Update: 9:45 pm
OK, the Sacramento Kings have won two in a row so clearly we’re going to go on a big winning streak now, right? Probably not, and these back to back wins are not helping the tank, but winning a few has been refreshing, especially for the fans in Golden 1 Center.
The Kings were blistering from three at 65% largely on the back of Malik Malik going 7-9 from beyond the arc (26 points). DeMar DeRozan dropped 32 points and Russell Westbrook had 22 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds.
Somewhere Dennis Schroder is smiling.
Sacramento is now 10-30 and 14th in the Western Conference. They have one more win than the New Orleans Pelicans and Indiana Pacers.
From Earlier Preview:
The Sacramento Kings shocked the world last night with a 111-98 win over the Houston Rockets. The games, however, keep coming. Sacramento is back in action tonight against the Lakers.
Who: Sacramento Kings (9-30) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (23-13)
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
When: 7:00 PM PT / 10:00 PM ET
Watch: NBCSCA / League Pass
I’ve said my piece about the Dennis Schroder situation already, but is the most interesting subplot heading into tonights matchup with the Lakers. And it’s a shame Schroder won’t be on the court for the sequel. The Kings have not submitted their injury report today, yet, but Schroder is still serving his suspension for trying to fight Luka Doncic back in December.
For the Lakers, Kings killer Austin Reeves is still out with a left calf issue.
Anyway, will Luka take his frustrations out on the rest of the Kings roster? Will any of this matter at all? Tune in to find out.
Prediction: Kings 115, Lakers 101.
Three weeks, give or take, until the trade deadline. Clock is ticking Perry.
3 Days until Kuminga becomes tradable. Don’t expect anything to happen until that inevitable deal is complete.
I suppose if you can flip DDR for Kuminga you don’t lose much, except $15 million in salary for next season that you’re not going to do anything with anyway. Kuminga is a below average starter, and that isn’t going to change.
I don’t want players in their 5th season that don’t play D, but that’s just me.
If Kuminga was coming out of the draft right now, would you want him? He’s 23. For me, I am ok if Perry starts kissing all wartiest frogs as long as they still have young legs. Gotta hope that one of them turns into something better than what we see.
What I don’t want is to see Anjali kissing Kings who may indeed turn back into frogs.
If he was on a rookie scale, then sure. The problem is he is making $22M, is not extension eligible, and can simply walk in the summer of 2027.
But worst case it’s a salary dump because I think there’s a team option for next season so it’s pretty low risk
Low risk if there is no draft capital involved.
Walk to who though? I think cap space really is a thing of the past. I feel like teams trade contracts now as much as talent, so I don’t know if “walking” is as big of concern as a few years ago.
If he was in the draft now, I’d have no opinion. I don’t watch college ball.
Knowing what I know about why he can’t get off the Dubs bench is something that good organizations would learn thru scouting and interviews. Not the Kings of course which is why we kept drafting falling knives and drafting players in the lottery that were soon out of the league
Lol this is great
I’m not sure why the Dubs would do that deal. DDR doesn’t provide them anything, doesn’t fit their system, and he costs them more. From my understanding the Dubs want a big man. If Kuminga is coming to Sac, I feel it’s a 3 or 4 team deal that sends non-Kings players to the Dubs.
Just a butt pulled example. Kings get Kuminga, Dubs get Vucevic, Bulls get Monk, filler and draft capital.
I imagine there are quite a few bigs out there the Dubs could be targeting. Vuc, Claxton, Missi, Zinger, Gafford, etc.
It won’t happen, but I like this one:
Warriors/Nets/Kings
As for the Bulls – I can see next season’s Kings as this (or last season’s) Chicago with Sabonis playing the role of Vucevic.
Hell yeah, I’d do that, but like you said, it won’t happen.
There is that 3rd team rumor again. I just don’t think the Kings have anything the Dubs desire since they want to compete now. Dubs want a big.
That is too sensible to happen.
I do not envy the GSW.
Curry is aging, and at an age/stature where things can fall of a cliff.
Jimmy is getting paid at least 33% more than he produces.
Draymond is grappling with being an average player of small consequence, and will continue to decline.
They did not really develop Moody, who is “fine”. I would believe Kuminga could be an average or slightly above average starter away from Kerr.
But no other youth on that roster besides Podz, who maybe tops out as a low-end starter or plus role player.
Yikes.
TBF I’d rather have Kuminga than Morant but I am worried we’ll trade for Kuminga and give him an overpay extension, then he’ll suck and be untradeable.
I don’t believe he qualifies for an extension. The Kings would have the rest of this season and next to kick those tires, but again, it could also mean losing him for nothing if he performs up to and beyond his current contract.
I can imagine a scenario where the Kings give Kuminga the keys, he performs well, but the team is still stuck in the shitter (think Porter Jr. and the Nets). Kuminga can then leave for greener pastures in 27′ I mean, why would anyone currently want to sign long term here when they can test free agency?
Luka doesn’t realize how fortunate he is –
I guess Luka’s relaxed and relieved
While Schroeder remains a bit peeved.
A weird altercation—
Dennis now on “vacation”.
Under Vivek, so little achieved!
+1 FREE SCHROEDER!!!
Free beer and cigarettes!
Luka can’t dance…but Sac can!
&ct=g
Kings win!
OT: Forgive me, but i only watched the season openner and decided to unsubscribe to LP after seeing the shit show…but to the masochists who actually watch the games, do you think a frontline of Domas, Max, and Keegan will work, with Dylan and Max as back up C?
I don’t think that it would work, but it would be a (more) fun watch, and you don’t know until you try.
The big challenge up front is that both Domas and Max lack lateral quickness, so there would be only rare occasions where they don’t get eaten alive by length and quickness. And neither of them is a plus floor spreader on the offensive end, which could lead to spacing issues. However, that trio would be a much more compelling front line than anything else that you could throw out there from the current roster.
I agree with Rob. Unless over the next 12 months Maxi transforms into an Evan Mobley or Jabari Smith Jr. type big who can stretch the floor and defend the rim, I don’t really see a Sabonis/Maxi/Keegan front line doing much beyond punching lottery tickets.
I can envision a scenario where Maxi becomes the future center if Sabonis and/or any of the other vets get moved for a 3 and D big/wing, but that would take a lot of development, roster movement, and quite a bit of luck.
Luke Kornet, if he keeps working at it.
If the Kangz end up with a top 3 pick and choose Dybantsa as what has been rumored, a Keegs, AJ, and Max frontline could be fun once the Domas era is done. Of course, Vivek could step in and trade down to get Kuzma and other picks, so it is fruitless to guess what goes on in that idiot’s mind.
“How’d they ever win 9 games?”
“It’s a miracle.”
Lolligaggers!
Hey you might want to guard this LeBron kid. He looks pretty good.
Let’s go Cardi D!
Should not have had to use a challenge on that BS call.
Two bad out of bounds calls by these blind officials. You could see what who it was out on both times live on the TV. It caused the usage of two challenges.
I miss the game threads. Your commentary is always entertaining.
Kings shooting 52% from the field, 62% from 3, and 100% from the line and lead buy just 7 at halftime. I’ll be shocked if this holds up.
Well color me impressed. They kept those shooting numbers through the second half.
Now trade all those vets while they are hot.
Monk did not like the way Cardwell came up to him during the post-game interview. I kinda don’t blame Monk considering the Kings’ record. However, the way Monk said (something like) “can I get mine” was also silly. No biggie. Caldwell’s hustle is contagious.
Anytime the Kangz beat the Lakers is a good excuse to park the Tank
Been rooting for the losses to pile up this year but I’ll happily take a victory against that team.
I’m just happy the other bottom feeders are squeezing out some wins so these past two Kings victories don’t hurt the tank too much.
In a draft where the top-tier has three players; this team will inevitably pick 4th. And likely pass over high-level talent taken after them.
But I will still hope for the #1 pick.
They have beaten some decent teams like the Rockets twice
Mostly decent teams. 10 wins: UTA, MIL, GSW, DEN, MIN, MIA, HOU, DAL, HOU, LAL
Only UTA, MIL and DAL below .500
I would do this:
Everyday of the week, and twice on Sundays.
I would too. Maybe BKN can throw in a 2nd rounder we can use for future trades
An anomaly. For the season, the Lakers are +3 over the Kings from deep. Last night, the Kings were +27 in a game that they won by 12. So it was fun to watch, and I’m not overly anxious that this team has actually figured anything out.
While I’m full on “go Tank”, I’ll always enjoy a beating of fat boy and old man.
Badge Legend