performs like a number 2 pick. He might be on the free agent market this time next year.
He is extension eligible in early August, so we will see.
They’ll at least resign him to turn around and trade him, or a SnT. They’re not going to fumble the asset like Monte/Vivek did.
Did Raynaud get the ok from Walt Williams to wear 42?
Yes, he agreed to wear high socks.
Trade scenario: Monk, Carter and draft compensation for Kuminga.
DeRozan for Rozier and Jaquez.
Starters: Schroder, Ellis, Murray, Kuminga, Sabonis
Backups: Rozier, LaVine, Clifford, Jaquez, Raynaud, I. Jones, Eubanks.
Word from Miami is that they want to to see what their youth, Bam and Herro and Wiggins an do in a full season together. That doesn’t mean they won’t change the roster, I just don’t know when that will be.
My guess is that DDR will be moved by the deadline.
Neither Rozier and Jaquez are starters so maybe they still want DeRozan. Demar could be sandwiched between Hero and Wiggins,
Just a note: On the above roster only 3 players are 30 or older. Schoder(31) LaVine(30) andRozier(31) That’s getting reactive younger.
Just learned that the Warriors have turned down Saramento’s offer of Carter Monk and 2 seconds. They want a young good player and a first for Kuminga. If that’s what would make this deal then do it. The Kings have a 2031 unprotected first from Minny. DO IT. Get on with other things important.
No thanks. It only makes sense to gamble on a player like JK at the right cost, both in assets and salary. Too much of either and the Kings should walk.
I tend to agree. There are other players and deals out there. I like John Collins a lot. Not that old and work playing next to Sabonis Good fit. I still could go after Jabari Smith. PJ Washington is another good fit. Kuminga isn’t the only fish in the ocean. I hope the Warriors mess this up and the one losing at the end. Perry isn’t them one who is going to lose. I have faith in his decision.
Hell no. We can’t give up anymore draft capital. We need to acquire more, The part that is missing is how much do we have to pay him. Seems like an overpay.
no draft capital- i.e. FRP’s for JK. Keep him- he will be useful as Horfords rookie
Jack, Jack, what are you smoking? You want to trade way too bad.
The unprotected Minny pick is potentially a good one- save that for the real PG trade, not waste it on a guy who has way too high of an opinion of himself (JK). Ok, he scores sometimes but has no outside shot, never passes and plays no defense. Nope on that one.
who is the good young player they want? Keegan I am sure- Dunleavy is just so full of it.
JK is worth Saric + (reluctantly) Cater and 2 seconds but only if he signs for 15M.
the duds can eat it.
I mentioned on the other thread, JK is a restricted free agent. Giving the Warriors a trade is one option. The Kings could just as easily salary dump with another team and ink JK to contract the Dubs would be squeamish to match and they would get nothing.
A young player and pick is a high demand for JK, but completely ridiculous when they don’t even have him under contract. If Perry is serious about signing him, he’s already talking to him and his agent, giving him numbers the Warrior won’t match and poisoning the Dubs position here. I only bring this up because I get the feeling the Dubs don’t understand they are playing a game of chicken here, he is not their asset.
Rozier does not belong on this team. Hard NO. We do not need a “this is my team” player that has never been the main guy on any team he’s played for. Shai just won MVP and a chip and doesn’t even have that attitude. It’s almost atrocious coming from his type of caliber player.
I’m actually ok with parting with Monk and Carter for Kuminga. It fits the long and athletic direction we are making an attempt at. Gotta take some swings at some point. Maybe a hit this time.
With that said, still moving DDR is a must. If Kuminga deal fails, Wiggins is a good option for DDR or DDR to Memphis for Cole and one of their underused wings. Or send him back to Toronto for Barrett. He’s said mulitple times he’d like a return to TO if possible. Both teams could use that veteran presence. The Kings have options, I just hope the right decisions are made.
I’ll take Rozier for a year if he brings a 1st with him. Though I doubt he would.
I was thinking he could bring Jaquez. A first might be asking for too much
In which case, I wouldn’t make the deal.
So Houston trades Cam Withmore for just 2 second round picks?
That’s the kind of low cost deal I would do (both low acquisition and salary costs), instead of Kuminga. Kudos to the Wizards.
I really liked Whitmore.Why couldn’t we have traded 2 seconds for him. Would hece fitted right in.
Another trade: Monk, Saric and Carter for John Collins. His fit with the Kings would be perfect. Still have DeRozan for Rosier and Jaquez.
Did a comparison on Collins and Kuminga. Collins wins hands down. He is even a better fit.
I know you like that DeRozan to the Heat trade but the Heat aren’t going that one.
Collins is a decent player and I think, by today’s standards, he’s because a bit undervalued. But Collins only has one year left after picking up his player option. What’s your plan with him? I’m guessing it would be to hope to resign him (because otherwise, what’s the point?). Do you think he’ll still come kinda cheap-ish?
Whitmore is from the DC area- agent in the middle of that + two seconds from the Wizards is like a late FRP from others. Wiards are bad.
The second rounders: one is the bulls and one is ours (2029).
The Kings have squandered 2nd round picks for years. They have two locked up in the trade up to 24 to get Nique. They sent a bunch out last season. I think they only had one 2md rounder left that could be traded.
2nd rounders are great for smaller acquisitions, like Laravia amd JV last year. Sure would be nice to have 4 or 5 in the coffers for some of these moves.
Another missed opportunity. The perfect type of acquisition. The Wizards are making some pretty good moves.
Another good move, I think, is the Sixers signed Jabari Walker (previously on Portland) to a two-way deal. Decent 6’7 forward that was just injured.
So Houston trades Cam Whitmore for 2 second round picks to a team that they aren’t competing with in the Western Conference?
Yep, that’s exactly what happened.
With whom are the Kings competing, exactly?
Only twenty-nine other teams. No reason whatsoever to essentially give away a good player to a team you’ll face three or four times every season.
The need to attribute to organizational incompetence any event in the NBA that doesn’t directly benefit the Kings is a choice. No one is going to confuse me with Mister Sunny Brightside, but I certainly strive to be a realist about all things.
There are so many actual instances of incompetence that I don’t really understand the compulsion to make up additional ones that are clearly untrue.
OT: Vivek saving more money per SI
no doubt about it – this worked out very sweetly for Sacramento. They’ve saved $20M and ended their contract obligations that would have lasted two more years.
If I’m Doug Christie – I’m a bit more nervous about my job security.
He can’t think he should re-negotiate terms on his current deal, because he really shouldn’t have any deal, including the one he has.
Back to DDR for Wiggins. IMO a good move. Somebody above commented he is just playing for the money. Maybe but the Lakers really want him and the comments say this will put them away up in the standings. The Lakers are no dummies so why would they want Wiggins when he doesn’t care anymore? IMO he would be a really good fit for the Kings.
DeRozan is the better player but Wiggins is the better fit. Just the fact he plays really good defense shows why he is a better fit. And by the way he is no slouch on offense either.
Just wondering: Monk and a couple of seconds for Patrick Williams. Money works and Williams is young with experience and young.
I think the Bulls would absolutely jump at the chance to get off of Patrick Williams contract.
Williams play has regressed oved past two seasons and the contract is seen around the league as an absolute awful overpay for the very limited production (5yr/$90M – or $18M/yr).
With Williams, you won’t get much scoring, rebounding, or defense…he is one of those players who seemingly possesses the size and skills needed for a modern stretch 4 but he can’t seem to put it together in any way that counts.
DC should be nervous anyways, hasn’t done anything to prove he’s NBA HC material.
Seems to be spun as a negative, although for the life of me I can’t imagine why.
Kings still done’t have 14 players and do deals have been officially announced. If the Kings roll everyone back, with Schroder being the only significant change, it may go down as the most disappointing offseason in my memory. Perry has made near zero impression on this roster, which would be shameful for a new GM. Meanwhile, new GMs in Denver and Atlanta have made an impact.
It’s the end of the world.
There is a proposed trade out there Monk for Corey Kispert. I am unfamiliar with Kispert so am asking would this be a good trade?
No thanks. Basically Doug McDermott but younger.
Meh, I’m not sure what it would achieve.
NO!
Kispert has no charisma
Corey Kispert is the answer to a question that no one has ever asked.
I just don’t see the vision. I don’t see how the potential moves I’m hearing about fit into a bigger plan. I don’t see how a journeyman PG moves the needle. I’m not mad about the Schroder deal. It’s a fine value in the big picture, but it isn’t going to do anything if that’s THE MOVE. I could get behind a Kuminga deal IF, and only if, you’re buying really low. The Kings currently have, what, $85MM locked up in guys that are ideally suited to be bench scorers.
Short of having another star fall to us in the draft like Haliburton, I’m not seeing much of a realistic path forward here than doesn’t include sucking for at least a couple years. Or at least, being willing to suck for a couple years.
I mean, I know the crazy shit I would do. Which would include signing a bunch of low-risk, potential upside guys to slight overpays with a second-year team option, stockpiling as much draft capital as possible, and “helping” other teams prep for the 2027 FA class by taking on overpaid players in exchange for picks/young players. And I know how that isn’t necessarily something an NBA owner would be okay with. But shit, at least it’s an ethos.
The main issue that I see is that trams don’t want DDR and Lavine, so getting rid of them is a challenge. Sabonis won’t net as hood of a return as people think.
The best trade chips are Keegan and Keon, and those are the players the Kings should be keeping.
Just a tough spot for the Kings in an asset acquisition mode.
It’s a tough spot, but not an impossible one. I think Sabonis could get a pretty good return if you decided to trade him. He earns his paycheck does a few very important things at an absolutely elite level at his position. I think he’s gotten the typical Kings treatment of having a constant shifts around him and absolutely manic shifts in fan expectations. He’s an excellent player. Not a super nova. He’s not going to carry a team, because like most non super novas, he can be game planned for if your team doesn’t have a counter move to it.
As for Keegan and Keon, well, they’re both potentially decent-to-good role players. I just don’t think the Kings are a place where they should be worrying about holding onto potentially good role players if they can be used to acquire assets with the potential to be difference makers. So, sure, hold onto them if you can’t just a return you love, but don’t let holding onto them be a roadblock, and for criminy’s sake, don’t overpay them once they hit FA.
It IS definitely a tough spot, primarily due to the Fox trade IMO, but teams have done more with less.
Right again, been cautioning about overpaying for Ellis and Murray. We should be starting to quietly shop Murray and see what the market may be for him. Same with Sabonis. I thought OKC may be a great spot for him. Get Hartemstein back so we can dump that payroll after a year and get Wallace and a pick in the exchange. Okc does however have some big payouts coming up so they may not want to take on the Sabonis contract. I do however think Sabonis is very marketable elsewhere.
100% agree BHE. The Schroder signing is just a lateral move that won’t move the needle one bit. Sure, he’s a better pure PG than Monk, but he is still not a starting caliber PG in the league on any team worth its weight in salt. The two are rather redundant, IMO.
I see that the Bulls signed Tre Jones to a deal nearly half of what Schroder got, with a 3rd year TO. I would have much preferred that. Schroder is not twice the player Jones is and neither are going to have an impact on the W/L column, so why not go the cheap route?
I’m not overly excited about Kuminga, but I at least understand the appeal of a buy low 22 year old. The Kings need to make those swings to the fences as opposed to overpaying for middling vets.
I’m with you on “helping” other teams clear space while taking some future draft capital off of their hands. It’s how a small market team needs to operate in today’s NBA. Sign me up for that. I’d much rather rooting for lovable young losers who may be a diamond than a bunch of over 30 year olds try and make the play-in.
Just another idea: DeRozan and 2 seconds for Isiah Stewart and Ron Holland. Pistons have been wanting DDR to go along with Cunningham. Stewart a high motor defensive big who can stretch the floor and shoot the three. Holland only turning 20 is a defensive specialist at 6’8″. Needs work on offense but has high potential at only 20. 2 young players for one 35 year old who can still play. DDR’s fit with the Pistons is good.
I don’t think anyone wants DDR
A 35 year old ball stopping forward that doesn’t stretch the floor and doesnt play defense. I don’t think teams are wanting that in the NBA during this era…except for the Kings.
Yeah that’s pretty identical to what I’ve been saying. It’s pretty obvious Kings management is not ready to that so the best we can hope for is they don’t do anymore long term damage. That could come in the form of some long term contract over pays for Ellis and Murray. I’ve been an early advocate for taking a shot on Kuminga but not for the numbers being mentioned. Ok with some slight overpays for young talent but I’d get some team options worked into the deals so we don’t get some long term commitments that take away flexibility.
These rebuilds are not rocket science and you basically laid out the proper plan. Acquire draft capital, create payroll space, take some chances on young flyers, don’t get locked into dumb long term overpays, and when you get some cap space consider a bad contract or two for draft capital or young high potential players. Tank for a couple of years while trying out and developing your young assets and hope you get lucky in the lottery.
It’s incredible in this day and age how many ridiculously bad moves are made by management. Just take a loot at what the Pelicans did recently giving up an unprotected future first rounder to move up 10 spots in the draft. I’m not sure they got a better player at 13 than Asa Newell who was picked at 23.
In the last year, the Kings have traded for two empty stat players (Zach, Ddr) and traded their own best asset for a bag of chips.
This offseason they traded one of the best backup bigs in the nba for an unplayable player and overpaid to sign a PG.
The arrow continues to trend down. Monte to Perry doesn’t seem like it’s going to matter one bit. Same ole Kangz.
The butterfly effect is worse than that. They also traded two 2nd round picks for JV, only to swap him in a salary dump in order to make room for Schroder. Extrapolate it out, and they also chose not to lock up Keon for years to come on a relatively cheap deal for the same reasoning.
In the end, that’s two second round picks, an unplayable Saric, the loss of the best backup C in the league, and the opportunity cost to now let Keon walk in UFA next summer, all so they could overpay a journeyman 6th man to be their starting PG. It just blows the mind.
Keep in mind the Kings traded an additional 2nd round pick for LaRavia, who has now walked for nothing. He took just $800K more to go the Lakers. Had the Kings prioritized re-signing him first, he might still be here….but no, had to get Schroder at the sacrifice of everything else.
And I can imagine that soon we’ll see articles in the local press why there is some smart plan behind all of that, advising us to be patient…
It should be noted that Perry, like McNair, is not operating in a vacuum where the specifics of a team’s situation as it relates to the salary cap aren’t a factor.
DDR appears to be untradeable, yet ths franchise gave up so much to obtain him just one year ago including a fat new contract, and most King’s fans comically applauded the deal.
The Kings acquired DeRozan on a three-year, $74 million contract, sending Harrison Barnes and a 2031 first-round pick swap to the Spurs, and Chris Duarte and two second-round picks to the Bulls.
That move alone might have set the franchise back a bit. That’s a lot of draft capital for a player that didn’t contribute much. Would have been better off keeping HB, lol.
Just my opinion – but that is rear view mirror stuff. The franchise took a risk and at the time, many, including me, was happy that they weren’t “bringing it back” and gave some last game clutch scoring to help out De’Aaron Fox.
In many ways, it seemed a good fit, a future Hall of Famer (which DeMar DeRozan is likely to be, now in the Top 25 of all time scoring, led the League in minutes played his last season in Chicago, 6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA.
It was a gamble. He wasn’t Harrison Barnes, who’s last season in Sacramento had the starting PF averaging 3 rpg, who looked a half-step slower, and we/many didn’t think the addition of Deebo was the only or last move. Huerter was still on the roster, btw (and I still contend, that had (my own revisionist thought) McNair traded away Red Velvet at the trade deadline the prior season, the one after the Beam Team playoff) we’d be looking at a very different development.
Further, they replaced classy citizen Harrison Barnes with classy citizen DeMar DeRozan. Nice locker room fit.
But paper casting turned out to be a bad movie. It happens. Better to have gambled and lost, IMO, than not to have gambled at all. They needed a change but the changed didn’t help.
The whole national media was laughing at the move, and instead of wondering why, Kings fans were getting angry at the national media and their lazy ‘LOL Kangz’ takes.
Getting older, smaller, less athletic and with worse D and 3-point shooting at higher cost is a huge gamble.
This was a harsh lesson that talent matters, but fit does matter just as much, if not more.
All true. And Sacramento, no matter what they do, will and should expect to get LOLKangz takes season after season.
I am okay with hoping for more and better and expecting less and less (and less).
Being on this site for all these seasons, with you (and our many others) is my Quantum of Solace – we seem bonded together, after all.
It is one of the best running jokes around. I find I laugh at the misery, stave off the apathy (but rub some in to soften the ridiculous) and should the time come (again, because it has come before and may return) that my frustration turns to anger and depression, well, that is the time to move on.
Speaking of which:
When will we get another Wait ‘Till Next Year ?
And that likely kills any chance of DDR to Miami or John Collins to the Kings.
Nobody wants DeMar. They ain’t like us!
Dumb as (Nik) rocks?
$14M in expirings and a 2nd round pick is all it took to get Collins.
That sucks for us, I don’t understand why they wouldn’t go for him. Maybe Memphis would be a good landing spot.
Option 1: Clarke + Cole Anthony for DeRozan
Cons:
Option 2: Clarke + Pippen Jr. + Pick for DeRozan
Cons:
One thing to consider with acquiring Collins (or any player on a expiring deal) is whether that player would re-sign with the team acquiring him. Maybe Collins said he didn’t want to re-sign in Sac, so why send out stuff to get him?
How many players in the league do you think are open to coming to Sac right now AND are willing to re-sign or sign an extension? If you know of any, I have a bridge to sell them.
In recent memory, Domas signed an extension. If I was an NBA player, no chance. Unless I had no other offers, or there were only offers from Charlotte or Utah. At least the weather is nice in Sac.
You can play basketball outside in winter!
Yup. This is why I have been on record forever saying the Kings should forget about FA and focus on picks and trades. You know, transactions where the player has no choice and you can get some years of team control.
Once we’ve logged a good stretch of success and stability THEN we can start thinking of the possibility of signing impact players. Until then, FA is only useful as a potential “buy low and Hope to flip for assets” strategy.
I’ve read that the Jazz refused other offers for Collins because there was money coming back. I think the expirings were crucial to the deal.
Kevin Love will retire
Takes MIA out of the Kuminga chase.
And Washington traded for Whitmore, which leads me to believe they aren’t in on Kuminga either. I don’t think Kuminga is an amazing player, but the Kings need to take a chance on talented young guys when they are available.
https://x.com/ScottPerryGM/status/1942203642028958207
I forgot the name of the female assistant coach that used to post such “inspiring” quotes but Perry seems to be in the same class of dumbassery.
Those are the kinds of words someone uses right before they trade for Kyle Kuzma.
Yeah, but we do not see what he sees!!!
I kind of lost the view when he started aggressively pursuing Schroder, which is a bold move for sure, in it’s own way.
Don’t put that evil on us.
Bites your tongue, do not speak those types of things cause they have a way of coming to existence
Nancy Lieberman
Right, Lieberman.
We’re screwed. How about actually producing results before saying stuff like this.
Scott, if by “they do not see what you see” you are referring to the predicament you are in based on incompetent decisions made before you were hired, rest assured, we see what you see.
We’ll see what that bold vision looks like by the end of the off-season. At the moment it looks like a 35ish win season without a lot of future assets.
IMO, the two biggest opportunity events coming up are a strong 2026 draft and teams potentially being desperate to clear cap space for 2027 FA.
Back to hoping for lottery luck. That’s our comfort zone as fans.
Oddly, we’ve been pretty lucky in the lottery over the past decade. We’ve even drafted decently well 2018 aside. We’ve just made terrible decisions outside of that.
Davion was a miss for the Kings, imo. Devin Carter…tbd, but seeing Ware and McCain play well as rookies (before the McCain injury) leads me to believe they missed the better player.
I did like this year’s draft, but it is way too early to make any judgement on those guys.
Davion was a fine, reasonable pick. Not the pick I would have made, but fine and he’s looking like a serviceable back-up which is an outcome well within the fat part of the curve for a #9 pick. Carter? Who knows? Really, I was mostly talking about Fox, Halliburton and Murray. The first two being good enough that, surrounded by smart moves, they could/should have led to more success.
It’ll be nice to have Zach’s $48.9M expiring in 2027, they better do something positive with it.
Unless he wants to decline his option next year, which he is absolutely welcome to do! But yeah, both Zach and DeMar come off the books that summer. Hopefully, by then, the Kings understand how a less desirable team should be using their cap space.
For those who don’t have twitter I’ve copied it here.
I understand that the man prefers to keep his job, but that’s the kind of thing a cult member says about Dear Leader.
Naughty boy!
These sound like the words of someone brainwashed by a cult leader.
Geoff Petrie, while at his highest status as GM with the Kings during their glory time told the press:
Sometimes, the conductor has to turn their back to the audience
GM Perry is just asking for time. It’s not unreasonable to ask. This is still the Sacramento Kings – it’s a tough row to hoe.
IMO, this is something to say – which is more than we got from Monte McNair – and is part of his Monday shtick. And it’s positive. And I like it.
He’s still gotta do more than talk, but his talk is decent enough for an apparently decent enough guy.
More like “Raynerd.”
Badge Legend