Update: 7:45 p.m.
Another one down. Another successful day for the unintentional tank. The Sacramento Kings lost to the Houston Rockets 121-95 Wednesday.
The Kings managed to keep it close into halftime, but then the Rockets won the third quarter 36-19 and that was it. Houston out-rebounded the Kings 62-32. Yikes. The Rockets also won fast break points 30-7 and points in the paint 78-46.
Maxime Raynaud played 32 minutes and finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Malik Monk added 25 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Zach LaVine only played 19 minutes and had 2 points. Keegan Murray had a quiet scoring night (5 points) but did have 11 rebounds. Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan also both played under 30 minutes. Hmmm.
The Kings are now 5-17, on a four-game losing streak and in 14th place in the Western Conference.
From Earlier Preview:
We’re 25% of the way through the 2025-26 NBA season, and for this Kings fan, the NBA Draft can’t come soon enough. But alas, there is more basketball to be played.
Who: Sacramento Kings (5-16) vs. Houston Rockets (13-5)
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
When: 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET
Watch: NBCSCA / League Pass
Kings basketball is back after a couple of much-needed days off. How will the rested Kings look against the Rockets tonight? My bet is not great, but I’m not a gambler. The Rockets will be missing a few key players, namely Steven Adams (questionable) and Tari Eason (out) while Fred VanVleet remains on the shelf following his ACL injury. The Kings are still missing Domantas Sabonis, Dennis Schroder is questionable, and Malik Monk is probable.
I’m running out of ways to say I despise watching this old basketball team get bashed on a nightly basis while younger players like Keon Ellis, Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Devin Carter ride the bench. And yes, a few members of this younger group might creep towards 20 minutes of playing time off the bench in rare circumstances, but we should be demanding more at this point. The veterans aren’t getting it done.
Keon Ellis played 7:27 and 6:13 in the last two losses. Devin Carter hasn’t played in the last 9 games. Nique Clifford is averaging 10 MPG over the last 9 games, the Kings have gone 2-7. Raynaud has played the most out of the bunch, largely due to the Sabonis injury, and he’s been pretty good! But Doug Christie is still starting Drew Eubanks. The Kings are 3-7 when Eubanks starts.
And yet, I can’t look away. I won’t look away. Their incompetence confounds me.
Prediction: Kings 123, Rockets 114.
Truer words were never spoken.
And we’re done here.
Hey, at least we aren’t the Clippers right now, amirite?
They are Aspiration-al!
Let’s go full Balmer!
I wouldn’t mind the organization telling Zach to stay home. Though doing so might hurt our draft position.
This game should be over real fast
As the Rockets should win in a blast.
Unlike our guys,
They are young and have size.
Let’s make Vivek a thing of the past!
+1 Kings vs Rockets could wind up being Slim Pickens!
Our game with the Rockets could be a blast
So I was listening to NBA radio today and they did this spot on the T-Wolves and mentioned how they are going to be in the market for primary ball handler. Mike Conley is washed and no longer starts. They want to take the pressure off and ANT who right now is carrying backcourt load with DDV.. One of the names mentioned, should the Kings in fact blow it all up, was Schröder. Wolves are all in this season and could be buyers.
Conley is an expiring, but doesn’t match up salary wise with Dennis, but if the Wolves tossed in their 19 year old 6’10” rookie Joan Beringer, it works perfectly. The kid is as raw as they come, which means upside.
The league is about to get bonkers if Giannis does in fact ask for a trade. There is going to be a lot of movement between the 15th and the deadline, me thinks.
I’d do that. I doubt the Kings do it because they are bad a making good basketball decisions.
I think Perry might just go for that, especially with Westbrook now starting. My first thought is that Minny says no because they are already an apron team and at one of the highest salaries. They may value Conley’s expiring deal more than Schröder’s possible contribution…but they are a contending team with new ownership, so you never know.
Do it!
I agree it’s going to get wild. With LAC collapsing, ATL thriving without Trae, AD, JA, Giannis likely available. The wide open East. It’s going to be funner than Kings games for sure.
The league should just hold a coin toss with LaVine, Tre, Ja, Ball, and Zion in play. Every player has to switch teams but it has to be between Kings, Hornets, Pels, Hawks, and Grizz. Maybe someone lucks out with fit, but chances are slim.
Do a live Musical chairs at halftime of the Cup Finals!
It could be the owners with players faces on the chairs.
Better would be the players with the team’s logos on the chairs. Watch all the players slow down near the Hawks and Grizz chairs and rush past the other 3.
Oh! It’s the holiday season! What about a white elephant exchange? Owners get to pick present with the players name inside, but players are only allowed to be stolen twice!
Doh…the only problem with that idea is that the narcissistic fucking idiot is likely to steal LaVine back. “White Elephant 3.0” or some shit.
But then Vivek can only have one of those players.
Perfectly written headline, Tony.
So it’s just me that is worried that since Chris Paul is available – and that he’s a small point guard, old enough to be past his “best used by” date, a previous multi-All-Star and future HoF-er that Sacramento won’t waive … Ellis?, Carter?, Saric? and bring the CP3 show to town?
CP3, Westbrook, Dennis, LaVine, DDR lineup? Fuck it, why not.
Don’t forget that Kuzma is still out there as a trade target!
All for this! If you’re going to build a team from 7 years ago, why not? The franchise is about a decade behind abyhow
This season is a real rollercoaster for me. I’m excited about the fact that we’re on a solid pace to get a high pick, however I have zero faith in Scott Perry to both identify and then draft a solid player with that pick.
What worries me is that even though this is a historically bad start for the Kings, there are still 5 teams worse then them. Also, Vivek looks at the standings and doesn’t see what we see. He sees the Kings are just 3 games out of the play-in.
We’re only 3 games out of the play-in?
Let’s go get Trae, Ja and Kuzma!!!
We are right there. Keep up the faith. Golden1 rocks! Nik rocks! They not like us!
You need to stop with the worry bro. Say it with me…
CLOWN…FRANCHISE.
Jesus, there’s a horrific thought.
Dear Fanbase,
What you don’t seem to understand is that minutes distribution is not a concern. Have you seen these other teams rest their star players? This is a terrible idea. Are they even trying to win? It is much better to continue playing the players who play, this way we know who can play with other players. To nitpick minutes distribution while we are right in the mix in the 4th quarter should not be your criticism. Down by 22 with 3:10 left to play – we can easily come back. Have you not see Steph Curry do it? If DeMar, and Zach and Keegan just persevere past their 42 minute, we know it is possible.
Please know we are going to give our best effort even though it may look like the players do not want to, or don’t care, or just plain don’t try. We will fist pump the air, and give a hearty Shaka – maybe even jump our highest to low five those really tall players. Keep on hating while we grown stronger together.
Sincerely,
Management
I’m enjoying these. I’ll take any enjoyment when it comes to my Kings fandom.
We appreciate the feedback. How do court-side tickets next to us sound?
With free booze?
If I got courtside seats, I’d happily give them free boos.
All the booze you can drink! Until it comes back up onto the court at least…
Binge for Boozer?
This is like the postgame version of Jman’s pregame rhymes. Love it, keep ’em coming!
HILARIOUS listening to Kayte and Mark describe Steven Adams as “agile.”
…and someone on here disagreed with me the other day when I pointed out how often Kayte makes shit up.
Listen closely, it’s downright amazing.
I think a vast majority of folks on here agree with you.
Mostly they just tell stories about summer workouts while a game is being played . I mute a lot since GMan radio isn’t synced up .
Picked Davion Mitchell over Alperen Şengün then gave Mitchell away for nothing and now he’s thriving on the Heat.
…well this game sure got out of hand quick! LaVine really doesn’t show up when he doesn’t show up..
EMPTY THE BENCH DOUG. WTF are you doing?
Get Keegan off the floor! And Monk! Come on! Throw Carter in there!
Does anyone think Monte McNair would have brought back a significantly different roster? I think it would have been 90% of the same roll it back crap. Not trying to defend Perry here, but neither of them has any claim to competency, and neither was or is running the show.
Monte was Executive of Year . Good until the little egotist got jealous .
CP3, Trae, Ja, Zion and AD. Sounds like a starting 5 Vivek would drool over and try to get here.
Box score showed Keegan had only 5 pts…did the Rockets defense target him or did Spock just have a rough shooting night?
And did the most expensive player score only 2 pts in 18 mins? Did he get injured?
Still not sure how it is. Keegan completely lost his three ball?
I wonder if the switch from the rookie season role (set shooter/spacer) to trying to be more of a versatile player has screwed with his mentality. His shot looks fairly similar, albeit a bit more flat the past couple seasons.
This is the first game I smell an actual tank effort. Russ, West, and DDR all played under 30 minutes! Nique and Keon had a noticeable uptake in minutes. MAX THE DE FACTO CENTER NOW?! Could an actual tank and rebuild really be starting?
That would be fantastic. See what Keon/Nique/Carter/Max/Keegan/Cardwell can offer for the future. Maybe some role players in there, maybe just contracts to be sent out. Don’t know unless those guys get some actual opportunities.
Zach Lavine has to be one of the most overrated and over paid players of all-time, people loved the athleticism and scoring but forgot to make sure he was a good player lol, wow he is bad. Kangz town, home of washed vets that put up empty numbers, never won anything in their careers. Watching vets chase the 10th seed is the most pathetic thing I’ve ever seen, no hope for this franchise until they intentionally tank.
Yes, and similar with Jonathan Kuminga. All he is is an athlete and he can’t shoot. He’s not anymore than a seventh man on a team. The Warriors didn’t even play him in the fourth quarter and this was without curry or Butler.
The fact that the kings want him is an absolute joke. I don’t want him and I don’t want Jah, and I don’t want this fucking stupid ass owner anymore.
sell you little shut
Yeah I haven’t watched a lot of Kuminga but I get the feeling he lacks some of the finer points and refined skills. He could be ok if he plays defense which I think he can when he wants but at the price he wants he’s probably not worth it.
I want the Kangz to just strip everything down and have one of the youngest rosters in the league that loses a lot of games for 3 years straight. Could take longer but if you’re in the bottom 5 a few years in a row it’s hard not to hit on an All-Star or hopefully a superstar. Also the 4th and 5th year hopefully you will have stacked a few picks that start hitting as those picks from year 1-3 are starting to blossom, Then you turn the corner Year 4 and are a good young team on the rise by year 5. Then you add some signings and trades to try and make a jump to contender.
I have the Kings winning 2 more games in 2025. Am I optimistic?
it’s a fun guess-a-thon:
Kings win 10th game A) after B) before 30th loss? 35th loss? 40th? 45th?
At a certain point, other teams playing their 2nd units full to stay playoff healthy/ready. I’m a Kangz fan, seen this plenty of times in the past. The post All-Star last third of the season is even tougher to get through at Golden1 and there is no refund on season tickets. And all hopes and dreams wait until late June and the NBA draft.
It’s how I became a Vegas Summer League regular 16 season ago (and counting).
Keon played 20 minutes and got goose eggs across the board. Sigh…thats not helping back up fans’ constant cries for more of you buddy. Maxime with 25 pts is encouraging though. Nique also did not have a good game. At least we’re giving them substantial minutes now.
I though some of Nique’s shots were going to break the back board or the rim. Holy cow those things were launched with some velocity and low trajectory.
It’s hard to stay ready when you’re being kicked to the end of the bench most nights.
Not to mention motivation.
I get the feeling Keon has accepted his fate and has checked out already. I don’t blame him if he is trying not to Rudy Gay his chances on a bigger contract on another team.
Yeah, that is probably true. Also have you seen a man with six fingers on his right hand?
Six fingers? Inconceivable!
At least it is 100% clear the direction the team needs to take. It’ll be a few years but I’m at least excited to see the team blow up and hopefully watch new talent develop. Hopefully we can get some draft capital or young talent in return for Sabonis and somehow unload the Lavine albatross contract.
I missed the post-game and was wondering if anyone asked Doug about LaVine? I’m fine with Doug sitting him after 19 minutes but I’d like to know his reasoning. It wasn’t like it was a blowout with LaVine in the game. When he sat in the 3rd the game was tied. It appears to be a tank maneuver, but I’d love to hear it from the horse’s mouth.
I thought about that too. He took Zach out with about 6:30 left in the 3rd. After that, things got way out of hand, so maybe Doug just decided to let the young guys/bench take the time to develop a bit?
Perhaps, but typically when a coach sees his team struggling with his leading scorer on the bench, he inserts said leading scorer back into the game.
From my understanding a coach and players are trying to win every game. They don’t give a damn about draft position. Only the GM would direct a coach to sit a player…see Utah sitting Lauri last season. A directive like that comes from above. Is is possible that Perry is telling Doug to shift to the youth of the team?
I sure hope they can recognize that the roster sucks and they need to play the young guys more. If they can’t then, then things are going to suck for an extremely long time.
Oh they are going to suck for a long time anyway.
There are no quick fixes here.
LaVine told Doug that he should let him rest for the remainder of the game.
It will never happen, but…
Give me a rotation of Domas / Maxime / Keegan / Monk / Westbrook / Ellis / Clifford / Achiuwa / Carter. I don’t care about the mismatches, as it doesn’t matter. This is a bottom six core that would still be interesting to watch.
They have mismatches no matter who plays right now, so might as well see what that crew looks like, and if they can find some type of play style that works for the future team building process.
The hope would be that under this dream scenario, you can pump up the value on Monk (who would be the alpha or beta scorer), Domas (who would return to a primary facilitator of the offense), and the youngsters. Give yourself more flexibility and options moving forward.
The grit in the gears is finding a way to off LaVine, DDR and Schroder without having to come out of pocket to do so, or taking on equally onerous players / contracts.
I sure hope that 1st paragraph becomes reality.
As for offloading LaVine, I think the Kings might have to take bad an equally bad contract, or an even worse contract with picks attached, to get him out of Sacramento.
DDR is probably easier to move, and I suspect Dennis would be fairly easy to move.
All three can go, and I don’t think the Kings would be any worse.
I agree DDR should be easier to move. Only 10 mil guaranteed beyond this season.
If Zach agrees to decline his $49 mil player option for next season as part of an extension for more years at a more reasonable rate with a team interested in trading for him, I think he could be movable. Up to Zach and his agent if he wants out.
I think Dennis might be harder to move because he has 2 more seasons after this one at 14.8 fully guaranteed and 15.5 only 4.4 guaranteed at 33 and 34 years old. Plus 15 mil for a backup PG is a lot.
What would be the ballpark, per-year signing for LaVine from another team if he declined his option?
If it were me, I’d drudge through one more year of this crap for $49mil in the pocket, and then sign a long term deal the next offseason. You know teams will come calling; assuming the Kangz mismanaged me. I know it is likely I would be traded next trade deadline as an expiring asset and be out of this situation earlier anyhow.
Might only have a few scuffles with hometown fans along the way; but hey, Vivek’s got my back.
That’s a good question and my guess would be that it comes down to many factors. Which team acquires him, his role on that team and then the money. To walk away from $49M would likely mean he’d need double that guaranteed long term. something like 3 years at $90ishM? Is he worth $30ishM to a team that needs shooting?
I look at Orlando who paid a heavy price for Desmond Bane. He makes on average $40M for the next four seasons, and they gave up multiple picks to get him. Bane is a better overall player, but shooting is his primary skill.
Then I look at Duncan Robinson, who signed with Detroit for just 3 years at $48M. That’s just $16M per year (non-guaranteed) for a guy one year older than LaVine, but doesn’t bring the scoring versatility.
My guess is LaVine’s value is somewhere in between. Maybe he takes a team friendly discount if it is a contender or he likes the city/franchise?
Detroit’s Tobias and Robinson for LaVine is still my favorite. Detroit can afford LaVine, needs his shooting, and are contending. Kings get out of the deal, and get two expiring contracts. Robinson is guaranteed just $2M next season and can be flipped again.
Great response.
I was thinking 3 years 100 mil total.
Wow. That seems generous.
Maybe if the Kings say if you have quit you can just stay at home until your contract is done, he is 30 maybe if he wants to play well he can then decline his option and go elsewhere
But not playing for 2 years he will get his money but where will his game be by then?
With Giannis out for a month, the Bucks should seriously consider Lavine (who some of their blogs actually favor) or DDR to carry their offensive load. Any chance we could get Ryan Rollins or AJ Green? Two young and hardworking guys to develop. Kuz is starting to play defense and i dont mind getting him if only to offload Zach or DDR.
Have a hard time seeing Milwaukee move Rollins as he is breaking-out right in front of them.
IMO, any trade with the Bucks will result in Kuzma coming to Sac. Book it. DDR for Kuz is destiny.
DDR and McDermott for Kuzma, Prince and a 2031 pick swap.
Agreed. I’d love to see big minutes of Sabonis, Max, and Keegan on the floor together. It ain’t Chet, Hartenstein and Williams, but it’s on the right path.
I keep thinking about the Jimmy Butler situation last year. Jimmy Butler was (and is!) more of a headcase than DDR or LaVine on their worst days. I don’t think benching them (or if they act out because of the benching then suspending for conduct) hurts this team or its reputation any more. I get it. Blah blah blah, player egos, agent negotiations, trade values. Whatever.
Send a message. Doug is a lame duck coach unless he’s given some teeth. Maybe he’s bitten by those same teeth, but start benching people. DDR and LaVine should play under 20 minutes a game if they’re going to sulk and give low effort.
Right now, I have tons more interest in watching an 8-man rotation of Keegan, Westbrook, Monk, Nique, Max, Keon, Carter, and Precious with Sabonis when he comes back than seeing DDR and LaVine muddle. They’re too talented to play this badly. It’s effort, body language, and chemistry. I don’t care if they sulk and become expirings to trade in the off season because we can’t get good value (if that exists for them) right now. Schroder I have no idea about, but those two have quit on the team and it’s pretty clear. Let Doug put his minutes where his mouth has been and I’ll finally put down my powdered haterade.
Have a nice weekend everyone!
Just not much good basketball to talk about around these parts…
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