We’re back with an uneventful (but sorta eventful?) NBA Draft and plenty of free agency speculation to talk about. Listen to Jerry Reynolds, Will Griffith, and Tony Xypteras break down on all the latest Kings news and notes on The Kings Herald Show:
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Ehh…I would pass on Lopez for Kuzma money. Seems like a band-aid at this point in his career (35). If we’re going for a defensive minded center, I would rather go after Poeltl. He can’t shoot the 3 but he is efficient at the rim/rebounds/interior defense. Would also be cheaper. If Sabonis also develops his jumper/3 this off-season, that also opens more doors as to who can pair with him.
I like Poelti over Lopez. IMO the best backup to Sabonis. He has been a starter but IMO would want to play for a championship contender, IMO if it would work out whether I like it or not Kuzma will be a King. There are worst power forwards and he does fit along side Sabonis.
The fact that we are hearing rumors of Kuzma and the Kings makes me believe it ain’t happening. The biggest moves by McNair came out nowhere (Sabonis, Huerter, Monk).
true that
Of all the guys the Kings have been connected to, nobody outside of Draymond would kill my vibe about the direction of this team like Kuzma.
Not a great shooter, a mediocre defender, a bad positional fit next to Keegan, and questionable commitment to the game. Why would I want to commit $30 million/year to a guy like that?
And finally, on a philosophical point, if we are not going after a championship then what exactly are we doing? The NBA is home to the world’s most elite basketball players, and the starters on title contenders are even moreso. When it comes to competing for championships, there are no half measures. Kuzma is simply not the guy to take us to the next level, and we shouldn’t be spending $30 million + over multiple years on anybody who isn’t.
Agreed, and all that said, if they get both Lopez, and Kuzma. It’s ON!
If Kuzma wants $15 mil to play 25mpg then fine! But he wants all-star money to take all-star minutes and give back average starter production. No thanks.
100%. But it’s a nice fantasy.
Sure at 30. He declined one year at like 15, whose to say a 3 or 4 at 20-22 doesn’t get it done. At that price he works well. He knows how to play off a passing big from his days with gasol, they will honor his 3 ball, solid rebounder and can get a bucket.
No reason they can’t sign kuz, Barnes, Sasha and lyles.
Fox, Mitchell
Huerter, Monk
Murray, Barnes
Kuz, Sasha
Domas, Lyles, Queta
Why would Poetl take a backup role when he’s a starting caliber center?
Also him and Domas would be unplayable together.
I’ll take Brook or Wood over Poetl or Kuzma.
For equal money, I like Poetl best. Kuzma isn’t likely to be enough of an upgrade to be worth the investment. Wood hasn’t shown the motor, or winning pedigree. Lopez is too old, and I just feel like, if the Bucks are letting him go now, they know something we don’t.
I’m cozying up to the idea of Brook Lopez if it’s a two year deal max with a team option on year 3. He’s a snug fit next to Domas as he can stretch the floor and he’s beast on D.
If MM sees the Kings as contenders over the next two years, then it’s a sensible move.
Brooks injury concerns and age can’t be ignored though, so the price would have to be right.
Lopez on a two year guaranteed and team option 3rd would be great . Also would like Plumly over Poeltl . Much more athletic and now a lot better FT% and passer !
Did you just refer to Mason Plumlee (Plumly) athletic?
Yes, have you watched him run and jump compared to Jacob ? Not close !
Ok, sure. Compared to Poeltl, but Poeltl is a true enforcer, and a lot more skilled BB player.
Lopez on a two year guaranteed and team option 3rd would be great .
What do you think Lopez would cost on a two year deal, $15 million per?
$30M. $45M if they pick-up the option.
I’d say 15 million per year is fair and would still leave a lot of room to fill out the roster.
More than fair, but it won’t bring Brook Lopez to Sac.. I hope I’m wrong.
Poeltl is an above average starting center and absolutely will not be coming to backup Sabonis 12 mpg, and he’d be an extremely expensive backup at that.
Is paying Lopez decent money to play 12mpg worth? I don’t think so. And if he’s gonna play more minutes, then we need to talk about the fit next to Sabonis which ehhhh. Who’s gonna play perimeter defense between them? How well will Lopez operate as a stretch 4 playing off Sabonis? Lots of questions for an old dude who’s gonna be costly.
We need to recognize that backup centers are a dime a dozen in the NBA. Plumlee and Thomas Bryant are guys that can give 12-18 good minutes per night and do it on the cheap. That’s what I’d like – save the big bucks for your stars and major role players.
Since basically your saying that you can get by with a backup center who sucks, that’s the best argument, for Plumlee I’ve heard. And he would check a lot of boxes, so, for the right price for a guy playing 15 minutes a game, I’m sold.
Exactly. With the new CBA, where you spend your money becomes more important than ever. I can spend an extra $10 million/year to have Lopez over Plumlee, or I can spend that same $10 million to upgrade a starting position. To me, it’s obvious which would drive more value.
Your probably right about Poeltl wanting a bigger role, but I would still give his agent a call. Especially if Sabonis doesn’t/won’t sign, maybe you could sell him. I like him as insurance against injury, as well as the possibility of losing Domas. Although playing time might be reduced, he and Domas would likely would both be more efficient in fewer minutes. And if your offering the biggest bag… I don’t suppose Jakob is a guy making huge money in endorsements.
If Domas isn’t getting a raise right now, there’s money available. Considering his age, and the way Poeltl plays, he’s only likely to get better. So he’s an asset that will have value going forward. Depending on matchups, there may be games where Poeltl may merit more minutes than Sabonis, or even some series. What would we be thinking if Poeltl had come in and outplayed Domas against Looney and GS? How far-fetched is the idea that could actually happen?
Plumlee a better choice in every way and much cheaper .
Yahoo reporting the Kings, Pistons and Blazers among the teams expected to go after draymoron.
There’s no way I could ever root for that guy.
I wanted to re-state, in case you missed it:
While it maybe true that MM may have a plan for the cap-space, and he likely does have at least a sketch of a plan, assuming he has some secret deal in his back pocket smells a lot like horseshit.
re: Tony’s comment about being unenthusiastic if the only thing the Holmes trade would accomplish is resigning Sabonis: it would not just be that. it would also free up 12 million next year.
re: the iffy comments about whether there’s a player in free agency who would push the Kings to the next level: I have the same doubts. Therefore, I really like the idea of resigning Barnes and/or Lyles. However, I don’t know who to prioritize and at what price. I’d like to hear your thoughts on that topic. Vezenkov might be in the mix there. And I think Slawson will be in the mix.
Looking forward to summer league.
Agree with Jerry on Keon and Neemias. They deserve a run!
I stated in the last thread, and at the risk of repeating myself, and at the risk of repeating myself…
Your main machine is Domantas Sabonis and he needs help. He needs relief that he has not had through all of last season. It was a minor miracle he played as much as he did considering his thumb and other injuries (and his foul trouble). And come playoff time, the Kings need more size in the frontcourt. Lyles is a nice small ball 5 and Metu, Len and Queta are 3rd stringers.
His back up should be priority numero uno. A starting SF would be great, but a frontcourt partner/back up for Domas should be the main search.
Mason Plumlee is such a guy. It is unknown if he will be available or sign with Sactown. My preference is Nikola Vucevic because he can play the mid-range game with some 3 on the offense, he is a good passing big (as is Plumlee btw) and he rebounds well (again, as does Plumlee). The big cost differential is that Vucevic is a starter quality talent and Plumlee is strictly a backup that can start if needed (Sabonis is out) and Plumlee scores only if he has no other choice, but he does defend well.
If you sign Vucevic and Barnes you have a rotation of Vucevic/Barnes/Murray at the 4 with one a 4/5 and the other two 4/3.
Alternatively: OG Anunoby, Josh Hart at the 3 with Plumlee as the backup 5 if Vucevic isn’t your cup of tea.
MM has options because he has money and a recent playoff appearance.
Lopez, Draymond, Kuzma, and others are all very real possibilities. When one is off the market he isn’t an option. MM is trying a few deals and seeing what becomes a reality. He isn’t living in a vacuum. Everyday his choices change as his counterparts also work deals.
Thanks again for the fun listen Will, Tony and TGJR (The Great Jerry Reynolds).
The 3rd place team in the Western Conference with the Coach of the Year, Exec of the Year, All-NBA De’Aaron Fox and All-NBA Domantas Sabonis will be together for another season and the surprising success will have a chance to marinate. Keep the core together, and find relief for The Ox – I was hoping for Vucevic but he looks to be back in Chi-Town (an Ox and Bull front court would have been bovine divine). Mason Plumlee would be very nice. Even Kelly Olynyk is welcomed. Pascal Siakam? Hey – if they can pull it off, absolutely. But get Domas relief. Shoring him up with an extension to $120M for 4 years is unlikely to happen unless it can be re-negotiated next season (pay him now, and pay him more later). To me, that is the area of greatest need for the Kings and upgrading the talent from Harrison Barnes is less likely to happen, and not the top priority.
Great points and hope summer league provides a surprise . Hope Quera and Ellis show out !
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