fbpx

Kings vs Clippers Preseason Game Preview and Open Thread

Go Kings!
By | 75 Comments | Oct 17, 2024

Feb 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) is defended by Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) and forward Keegan Murray (13) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Kings are in LA to take on the Clippers. Can the Kings manage to finish the preseason with a win?

When: October 17th, 7:30 PM PT
Where: Intuit Dome, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Streaming on Kings.com or the NBCS CA App
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

I already wrote about why I’m not panicking over an 0-4 start to preseason. I personally won’t be panicking over an 0-5 preseason either, but it would be nice if the Kings could get their act together and get a win before kicking off the regular season.

No word yet on whether or not newly-signed Doug McDermott will be in action with the team tonight, but I’d hope we can get a glimpse of him. Less for our sakes and more for him to have a few minutes of game action to start meshing with the team. McDermott has history with Sabonis, so I don’t worry about the chemistry there, but there are plenty of other new teammates for Doug to find rhythm with.

Orlando Robinson and Devin Carter will be out for the Kings. Trey Lyles is unlikely to play, although he should be getting close to returning. His original timeline was to be re-evaluated in three weeks, and the injury was announced about three weeks ago. Kevin Huerter has been cleared for full contact and is practicing with the team, but has not appeared in preseason yet. We haven’t heard yet if he’ll be able to appear in preseason, but if he’s not he should miss little-to-no time in the regular season.

The Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard, who is now being reported as being out indefinitely. This is a huge blow to the Clippers, who are on track to be the worst team in the Pacific this season. To make matters worse, the Oklahoma City Thunder own the Clippers unprotected first round pick this year. If OKC lands Cooper Flagg, Sam Presti should be put in prison.

A quick couple of links from The Ringer, where the Kings got some nice recognition this week. 5 Sacramento Kings appeared on The Ringer’s Top 100 list, with Fox at 22, Sabonis at 25, Derozan at 49, Monk at 90, and Keegan at 98. They followed that up with an article recognizing Keon Ellis as one of the players not on the Top 100 who could still be a major impact this season.

While you’re here, I’ll also mention that we added a bunch of new designs to our store. Grab yourself a new shirt or mug for the start of the season. You’ll look great and it helps us keep the lights on.

Since it’s preseason, this post will serve as both the preview and the game thread.

Go Kings!

 

Patreon Membership
* indicates required


To prevent spam, our system flags comments that include too many hyperlinks. If you would like to share a comment with multiple links, make sure you email editorial@kingsherald.com for it to be approved.

Subscribe
Notify of
75 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
andy_sims
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
October 17, 2024 1:16 pm

Pretty grateful that we are not currently in the Kawhi Leonard business.

He’s an all-time great, and it’s awful that he’s been so riddled with injuries. When KL is right, he’s as good ans anyone in the business.

Adamsite
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
October 17, 2024 1:54 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Clips just inked him to that 3 year extension as well. He’s great when healthy, but if he can only give 60 or so games a year and is 80% of his former self, is he worth $50M a year?

Hippity_Hop_Barbershop
Original Member
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Original Member
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
October 17, 2024 1:20 pm

I’m going to utter a phrase I haven’t had to use in a while and its awesome not using it for the Kings…….nice arena though. 😉

Klam
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
October 17, 2024 4:04 pm

Hahaha, that quote took me back!

Jman1949
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
October 17, 2024 1:21 pm

This game’s at the Clippers new home:
They’ve named it the Intuit Dome.
They won’t have Kawhi
So maybe let’s try
To get rid of this losing syndrome!

comment image&ct=g

MMalone
Comments
Comments
October 17, 2024 1:32 pm

If Harden decides to play defense will be helpful.

MMalone
Comments
Comments
October 17, 2024 1:49 pm
Reply to  Greg

Pre season and playoff games are at his option. Mid season is when he decides what team he wants to play for.

Hobby916
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 6:08 pm
Reply to  MMalone

Harden gets a lot of criticism, but he has taken more teams to the playoffs and had more success than the Kings in nearly 20 years.

MMalone
Comments
Comments
October 18, 2024 8:12 am
Reply to  Hobby916

Hundreds of NBA players on 10 day contracts have won more playoff games than the Kings have. Harden is an amazing talent that has self destructed his worth to a team because every owner knows he is definitely leaving.

BuiltToSpill
Comments
Comments
October 17, 2024 3:51 pm

Good on ya, Keon!

jwalker1395
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 4:58 pm
Reply to  BuiltToSpill

Fair critique of him. He’s shown some exciting flashes, but we still have no idea who he is yet. Ideally he’s an All-Defense player who shoots 40% from deep, rebounds, and keeps the ball moving. He may also be Kevin Huerter’s backup.

Hobby916
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 6:00 pm

Domas at 25, the disrespect continues.

Adamsite
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
October 17, 2024 6:46 pm

OT: Just saw this and think it’s fantastic. McDermott is on a vet minimum deal (that means the Kings still have their full MLE) and only $750K is guaranteed…up until January 7th! Good opportunity to kick the tires.

https://x.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1847069310012788860

Last edited 25 days ago by Adamsite
jwalker1395
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 7:34 pm

While we’re all talking about how the Kings added players but have looked bad during preseason, the Clippers are talking about how they’ve lost players but looked good during preseason.

I’ll tell you which team I’d rather be.

Adamsite
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
October 17, 2024 7:46 pm
Reply to  jwalker1395

Good point.

jwalker1395
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 7:37 pm

an unlikely trade for your pregame consideration (it only fails because Monk isn’t eligible to be traded til Dec.15):

fanspo-nba-trade-machine-snap_10-17-2024_10-36-54PM
Last edited 25 days ago by Jacob Walker
Jack
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 18, 2024 7:51 am
Reply to  jwalker1395

I personally would not do this deal. You are throwing everything we have for IMO to a player who isn’t rising but falling. He is beyond his prime.

MMalone
Comments
Comments
October 18, 2024 6:07 pm
Reply to  jwalker1395

Why move Monk?

Last edited 25 days ago by MMalone
NorCalKingsFan
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 7:41 pm

Hearing G-Man complain about technology not working when you need it most speaks directly to this old man’s soul.

MillersCornrows
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 7:52 pm

No worries. It’s only preseason. The Kings will look totally different when the season starts. LOL.

jwalker1395
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 7:58 pm

The defense looks bad. Offense looks bad, too.

jwalker1395
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:02 pm

Keegan has been the preseason MVP of the team

MillersCornrows
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:10 pm

McBuckets has taken 4 three attempts in 5 minutes and he made 1. The future is bright.

jwalker1395
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:16 pm

They look bad. Why do they look so bad?

BeTheBall
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 8:28 pm
Reply to  jwalker1395

Part of it is a lack of talent. Another part is running the same system with no adjustments for the 3rd straight year.

MillersCornrows
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:29 pm
Reply to  BeTheBall

2nd straight year. This garbage is not year 1 offense.

BeTheBall
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 8:32 pm

That first year nobody knew what it was. Now they do, though.

MillersCornrows
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:45 pm
Reply to  BeTheBall

It changed after year 1. Even Brown said so- that he was slowing them down so they could play better defense.

Hobby916
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 10:49 pm

Time to take off the rev limiter and let these dudes move!

Dorde34
Comments
Comments
October 17, 2024 8:22 pm

Yes it’s preseason…but at what point does this become worrisome? I guess if they are down 15+ after the 1st quarter against Minnesota.

BeTheBall
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 8:25 pm
Reply to  Dorde34

If Minnesota is the blowout I’m thinking it will be, Brown is going to have to figure out how to implement some semblance of a structured offense. Because this free-flow thing we’ve seen the last couple seasons looks to have been cracked.

MillersCornrows
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:28 pm
Reply to  BeTheBall

Nothing like implementing an offense at the start of the regular season.

BeTheBall
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 8:34 pm

Well, ideally Brown would have done it last preseason, after we got exposed by GS. But here we are. ☹️

MillersCornrows
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:45 pm
Reply to  BeTheBall

Yep.

NorCalKingsFan
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:34 pm

I think Isaac Jones should be converted to an NBA contract; then give B. Ellis the remaining 2-way.

IMO, I. Jones has passed M. Jones, C. Jones, I. Crawford, O. Robinson, & T. Taylor in terms of earning a guaranteed roster spot.

Murray // Lyles // I. Jones

Adamsite
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
October 17, 2024 8:59 pm
Reply to  NorCalKingsFan

Really? Does anyone really deserve a promotion right now?

ArcoThunder
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:35 pm

Watching this team suck ass hurts my heart.

BeTheBall
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 8:37 pm

I’m really hoping we haven’t added DeRozan too late in his career.

ArcoThunder
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:38 pm
Reply to  BeTheBall

He looked awesome for two games. Now he looks like he’s doing a Harrison Barnes interpretation

BeTheBall
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 8:41 pm
Reply to  ArcoThunder

Which I’m hoping isn’t his new normal.

ArcoThunder
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:45 pm
Reply to  BeTheBall

yeah. It’s concerning. I’m more concerned about the team as a whole though. It’s pretty pathetic so far.

MillersCornrows
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:37 pm

The fact that McDermott is taking so many shots and playing so much after just being signed shows the Kings are DESPERATE and searching.

MillersCornrows
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:44 pm

It’s not going to be easy to turn this train wreck around next week. The Kings look absolutely terrible.

BeTheBall
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 8:59 pm

Hollinger’s predictions for the season are…once again….looking unpleasantly accurate.

Inthestarz
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 8:56 pm

No mention of Keon?

Certainly not an nba starter if he can’t play offense to the degree he has in the preseason

not a Huerter fan, but he’s starting at this rate come game 1

BeTheBall
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 9:01 pm
Reply to  Inthestarz

That assumes he’s even able to play game 1.

Also assumes he went back to January of ’23 and found his shot.

MMalone
Comments
Comments
October 18, 2024 8:19 am
Reply to  Inthestarz

Mcdermott out played him and could easily take his spot until Huerter is back. Hopefully Keon gets an NBA game sorted out and can continue on an upward trajectory. Many times the peak is not enough.

BeTheBall
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 9:09 pm

I was really hoping Kobe Brown would have fallen to us in ’23.

discocricket
Comments
Comments
October 17, 2024 9:17 pm

It’s just preseason.

leslie-nielsen-nothing-to-see-here
BeTheBall
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 9:28 pm

Colby Jones is just stealing money from Vivek at this point. Thankfully it’s not a lot of money.

BeTheBall
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 9:42 pm

It’s going to be bittersweet to see Boogie sign with another team this coming week.

MillersCornrows
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
October 17, 2024 9:49 pm

The Kings have got to be running the most G League team during the preseason.

JoeNoSay
Comments
Comments
October 17, 2024 9:51 pm

So starved for Kings content in Socal that I’m watching this trainwreck until the end.

Not sure if I saw any positives from this game. Maybe that Doug McDermott might have some good offense off the bench.

Jack
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 18, 2024 7:57 am
Reply to  JoeNoSay

IMO Sabonis has done a pretty good job this preseason.

ForKingsandCountry
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 10:09 pm

I’d love some predictions for game 1 against Minnesota. I’m curious what people think is going to happen next Thursday.

segmentality
October 17, 2024 10:31 pm

Seriously?

Last edited 25 days ago by segmentality
ForKingsandCountry
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 10:51 pm
Reply to  segmentality

Yes?

ArcoThunder
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 18, 2024 1:58 am

They are going to get their asses kicked and it’s going to be an embarrassment. After that pre season I don’t know how you could predict anything else. I care zero that they lost every pre season game. I care immensely how they played while losing every pre season game.

Adamsite
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
October 18, 2024 7:53 am
Reply to  ArcoThunder

This. It’s not that they lost, it’s how they lost that leaves room for concern.

RikSmits
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 18, 2024 5:35 am

There will be Kings basketball!!!

Or Kangz basketball.

ForKingsandCountry
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 18, 2024 7:48 am
Reply to  RikSmits

Certainly one or the other!

DNP-CD
Comments
Comments
October 18, 2024 1:13 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

Time for me to dust off the “Welcome to Basketball Hell” t-shirt?

9sac8
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 18, 2024 3:41 pm

Had they went 5-0 in the preseason, I’d be concerned. I think they are going to turn it on come Thursday. We’ll get off to a nice start. 5-2, 7-3…hit a slight rough stretch. Maybe lose 2-3 straight, then go on a tear. It’s pretty evident the only person that plays real basketball all the time is Domas. Everybody else just seems bland for games that don’t count or against mediocre teams. Not a good trait, but they are who they are. Now, if they realize we have a pretty good team once healthy, add a piece here and there, then we could actually be a top 3-4 seed. That’s not me being biased toward the team, that’s on them to realize that they can be really good this year. If Fox is betting on himself, then his ass needs to do what he needs to do and go crazy on every team’s PG.

MMalone
Comments
Comments
October 18, 2024 4:06 pm
Reply to  9sac8

I would not bet on Fox. Fox having confidence is healthy though. Run with it.

Carl
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 10:12 pm

DeRozan’s value to this team is being the #1 option when Monk/Fox are out or cold and the rest of the team plays scared, which happened far too often last season. He isn’t going to help on defense or in three point shooting. That didn’t happen tonight, which is disappointing.

RikSmits
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 17, 2024 11:01 pm

IT’S OVER!

And now we have a clean slate and a 0-0 record again.

Adamsite
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
October 18, 2024 7:55 am

So….the Kings have waived Boogie Ellis.

Maybe I’m confused, but he seemed to be one of the few bright spots over the preseason.

Hobby916
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
October 18, 2024 8:10 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Is it one of those situations where they waive him to re-sign him to a g-league deal?

Adamsite
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
October 18, 2024 8:17 am
Reply to  Hobby916

Could be, but there are like 5 other dudes I would have cut before him. The timing of if makes me think he got an offer from somewhere else and he Kings are doing him a solid.

MMalone
Comments
Comments
October 18, 2024 8:20 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Are all of the Jones boys still around?

Could be a goal of collecting the most common names and there simply is less Ellis.

RikSmits
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
October 18, 2024 9:16 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I would prefer the Kings to do themselves a solid.

RobHessing
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Author
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Author
October 18, 2024 8:09 am

The preseason experience, in gif form:
comment image

Klam
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
October 18, 2024 11:02 am
Reply to  RobHessing

comment image

MMalone
Comments
Comments
October 18, 2024 8:17 am

The opportunity for this team is amazing. Starting like this only leaves room for immense improvement.

Badge Legend

Patreon Supporter Patreon Supporter   Registered On Day 1 Registered On Day 1   Published Post Published Post  Published Post Nostradumbass
Comment Up Votes 200 Up Votes   Comment Up Votes 500 Up Votes    1,000 Up Votes    3,000+ Up Votes

Comments 50 Comments   Comments 100 Comments    250 Comments    500 Comments    1000+ Comments