We’re roughly 24 hours into NBA free agency, and the Kings have already made several maneuvers to re-tool their roster and push for the playoffs next season. Monte McNair retained veteran wing Moe Harkless and starting center Richaun Holmes, and even brought back our old pal Alex Len to add to Luke Walton’s growing center depth following the somewhat perplexing Tristan Thompson acquisition. It’s been a busy week in Sacramento, and it’s only Tuesday.
Despite all the activity, Monte McNair’s work is far from over. McNair has talked about aggressively pursuing impactful moves that would drive the Kings deep into the playoff conversation, and we just haven’t seen that particular transaction yet. Retaining Holmes was essential, and Len is a massive improvement over Hassan Whiteside, but this roster as currently constructed is far from a playoff lock in the Western Conference.
We know the Kings have already made a play for Ben Simmons, but considering Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey’s outrageous asking price, it’s hard to imagine the Kings landing Simmons unless Morey starts negotiating in reality.
Another former All-Star that is supposedly on the trade block is Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam. The Athletic’s Sam Amick joined Deuce Mason and Morgan Ragan on The Deuce and Mo Podcast Tuesday afternoon, and revealed that the Kings “definitely have interest” in Siakam:
The Kings have definitely have interest in Pascal Siakam, according to @sam_amick.
Full podcast with him:
AUDIO: https://t.co/SG08bSNU4B
Video: https://t.co/KHSUz8PxIW pic.twitter.com/UIRR8azzTJ— Deuce Mason (@DeuceMason) August 3, 2021
Siakam underwent surgery in June to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, and if his recovery goes according to plan, he’s expected to miss at least the first month of the 2021-22 NBA season. Despite Siakam’s injury status, he is precisely the kind of player Monte McNair and the Kings should be targeting.
We’ll see if the Kings have enough to pry Siakam out of Toronto, but the fit in Sacramento makes a ton of sense. The Kings currently have a crowded backcourt and could certainly use a long-term solution at power forward after reports that Marvin Bagley’s days with the Kings are likely numbered. Sliding in Siakam next to Holmes to go along with some of the depth signings McNair has already made this summer could finally pull the Kings out of their 15-year playoff drought.
If Siakam is on the move, he’s not going to be cheap, and the Kings will be facing some tough competition to land the All-Star forward. But if McNair is going to take his big swing for the fences this summer, doing it for Pascal Siakam makes as much as you’re going to find.
The injury to Siakam is a bit concerning. I wonder how much he would help this year.
He is under contract for two more seasons though. That said, I’d take Tobias Harris over Siakam if I had the choice.
If Toronto trades him, I will be in paranoia that his health is unfixable
Oddly enough I think a Tobais for Siakam trade could be a reality.
I like Siakam more. Harris is a more efficient scorer, but Siakam is a better playmaker and defender.
How much does playmaking matter under a coach who doesn’t have plays?
More, I would say.
You know, I see your point. Could actually make up for the lack of coaching from above.
Sorry I am unsure if sarcastic, or if the question is just in general.
However if this is a point, I would say that this would be counter-productive, because you get the players, and if the coach is the problem, you remove that coach and find one that better suites the GM’s implemented system.
Both getting the player AND removing the coach are big problems in this Kingdom :-p
Yeah, Siakim is much better fit than Harris. Harris is good, but I think we’d be trying to move him by years end.
haha that’s absurd to think we would trade for a player of Harris’ caliber and then be trying to move him almost immediately
I disagree because Harris spreads the floor better.
We have Fox, Hali and now Mitchell to make plays. We need shooting if Fox and Holmes/Len are on the court
You can never have enough playmaking and we need defense as much or more than anything else.
You can have too little shooting though!
Defense is definitely the most important need. As for offense, playmaking’s important, but playmaking w/poor shooters can lead to problems.
Possibly but his attempt rate is fairly pedestrian. And that production almost comes exclusively in isolation and in the half court. Harris gets points sure but it comes with a cost, and often being a ball stopper.
Siakam has been streaky generally but from 3, but he also attempts more which leads to more spacing generally for others to find seams. That and an acumen to get to the stripe their effective percentages are marginally separated. The difference is usage for similar production. And when you compare the assist numbers and ability for 3rd action facilitation personally Siakam is less costly offensively
And thats removing the defense, which there isnt really a conversation.
The stats do not support this analysis. Siakam only had one season where he attempted more than 4 and half a game and it wasn’t last season.
Harris is consistently a low 20s usage rate. Siakam has been in the high 20s the last two season.
I get the defense and I am not knocking Siakam at all here.
I am just saying that if Fox is your guy and you have big on the floor that can’t shoot then I would love to have Hali, Barnes and Harris to spread the floor.
Per the last two seasons in three point attempts via basketball reference
Harris was has been at 5.0 to 3.4 to Siakam’s 6.1 to 4.4. Harris albeit more efficiently but still on just over a single make a night. Neither are world beaters in this department in relation to production which make both more a gravity pull for spacing based on attempts IMO. Harris is more efficient over the last two years in eFG, but Siakam also assist more baskets. Personally its marginal offensive separation especially in relation to the Kings, who in theory would utilize PnR and transition. I also just favor passers.
I would be curious on where you see those usage stats. Im sure those are accurate statistically over the past two seasons as Siakam became a primary initiator in various facets post Leonard. That said his case as a better ancillary basketball player I would argue is far more assuring regardless. Harris and the likes of Barnes I would suggests have a lot of overlap as well. Democratizing our possessions with more tertiary effective basketball players would be wise. The playmaking distinction supports that.
I admit my bias, I have never bought into Harris, but will credit him improving in the last two years. The inverse has seen Siakam slide in perception. Still I think thats in part informed by incorrect expectations. Personally the choice would be pretty clear.
If you watched Harris last year, his main move is to pump fake, step 1ft closer to basket and shoot a long two. He passes up open 3s like crazy. He’s good enough that he’s still efficient, but he takes way too many long twos for my taste.
I too, for what it is worth, like Siakem more. He is much more fluid and a better defender.
and yes, he can help overcome flukes deficiencies in mind talent and play planning and play calling. Siakem would be out there creating while Harris would be waiting for fluke to call the play.
Only projected to miss the first month, even if it was two, that gives us the whole second half for a legit playoff push
Yeah, assuming he comes back 100% healthy when he comes back.
Look, I get it’s a shoulder and not an achilles or something, but still there is often a period of time before a player gets back to the way they were.
labrum injuries can be tough. Sometimes a difficult and painful re-hab.
I think Siakam is good, but I also really don’t know if he is good…which concerns me.
Pretty much where I’m at. I’m quite terrified of the prospect of picking him up personally. All-Star, but in the East. Won a title, but with Kawhi. Now he’s coming off an injury.
All of that is why you may be able to get him without giving up Fox or Haliburton.
What do you think the price would be? Hield & Bagley protected 1st and/or a 2nd rounder?
That would be the minimum. It might take two protected 1st rounders.
We’re getting fleeced for Siakam? Hell no. If we get fleeced, get fleeced for some one worth it.
Ben Simmons. But he can only play power forward for us. In my opinion, Simmons playing point guard hinders his affect on the game.
Fox
Hali
Barnes
Simmons
Holmes
Bench
The Dawgs
But hell, I’d love to see a healthy Pascal on the Kings.
god no.
Sorry- I thought you meant the dud Eric Pascal
I am laughing at myself.
Sign and Trade with Holmes? I heard he deleted his tweet about four more years in Sac.
Just checked. He did.
Ummmm….
Thank you, Simone.
Buddy and Bagley work on the ESPN trade machine…not sure if that’s enough to get it done.
Id offer Buddy, Bagley, and a 2nd for Siakam. Injury concerns aside-he does hold value and showed some really good stuff in Toronto’s playoff run. He’d improve the Kings defensively and I’d prefer him over Harris (maybe not over Simmons).
Fox – Mitchell – Guy (?)
Haliburton – Davis – Ramsey
Barnes – Harkless – Woodard
Siakam – Metu
Holmes – Thompson – Len
Looks like Guy is on Warrior’s Summer League squad, so I’m guessing he’s gone.
Edit: I must have seen something that was incorrect as I cannot find a link that confirms that.
Second edit: was a post on Reddit. He’ll play with them in Vegas.
There is no way that is enough. It would take easily Buddy, Bagley, and 2 lightly protected firsts to land Siakam. You don’t trade a versatile star forward, with 3 more years of team control, in his prime, for the garbage heap from a terrible team. I would be shocked if the hang-up on a deal like this is that the Raptors demand Haliburton in the trade
Who’s been beating the drum for this guy on this board? His screen name rhymes with Rexy
I can see the interest, now that Melo is off the table
/s
Breaking news: Lakers to be sponsored by AARP
I love what the Lakers are doing. By the time the second round of the playoffs rolls around those oldies will be banged up and out of gas.
The west is much improved with top end talent. Lebron isn’t used to all this competition after spending his whole career im the east with no real contenders.
Now we’re talking. Obviously, the price is the big question mark, but it’s reasonable to think that between the Raptors drafting two big ballhandler types, Siakam’s injury, and his contract, there’s a chance that he could be had on a relative bargain. For what it’s worth, athletes are usually able to return to form after a torn labrum is repaired.
You could be right. With the emergence of who they had in Boucher and OG, plus drafting Scottie Barnes and trading for Precious Achiuwa, Siakam might be more attainable.
Along with the Gary Trent Jr, Powell switch. They are obviously getting younger and in part building a new younger foundation.
To Hyperbole’s point of cost is where I have a hang up. I would be trading players for picks oppose to the inverse. That said I fully expect this team to trade a first or two for an immediate addition. And in that hypothetical I would much rather that be Siakam than someone else. That along with what I would suggests is a nice basketball fit, I can see the reasons.
Yeah, all of my comments are based on the idea that the Kings are not trying to obtain future assets.
Players can return from labrum injury but it is tough in re-hab. Hurts.
I am surprised by the wide spread of trade value for players: the Bulls gave up zero for DeRozen, Lowry requires a bigger package and Philly wants an over the moon package for Simmonds. I suspect one big difference is UFA status brings in less in sign and trade and, secondly, an under cap team has huge advantage. .
Would Siakem or Harris command a huge outlay? and future draft assets can be deceptive- there are so many restrictions/protections applied.
Toronto’s two additions- Barnes and Precious are similar to him- does that mean i he is expendable or they want a whole team like that?
I would trade for Siakem if the price is right.
For what it would likely cost, I’m just not high on trading for Pascal.
If the Kings could pull it off without including 1st rounders and parting with some kind of Buddy/Bagley combo, I’m for it. Otherwise, I do have some reservations and would then want to put the Buddy/Bagley combo for Tobias.
I think this is exactly the situation you part with future first rounders. Not sure anything else gets it done, unless you’re willing to part with Fox or Hali.
Exactly. This is the kind of roll of the dice a team in the Kings situation needs to make.
With Raps having Barnes and Achiuwa (Didn’t see confirmation if that is the planned Lowry deal), feels like Bagley probably doesn’t have a ton of interest for them, even as a flyer.
They signed Trent Jr and have VanVleet, so Buddy feels slightly redundant to them but maybe as three guards they could be a good rotation overall.
I think it’s hard to gauge what direction Toronto is trying to go. Are they soft tanking this year or pushing back for playoffs?
Not sure how to create an offer unless Raps are just looking for mult 1sts.
Would you do a Bagley/Buddy/Top 8 protected 2022 1st? Would Toronto?
I would with a lottery protection, I don’t think Masai would.
Tend to agree… the Holmes sign and trade you proposed is interesting. I can’t decide.
S&T Holmes, Bagley and a top ten protected first should get it done.
I don’t think that works $-wise, but if you throw TT’s expiring contract (or Delon Wright) on top of it you’re probably there. And I could not care less about the W-L record of this team in 21-22, but you’d be rolling out Alex Len as your starting center, and you’d be without Siakam for an extended period.
My stance on this team has been and would be to tank. That said there is zero indictors or decisions being made with that in mind. And such being the case I am very engaged by Siakam. Have always been a huge fan, And I think his fit and strengths overlap with a lot of the Kings most costly flaws. Defense alone, the ability to navigate backcourt and frontcourt positionally on both ends. Playmaking and cutting that make his production often done by just a general offball acumen.
Would be curious on the kind of package it would take, and that might scare me off. But if the Kings are looking or a big addition that they can get, Siakam would likely be leading my list of the most worthy gambles.
Barnes, Bagley, a 1st and a 2nd round pick for Siakam. Get it done Monte!
no way I throw in barnes for buddy. The point is to pair barnes with another competent wing, not just replace him and still only have 1
As much as I like trading Buddy, I don’t think Ujiri would bite of a package of Buddy ,Bagley and picks for Siakam. But hey if Masai would prefer a Buddy, Bagley package then great! I just don’t think its likely
I wouldn’t do your trade from the kings end then
I would definitely take a swing for Siakam.
Out of curiosity, would it be possible to offer John Collins a deal like 4/$90M with the intent on working out an S&T or do you have to have the cap space avail to make the offer in the first place?
Looks like he just turned down 5-125 from Hawks…👀👀. So probably not. Geez
Good for him. Make the bastards pay.
Damn, that’s crazy. I read yesterday on Peachtree Hoops that they didn’t want to exceed 5/120. It seems they tried to offer him more than they were comfortable with and he still turned it down.
Don’t trade Holmes. I like Siakam, but I don’t want him that bad.
Rather than Pascal, could the Kings snag John Collins? He’s younger than Pascal, and the Hawks don’t seem to want to pay him a rich contract. Collins balked at Hawks offer of 5 year/$125million. He may cost less (assets wise) than a trade for Pascal.
What about:
Buddy/Bagley and 2022 1st rounder (top-5 protected)
John Collins sign and trade for 5 year/$150million
Thoughts?
Personally just not a John Collins guy for 30 per year.
Yeah, he’s good, but not that good.
Collins was 7th in PER among all power forwards in the NBA, and has significantly improved each year. It may be an overpay, but there is a possibility that it isn’t with continued development. This would be paying for his prime years of 23-28. He also demonstrated he could be an effective playoff contributor. I’d say it’s likely he continues improvement to be a top 50 player.
Plus, what other avenues exist to get a borderline all-star without giving up multiple firsts?
Watch him play defense for a few possessions. Looks just like Bagley.
Well, except for that whole being on the court thing.
I’d offer Buddy, Bagley and two seconds (or Woodard/Ramsey) for Siakam. Would not offer Barnes or Richaun. Or any firsts.
Pretty sure there’d be 28 better offers than that one.
What about Holmes/Buddy for Siakam/Boucher? Money should be relatively close I think. Does this balance roster for both teams some? Maybe one team has got to throw a bit more in.
Boucher only has one year left, but played majority of minutes at center last year, but lighter side. Thompson/Len as bangers but Boucher is closing? He shot 38% from 3 last year, so he could help with some spacing (differently) since Buddy gone.
Raps get slightly bigger and quality center and clear some redundancy at power forward. Buddy’s defense maybe not as big a problem if surrounded by guys like S Barnes and OG.
Closing group
Fox
Hali
Barnes
Siakam
Boucher
Feels like a lot of length, playmaking and adequate enough shooting. Spit balling here
Boucher does put up some numbers but when he turns sideways, I can’t see him. I get him confused with the free throw stripe.
and I heard the LAL wanted to sign Bill Russell and Sam Jones- fits their age profile.
KC Jones, too. Except he passed away not too long ago. Fun fact: I went to college with his son, Kipper
Maybe get him at a low price due to his labrum injury. Not sure Hield and Bagley combo would be close to enough though.
Sure reports … next up … year one year sign and trade deal for Kawhi.
I don’t see any of these moves getting us out of mediocrity, including getting Siakam. So desperate and thirsty to construct a squad that can barely get an 8-10 seed, that’s sad. I’d rather tank. The fact that we still have Luke tells you everything you need to know about the progress this franchise is making…none
Agree, hard to get excited or take them seriously, when they don’t take themselves seriously with Luke. I’d at least have hope if they said, “Screw it, give the team to Christie.”
I’m somewhere near this. All this “interest” in Siakam, Simmons, etc just feels meh with Luke Walton as the coach.
Why is James ham tweeting that the Holmes deal is not in trouble? Who said it was? Why did Richaun delete a tweet. Are the Kings about to implode again?
There goes any idea of trading Buddy to the 76ers.
https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1422704712231555073
Isn’t he a PF? Seems more like a Tobias replacement to me. I know, wishful thinking.
I think he is a G/F, but the point was more that they have outside shooting with Niang and Curry now so why would they want Buddy?
I think it’ll be the two firsts that get it done, more than Buddy.
Fun to read Raptors message board. No interest in Bagley and Hield. Haliburton is in every trade. They expect multiple first rounders.
Personally, I think the Kings have to include two first rounders to make any deal for Siakam. But I don’t include Haliburton.
Here’s a silly question: is there a reason why Morgan Ragan wears those oversized eyeglasses?
Strange thought, but maybe because she likes them?
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