Free agency kicks off at 3:00 PM PT. Use this thread to discuss any news from around the league.
Apr 9, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Kings Herald Newsletter
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ok, I will start.
Kings commit to Len for 3.3 M and a 2.1 M cap hit. This signing will occur last. That’s reasonable and does not mean much All teams should have three centers.
Report out of Bulls camp- no one willing to take LaVine even with an attached first round pick.
I hope klank signs with an eastern team, like he and PG to Philly. And not with Dallas. or he resigns with the duds for so much money they have to give up Kuminga and carrot top.
and I hope the fakers sign brawney to a 45 M per year deal.
I hope Klank stays in the west. I think the dude is finished and I want the Kings to have more opportunities to abuse him. My preference is that the W’s overpay for him, but it seems Dunleavy isn’t a Vlade-level bad GM.
Klay is washed and therefore needs to end up on the lakers with LeBum to form a washed up duo.
Yeah, GS seems to have moved on, so my hope is LAL. What a delightful train wreck that would be.
With JJ at the head of it lol.
we could rename them flotsam and jetsam. Stuff that is washed up.
I really think this offseason and the trade deadline will provide ample opportunities to take advantage of teams desperate to get out of a bad financial position (see teams like CHI, MIN, BOS, NOP) and will be leveraged into selling low on a really good/great player or maybe offload a bad contract for multiple picks.
I really hope the Kings are in a position to pounce on a distressed asset or acquire some assets (like LaVine and some picks) to then make a bigger move.
In terms of trades, I’m pretty sure everyone is waiting on the PG decision as that sets dominos falling for other wings still under contract like BI, Kuzma, DFS & Cam Johnson.
Just took a solid power nap and woke up worried that Monte and co. may be content to basically “run it back” next season. The spin will be a healthy Monk and Huerter would have made the difference. I really hope that premonition is wrong.
A little photoshop, cut the sleeves off the jackets, and presto! – You Monte it Back 2.
Lol, I just woke up from a power nap too.
It’s the likely scenario, sign some mediocre players with the cap space available and call it a day and hope Coach Brown does a better job. That may be the thinking of Vivek and MM.
It’s starting…Warriors just waived CP3.
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1807530337465229762
Spurs showing interest, makes sense to further Wemby’s development in the PnR.
My guess is the Warriors are desperate to get below the 2nd apron, and maybe even the 1st. Why take on LaVine’s deal when you can erase $30M from your payroll. That’s a whole lotta cheddar when taking the tax into consideration.
Steve Ballmer’s Clippers are now 34 year old Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Norman Powell. Releasing Westie, PJ Tucker and whomever else kickstarts a rebuild unless they swing a deal (Durant? Why not Steph? or those pieces to Golden State?) which is unfortunate timing as the Intuit Dome opens it’s gates.
With the Clips and Warriors taking a slide, this should bolster the Kings.
When people start freaking out about the assumption that the Kings are going to roll it back and that other teams in the west will “overtake” them, this is the kind of thing that keeps me level-headed. Suns, Dubs, Lakers, Clippers are all treading water or sinking.
Strike when a good deal is available. Kick the tires on Kuzma, LaVine, Ingram all you want, just don’t make a deal for the sake of making a deal. Make the deal when it makes sense for the team.
I’m all for giving up Keegan, Carter, or Ellis in the right deal but overpaying like the Knicks did (or Suns / Durant or TWolves / Gobert) is not my cup of tea. If you make a move like that, you better be damn sure you opened up a legit 3 year window for a championship.
Harden returning to the Clippers.
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1807532075542835525
Cunningham says Kings are pursing a trade for Ingram
https://x.com/SeanCunningham/status/1807535099648659540
Any deal breaking pieces for you?
1st round picks. Huerter, Barnes and a pick(s) for a possible one year rental of Ingram is a steep price, especially if N.O. is desperate to move him.
Huerter or Barnes along with Lyles and Carter works if they prefer expiring and a prospect.
Or substitute McDaniels or Duarte for Carter. if you are going to attach future picks. You could also substitute McDaniels and Duarte for Lyles, as they are both expiring.
McDaniels can’t be packaged, can he? I could be wrong, but it might have to be a non-simultaneous trade to include him in any deal.
I think the old rules were if a player was traded for another single player, as in a one-for-one trade, then the player acquired could be traded again in the same offseason without restriction.
But since we traded both Sasha and Davion for McDaniels, I think the team needs to wait a mandatory 60 days before McDaniels could be moved. I have no clue if the old rules apply to the new CBA though.
McDaniels has to be traded solo, not in a package until 6 weeks or so.
Yeah, I wouldn’t trade Carter yet. I think the Kings have high hopes for him.
IMO, it’s also too high a price to pay to a team that has no leverage.
Their leverage is that whoever loses out on the PG sweepstakes may have an interest in Ingram.
The guys on NBA TV are say that Keegan Murray has to be a part of these negotiations with BI.
That would only make sense if the Kings have an “agreement” to fully extend Ingram, at which point they would probably be unable to afford Murray’s next contract.
Man, I am not on board with trading a consistently available player for a consistently unavailable one. KM doesn’t feel worth 50 games from BI to me.
Yeah, I’m with you on that. Ingram is not at Sabonis levels like when the Kings traded Hali for him, but that would be the equivalent trade.
It would certainly give me pause, but if Ingram is available for 50 and healthy for the playoffs, I’d sure consider it. Big if, though.
It would still leave a gaping hole at the wing 3/4 spot if Keegan were included for Ingram.
It’s a different permutation if you retain Barnes, but yes, you’d want to go out and get a Jalen Smith or some such.
I don’t know how they would pull if off without including Barnes’ contract.
Huerter, Keegan, and Lyles works, but destroys the depth.
Huerter, Keegan and Duarte / McDaniels works as well.
If no pick is included, I’d definitely consider it.
Reminds me a lot of the Saboins trade.
IMO, there is no way MM should even consider including Keegan in a deal for BI, talk about wasting a team’s assets. If I’m moving on from Keegan, it’s only for Jaylen Brown or Lauri Markkanen.
agree- the top tier, not the second
that’s why they are on NBA TV and not running a team somewhere
no, would not do that one.
Is Vlade Divac on NBA TV these days?
I wouldn’t either since Mitchell is now gone.
I would have dealt the 13 and any combination of those players for Ingram before the draft, and I would do it today.
That would really shorted the guard rotation to just Fox, Ellis, Monk and an unproven Colby Jones. I think Mitchell was dealt in part because Carter is taking his place in the rotation.
Now…If the Pels included Alvarado…I’m listening.
For me, I’m not going to let improving the absolute top of the roster get stalled by worrying about the middle or lower end of the roster. I have my preferences, but at the end of the day there is no one in that cocktail of aforementioned players that would make me walk away from an Ingram deal.
That’s a solid black and white point. Talent trumps all.
Now, that said, and to your very important point, if you can deal salary for salary, you still have your full MLE, which takes on added importance after this trade. So the best swing would be Barnes and Huerter and a pick for Ingram, then turn around and spend some of your MLE money on (say) Jalen Smith. A small contract for an emergency PG and an emergency big, use the BAE for a bench wing, and your work is done.
But then you are in the 1st apron. I’m still waiting to see if Vivek gives that approval.
You could stretch a Duarte or McDaneils toward the end of the season
I think the Kings really liked Carter- he was one of their top on the board, They did not expect him to fall and when he did, they nixed trades with Washington and the Nets.
They want him and are not trading him. He is the “new never trade part of core Keegan”
They are dangerously close to the apron, so I don’t think they’d want additional salary for this upcoming season. They’d be hard capped.
I say Huerter, Barnes, and a handful of 2nd rounders, maybe a first round pick swap, and that’s about as high as I’d go.
I don’t see the Pelicans wanting to take equivalent salary back, especially if it is not expiring.
It seems like a 3rd team would be necessary, or they will move him to a team that can absorb at least some of the contract into salary space.
Would you rather have Ingram with all his negatives or John Collins who really fits the best next to Sabonis?
And cheaper. Don’t have to use Huerter in Collins trade. Instead with Huerter go after Isaiah Stewart. Two for one with no hangups.
With Ingram you think as his opponent, , oh, shit he is going to make it. With Collins and Stewart as his team-fan, it’s oh shit I hope he makes it.
Ingram, and it’s not close. He is by far the better player. By far. The risk is keeping him healthy, but you take that swing.
Collins might not even be the third best player on your roster if you trade for him. Ingram easily is, and maybe even higher.
Nice thught as he lays in the hospital. Two in the bush healthy compared to one in the broken hand worth 40mil or more.
Yeah, I’ll opt for the top 40 player, even limited use, over a poo poo platter of guys that don’t crack the top 100. I went to that movie for 16 straight years.
It comes down to cost for me. Ingram may cost a first and two solid rotation pieces, while Collins may only require matching salary. Or it could be that Ingram comes cheaper than we all realize.
On paper Ingram is clearly the super talent and this league is all about talent.
Come on Adamsite both Collins and Stewart have talent. Imgram isn’t the only one in the league. In that case get rid of Murray. Ingram will take all his points away from him. And Murray has no talent either right.
If you get Ingram with all our pieces and starts who is going to rebound and protect the rim and shoot threes better and cost less. If Ingram starts and so does Murray you won’t have any of the above.It just doesn’t make sense.
not Carter.
I agree…NOP needs to move him either now or before the trade-deadline.
You just let Mitchell go draft what the experts gave you an A and now you want to let him go. I was looking forward to watching him play in a Kings uniform.
Has to be Huerter and Barnes for salary purposes, right?
Yeah, I would think so.
It all depends on the cost. 1 first. Sure. 2 firsts I start to get quesy after 1.
I would guess that there are discussions about what is BI’s criteria for staying. Siakam did not meet that and was not traded for. Not an issue for Kuzma but BI is a better player.
I know there will be fit problems. Like Defensive problems, holding the ball, passing too little etc but the due can go get a bucket and makes it very safe to play Keon.
I would go with some combination of a package of HB, Huerter, Duarte, Lyles and pick(s)
One pick- ok, two ????? and the MLE can somehow be used.
Huerter is better player but logjam at guard. HB would be solid back up.
Not if but when he gets injured there goes all your money down the drain.
If Monte signs Jalen Smith I will consider the offseason essentially complete with the caveat that a trade happens sometime this season for another rotation-caliber, athletic forward (Collins, Portis, Kuz, hell…even Jerami Grant).
Fox/Monk
Ellis/Carter/Colby
Murray/Huerter
Smith/Barnes
Sabonis/Len
Bring that one other forward in and this roster is ready to contend.
Are you saying the word signsmean we use the MLE to sign Smith.
I would use the full MLE on Smith if that’s what it takes, yes.
And that has nothing to do with Ingram trade. We might get both. As you are trying to get Ingram then don’t forget about Smith. Other teams are also looking to get Smith.
I don’t think Ingram is gonna happen. NOP have more leverage than we’re giving them credit for. Ingram is an excellent player and wants to be in NO, that means that if the offer isn’t right they can sign him long-term in their worst-case scenario. Retaining high level talent is not a terrible thing, even if the fit and $$$ are wonky.
That means our offer needs to impress them. They’re not going to give him away for free. Our best offer probably involves using the MLE + approx $20M in salary filler to absorb Ingram so that they can free up as much money as possible – and they’ll want picks too.
I like Ingram a lot and he’d be great offensively as a secondary creator and scorer next to Fox. But he’s a little redundant with Keegan, and he doesn’t provide the defense on the interior that we’re looking for in a forward. Plus he’s a mediocre perimeter defender and average shooter from deep. And then you’ll have to pay him $50+M/yr for the next few years, and that’s assuming he doesn’t walk in free agency!
Overall, he’s just not the guy that I’m willing to make a big offer for, and the Pels have enough leverage to demand one. It’s just probably not gonna happen.
Wait, can the MLE be combined with other contracts in a trade? I thought a contract in trade would have to fit in whole into the MLE?
My understanding is it can be combined but it’s a new rule and I’m very ignorant!
I thought it was the MLE amount only. So under $12.8m or whatever the actual price is.
I’d rather target Miles Bridges personally. I think he’s more gettable. Will be more cost controlled and ultimately a better fit for the roster.
I really really agree with your take on this matter.
Forget Ingram. Too much negatives in the package. With what we would have to pay for Ingram we could get two really good players like Collins and Stewart and still get Smith with our MLE.
i also wanted Naji Marshall if not Smith but he went to the quess who Dalles Mavericks. One down. Better not wait to long or Smith will be gone too. Then who do we get Bey, Can’t play defense.
The only one we might get is Bridges but we won’t. One mistake and we won’t want him.
I think you are over valuing Smith- he has never been an impact player.
And neither was Lauri Markkannen until suddenly…he was. 23 years old, protects the rim, knocks down the 3, rebounds, scores efficiently. The advanced and Per 36 numbers love him. That’s a guy you take a chance on and hope blooms. And that’s also why I specify getting a starting caliber 4 as insurance in case I’m wrong.
i really like Smith maybe not as a starter just yet but IMO a valuable backup PF and center. If we get him with the MLE I don’t think he will disappoint but starting to improve when given the chance.
Why wait. Bring hin in and start winning now, PS. Please not Grant. First Collins then Kuzma then Tari Eason. I might put Eason second. He can rebound and protect the rim and his motor is so much better than Kuzmas
This is the slowest beginning to free agency that I can ever recall.
Yeah, I thought they would come rolling in. Maybe agents & teams are smarter about it now and are willing to wait an hour or two before letting it be known…or maybe not and its just slower than usual due to lackluster list of FAs available.
Maybe everyone is waiting to see where Paul George goes before things start to fall?
yep, PG and then things start cooking, so may not happen until tomorrow.
I think it seems slower because so many players who re-signed with their original team has been trickling for days, rather than announced right at the opening bell.
Shams saying Knicks are trying to get “un-hardcapped.” They want to keep Hartenstein. I wonder if Randle is on the block?
they also need salary to add to the Nets (Mikal Bridges) deal, would love to get in on that if we could grab DFS and Johnson
That would be interesting but looks like we are going after Ingram.
I’ll take Johnson but not DFS. Can really shoot but not much on defense.
I feel bad for the Knicks.
On second thought, every year I feel bad for the Knicks.
Why would you feel bad for them- they have become title contenders.
I actually think the Kings are similar in that Knicks owner backed off and let FO run show -and now they are getting good. Vivek maybe backed off a bit and letting FO run the show.
My hope is Monte can/will keep making moves-like the Knicks have
Well, lots of reasons.
They were title contenders before the trade.
Now they are title contenders with much fewer draft picks.
And as we are seeing, they are already struggling with the hard cap.
All of that just to improve their chances of a championship by a few percentage points.
Thankfully, Monte’s no fool. He understands the Kings’ situation well enough to avoid imitating the Knicks front office.
Poor pitiful title contenders. So hard to play in the playoffs.
Why do it?
Yeah, I don’t buy the Monte is smart trying to not sacrifice the future.
The future is now and I’ve heard Monte expressing that moves have to/will be made now.
There are degrees to move making. I simply disagree with all of your opinions on this topic–specifically, eagerness to overpay, to make more deals, and to accept cap liability.
All of those opinions tend to lead to a front office that has less flexibility, a lower ceiling, and overpriced contracts.
We saw all of that before with Vlade. No thanks.
I’m not eager to overpay, I’m saying at some point Monte is gonna need to probably overpay or risk in order to improve this team.
And I don’t mind that you disagree with my opinions. That’s cool
And if that is this off-season Lauri Markannen is the guy to blow your wad on.
Remember when this team was a perennial playoff team?
I think that was before Vlade as a GM?
They shouldn’t have done it. That’s my point.
Done what?
Why should they remain the same and not strive for improvement?
It’s a two-post conversation. Just go back and reread if you’re confused.
I have read it.
What did they actually do?
You haven’t made a clear point.
What was the downfall?
When did this team over commit?
Just reread it until you understand. If you never understand, embrace the mystery.
Yeah….no chance of you making a point or participating in a conversation.
I’m with you Yakshi, I’m ok with shooting and missing, but the Knicks are fringe contenders make a go for it trade and are better, fringe contenders. Milwaukee is the example when you should go for it. Jrue holiday, put them over the top when they were truly a player away. The kings are a borderline playoff team. Blowing your load now just gets you around the 4-5 seed. You don’t blow your load to win a round. Then stare at an ugly, bumpy rebuild like the nets. The Knicks shouldn’t have done it because they just weren’t close enough. I don’t think this kings core has enough high end talent to make a real run personally and it goes all the way back to the vlade era. Monte has had to work magic just to get this to a borderline playoff team and this is just from fixing a lot of the vlade mistakes. It’s really hard to build a contender and I’m more on board with not overreaching, eventually taking steps back if this group stalls out, like I think it will, and taking steps back to eventually build a true contender that has assets to fire to create a real championship window.
So to improve this team needs a power forward.
Trading a couple of players for one is now the end all?
If the Knicks arent bothered too much by tax, no problem. I don’t think they’re screwed or in a bad place in any way.
I think adding OG and Bridges makes a big difference. Bridges this year. Kinda like what Boston did. Bringing in Holiday after they were contenders. Etc.
I would like to see Monte go for more/risk if he has to. It’s the only way to get over the hump.
Either way- Monte is going to need to make moves now/soon/this year. I think/hope he will.
The Knicks and the Kings are in different situations.
Luckily, Monte is unlikely to imitate the Knicks’ blueprint of, say, sacrificing numerous first-round picks to improve a team that isn’t even a championship contender.
“The Knicks are in a space where they’re going for it, and I respect it, I think you got to go for it at some point,” Green said on “The Draymond Green Show.” “But what just happened with the trade was that you know if this doesn’t work in 2 to 3 years, the Knicks will be rebuilding again because they traded all their picks away, and then they’ll be trying to trade those guys, get picks back and that’s kind of how it all plays out.”
It’s nice to be a contender but Knicks fans are going to be pissed and in for a long, bumpy ride if it doesn’t work out.
We should avoid going for the playoffs. If it doesn’t work we would have to rebuild. Horrific.
You have your opinion, I have mine. I absolutely want to go for the playoffs. I just think it better fucking pay off if you send four first round picks and prospects away for one impact player. You differ from that opinion and that’s just fine with me.
I want the Kings to build a perennial contender like the Nuggets have. Being in the playoffs every year for the past 6 straight is a great model for the Kings to emulate. You want Monte to blow his wad and don’t mind the idea of another 5-plus years of not contending after the window closes. You do you, bro. I know where you stand. And again, it’s perfectly fine to have different opinions.
Trading Keegan is blowing his wad?
Keegan and Ellis go. We get a solid player in return.
How is this the end game?
What happened when we unfortunately had to deal Haliburton?
“Trading Keegan is blowing his wad?”
I didn’t say that at all. It’s hard to take your hyperbole seriously.
I mentioned trading Keegan.
You stated “You want Monte to blow his wad…”
Where is the hyperbole?
Where in this thread did you mention trading Keegan? Jesus fucking christ, do I have to be this goddamn specific? We want the same thing, Mr. Bagley – a winning Kings team, if in fact you are actually a Kings fan.
Just trading Keegan for an asset can be a good thing or it can be a bad thing. In *this fucking thread*, I was talking about giving away four first round picks and prospects for a player. I did not define “blowing your wad” as simply trading Keegan.
The straw man thing is tiresome.
Always? Yeah, always. I’ve always gotten touchy when dealing with people who intentionally misinterpret things I say, particularly when it’s done to get attention on the internet, Mr. Bagley.
I already did, Mr. Bagley. I feel great.
I’m frustrated for you.
He is troubled.
Not really, Marvin.
File this idea between “The Kings don’t play defense” and “I hope we can trade Keegan for Brandon Ingram.”
Solid.
Ingram isn’t a good defender either. I would rather have a player who rebounds protects the rim etc. that just another shooter. We have those already.
Why do you care if Vivek has to pay a tax?
Because I understand how that impacts the acquisition of future players.
Why are you asking?
How many winning teams are paying the tax?
I prefer this team wins. Not concerned about the billionaires at the top.
Go look it up.
It might give you a clue.
Warriors never paid the tax.
The Thunder are in Oregon with Hartenstein as we speak.
Interesting to see how the Dubs are operating.
I wonder if they really are looking to sign and trade Klay, or just letting him walk.
Chicago offered Lavine for Wiggins/CP3 and Dubs said no. Now CP3’s 30m contract is gone and zero for it.
I wonder if they are looking to move off of Draymond too? Some team would give value back.
If you are going to flush the toilet Lacob, ya gotta push the handle all the way down or sh*t lingers.
At least they got out of Poole’s deal in trading for CP3. That’s a mistake erased.
Clips looking to trade Westbrook…maybe that’s Monte’s big splash of a move!
With the temps here next week, we could literally let Russ cook.
We could let Russ broil
PJ Tucker as well. Sounds like they are going for a minor reset.
That would actually be kind of interesting. Barnes for Tucker probably improves both teams
I think Tucker is washed. He didn’t crack the rotation much last year.
New NBA salary cap came in lower than expected.
Yeah, I read they are going to stretch out the new TV deal over many years instead of repeating what happened the year the Dubs got Durant. I like it for parity sake.
Drummond to Philly. They’ve started to spend their available cap space. I wonder if they have an inclination on where PG13 is going?
Westbrook might be traded to the Nuggets. IMO, that would be a great move for Denver and an upgrade over Reggie Jackson.
Westbrook in Denver would instantly mean that the Pacers leapfrog the Nuggets as my second-favorite team.
KCP to Orlando 3/$66.
He costs more than Monk. That deal by Monte is going to age very well.
And from Monk’s end, I will always believe that numerous factors led to his decision to stay, with money being only one of them.
He played it safe and accepted less than full-market value to remain in the best role he’s ever had in an NBA uniform.
Credit to the coaching staff for giving him the freedom to develop.
Nonetheless, a pretty great deal for Orlando imo
Agreed. He brings a lot of what they need, I think, at a salary that will age well.
Yeah, he’s what they needed and they will be a defensive force this year.
They needed spot up shooting more than the shot creation that Monk provides. That is an easy team to root for.
Who makes more this year, Chris Paul or Max Christie?
MC (I think he got $8M/yr) – I think CP3 prob signs for the vet min with PHX (which I think is around $4M/yr)
Yeah, my thinking was that I doubted any team would offer CP more than the veteran’s minimum, or that he’s probably choosing championship chances over money anyway.
(Cliff Paul) He’s got whatever agreed upon discounted amount of his $30M this season ($24,25,26M) vet min just fulls that gap to Chris Paul
I was wrong, looks like he’s going to sign a 1yr $11M deal with the Spurs once he officially clears waivers
I was wrong, too.
SAS might actually be a decent fit with Wemby as his PnR partner and covering for CP3’s defensive liabilities.
At least we are actively seeking Ingram.
Unfortunately Duarte isn’t going to do it.
Keegan, Ellis, Carter, Huerter, Barnes, in any combination should be available.
The Kings would be foolish to trade Keegan for Ingram, imo, for obvious reasons.
One step further, it would be foolish to trade for BI, if we had to give up more than one pick. I think that we are better off trading KH and Barnes in separate movess to get more depth and not damage out future. BI would likely not want to sign with us and NO has a great chance to be a top 3 team in the West with him.
Keep everyone. Run it back. Everyone got better. We didn’t even make the playoffs.
Cannot risk losing Keegan.
Sure, it’s much better to become slightly better for one season–arguably–and then becoming much worse in future seasons once BI signs elsewhere.
Cannot risk thinking critically.
Think critically.
A team that did not make the playoffs remains the same.
The teams they compete against for playoff spots improve.
Wonder what happens next year?
None of us here are advocating the “run it back” strategy. This is a quintessential straw man argument.
His posts are disconnected from reality.
Why?
Can you explain your thoughts?
Yakshi is clearly saying this team is improving by not changing.
His opinion.
He pay you to ignore reality?
You still refuse to think critically.
Nonsensical as always.
Why always so sensitive?
I am good. You seem tense.
Classic Marvin. Always has to get a final word in.
Where is your ego in a 1 to 10? Probably around 11.
I would rather have a rebounder rim protector and keep Keegan and Carter.
We definitely do need a rebounder and a rim protector. Keegan, Carter, Barnes, Huerter, Ellis, and some others might need to go to get one.
2 hours in and there has been just two signings. Either this new CBA is having an impact or everyone is waiting for PG13.
I would think anyone not in the PG13 sweepstakes could add some nice talent in the meantime.
The article I read said that PG would be having meetings late Sunday night and early Monday morning, so maybe tomorrow will be a more active day.
Kind of wild that a 34 year old player, who hasn’t been all-nba in 3 years, would have this kind of weight in free agency.
Yeah. It’s a strange offseason in the NBA when PG and Mikal Bridges carry the kind of weight that they do.
Clippers just announced PG13 not returning to LA. Philly now seems like the only likely suitor.
If PG goes to the Sixers, how do you rank the top three in the East?
BOS > PHI > NY?
BOS > NY > PHI?
Something else?
The idea of the Knicks sacrificing so much to get a #2 or #3 star and to remain the second- or third-best team in the East is just such a Knicks thing to do.
I think you’re greatly underestimating the Knicks. DD-Hart-Bridges-OG-Hartenstein is an absolute nightmare defensively. JB is becoming a demigod. Endless defensive versatility, tenacity, shooting, ball movement, and chemistry. And they either have Randle or whatever his trade ends up returning. They kicked the Kings teeth in both times they met last season and that was before Bridges. I’d still take Boston over them, but I bet that series would go at least 6.
You’re probably right about me greatly underestimating the Knicks.
But all my life, greatly underestimating the Knicks has rewarded me with the positive reinforcement of seeing them proceed to underperform or to shoot themselves in the foot.
Old habits die hard, especially when those habits have repeatedly patted me on the back and said, “You were right once again.”
My needy ego isn’t ready to give that up just yet.
What about hoping the Kings never change feeds your ego?
Your pouty replies feed my ego.
In the end, the likeliest reason that people reply to you is that comparatively they end up feeling better about themselves afterward.
You are clearly challenged.
None of us are clearly challenged by your posts. That’s my point.
Always appreciate your irrelevant jibberish.
Everybody understands except you. That’s a me problem.
Why don’t you guys cut this stuff out and focus on what’s important and that is how the Kings be a better team. When I was in high school we solved things like this with boxing gloves. Why not try that.
Any trades or deals for us today?
We need a couple to improve.
You know…basketball stuff. Your trades and deals are always relevant and contribute to the discussion.
Hartenstein probably gone.
Just announced, Chris Paul going to the SA Spurs.
If he starts, he leads the league in assists.
Yeah, he very well could.
Reported Jonas Valanciunas signs with Wizards. Three year deal.
JV got 3/30, I would have signed him to that contract all day. I figured he’d get more than that.
Underwhelming first day of free agency so far, but somehow the Kings have improved simply by watching their competition lose talent due to other front offices (mis)handling of their own finances . . . or through the natural consequence of closing windows.
Goodbye, Warriors. See you soon, Clippers. I see you weakening, Nuggets.
The Kings still need to make some moves, but I like how the free agency period has started.
The Thunder, Nuggets, TWolves, Mavs and Pelicans are all better than the Kings right now. They do need to make a move or two in order to crack that top 5. But yeah, the Warriors and Clippers are looking as though they’ll give the Kings a little more breathing room next year – at least as it stands right now.
Paul
Castle
Vassell
Sochan
Wemby
It won’t be long until the title window closes on the whole league cuz of this squad
So…the Kings have improved by doing nothing?
Apparently that’s what gets you a title.
Monte certainly wants to deal-he’s said as much- has he accumulated the assets? We will see.
That’s not what I took from their comments. They mention that the Kings still need to make some moves. Just running it back isn’t enough to improve, but it is comforting to see a couple of aging teams in the west take a step back.
Seems pretty clear to me. They have improved by doing basically nothing…so far.
I focused on the whole of their comments. Maybe I’m reading my own interpretation in, but I didn’t take it to mean our best option is to stand pat. They were just making an observation on the state of the West overall. Granted, Naji to Dallas is an argument to the contrary. Dallas just improved on a Finals team.
Yeah, Dallas seems to be making the moves over the past 6 months like a team that wants to compete for a title. The same can’t be said for the Kings for say….the past 2 years.
I’m hopeful and waiting, but not betting my next meal on it.
Yeah, I don’t know if Monte is overthinking his next moves. Clearly, he knows the team needs an upgrade at PF but he’s going about it so deliberately that maybe he’s going to miss his window to improve this summer. I hope that’s not the case.
The assets are limited, I think Monte is offering what he can, which might begin looking more acceptable as better options (for other teams) start to disappear.
At the end of the day (not literally), some team may get to the point where the Kings offer ends up being the best available. I don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, but I’m not too worried just yet.
I’m not worried yet, either. I’m not for the “run it back” approach at all but I also think that Monte has his core he would prefer not to move. To me, I think he really likes the pieces he has in Fox, Domas, Monk, Keegan, and to a lesser extent Ellis and Carter. I’m sure he’s weighing injuries and player control in potential moves and would literally move any of those pieces if the right opportunity comes along.
There will still be a move with the MLE but it may not be to the liking of the “get aggressive” fans here. But Huerter’s and Barnes’s contracts get more attractive as we get closer to their final year. So I still think there’s a lot of flexibility to make moves at the trade deadline if he only gets a chance to spend his MLE here.
Personally, I think he’s holding onto it for now since the MLE can be used in trades. I believe he’ll keep it until a move he is working on comes to fruition OR his desired trade becomes unlikely/impossible and he’s forced to move on to other options
I like Devin Carter more than Naji Marshall. So there is that.
BuiltTo Spill, your take is exactly what I meant.
If I advocated that the Kings completely stand up this offseason, I wouldn’t be posting in the Kings Free Agency thread and refreshing Woj every five minutes.
stand pat*
Exactly. And literally.
Do nothing is better than doing the wrong thing
When is doing nothing the wrong thing?
In my opinion we have reached that point. Hopefully they do something.
Yeah like trading for Ingram.
Isn’t that still on the table?
N. Marshall to Mavs- 3 years /27M
Mason Plumlee to the Suns.
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1807593828766941304
Naji Marshall to DAL
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1807595244067954864
$27M/3yrs
Okay, that one stings a bit. Hope Monte doesn’t wait too long here.
He wasn’t the only guy I like, but another one off the board.
Same
That’s one I wanted. Hirts.
I wanted Marshall who signed with rival, O’Neil who re-signed with rival and Jones who may do the same.
Shit….that’s a great pickup for Dallas…
it also likely means that DJJ is gone from DAL
I’m drawing a blank. Who’s DJJ?
Derrick Jones, Jr.
Apparently he switched agents last week and there is a rule in the CBA that says he can’t sign a new contract for 15 days (which will be 7/11) so DAL decided to move on.
Damn, the NBA has more regulations than the government.
True.
there was a caveat that the restriction period could be dropped if his new agent and old agent agree to it, which might’ve happened
Derrick Jones Jr
Sure is. Come on Monty let’s not lose all the good ones IMO.
That is about the deal I expected- not the full MLE. Kings may have been able to make that move. I hope the trade of Davion to recoup the entire MLE which can now be used in a trade is actually used in a trade.
Jonas and Naji were two viable targets and fit needs and they signed for cheaper than I expected.
Starting to feel like we’re going to end up with scraps.
I love Valanciunas but it didn’t seem like he was a great fit for the Kings but Naji was right in our wheelhouse / salary range. He’s not the only player out there but the pickings are getting whittled down and I’m not loving that, either.
I read about a somewhat obscure name earlier – the Kings were apparently interested in Haywood Highsmith (formerly of MIA). He is seemingly looking for $12M (or so) annually (personally, that’s a bit much IMO, I’m thinking the BAE).
27yr old, 6’7″ wing (7’0″ WS), improved his 3pt shooting in every year since coming to the NBA in 2022 (played in GER for a couple of years), 32% in 2022 – 34% in 2023 – 40% in 2024. Career earnings of $2.3M, with $1.7M of that coming last year. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/highsha01.html
Just putting the info on the board since there isn’t much going on.
Kings involved in zero trade or free agent discussions.
They’re trying to trade Keegan for any other team’s backup PF, per your demands, but so far no bites.
Discussing basketball never happens with you.
Have I ever said anything about Keegan for a back up PF?
Your just here to show off your personality and smarts.
It’s tough for a Kings team with absolutely no defense and worthless players, as you endlessly insist, thinking you are “discussing basketball,” to acquire a power forward, but they’re trying to package Keegan and Ellis and Carter, who are all worthless, for Obi Toppin, who will also become worthless the instant he dons a Kings uniform.
But first, the Kings have to buy out and release Fox, because he is worthless, in a cost-cutting move.
Stay tuned.
You’re turn. Let’s “discuss basketball.” Who else is worthless?
You clearly don’t read anything. You simply post randomly.
That’s a classic reaction to posts imitating your own.
Now you know how everyone else feels.
You two need this.
I agree.
Ask a question and then the standard chaos ensues.
Here we go again. Both of you think these spaces are for your own personal fued. Let’s get back to basketball
Well, whatever keeps their hands off the keyboards.
This is getting fucking tedious.
Exactly.
You can breathe a sigh of relief. They just released Keon Ellis.
There was no other way to get his G-League stink out of the stadium.
Now the Kings are better, according to you.
Another solid response.
Always appreciate you.
Derrick jones jr leaves the mavs for a 3/30 mil with the clips
Mavs are making room.
Clips are clinging to hope.
DJJ to LAC, Marshall to Mavs, Jonas to Washington. With all the flipping around, some guys are now available- LaVine, Josh Green, Caleb Martin, Highsmith
I hope that Monte is going to use the MLE that he paid dearly for, for some purpose
I don’t think he paid dearly for the MLE. There was a whole bunch of the same in a logjam.
If I want to hear some, sorry, A LOT OF stupid teenage style bickering, I’ll go to collect my son from highschool and let it wash over me.
We could use another threadhiquete reminder…
the best thing about the thread is that you get to choose who you engage with and when
But you don’t get to chose the amount of crap you have to wade through to get to a normal comment.
then its a good thing you got those flowered garden clogs on!
LOL.
Been feeling like the raiders sbn site with all the arguing and pettiness. I ignore it as well but it turns a good comment/topic into Facebook comment sections
I wholeheartedly agree.
You’re part of it.
Unfortunately yes.
I would much rather not be.
It seems rather easy to me. If you guys stop responding to each other it will go away.
I have had someone that I couldn’t have a normal discussion with. He rubbed me the wrong way and I probably did the same to him. I just stopped replying to him.
It is that easy. Some don’t understand.
?
?
What do you think about this?
Well, you’re filling the major holes on the roster but that would put the Kings pretty far into the lux tax I think and I doubt we do that for the backup C role and could have other roster building implications. The first part might be what they’re supposedly discussing, we’ll have to wait and see.
Personally, I am not a fan of either BI or DA but I understand that others feel differently.
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1807651247861772422
That’s a reasonably priced deal.
Philly is going to be a tough team to beat.
iIF healthy.
Embiid and Pail George can’t be counted on in that department
Load management.
Right.
No more excuses, Monte, you’re up.
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1807678190078308537
Boy, that is crazy money for a 34 YO. Definitely makes the Sixers better but they were 17 games behind the Celtics, not 4. Granted, sometimes it’s about matchups. But I still don’t see the Knicks or Sixers approaching the Celtics.
Harris or Randle will end up with the Kings, just a gut feeling…
I like Tobias Harris, But he is a doppleganger for Harrison Barnes if ever there was one.
Seems odd to replace one with a more expensive same player or add the more expensive Harris and keep the $16M Harrison as well.
Julius Randle I understand however. and in some ways is a better fit for Sac as he plays as a stretch 4.
I read that the Sixers may have to waive Paul Reed. Would he be interesting to us?
BBall Paul is a backup 4/5. More a small ball 5 who plays like a 5 than Trey Lyles who plays like stretch 4, though Reed played 19 min per game for Philly/Nick Nurse last season and raised his 3FG to just under 37% on 0.7 attempts per game.
As far as his contract status: my Google says this
Reed’s full contract is non-guaranteed, he’d count as $0 in outgoing salary in trades unless the Sixers guaranteed some or all of his deal. But as long as they stay under the salary cap after a trade, they don’t need to worry about salary-matching rules.
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1807768160587694560
Sorry, Jack….
You snooze you lose.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch any Free Agent by the toe.
If he signs elsewhere, preach continuity and internal growth.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.
Late refresh – RikSmits already posted it.
Agents avoiding Sac?
This is getting a bit bizarre
No…MM avoiding players.
I feel like the Woj of STR.
Thats woulds bes a shams
It looks like we’re not going to get any of our most often mentioned targets. Naji to Dallas on a deal the Kings could have beat, and now Jalen Smith to the Bulls in a deal the Kings could have easily beat. Are we not making offers or is Sacramento still a FA hellscape?
Looks like the BI trade is what’s keeping Monte from pursuing other trades right now. If it isn’t done today or tomorrow then we might miss out on a lot of free agents.
We already have.
Yes.
I don’t believe this. 2 good players we could have had easily down the drain. Now what? Shows I would have made a terrible GM.
Jack, those players have to agree to any potential contract offered to them. We have no clue if offers were made to them. Maybe Smith wanted more minutes and a bigger role in Chicago. Naji took money and a starting position (most likely replacing DDJ).
Goddammit…
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276451/Jalen-Smith-Bulls-Agree-To-Three-Year-$27M-Deal
Maxey 5/204 extension with the Sixers.
Well, this is discouraging. Jack is going to be disappointed.
Free agent center Jalen Smith has agreed to a three-year, $27M contract with the Chicago Bulls, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Jack can still figure out a trade for him.
It is his true gift that is a joy to see in action.
That’s a good deal, not overpaying….
I thought it would have been good if Monte had offered 3 for $30M. That’s a good deal for Smith, IMO.
Monte may have tried to offer that.
Either these guys aren’t picking up the phone or Monte has had the check book taken away.
I’m thinking the later.
I think we are at that point.
Players still available and not getting interest from other teams are going to be forced to speak with Monte.
Me too.
Lack of updates to KingsHerald led me to post this after RikSmits already posted it. Apologies, I ran a search before posting.
Tobias Harris to the Pistons…
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1807781514584653953
Zero players have said anything about wanting to be signed by or traded to the Kings. Zero potential deals have been discussed in any of the places that all of the “private” deals are discussed.
Monte isn’t trying to do any deals or the players and teams are not answering his calls.
Do all of the teams think the Kings over value their assets for a trade? Most likely.
Do free agents still avoid Sacramento? Most likely.
Has the Kings front office made it clear they won’t pay? Most likely.
Ainge will want Monte’s first born and kitchen sink, but is this the deal the Kings need to push all the the chips in the middle for?
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40109665/nba-free-agency-2024-latest-signings-news-buzz-reports
Who knows?
Ainge has made plenty of deals. He will likely make another one.
Jalen Smith and Naji Marshall for three-years $27M is really discouraging. Either could have been folded in the non-taxpayer fairly easily.
Considering the outlay to get the non-taxpayer room I assumed Monte had something already agreed. Its still early goings so Ill hold my breath but considering its day 2 that theory might have been stupid. And meanwhile good names are going for money we could have rationally topped.
Those players also have to agree to the contract.
I think Monte is trying. It takes two. If the player or agent isn’t willing Monte has nothing.
There is always the chance that moving Davion’s salary was more about Vivek’s bottom line than making room for someone else. I guess we’ll see 🤷🏻♂️
That would be disappointing, but it certainly is possible. There has been a lot of talk about billionaire owners ponying up for players. But it should be noted that Vivek is not a billionaire.
Pretty much every UFA that has been discussed on this site for the last six months as good FA signings that fall within what we can offer have signed and signed to reasonable deals. Perhaps Monte had no interest in them or perhaps the players didn’t have interest in being a King. Regardless, the constant misses are getting old.
We have minimum salaries and Duarte available in a trade apparently.
Tobias Harris to Pistons. Now they’ll want to move Isaiah Stewart for Huerter. Get moving Monte. They don’t need the Finn; they have Monk and Murray to jack volume 3’s. They need a defensive stud who makes the occasional 3.
This is another player I really like. Use Huerter to get him. Probably not. Strike 3 you’re out.
Drew Eubanks just signed with Utah. They now have around 7 bigs. I don’t think Ainge is done.
Brandon Ingram still there…
Who knows what the asking price is, surprised nothing has been reported on that front with so many teams showing interest. Same with Lauri. It’d be interesting to know what these teams are expecting in return for BI and LM.
Maybe the asking price was too high and is going down now that nothing has been done?
GSW is supposedly looking at him as well.
He would be a bold move that this team needs.
My guess is a lot of teams are asking for Keegan in trades with the Kings considering we don’t have much else to offer in terms of players.
Yes…and I like Keegan…I like this team improved as a whole more though.
Haliburton had to go in order to get here.
Who is next?
To me, it seems like getting an impact player requires giving away FRPs more than prospects. I wouldn’t exactly say that the Kings don’t *have* much to offer – it’s more like they *won’t* put up much. Keegan and Ellis are both value contracts. But they’re so core to the defensive transformation the Kings are implementing.
I’m totally okay with the idea of trading them for the right player, but those two players more than any others have contributed to the Kings moving from the defensive cellar to an average defensive team. You could argue that they are starting to look like a top 10 defensive team, thanks to Keegan / Ellis.
And that’s the catch-22 of improving this team. If you want Ingram, Markkanen, Kuzma, Collins, or anyone similar and you’re not willing to give up Keegan or Keon to get them, you need to quickly figure out whether teams will accept Huerter / Barnes / MLE / future FRPs or move on. It feels like this offseason has been just as overly deliberate as last season’s was.
At this point, Miles Bridges sounds like a good option.
The pickings are getting slim.
Miles would be interesting. Kings probably won’t do this because of his baggage.
Matt Barnes, DeMarcus Cousins, Darren Collison, Ty Lawson and Luke Walton say the Kings don’t care much about this sort of baggage.
Hartenstein 3/$87 with the Thunder. Wow, almost $30 million a year for a backup caliber center.
The MM contract continues to be the steal of FA.
That’s what it’s feeling like. FA targets have dried up. Barring a big trade, we’re running it back and hoping for Keegan to take another step and for Devin Carter to immediately be Hart 2.0.
#Kangz
GET MARKENNAN.. Keegan,Huerter, and a first……get it done! then get Cam J to replace Keegan. BI will be too expensive in the long run
If you can’t get Markennan or Ingram then Cam Johnson might be OK.
I still like Collins over either Kuzma or Johnson for purposes of fit. If we do that have a good chance to get Stewart.
If no significant moves are made before the seasons begins, when will TKH have the “Run it Back” selection in the site store?
Run it Back 2.0
The last significant trade was a full 2 years ago when Monte traded for Huerter. Since then: Kessler Edwards, Duarte, Robin Lopez, and Jaden McDaniels. That’s it and all involved 2nd round picks going out.
JaLen McDaniels but yeah…
Our new TKH store gear will be a “Run it Back” jacket vest.
There wasn’t a lot of meaningful activity at the beginning of this front office tenure either. They did build a winning team and deserve credit for that. But this team was never going to be any better than we saw this season. If there are no meaningful moves, they won’t be better next season either. Results matter, so I’d certainly like to see the end of the “You can’t make other teams trade with you” argument at some point.
At this point, it will have become an excuse, not an argument.
Is the MLE use it or lose it? Makes no sense to me to sit on it if it doesn’t roll over.
A’s need a new clubhouse though.
Things are not going as I had hoped! 🙂
Here is a possible scenario. Barnes, Lyles and a second for Collns Huerter and a second or two for Stewart. Get Miles Bridges with MLE.
Starters: Fox, Ellis, Murray, Collins, Sabonis.
Backups: Carter, Monk, Jones, Bridges, Stewart.
You could also replace Collins with Bridges if you wanted more offense.
Outside of 3pt shooting and some rebounding, Stewart doesn’t really give the Kings much of anything. And Bridges just doesn’t need to happen.
Big thumbs up on Collins, though!
Dump more salary for a one year rental in Ingram, you can see the appeal for Vivek.
One problem with Ingram is that he takes touches away from Murray.
Of course, that wasn’t an issue with Marshall and Smith. Each would have helped fill a need, especially defensively,
Keegan’s EFG% and TS% were both down a decent amount from his rookie season with increased shots. Maybe an anomaly, or regression to the mean?
If Ingram were to come to Sac, I would think that his shots could be all the ones that Huerter/Barnes took, along with a few less for Fox (his shots went up and efficiency down as well as he started jacking ill-advised 3s).
Maybe the hold up on any Ingram or Lauri deal is the expiring contract and if/what they would be willing to sign for? Or the price is too high for Monte? Or he isn’t even really targeting those players and the Kings end up with nothing?
I saw somewhere on Twitter the moniker “Monte McNearly”.
I hope that won’t prove to be true.
Wiggins to the Thunder for 5 years, $47million, which by comparison makes Harrison Barnes’s salary pretty awful to take back in a trade.
Maybe slightly in rate, but not term.
Barnes has to at least be considered an MLE player at this point, and a 3 year MLE would cost about $41m. Barnes is at 2/$37m. So he is overpriced by about $6m annually, but his contract is a year shorter.
I don’t think that Barnes’ contract presents that much of an issue. It is a million miles short of being an albatross contract.
Is Barnes that much better than Wiggins? Wiggins average annual salary is $9.4 million.
I don’t think that Aaron Wiggins sets the market. Otherwise, Klay Thompson would not be getting 3/$51m. And I would take Barnes at 2/$37m over KT at 3/$51m. Or Tobias Harris at 2/$52m.
I’m not saying that Barnes is not overpaid. But he is at least worthy the MLE, which is over $13m this year and $14m next year. Barnes is at $18m and $19. He is moveable, without incentives being attached to him. He is roughly value neutral. That’s my point.
Barnes has an additional quality of proven availability. Hard to put a dollar value on that to be sure, but he suits up for every game.
Wiggins started a grand total of 4 games for the Thunder last season and has yet to break 1300 minutes total for a season. Barnes typically has almost doubled that total each season.
Indeed.
Barnes is also good at creating his own shot.
You’re comparing Aaron Wiggins’ new contract to Harrison Barnes’ contract?
If you’re a team looking for help, and a Wiggins-level player is at $9.4 million in free agency while Barnes is at $18 million this year and $19 million next year, I think you’d be a lot less likely to want to take back that much annual salary for a player at that level.
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