There’s literally nothing to be said that hasn’t already been said before. No original thought oozes from the rotting pile of hope that is this team.
When: Wednesday, January 26th, 4:30 PM PT
Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
TV: NBCSCA – Kyle Draper (play-by-play)
Radio: KHTK Sports 1140 AM
For Your Consideration
HAHAHAwks: Well, at least the starters are well rested.
A Thing To Read, Watch, or Do
Donate money, with me, to a good cause: Okay, hear me out. This season is miserable and at this point nothing short of the Sacramento basketball equivalent of cold fusion being created will stop it from being miserable. The players are cooked, the coach is over it, the stars you think are coming to save us aren’t coming to save us. So I’m gonna double down on all this misery and try to turn something annoying and frustrating into a positive for someone or something somewhere.
Against the advisement of council (mostly Greg making sure I had adequate funds), I’m going to donate $10 for every Kings loss the rest of the season to a local Sacramento charity in need. I’m not dropping money on tickets, I’m not paying for merch [Editor’s note: other than high quality Kings Herald merch, such as a nice Welcome To Basketball Hell shirt, of course], I’m not betting against this squad to enrich myself – I’m just going to donate a tenner every time the Kings botch it. I know money is tight for everyone right now and I don’t expect anyone else to join in at any price level, but if you want to join in, I’d be happy to celebrate your donation by sharing it on Twitter if you post it in the recap comments the next day following a loss.
Is it hokey? Sure. Is it passive aggressive? Yeah, probably. But I’d much rather give my money to worthy causes across the city right now than to buy tickets to a game just so I can stand behind Matt Barnes with a paperbag on my head in the hopes that my buddies see me screwing around. I’m a bad trade deadline away from unleashing a preview that Greg won’t be able to publish so instead, in some small way I’m going to turn a negative into a positive.
Just to prove I’m serious about this I’ve backdated my donations to the start of this losing streak and the first $40 is headed to the Mustard Seed School, a free private school for children ages 3-15 years-old who are currently homeless, that provides a safe space for children while their parents access other services on the Loaves & Fishes campus. I’ll post the receipt as soon as this goes live on Twitter.
I’m calling it Operation: Money for Charities & Nonprofits As Incompetence Restitution, or Operation M.C.N.A.I.R. for short.
You don’t have to do it. You don’t even have to see the logic in it. But the money spent on billboards and paper bags and spiteful signs haven’t done anything either. This also won’t but I’d rather embarrass the Kings with kindness and give my cash to those who need it instead and thank the Kings futility for it. If I can’t be proud of this team, I can still be proud of Sacramento and put my money where my very whiny mouth is.
Prediction
I’m going to lose a lot of money on this.
Kings: 111, Hawks: 109
Just so you know Will, the Kings have the 6th worst record in the NBA. Indiana, OKC, Detroit, Houston and Orlando are all worse. Only Indiana might pass Sacramento, I doubt the others do unless we see this amazing historic slide by Sac (not out of the realm of possibility). New Orleans and San Antonio are now slightly ahead of Sac.
You guys wanted a tank, you got it. Even if it wasn’t done in the way you’d prefer.
Also, forgot to say before the edit, love the paper bag graphic. That’s awesome. LOL
I collect first rounders and expirings and tank, tank, tank at this point.
Tank you.
we don’t agree on much but on this, we do
I can’t call it a tank until I see youth being prioritized and veterans being shipped for young pieces or picks. They just suck right now… but with Monte still not showing his cards past saying they’re aiming for the playoffs.. I cant call it that, just yet.
I know it’s really not tanking. They’re just crappy beyond compare. But I don’t necessarily think that’s entirely a bad thing….if you can do something valuable for the future at the deadline and get a good pick in June.
Lotta if’s though.
I agree with you! The worse they are with all these pieces the closer management is to being forced to see the light.
LOTS of ifs.
that is more “if’s” than Buddy and Davion can miss shots
Can we just call it a sTank?
Perfection.
That is exactly right. Barnes and Buddy need to go by February 10th for whatever draft capital and cap space we can get. There’s really no sense to make a trade for short term improvement. There’s also no reason to play any of the vets anymore like Len, Thompson, Harkless, Barnes and Buddy. I’d play this lineup now while we’re waiting to move Buddy, Barnes. Fox, Haliburton, Mitchell, Queta, Jones Metu or Bagley. I’m also for moving Holmes if someone wants to part for a mid to late first rounder.
at this point, it is embarrassingly so, it is not a tank. They are just plain bad. Can’t even try to be this bad.
again, the Bad Four got a serious head start but they do play each other, and some might get to 18 or 19 wins. Then it is easy: since the Kings cannot play themselves, they can finish with 18 wins unless the league will allow them to give some back.
The only free improvement strategy is draft- so trade all assets, except 1-2 for young players (doubtful), expiring contracts and some form of future assets although the Bad Four have cornered that market. Incidentally, for the next couple of years only about 25 teams have a first-round pick.
Simmonds is not bad but can’t shoot but not worth any exchange that requires giving up future freebies.
Tonight- lose by over 60 -keep the ball rolling and then I can leave and go to dinner
If Kings fool around and win a few, root for Pacers to win more than a few and for NOP and SAS to get sort of “hot”
I sound like a broken record, but I will never tire of seeing that bag over the Kings’ logo.
Hey, I changed my account picture months ago!
Monte McHairball –
Kings used to fly on Hairball One back in the day.
Meow? Meowadays they ride the tank.
Err Ball 1:
Sgt. Oddball, reporting for duty.
That’s a great idea, Will. Shifting your spending to places where it will make a positive difference is going to be satisfying, may improve your health, and could extend your lifespan.
Whether that last one is desirable is up to you.
Extending my lifespan just increases my chances of seeing the Kings reach the mountaintop… so… I’ll take it!
(it also increases the chance of more heartbreak but hey… I’ve felt it all before right?)
I’m sure the pill that lets humans live to a thousand is right around the corner.
Is it red?
Lose by 80 instead!
Yes! Lose and lose big. As I keep saying, abject failure is the only way out.
So bad they get a high pick. So bad they are forced to give up play in idea and embrace rebuild. Probably never happen.
So bad the fans stop going and maybe protest begins. So bad that Vivek starts catching all the heat-bad pub.
yes, lose by more than 60. Then whoever thinks that the Kings are a tweak away may get the message
Love this, and I’ll likely join at a lower level. Side note that my neighbors across the street are affiliated with Mustard Seed and L & F. One is the executive director of loaves and the other is a teacher at mustard seed. They are good humans doing very good work, so thanks for your support.
Well I’m glad to hear that it went to a good cause!
If you decide you to, post it in the recaps and I’ll be sure to give you a shout out on Twitter and my next preview!
So, is Fox out with “ankle soreness” until Feb 10th?
The only things weaker than his ankle are is heart and his defense.
This continues to be talked about: our max player consistently lacks effort and heart when playing for this team. That’s a MAJOR problem moving forward.
Yup. Fox has a ceiling. Trade. Move forward. Why anyone thinks Fox is a player to be kept/built around (unless you get a star) is beyond me.
Trade him for what?
To Orlando for Isaac and Carter Jr.?
Oh geez, almost anyone but Isaac.
Yeah, that’s a real shame. I mean, at this point I wouldn’t want him anyway because of the injuries, but yeesh.
Given who own the Magic, he’s probably not going anywhere anytime soon anyways.
They’re definitely looking for more ball dominant pseudo-point guards that can’t stretch the floor. Anthony, Suggs, Fultz and Hampton aren’t enough.
Isaac ? who dat? oh, the hurt guy.
I’m not sure. It’s more about the idea of being open to trading him. He’s a decent enough player but stop being married to him as a building block (Kings not you) Maybe package with others.
Not to mention that I don’t see how the Kings record is worse, even if you got nothing for Fox.
It’s not like Fox can’t bring back anything valuable. And it’s probably addition by subtraction.
I think Monte & the FO is open to trading him if the right deal came back, and they know the right deal isn’t out there right now. Fox is a tough trade for 3 reasons. The first is other teams have other PG’s they like better or at least the price is right. The second isn’t that Fox’s weaker areas aren’t showing a ton of improvement if any 5 years in. The third is the max slot that teams are wary to use on a player that could be argued as a buy low candidate.
The third reason is a subtle yet very relevant one. Teams cannot have more than two players on designated rookie extensions (5 year max’s) which Fox is on. Correct me if I’m wrong, Kg21.
You got it correct CatterJ.
Plus he has an ankle Boo-Boo !????
You’re rolling the guy who didn’t even play last night under the bus today? Ok then.
He’s the biggest trade asset the Kings have. Everyone is and should be under the bus.
No, Fox is not the best trade asset the Kings have. Holmes and Barnes have more value to teams around the league and the best asset the Kings have is their draft picks.
I also feel like, if Fox was available/traded it would signal Vivek backing off and allowing basketball people to work.
This I don’t agree with. If anything, I think ownership was the one behind the push to move Fox this season for something better if possible. It’s the FO that knew it wasn’t going to happen given all the dynamics around Fox. Or that it simply changes the dynamics and the trick of building a roster around a new set of players but not necessarily that much better one’s.
All of the credible trades I’ve seen all amount to “we’re not tired of X player yet and those mid 1st round picks might be better.”
I highly doubt the FO is eager to trade Fox as ownership in part because they know the return won’t be anywhere near as large as Fox figuring it out and being the player the franchise has hoped he could be. You could always just dump him a year or so down the line for 30 cents on the dollar.
Kings are in a tough spot, no doubt. But I feel like they are in a much better position if the basketball people in the FO are making the decisions (that we certainly agree on). They are even in a better position if they don’t panic on a sell low trade for Fox (which is what they are looking at), trade Barnes and Holmes, move Hield for an expiring, and be able to draft an impact player in June.
Look whose making the money on this roster. Fox, Hield, Barnes, Bagley and Holmes are the highest paid guys. After that it’s Thompson, and then it’s Haliburton, Harkless, Mitchell and Davis. Those guys combined make about 27 million with TT making 9.7 million by himself. None of Rese, Mo, Davion or TD is making than 4.5 million. Len is a bit under 4 million.
Jones, Metu, Woodard, Ramsey are all under 2 million apiece.
We’ll see. But there’s assets and flexibility here. The toughest trick may be pulling off a John Collins player type (I’m ignoring Ben Simmons, I don’t think that’s super likely regardless of my feelings on Simmons) or a Domantas Sabonis or Pascal Siakam or whomever you fancy. Makes no difference outside of your preference.
The point here is that Barnes and Holmes are assets and very tradeable right now. Hield is tradeable, too, for the right price (and hopefully Monte can pull off adeal that doesn’t include a player he really doesn’t want). None of this is my opinion mind you, they are from people who know more people and are better connected than I am.
Patience, though, is key. I’m in agreement that trading De’Aaron Fox should not be taken off the table, but I’m always in agreement with that. My issue is the upside of Fox figuring out it in Sacramento is greater than whatever you will get in trade. If you don’t think Fox will figure it out, understood. I won’t argue that.
My point here is there is flexibility, and there is options if the basketball people have the actual green light to do so (I suspect they do). At this point it comes down to doing it or not. I’m hoping they do. I don’t think anybody wants to watch this crap anymore and real change is needed.
I agree with a lot of what you are saying. I would rather trade the smaller pieces of Barnes, Holmes, and Buddy in the next couple of weeks for expiring and younger assets, watch some young players to see how they turn out (Ramsey does not look like an NBA player btw, but Portuguese Pillar is very fun to watch), and to see if Tyrese and Fox can figure anything out together.
If they trade Fox, it seems like a draft day deal, with a team like the Knicks or Pelicans trying to get a bigger name PG, or even a team like Detroit and its funkiness deciding they could use a slasher/scorer and secondary ball handler with Cade being capable of distributing.
Free Agency doesn’t really exist any more for premium players, if any young player is decent they are signed to an extension, unless they just don’t want to be a part of the franchise like Lonzo. Unless you are a title contending team getting a ring chaser for a discount, most free agents are an overpay anyway, and that is not exclusive to Sacramento. Outside of LA, Chicago, Brooklyn, or Miami, who has gone anywhere significant? I feel like Dallas clears space all the time and they cant draw a premiere FA. Even Derozan’s 28.5m bag for Chicago was derided as a massive overpay until it wasn’t. That is the reason I hope the Kings are patient with Fox, to see if there is a glimmer of him being what he could be, and if not, then having a firm goal in mind before draft day rather than playing lets make a deal in the next twelve days.
That’s a really good post and I think you laid it out well.
Excellent points Mike.
I agree with patience on Fox- Keep 1-2 (Fox and Hali), trade other assets for expiring and young players but that is just so doubtful and avoid winning. The draft is free- all other avenues costly.
use the rest of the season to see if Fox and Hali can complement each other
“Ankle soreness.”
Get bent.
That’s what’s been listed on the injury report, angry man.
Why did you put it in quotes, which suggests that you don’t believe it?
I’m suspicious of any minor injury designation at the trade deadline. Not sure where I suggested your dearest Fox was faking it or personally writing the reports. The FO if anyone.
Imagine how silly your suppositions will be when we get within ten days of the deadline.
sounds like a “put him on ice” so he won’t get hurt and passes his trade physical
The Hawks this year are not soaring;
Their roster, turns out, needs some shoring.
Odds against us still stacked—
Just like last night: shellacked.
Meanwhile from Monte, just snoring!
Will: “DON’T LOSE BY SIXTY GOSH DANG POINTS.”
Kings:
It is not likely to get any better with thisOwner. He didn
t fire Walton cause he was broke (allegedly). He wont fire Gentry and Mcnair for same reason. Sucks having one of the poorer owners in the NBA.That’s what happened to the Maloofs. Millionaires trying to play a billionaires game.
Maloofs made the playoffs.
lol
Maybe the worst. F U Vivek.
And great idea on donating, Will. I like it.
Selfish behavior has run rampant. Vivek is the king of it. Good for those of us who care about others/society to help out.
Love the new Kings bag logo.
Let the tank roll on.
I like your idea, Will!
On twitter I run two marble athlete accounts for the Marble League/Marbula One (Let’s go, Savage Speeders! and Team Galactic!), and every time my team wins a race or event, I donate a little bit to a charity, in the name of my alter ego twitter marble athlete. Started out donating funds to local public school teachers in low income areas who were just grateful for supplies for their classrooms or projects.
Would you prefer us to all join in on the Mustard Seed School you have chosen? Or would it be cool to donate to other places as well?
Ohhhhh, so that explains why sometimes on my Twitter feed it shows you liking marble tweets!
uh oh….you can see everything I’m liking?
(gulp)
Ha! Not everything. But sometimes people I follow will like a tweet and that “liked tweet” will be on my feed. 🙂
Just the porno-y stuff.
It’s OnlyFans, Andy. It’s legitimate.
It’s OnlyFranz, nothing but Franz Wagner highlights
!!!… (sneaks off to phone)
I thought that was the Dennis Franz fan club.
here i was figuring you’d think it was the pac nw’s favorite – Franz Bakery
I’m all for people living their best lives, and if that includes porn, more power to you!
And to your personal massage device.
That’s awesome, Kosta! I donated to MSS this time around to kick it off, but I’ll be switching from game to game to help spread the love to as many orgs as I can!
I’m totally cool with you picking your spots! Just find a way to tell me and I’ll be sure to give you a shout out in the preview and twitter!
You’re a good man, Will. The Kings sure as shit don’t deserve you, but Sactown and the world do. The world needs more helpers and people who care.
I appreciate it SMF! The world definitely needs more helps, so the Kings are going to help whether they mean to or not!
If folks work for companies that have charitable gift matching programs, those $10s can easily become $20s to double the good coming from Kangz losing streaks!
I had the “bag over the head fan” image in my head last night fast forwarding through the game, too funny.
Kings players are still saying that “it’s a long season”. This means that they are confident in their ability to right the ship. We should just trust them, right? Right? ????
Awesome idea, Will. My initial first thought was that I’m down for the cause and would just like to Venmo you my $10 and you can make a larger contribution to your charity of choice. I trust your judgment there.
Then I thought about it some more and what that actually does is take work from me and put a little onto you. Of course, Venmo is incredibly easy to work, but I can understand not wanting to do it. Let me know what you think on that as I would like to just ship you $10 each time the Kings lose.
On that reason to donate, I think it’s good. The Kings losing is a bad thing except for getting closer to a good pick. They are not tanking, btw, since tanking has to be a deliberate action and other actions accompany it which we are not taking. “Unintentional tanking” is a perfect example of an oxymoron and not a thing.
So if losing is mostly a bad thing, let a good thing come from it.
I’m more than happy to do that! I’ll DM you my Venmo. If this something others want or comfortable with, I’ll let it out for everyone to have!
I guess that’ll make it fun when we write a description in Venmo for what it’s for.
Hehehe…
Will, that’s a fantastic name for this operation. A humble suggestion, consider pooling the proceeds and donating in chunks. Doing so reduces transaction and staff costs for the nonprofit (nonprofit professional).
This was certainly something I considered, I just felt a little icky handling people’s money and pitching them on it. Loved that there are people that actually want to do this and so if others continue to give, I might look into doing something like that to make it easier on everyone!
The Kings have been an enjoyable punch line for 15 years running, thankful I have 9ers and Giants and that I don’t take this so seriously that I come on here whining all the time. Always entertained by the Kings for better or worse, love the NBA, and not tripping off any of this.
Alvin’s Pregame…
The Kings are on TV again today? Thank you, sir. May I have another?”
Agreed I don’t want to see them lose by 60… I want to see them lose by 80! Let’s see how low we can go!
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