A week late, but always great!
The Kings Herald Show returns with Jerry Reynolds, Will Griffith, and Tony Xypteras to discuss every single possible option headed into the NBA Draft, the return of Ja Morant rumors and just who they think is coming out of the conference finals! Thanks for listening!
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You can submit questions for Jerry on Patreon, or write your questions in the comments below this post! Or you can just yell questions to Tony or Will on Twitter.
Just so you all know behind the scenes, Jerry and Tony are truly the most patient co-hosts a podcast host could ask for. Truly the best in the business, even when it means delaying last second the pod a full seven days, they’re as gracious and kind as they come!
Hopefully our calm, cool, collected demeanor stemming from a week of reflection allowed for a few more discussion points and a few less tank-y rants from yours truly!
Sorry this took a week longer than usual, all!
Love the chemistry you guys have and wish you did a weekly video version . Seeing your Kingly faces would make it even better !
Honestly, we’re all just stoked you’re still putting these out after the season we had. Nothin but love!
Great stuff, as always.
What I realized this morning was that the Kings are in this perpetual losing situation because they never took advantage of the system…Tanking!
There are 2 teams in the Conference Finals that all tanked hard to build a winning franchise. Detroit was close to the Conference Finals, and they tanked for a while as well. It was the strategy to take. Tank, get high lottery picks, develop the talent, then go win (that’s the basic concept, at least).
The Kings decided to try and stay competitive for years by drafting older prospects to fit a need, trading picks for vets, signing vets on bloated deals, etc. It’s a losing strategy.
Also, Vivek needs to go. That’s all. Have a good day.
You guys are a delight. You deserve a better team to pod about.
We’re lucky to have some of the best pod people!
As I posted in other thread- NO on Flemmings. His shot mechanics are atrocious. Can’t shoot. NO. He doesn’t see himself as a potential superstar, but a solid player.
Acuff sees himself as a superstar. But he probably won’t be there.
The kings badly , need high ceiling players so not tanking was such an incredibly idiotic thing to do as we know. They needed someone like Peterson. Who I believe is going to be really good. Or at the least he can fucking shoot.
unfortunately, I have less than 1% hope that this team will ever get better until or unless the owner sells.
uhh what. His shot mechanics are not atrocious, 39% from 3 as a frosh is can’t shoot? One of the best shooting performances at the combine is can’t shoot?
He didn’t say he doesn’t see himself as a superstar.
What a delusional take on so many levels by you lol
Ha. Sorry. It was supposed to say- if he can’t shoot. Then NO.
good to know it goes in.
Shooting Splits:
Player A: 47/38/84. 12.6 FGA/game, 2.9 3PA/game, 3.5 FTA/game
Player B: 43/38/82. 14.8 FGA/game, 6.9 3PA/game, 5.5 FTA/game
Which one of those 2 players “can’t shoot”?
Now, there are intricacies to each player’s game, where there shots come, how they are created, volume, etc. But just looking at the numbers, there really isn’t much difference, other than volume of shots.
Will they shoot well at the NBA? Only time will tell.
Player A is Kingston Flemings
Player B is Darryn Peterson
As I said above, meant -if Flemmings can’t shoot. His mechanics look bad but I guess all that matters is does it go in.
But Peterson absolutely can’t shoot lights out. And maybe I’m wrong but didn’t Flemmings not shoot many 3s?
I love this podcast and I appreciate all three of you, but this particular podcast just wasn’t for me.
I can’t stand the thought of Acuff. Darius Garland with worse defense? No thanks.
And I can’t stand the talk about ethical tanking. Just masking idiocy by putting lipstick on a pig.
Doug Christie winning 50 games with Wemby on the team? Yeah, right.
Wemby did make an unproven rookie coach a 62 game winner so it doesn’t seem to much of a stretch . You may be 100% correct on Acuff but may remember that Ant Edward’s and T.Maxey were considered defensive liabilities at their drafts . Doubtful,Kings will see him anyway except as a rival .
That unproven rookie coach has been handpicked and prepared by Pop, and he had an excellent record with this team in the games that Wemby was out. DC is not near his level.
For every Ant you have another Ant (Anfernee Simons), and for every Maxey, you have the Traes, Sextons and Lillards of this world.
And good luck with this organization teaching someone defense…
You guys make some good points about the PG batch that is likely to be there at #7. I was solidly against Acuff due to total lack of defense and was much higher on Flemings for his two way ability, but after reading what Calipari has said (and his history of PG development) Acuff has risen for me. As to Flemings, his measurements did give me some pause. He’s on the smaller side but did play good defense…in college. The NBA is bigger and faster so I’ve begun to wonder if his defense will translate to the pros.
From all that, I pretty much have Acuff, Flemings and Brown Jr on the same tier. No clue who I prefer right now. Hopefully we gets some more info from workouts and interviews.
I’m guessing Memphis, Chicago, Clips, and/or the Nets are going to make the decision for us. Two of those guys could be gone by then leaving the Kings with one PG to pick from or Wagler. Which brings me to the Clippers…
The going consensus has been they will take Wagler at #5 because they already have Garland, but what if they have on of the true PGs much higher on their board. Should the Clips and Nets take the two PGs the Kings desire most (hypothetically Acuff and Flemings), should the Kings try and trade for Garland? He makes $42M next year and $45M the year after. Could a LaVine for Garland package be worked out? Kings then pick Wagler #7?
My whole point to this, is if they Kings were intent on trading for a PG, I’d prefer it to be Garland than Ja.
What are the Clippers even doing? Garland and Kawhi as their core to try and compete for a title? That’s probably not getting them anywhere. They don’t really have any high level players under contract.
Are they going to add, or are they going to sell and try to rebuild a bit?
The Clippers have had to place their Aspirations on hold!
I think Silver signed the investigation team to a no-show contract.
It’s anyone’s guess, but that is why I feel the whole “they are going to draft Wagler because they already have Garland.” idea doesn’t hold a lot of weight. I think they take BPA at #5 and don’t think twice about it, even if it is a guard like Acuff (who is quite similar to Garland).
If they are still trying to compete in a loaded west, you still take BPA at #5. They’d be foolish to draft for fit after finishing 9th. If they are tearing it down, then they may look to move off of Garland and his contract. LaVine at least gets them an expiring to clear their books.
I wonder if they try to make a run at Giannis. Garland, #5, salary filler, and draft picks (not sure what they have at this point).
Or just trade Kawhi and see what the market is like.
I kind of wonder if they are just trying to get younger with the anticipation of the hammer coming down on them from the league. The fact that they didn’t trade Leonard may be evidence to that. Why would any team trade for him if there is potential for a suspension?
I read some unfounded rumor on a Clips reddit that the league is content to just let Leonard expire for the the Clips and he will quietly go away under the guise of retirement. Everyone saves face and it all gets swept under the rug.
Which leads me to believe the Clippers are a nice team to trade up to if the Kings believe they absolutely need the first PG choice. Probably packaging Sabonis plus the #7 for the #5, trade filler + future draft capital, like a bunch of second rounders or future protected first rounder, would do it.
Max made All Rookie Second team.
So I guess the 65 game rule doesn’t apply to all-rookie teams? Coward played in 62 games. I thought the last spot on the first team would go to Queen or Maxi based on that rule.
Lol, I know it’s his last name, but when I first read your second sentence I thought you were calling someone a Coward.
There’s a good chance Acuff or Wagler will be there at 7 and I like both. After that, for me it’s still Yax. Not ruling out the others.
I have a question: If D’Angelo Russell were in this draft and you knew he would have the career he has had till this point, where would you rank him?
As in a re-draft? Hard to say. He had some very productive years when younger, in including an all-star season, but has definitely fallen off a cliff the last few years. If I had to guess, he’s not in the top 10, but maybe the top 15? Everyone in this draft is an unknown while we have the receipts on Russell. I’m not sure there is a fair assessment out there. That’s like asking where Marvin Bagley or Anthony Bennet would go in this draft. Hindsight being 20/20 and all. For all we know Cam Boozer could just be the next version of his dad or the second coming of Tim Duncan.
I can remember there was a time when I hoped Fox would become the player Russell was like 6 years ago. Russell’s career arc shows how being the best player on a bad team can really inflate your numbers. Fox is in his sweet spot right now sitting 3rd fiddle on a very good team, but being #1 here in Sac never amounted to much.
yeah, D-Lo always put up big numbers against the Kings.
The question was more like if you think a prospect’s most likely outcome is comparable to D-Lo, where would you rank that prospect in this year’s draft? I think you sort of answered it.
I was in love with the Raynaud pick before the season, and he was better than I thought he could possibly be. Certainly he was better than anyone had a right to expect. Cardwell was also exponentially better than he should have been. I’m not at all sure the kings don’t already have their young frontcourt of the future. Precious also was better than expected, and I’m frustrated that despite him being easily available for a few seasons, the Kings apparently had no interest in him. And they still only signed him from the couch, out of desperation, when there were no other viable options!?! They always think they are gonna shock the world rather than just make the easy, obvious move, always talking about chasing championships when they can’t even sniff a playoff berth. And it isn’t all talk, they really are arrogant and delusional enough to actually believe their own bluster.
Now we’re talking about PGs because…Fit. And because the always reliable mock drafts have a group of PGs projected to be available for them in the 7 range. If I picked for Sac, I might take even take one of the, IF he could convince me, working out playing against NBA talent, that he’s a sure-fire perennial all-star. If he doesn’t want to work-out, or if I’m not absolutely convinced, then I would throw fit out the window, and go with the pillars. I would pick the only guy in this draft who may be able to give us a chance to compete with the Spurs (with time) and match-up with Wemby’s size. I would draft Aday Mara.
I’d bring Rustbrick back and let him work another season with the young bigs. I’d give them a chance to compete for minutes with Sabonis, unless someone makes a can’t refuse offer for him, and give Domas a chance to compete for his old spot against the up-and-comers. No reason to worry about front-court injuries, no reason to pressure anyone with extended minutes. Just let the bigs develop at their own pace, while creating enough problems for the rest of the league with size and fresh legs. Get young, and entertaining, and do what Sac does best, compete for the play-in and probably come up just short. That’s right in the newly minted sweet spot, and in prime position for the #1 pick next year!
In fact, I’d play Sabonis sparingly. Play him enough to show him off to potential suitors at the deadline. And who knows, if guys remain healthy, maybe they make the post-season so we see him in meaningful games once more before trading him next offseason. We already know he’ll work hard to rehab his value.
As bad as Levine has been, there’s a reason he keeps getting max contracts, that being miraculously, he keeps putting up injury free career numbers every time he has a contract season… and he’ll be in a contract season. Trade DeRozan for a 2nd rounder if that’s all you can get. Or better yet a couple 2nd rounders a couple seasons away since we already have 2 this draft, and that’s enough 1st, and 2nd year guys.
I like de Larrea in the 2nd round. He’s got good size, passes well, and can shoot the 3. He’s got experience against grown men playing across the pond, and has about as much chance to defend in the NBA as the college stars everyone’s talking about. Momcilovic should be there for the taking. He also has size, and can shoot the lights out well enough for an upside swing.
There you have it. I just added a gaggle of talent without gambling on a rookie to run the offense well enough to save the franchise. I doubt any of these rooks will actually be more productive than Russ this season. And if one is as good as Steph Castle at 7 (yeah right!) he’s not likely the one that ends up in Sac. I don’t give a rat’s ass what Cal says trying to sell his guy! And I like Acuff! Kreznewsky(?) said Bagley was the best prospect he ever coached in college!?! Don’t believe the hype. If Carter doesn’t develop, and neither does de Lerea, go get a proven floor leader next offseason when there’s money on the books and developing talent in the frontcourt to work with. And keep Malik Monk!
Holy wall of text. I sense shades of pookeyguru.
Paragraph breaks are your friend.
Great points and I believe like you the real riser in this draft is Mara . Don’t be surprised if Clippers take him at 5 .
Can we wait till a second season before saying the Kings have their backcourt of the future?
Pick the best player available, this team has not earned the right to freelance and pick the wild card type player as that has worked out really well. The Danny Ainge’s of the world I’d trust, not the clowns running the Kings
If the Kings draft a PG and logic would suggest they do, sign a veteran to show him the ropes and to step in when need be. I doubt Westbrook is that type of vet, great for the big men as that helps his stats/game, not so sure that he is great for the young PG as he still wants to play/start
Lavine gets deals because the league has bad owners and GMs
My comment read: I’m not sure they don’t already have their young front court of the future. Which is to say probably not, but maybe. Then I got around to the point which is: they shouldn’t be satisfied with the front-court as constructed, keep adding.
I think you agreed by saying, “pick the best player,” They shouldn’t just consider points, (as in guards) which was also my point.
If they do add what they consider to be a starting quality PG, they should let Westbrook go. Forget the whole “show him the ropes” thing, bad idea. If they add a PG in the 2nd round, they should keep Russ as the presumptive starter, not as a teacher, which is the coaching staff’s role.
Levine got 2 max contracts based on 2 max level seasons, both contract years. I expect to see a better version of him this season.
This team really needs talent, think this roster is full of 4-9 type players they need more 1-4 types
I think where the Kings would be picking its kind of PG palooza
Totally agree with the let the coaching staff teach and not your vet players
It would worry me if Lavine has a great year and Kings go told you so and then resign him
They’re not resigning him, but if he can regain some value, they might get something for him at the deadline.
What is Ja Morant and 3?
you guys aren’t insinuating the Grizzlies would come close to giving that up to unload him to the Kings?
he has positive value in any monetary situation beyond a possible Sabonis + package (and Memphis doesn’t need Domas) that we could possibly send, and we will have to give up sweetener like one or two of the SAS/Min picks to send LaVine for him
Yeah, it’s a silly notion of a trade. No thanks. Ja can go somewhere else.
He doesn’t have positive value. He’s played a grand total of 79 games over the past 3 seasons, is showing decline and just had his worst year of his career, and he’s owed $90M. That also doesn’t take into consideration his attitude and off the court issues.
Memphis is desperate to move him. They’ll need to attach assets to move him.
The only upside involved in the Kings trading players (not Domas) to the Grizzlies for Ja is Ja turning his career around and becoming a player
the Kings are presenting no upside in the deal (assuming they aren’t sending prospects with Lavine/DDR etc.
The legit national besides homers like Ham was “DDR/Carter/some level of draft compensation”
At best, and if the Grizzlies were desperate, it would be expiring, but to suggest they would move off a tier in a draft like this to get off one more year of Ja for LaVine/DDR or something…
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kings-potential-trade-package-details-220859489.html
Us providing DDR/Carter/some level of draft compensation
not even LaVine’s extra year
Question for the forum: If the Kings drafted Acuff, would you prefer that he is developed and utilized more like Brunson (primary initiator) or more like Bibby splitting time between primary initiator and off-ball movement shooter? As an off-ball movement shooter, he could still be a #1 option.
I think he’s a perfectly fine initiator. In fact, he might even be the best of the bunch, but he’s also a lead scorer. I think he falls into that Fox and Maxey type cluster of guards.
I was thinking all of the above. not just a primary initiator and lead scorer but also an off-ball threat. more ways to get open shots.
It’ll be hard to predict because the Kings have no other offensive initiators. So my guess is that he would be more of a primary initiator/scorer until someone else is brought in to help with initiating duties. The only other player that comes close to initiating the offense is Monk, and Monk is definitely more of a scoring guard.
I was thinking of Sabonis. pass to Sabonis, relocate, catch and shoot.
Yeah, I just don’t know how long Sabonis will be around. They also seemed to stop using Sabonis in that roll last season, so who the hell knows what they will do moving forward.
At this point, they have no identity. Just a bunch of guys that “go hoop” and hope the ball goes in the bucket. It’s quite a bad brand of basketball to watch. I always liked the early 2000s Kings style, that Princeton offense. Lots of guys cutting, moving, multiple players that can pass and get people easy buckets. But the game has changed quite a bit.
I know you like stats, so I looked for some and saw that Acuff shot 56 of 144 on catch and shoot threes. The next highest number of attempts from the guard prospects was Philon and Wagner with 95.
As far as timelines are concerned, the team can find another high IQ passing big later on.
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