Update: 10 p.m.
The Sacramento Kings secured the loss for the tank Wednesday at Golden 1 Center. Toronto defeated Sacramento 122-109 after a strong first half from the Kings. They were up 61-52 at halftime, shooting well from the field, winning free throw attempts and defensive rebounds.
In the second half, the Raptors had had enough and won the quarter 43-21, and all of those advantages for the Kings slipped away.
The Kings were down big in the fourth. Sacramento would briefly cut the lead to under 10 with around 3 minutes left, but the Raptors quickly regained control and put it away.
The Kings had 16 turnovers and gave up 25 points off those.
Domantas Sabonis didn’t play in this one because of “left knee injury management.” Dylan Cardwell played 25 minutes in this one and finished with 13 rebounds and 4 blocks. He really does hunt boards and defense. It is fun to watch. Maxime Raynaud started and played 22 minutes, finishing with 8 points and 7 rebounds. Precious Achiuwa had 11 points and 8 rebounds in 21 minutes. These three have been playing well.
Russell Westbrook led the Kings in scoring with 23 points. Malik Monk scored 17 off the bench and Dennis Schroder added 16. Zach LaVine played 38 minutes and finished with 19 points.
The weird season and the tank rolls on.
From Earlier Preview:
Does the headline make sense? Who can say. It’s the end of a long work day over here, and the Kings are once again playing basketball tonight. Let’s get into it.
Who: Sacramento Kings (12-32) vs. Toronto Raptors (26-19)
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
When: 7:00 PM PT / 10:00 PM ET
Watch: NBCSCA / League Pass
It sure feels like the Kings have played a lot of back-to-backs this year. OR the season has been so spiritually draining that every game feels like a mountain. Either way, the Kings are facing a Toronto Raptors team tonight that is one of the NBA’s most surprising success stories this season. The tank should proceed without issue, lord willing.
I suppose the most interesting storyline in Kings land at the moment is how Doug Christie is using Domantas Sabonis. Christie noted before the Heat game on Tuesday that Domas is not under a minutes restriction, and yet he hasn’t played more than 21 minutes in his three games back from injury. Not only that, but his minutes have been in decline: 21 minutes in his first game back, then 19 minutes, then 17 minutes.
Sabonis has also been ruled out tonight due to “left knee injury management,” so who really knows what’s going on here? Just another day in Basketball Hell.
Prediction: Kings 123, Raptors 105.
The win streak that damaged our tank
Put too many wins in the bank.
The tank’s back on track
For the Raptors in Sac
‘Cause we just can’t get past Vivek’s stank!
+1 Looks like a clear path for the tank tonight!
One’s a T Rex
One’s a wreck to a T
No Domas, maybe no Precious, still no Keegan
How much SuperMax, and Cardi D (great names by you all, btw) can there be?
Calling Dario!
15 days until 5 February!
At this point, I am expecting my disappointment to climb. Every day a deal isn’t done, my disappointment expectation level which started at a conservative 50/50 (could be decent, not bad, okay) climbs.
No deal by February 6th I would place at 95% – a full 100% score (sorry, unlike the euphemistic effort scale which goes to 110%) would be something disastrous – Domas for Ja or Zion, anything with Miles Bridges, not getting younger (getting older with draft capital is getting younger, IMO). Trading Keegan for equal talent or older talent might do it. Directionless, sideways moves are included, and any loss of current draft capital would carry me towards flat out disappointment.
What will you do, Scott Perry, BJ Armstrong and deny it all you want -Vivek/Matina (because they are engrained into all trades by sheer history and ownership- NO ONE believes GM autonomy. Not one agent or GM.
Raps play fast, they’re bigger and better, and they’ll run circles around the Kings. Kyle just said Westbrook “was a real find for the Kings.” Huh? Last game reminded me of how lame Westbrook can be when he rocks the baby early on in a shitty loss.
I never needed a reminder. I never wanted him on this team. The dumbest fucking signing ever. Guy is a freaking chucker ball hog. Which is the last thing this team needs. It needs to develop young guys and let them take some fucking shots.
Westbrook dribbles it all the way down, backs down his defender, and shoots a turnaround fadeaway air ball. Sacramento Kings basketball! Let’s go Raptors!
Loving seeing LaVine, as Mark Jones put it, take indomitable shots in this blowout. Indomitable? Really, Jones?
Even if you’re shopping Westbrook and LaVine, they shouldn’t be in the game right now. Come on man. You’re risking an asset getting injured for no reason.
I have no idea why these idiots signed Westbrock. I mean, I do because it’s the dumbest owner in the NBA. But he’s just taking away from the development of the young guys. It’s lunacy. He’s taking 22 shots and max is taking like two.
I never wanted or liked Westbrook, especially for this team. Exact same way I feel about Kuminga. Don’t want him. Selfish and can’t shoot. What is the point?
I mean if they traded daRozen for him I guess but still he be eating up a lot of money on a useless player
I’ll counter this a little. Ellis has pretty much proven that he can’t run point, and Carter has never shown acumen for it (same goes for Monk, really), so in my mind Westbrook is only taking time from Schroder. And I think that he has been good for Raynaud. That said, it is hilariously sad that the Kings have fed the NBA with lead guards such as De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell, and they find themselves mired in the less than attractive choice between Russ and Dennis.
What is this “run point” in modern nba, can you elaborate because all you need is someone that can guard, space and keep a ball moving.
Even by your definition, that ain’t Ellis, Carter or Monk. Westbrook and Schroder are shitty alternatives, yet they are also better alternatives than anyone on the current roster.
Right. Westbrook also takes shots and the ball away from the young dudes. Doesn’t set em up etc.
and I would argue he does take time away from other players, including Clifford. Ellis, too, of course.
Agreed as it pertains to the shots. The same pertains to LaVine, DDR, MOnk, and any other vet that is shooting in volume.
That said, the Kings needed PGs. Schroder and Westbrook, neither of whom are starting level PGs, were still needed due to the shitshow that is this roster.
Final take before tapping out on this: Raynaud is not as good as he has been if Carter, Clifford, Ellis, Monk or anyone else on this roster not named Westbrook or Schroder is running the offense. This is especially true with Westbrook. Yes, this team needs a better PG than either Schroder or Westbrook. That person is not on the current roster.
The bigger point is, don’t sign Westbrook in the first place. It does nothing to help develop the team in the young guys. Get a different point guard. Not Schreuder either.
I am getting the feeling that Monk, Domas, and Ellis will be gone by the deadline. After that, I think Keegan would be the only hold over from the Monte era (not including DDR and Lavine, which were Vivek moves).
Perry is dumping those guys and getting his players.
Agree, hope he unloads several of his players like McDerrmont, Saric, and Schroeder .
I took my son to the game last night. A few notes. Nique is good but looks like he has some nerves. His shots weren’t falling either. Cardwell is my favorite new kid. Precious was a good pickup but he needs to be more aggressive on offense. Maxime looks great too. Still, too much give the ball to Lavine or Demar and hope they create. Dennis was Dennis.
It’s becoming easier to understand how Dennis has been with 11 teams and most for a season .
Older vets playing big minutes, getting their stats, and leading team to losses . Half season over and no legit rotation and young guards potential still a total mystery . I have zero confidence in this owner and front office to actually build a team much less rebuild one !
A couple of things. First saw a trade where Schroder and Ellis go to the Rockets for Reed Shepard and Tari Eason. I like this trade but IMO need to sweeten the pot with a second or even two. Eason starts at power forward( IMO better fit than Kuminga) and Shepard would back up the Kings new point guard of the future. Brings me to point two. With the power forward taken care of IMO the Kings now look to the draft for their future point guard. I really like Kingston Fleming who would be that guy. Now Shepard backs up Fleming and you have the point guard solved for years to come. Point three. Trade Sabonis to the Raptors for RJ Barrett Colin Murray Boles and either Dick or Ogbachi plus their 2026 first round draft pick. Barrett starts at SG Dick or Agbachi backs up Murray ( Clifford backs up Barrett) and Murray Boles along with Precious backs up Eason. Cardwell backs up Raynaud. Comments appreciated.
Point four. I would keep Monk and next year let him once again shoot for the sixth man of the year award. He IMO can do it.
OT: Regarding the latest Podcast. Why are you not promoting them on the website?
Yes, Jerry!
Tombstone is excellent, I liked both True Grits. And I love Deadwood!
Nice list!
OT: Jake Fischer over at the Stein Line is reporting the The Raps still have interest in Domas. Rumor is Barrett, Quickley and Poeltl are available in trade.
Color me very uninterested in those players. Poeltl’s back seems done and his contract is ridiculous. Barrett is fine offensively, but reminds me of a younger version of DDR. As to Quickly…convince me he and Monk aren’t the same player, only Quickly’s contract is far worse. It would be totally mind numbing to have Monk, Quickley, and Schröder on this roster at the same time. DO NOT WANT.
Raps throw in a lightly protected 1st (top 3, maybe even top 10), take Poeltl and his contract out of the equation, and I’m in.
In fact, the deal works if it is Domas/Schroder for Quickley/Barrett. Again, throw in the pick, take into consideration that it moves Schroder, and I’m fairly satisfied. I don’t like Quickley’s contract, but I consider some of that overpay the cost of the 1st round pick.
That seems fair. I just don’t like the idea of acquiring more tweener wings that will be behind LaVine and DDR. Move one or both of those guys in some other trade and I’m cool with it.
Also, definitely don’t go after Kuminga if a Toronto deal goes through. I don’t like the idea of Kuminga and Barrett together. That’s just a younger version of LaVine and DDR.
Monk/Dennis, DDR, LaVine is not that dissimilar from Quickley, Barrett, Kuminga. Younger I guess, but still miss-matched parts, IMO.
Barrett is an expiring next season, so I don’t sweat that. Quickly will have three more seasons at $32.5m per, which is probably about $10-$12m too much annually. So not an albatross, but not attractive. And he is a more capable lead guard than Russ or Schroder. He would not clog the development of any of the current youth, or Dybantsa / Boozer / Wilson. He could be a potential issue for Peterson or Flemings, at which time you would have to consider moving him for a different sucky contract and maybe some future 2nds.
Is he a more capable lead guard then Dennis? I see Dennis as more of a scoring lead guard while Monk and Quickley seem to be tweener scoring guards. IMO, none of them should be your starting PG.
I’m not sure I’d want Quickley on his contract over Dennis and his contract if neither are really apart of the future, especially if the Kings land Peterson or Flemming. I mean, Quickley is owed more money Sabonis is. Both are owed over $90M, only Sabonis is over two years compared to Quickley over 3.
A first round pick coming from the Raps would be a must in my mind because the Kings are giving up the best player in the deal and would not be getting a rookie scaled prospect in return.
Agreed. The pick is compensation for taking on Quickley’s contract. No pick, no deal.
If they included more picks would you also eat Poetl’s deal? I guess there is a chance his injury isn’t long term, but 7 footers and back issues is no bueno.
My point being, if it were Quickley and Poeltl or Barrett and Poeltl, could you swallow that pill if it were two 1st round picks?
My concern would be those picks end up being in the 20’s for the next few years. I just don’t see the Raps missing the playoffs in the East for the next 4-5 years.
I’ll add a new wrinkle as well, include DDR and send him home to Toronto.
Sabonis, DDR, Schröder for Barrett, Quickley, Poeltl and picks package. It works salary wise.
I think Poetl’s contract is worse when you consider the skillset and the injuries. I mean, I would do what you list below if three picks were coming back. Maybe I would do it for two picks, and the Toronto players that you listed (and Walter for salary matching) for Sabonis and LaVine. But given the buyout on DDR next season, it would take an additional two future 1st rounders for me to take on Poetl’s deal.
Part of me wonders if DDR’s partial guarantee is all that valuable. He’s still a very productive player, so is eating his $10M guaranteed and having $14M to use any better than what he can give you? I get the feeling that the $14M saved can’t be replaced by a player at that cost. Maybe his contract is only valuable to an apron team going all in this season with full intention to cut or move him before his full guarantee date? How many teams would fall in to that category?
All in all, I agree with you. Eating Quickley’s deal needs a pick attached. Eating Poeltl’s deal needs a pick attached at minimum. Barrett for DDR is equal production value at the price, so it boils down to Sabonis > Poeltl by a country mile and Quickely and Dennis are a wash talent wise, but Quickley costs a ton more. Picks would need to be attached. Two at a minimum or instead include a prospect like Murray-Boyles or Walter instead of a pick.
I do not trust, nor do I like with Scott Perry has done. Looks like he’s targeting athletes with no regard for shooting, or team play.
Kuminga? RJ? Fucking Westbrook. What kind of team is he trying to build.
I suppose if they get draft capital but not a good model to try to bringing people who can’t shoot very well and don’t play well with others.
When you typed Perry you misspelled Vivek.
Yea, you are probably right. Makes sense
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