Greg’s eyes slowly pried open – another day of misery burgeoning before him.
His first thought, the same first thought that occurred to him every day of his existence. swirled around in his brain. Why did I sell those shares, and why did I listen to Will, of all people?
His second act every morning was also the same. He checked his Golden 1 Credit Union checking account (there was no savings account). The balance totaled a paltry $6.23.
With those masochistic habits out of the way, Greg showered, ate breakfast, and grabbed his art kit before heading out the door and bicycling his way to the Santa Cruz boardwalk. On the way, his thoughts wandered back to the past few years.
After retiring from The Kings Herald and selling his shares for a cool $17.5 million, Greg had been approached by Will, who had a brilliant investment idea, or so it seemed at the time. Greg could picture it like it was yesterday.
(Pretend there’s some sort of visual imagery indicating a flashback, dear reader)
(Now, imagine it’s Will, however you imagine Will)
“Greg, I think if we take your new cash and put it into a crazy good restaurant idea, we’re gonna make millions.” Will said eagerly as he dumped maple syrup on his French toast at Pancake Circus.
Now that I think about it, ordering French toast at Pancake Circus was my first indicator Will wasn’t someone to be trusted with business decisions. Greg thought to himself. But back to the memory.
“Don’t I already have millions?” Greg asked Will.
“Sure, but don’t you want your millions to have millions?” asked Will.
“I guess, but we should probably call Tim or Zach Lowe and ask their opinions about spending a bunch of money.” replied Greg.
“Ah, they’re basically the same person. You know what they’ll say anyway.” said Will. “Let’s just get after it. Hear me out. We build out a restaurant chain. It’s theme is mediocre wings, mediocre burgers, and mediocre sides. We call it Buffalo Wilder Wings.”
“Doesn’t that already exist?” asked Greg.
“No, no, no. Listen. We make the wings even more mediocre. We make the prices even more questionable. We make the tables slightly more sticky. It’s BWW but on a whole other level!
Millions of dollars, six lawsuits, four settlements, and two judgments later, Greg pulled his bike onto the Santa Cruz boardwalk: embarrassed, humbled and broke.
Heading to his usual spot, Greg put out his sign: Caricatures (no nudes) – $40. Color: $50. Nudes, if you really want them: $120
Business was slow, as usual, but it was steady enough to pay for a personal Round Table pizza and some Surge.
As the afternoon wore on, the clientele decreased, but one man approached, wearing a hoodie pulled up tight. I’m not getting robbed again. Greg thought to himself as he reached for his phone to call 9-1-1.
But the client didn’t rob him. He carefully removed his hood and asked for a caricature – color, no nudes. Greg immediately recognized one of his childhood idols – Alfonso Ribeiro!
“Oh my gosh, it’s you, it’s Carlton!” Greg exclaimed.
“My name is Alfonso Ribeiro, and I hated Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and every memory associated with it. No, I won’t “do the Carlton”. No, I won’t sign an autograph. No, I don’t have Will Smith’s number. You will refer to me as Mr. Ribeiro, not Carlton or Carlton Banks. You will not speak to me unless spoken to. You will not refer to anything having to do with that stupid television show. I want a color caricature. I will not be upcharged. I will not pay a tax on this little picture. Do. I Make. Myself. Clear. Alfonso said.
“Um, sure, I’m sorry. I was just excited. That’s all. I loved your work, I mean, I think you’re, oh I don’t know. Let’s just get to drawing. I’ll just need you to hold still so I can capture your magnificence. Greg replied.
The next 6 hours were pure misery. Alfonso was constantly on his phone, turning away and ruining drafts. He was rude to Greg. He demanded Greg DoorDash him food from an expensive restaurant. He laughed at the other caricatures Greg had posted as advertisements. And then, he revealed a piece of information that would forever change Greg’s life. In a phone call with someone Greg assumed to be his lawyer, Alfonso described “destroying some fool who tried to open a rival to Buffalo Wild Wings, which I own 40%” and “Yeah, the idiot called it Buffalo Wilder Wings”.
Sitting before him was his childhood hero and sworn enemy. He would have his revenge in the best way he knew how.
Greg slowly began making changes to the caricature without Alfonso noticing. He smirked as he put on the final touches.
“Mr. Alfonso, this one’s on me. I’ve finished.” Greg said as he handed the turned-over canvas to his nemesis.
As he watched Alfonso Ribeiro’s face turn from delighted to shocked to hatred, Greg glanced down at his handiwork. There was modern day Alfonso Ribeiro “doing the Carlton”.
“What. Have. You. Done?” Alfonso half-cried and half-screamed.
“Why, Carlton, I drew you, Banks.
___________________________________________
Welcome back to the mailbag! Over the last several weeks, the Kings have made some draft picks, signed some players who technically play in the National Basketball Association, and participated in Summer League. Throw your questions below, and we’ll answer the best ones in a few days!
What can fans do to try make Vivek step down as chairman of the Kings?
Follow-up question since we’re likely stuck with the Ranadive’s forever; what is your coping mechanism to deal with the Kangz, other than commiserating here at TKH?
He doesn’t have to step down but hand over the reins completely to Perry and Doug to make all decisions. And Armstrong. That would solve a lot of the King’s problems.
If he is still the majority owner amd in the building, there will always be questions about how involved he is in the basketball side of things. He needs to be cut out completely.
He’s also pretty shitty the way he treats employees and those who deal with the Kings from what I’ve seen and heard.
he’s an asshole.
The Kings were the first NBA team to furlough their employees during COVID, IIRC.
That was the hope when McNair came in but Vivek can’t keep his grubby over sized ego out. He very Dolan, but without the few years away.
Good question. Maybe put pressure, but how ?
F-Vivek
Stop attending games. Stop giving that man your hard earned money. Ticket prices keep going up and they’re blocked off so many open areas on the concourse to put in shitty seats to get more money from customers.
Not surprised since the team brought in private equity investors a couple of years ago. This isn’t a professional basketball team, it’s a Silicon Valley scheme to squeeze as much money out of Sacramento as possible.
Never thought about it that way. Hard to disagree though. Damn.
What I am confused about is that you’d think they’d make more money by building a successful team, right? Like, unfortunately they are already profiting from toying with their fanbase and presenting a mediocre product over and over, but wouldn’t they make way more money by actually becoming good? Being patient enough and taking the time to build a sustainable winner rather than a team that wins as an aberration and then immediately regresses to its norm?
vivek stepping down, is the best possible way to get better. I’d say boycotting, but it’s pretty hard to get people to not see nba basketball and let’s face it Sacramento loves nba basketball. I’d say the best way would get a movement started and billboards could be a good start. Need to get people that have some inside info out. Some Geoff Petrie quotes will never hurt either.
I’m coping by not renewing my league pass as an out of territory fan. I will always love the Kings, but this season I’m watching the Blazers, who offer every game that isn’t national for free over antenna. I’ll still watch highlights and once in a while listen to the radio on YouTube, but I am not giving a dime of my money to this org anymore. I’ve been a fan since 2002, when the glory day Kings made me fall in love with the sport. It’s been ages since we’ve seen that level of ball played, the beam team year notwithstanding. At this point I’m more a fan of the fans than I am the team.
It really sucks too, because I enjoy watching them as my primary form of entertainment. I am not sitting through yet another “gap year”.
I’m on the Blazers trail too!
I can’t hitch my car to a top team, too bandwagony for my taste, but a young team that plays hard defense, seems up and coming and is willing to swing for the fences with their draft pick? Bring it on.
And Blazers Edge is a nice, active community. Too bad it’s Vox media, but it (still) does have the Z button.
Why can’t we have the z-button? It would increase revisiting each article 10-fold.
Personally, I have too much going on in real life and too many other far better entertainment options (sports and otherwise) available to want to spend anything more than the most casual attention following one of the worst franchises in the history of sports. Vivek can eat a fat dick and, really, so can the Kangz at this particular moment in time.
Summer league was far more entertaining than I figure the regular season will be. For better or for worse, I’m a Kangz or nothing fan. No real use paying attention to the NBA when my team is effectively out of contention before the season starts.
I’d kill for a Round Table, Mountain Mike’s, or even Old Town Pizza right now. Don’t get me wrong—I love a quality wood-fired, thin-crust pie. But ever since I moved to Woodstock, Georgia (just outside Atlanta), the pizza scene has been brutal.
Every chain and pizza joint here is a letdown. Even Papa Murphy’s—already super low on the pizza totem pole—somehow managed to taste worse. People out here rave about Mellow Mushroom, but come on… it tastes like they’re using government cheese, and who the hell puts canned mushrooms on a pizza?
Sorry for the rant—go Kings. And please, someone figure out a way to flip DeMar DeRozan for a future first-round pick or a dude like Brandon Clarke—someone who can actually give us some defensive grit at the four.
Congrats on the move! Looks like there are a couple of well reviewed places in Marietta. Not so much?
Good lord! “Taco Nirvana Pizza” is the Marvin Bagley of pizza. GTFO with whatever that is.
Mello Mushroom is bad, but I have heard there are few in Marietta which is only 8-19 miles away.. they are building a new pizza place that’s supposed to be pretty good in our little downtown area so that’s awesome cause I can take my golf cart there..
Got myself an Ooni pizza oven. A bit pricey until you factor in the fact that your pizzas now only cost the cost of flour, San Marzano tomatoes, some tomato paste, mozzarella, bit of yeast, a few grams of salt, a little oregano and delicious pepperoni. So maybe $5 vs $25. And they taste SO good. Haven’t gone out for pizza since.
I haven’t had a frozen pizza in a decade or 3, because why?
But…
I figured that maybe somehow science, technology might have helped improve this gastronomic conundrum.
So, community/audience at large:
Is there an edible frozen pizza commonly available at your local market?
Keeping it relatively on subject:
with Schröder at starting PG, Zach Lavine the SG, DDR at SF and with obvious push to play ‘Nique Clifford at SG(and PG):
is Malik Monk stuck at 6th man? Is he a frozen pizza guy?
Cheesy, just as I like it.
We got one too but need to finish my outdoor kitchen..so I can use it easily. We have some friends that introduce us and it’s great. I’ve also learned it really makes a difference in the type of flower you get for the pizza. I should have my grill outdoor kitchen finished in the next couple weeks so it will be perfect.
Sounds like Woodstock needs a Woodstock’s.
If I had told you in the spring that the Kings summer transactions would boil down to losing JV, Lyles and LaRavia and replacing their minutes with Schröder, Eubanks, Saric, two graduating college seniors via the draft and re-signing McDermott, what would you have said about the Kings prospects for next season?
I would of said those are trashbag moves and no way that happens….crazy
That is 3 wing/bigs and replaced with ONLY a PG (vet/get minutes type)…not even monte did that lol
Not good but IMO Perry and company have a lot more up their sleeves. I learned today after talking to Perry Doug and BJ that he, Jonathan Kuminga,is very interested in what the Kings offer.
It only matters if GS is interested in Kings offer .
What’s the point of Kuminga. Meh. Not a player the team needs-can’t shoot. Unless they are trading DDR. It’s all just useless
the Dubs have zero interest in what the Kings are offering (Devin Carter and a protected pick.) Once again it comes down to how much do you value Keegan for this team, because that’s the asset other teams want.
Trading Keegan sets this team back so badly just from a personnel standpoint, even if it were for another guy at his position. And Kuminga isn’t playing nearly as well, defensively, as Keegan for me to have any interest in that swap.
Teams/agents are trying to fleece Perry and so far have gotten their way (see: Fox, allegedly, Schroeder, and mmv on the JV transaction but I thought it was terrible.)
I read somewhere that the JV for Saric trade was the most lopsided trade of the offseason. It saved the Kings $5M this season. They are still $6.7M below the tax line so they could have signed Schröder without moving JV’s deal. There also would have been no need to sign Eubanks to a vet-minimum deal.
Sure JV was owed money for the 26-27 season, but his deal was by no means a bad contract and could have been moved later. My gut says the Warriors or Lakers would have loved to acquire him and may have given up something of value in return.
There really is just no reason that deal should have been made unless it was part of something that still hasn’t materialized…and may never materialize.
Is it possible JV told the Kings he had a better deal to play in Europe and hinted he wanted to take that? I agree it’s a lopsided trade, so that’s why I wonder if there’s more to what we know.
THERE IT IS!
I’ll keep my question brief: What the fuck?
As a corollary to that: WTF Dougie, Ewwwwbanks and half a Saric???
I’m honestly less annoyed about Dougie, he only does one thing well, but that thing is dropping bombs.
Was pretty few and far between last season. It is fun to watch when he goes off, tho.
blob:https://kingsherald.com/405b5495-6a1a-4714-bda2-d829845d8021
How many years will the Kings remain mired in mediocrity, either by bottoming out or rising to contention? Lottery luck will never strike, and nobody is ever going to bail the Kings out like they constantly do for the Lakers, so is Vivek leaving our only chance at salvation?
It’s Not Unusual for the Kings to have a bleak outlook coming into next season. 3 months until Pre-Season!
What’s your predicted starting line up – today’s roster and what you expect to be the roster and what you hope to be the roster
Schroder,either LaVine or Ellis, Murray, Kuminga and Sabonis. DeRozan and maybe Monk will be traded.
My Monk trade: Monk to the Magic for Anthony Black and Jett Howard. Black would be backup point guard for a year or two then step in as starting point guard. 6’7″ and can defend. Could be there for years to come. Jett is a 6’8″ forward who needs to work on defense but can shoot. Young.
Monk would be their sixth man which they can really use.
I like Black and think he’s a good target as a young player that may outperform his cost, but I wouldn’t count on him being an NBA PG. Now, I’d be willing to listen to an argument that he’s PG-enough if you’re going to run your offense through Sabonis, but really, Black is more of a wing that can function as a secondary/tertiary ball-handler.
So Carlton was inspired by Tom Jones?
from the oracle of all knowledge (aka the interwebs. Though GWiss and/or Tim and/or Will likely already knew this)
Wasn’t expecting chainmail today but since we’re here I’ll ask the question I’ve been debating with others in another thread: is Vivek a smart a-hole or a dumb decent guy? Understood that crappy Kings basketball is the outcome in either case.
I’ve heard a few things in the past suggesting he hasn’t treated employees or staff particularly well. I can’t say how much of it is true, but at the very least, he doesn’t come across as a decent guy.
I’ll take “Rich Assholes” for 200, Alex…
Owner of the Kings when they drafted De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, and heralded 8 coaches in 12 years?
Who is Vivek Ranadive?
We’re not TKH for nothing!
I think he’s an arrogant a-hole. Which is much worse than the other two.
Exactly how many torches and pitchforks shall I bring to the DOCO riot if the Kings don’t play Isaac Jones meaningful time?
A lot.
Tim,
Where can I buy what you are ingesting? Asking for a friend.
It’s that yogurt pie nonsense. The heat is getting to him down in Arizona
Is Vivek the worst owner in the history of the major north American sports, or just currently?*
*My question applies to job performance only, and not human qualities (ie Sterling etc)
Has he tried to move the team?
Anything else I might help with?
I think that bar has sailed, personally. Its a bit Stockholm syndrome-y at this point. The only thing that keeps him from Jerry Jones status is he’s simply not rich enough in any way.
Stockton-syndrome?
The Maloofs are amazingly the BEST owners in Sacramento history. Which says all you really need to know. They were broke doofuses but they stayed out of the way. They were so incompetent they couldn’t move the team.
Unpopular take I know, and I can’t stand Vivek as much as anyone, but as a long-suffering A’s fan, for the next however-long-they’re-there, Vivek isn’t even the worst professional sports owner in Sacramento.
#FJF to the moon and back.
*And even though you’ve qualified it by taking human qualities out of the picture, watching your team build up to almost-something, only to have it torn down to the studs, over and over and over again, might be even more frustrating than constant mediocrity.
As a fellow A’s fan, I’ll have to disagree.
I feel at the very least, Fisher hires competent people and lets them do their jobs. His biggest problem is money, and I would argue it is much more difficult to build a sustainable winner in MLB due to the wealth inequality.
2014 was beyond frustrating bc I feel that was their best chance at an actual championship (something Vivek has never even been in the conversation for). Cespedes for Lester still bugs me, but they at least went for it.
Vivek is just incapable of building anything remotely resembling a true contender. And he’s too dumb to let someone else who is competent do it.
Totally fair, though I would probably argue that it was Billy Beane who largely constructed all those good-but-not-quite-great teams (and who #FJF inherited instead of hiring).
And with the notable exception of Bob Melvin, the other managers of the #FJF era (Geren and Kotsay) weren’t exactly hired based on merit, and neither has shown any capability of developing a winner.
Also keep in mind that #FJF was the first owner to furlough minor leaguers during COVID and keeps food costs for the minor league system at a laughable level.
Yes, he absolutely has a money issue, but there is a cheapness, a pettiness and a complete and total lack of competence that is well below even Vivek. (For all his warts, Vivek kept the team in Sac and got an arena built – both things that #FJF utterly failed at.)
Speaking of…that’s without even getting into the ridiculous, infantile, embarrassing ballpark saga that has dragged on for literally the entire 20 years of his ownership.
Sorry….as an A’s fan for 50+ years I might be just a tad bitter. 😉
Fair points. However, to Fishers credit, he did keep Beane on and let him do his thing. Something Vivek has never been able to do.
Agree with you 100% on that one.
Give us your best bland, meaningless condescending Perry-rism for how we all just don’t get it.
Just wait for the next Monday Morning Inspirational Quote posted by him.
“Every morning you have two choices: continue to sleep with your dreams or wake up and destroy those of Kings fans.“
Kings fans, we just need a little patience…
What Kings fans don’t understand is that when it comes to point guards that have played for 10 different teams and couldn’t stick with any of them, all that the player needs is for a team to overpay him on a multi-year deal and make sure he has no backup. Kings fans will soon learn what I’ve always known: old MEH point guards thrive in Basketball Hell.
Tim, how about some Nostradumbassery? Pick as many as you like:
If you can acquire Kuminga without giving up whoever/whatever you consider too high of a cost (Murray, future 1st rounders, salary $$$, etc.), do you do make the deal?
I’m not completely sold on him myself, but I’d really consider it if the cost is palatable.
Sure, if the cost is low enough. If you can get him without including a 1st, then sign him to something like 4/72, then he’s worth kicking the tires on. I don’t necessarily think he’s going to be great. I don’t think he has the game and court awareness for that, but there’s a chance I’m wrong and he’s probably the type of potentially undervalued asset the Kings should be taking a chance on right now.
Looks like the Kings offer to Kuminga is less than $20M AAV:
I agree with that line in the sand. And if that doesn’t get him, then you move on. He’s an upside play, which means he’s only attractive if you can get him for a price that is exceptionally team-friend if he pans out, while being palatable if he doesn’t develop.
Would Greg still have retired from TKH if he could have used Copilot to whip up the after game reports instead of reliving the pain while writing? Can Google Gemini create better nude caricatures than Greg can?
Dismissive ChapGPT.
Is our desolate, hellscape of a Kangz fandom mirage just having a balanced roster and expecting our Front Office to make logical moves without Ownership interfering? Or is even that too much to hallucinate about?
My biggest concern right now is a trade deadline deal. If the Kings are on the outside looking in but not so far off they can dream of a play-in, do you see them being stupid enough to be buyers at the deadline?
Yes.
Is water wet?
Congratulations on your new Time Machine. Odd how it glitches out in the early 2000’s though.
You can bring one Kings’ coach other than Rick Adelman back to coach our current team, or just roll the dice with Doug. Who do you choose?
Malone or Joerger
Just give Post Malone a 3 year contract of free “Joerger”meister and I’ll settle for that right now.
Here’s a three part question: Is there any *good* justification for the Kings picking up Keon’s option? Did the Kings go full Kangz and are going to lose him for nothing? If they are able to retain him, what do you expect the extension to look like?
I did some math on this the other day. With the current core all under contract for another year (yes, they all have another year) The Kings may be too capped out to give Keegan and Keon an extension they deserve.
Right now, the core of Sabonis, LaVine, DDR, Monk, Schröder, DC, Nique, and Maxi all add up to $164M in 2026-27. This also assumes the Kings will pick up the option on DC and LaVine opts into his $49M (which he will). The current tax line is $187M, and will likely be a bit higher next season. That means, unless the Kings move some of their current guaranteed deals for expirings the Kings may have around $25M below the tax line next season.
Now, should Perry give Keon and Keegan the extensions they may deserve to kick in in 26′-27′ that very likely puts over the tax line without a full roster. I’m gonna spit ball and say Keon’s extension starts at $15M and Keegan’s is above $20M. That’s $35M right there with $25M in tax space.
Once again, Vivek has never spent into the tax, and frankly he shouldn’t with this roster. My guess is the Kings are going to either move off of some of their guaranteed deals or they will lose Keegan and Keon. Cornered with wet paint achieved.
They may have to add assets to move DDR and Lavine. Or maybe a buy-out paired with the stretch provision. (yes Vlade, it does exist)
It would be comical if it was another team.
I could sadly see them having to attach an asset to someone like DDR just to get an expiring contract in return. Something like DDR and a future 2nd for Rozier.
FWIW, DDR is not fully guaranteed in 26-27.
I think something like $10-12M is guaranteed. That is still quite a bit to just cut for a team like Sac. I suppose it could be useful to an apron team in a salary match that is really looking to shed salary.
funny how just a year ago DDR was the King’s savior and now is an immoveable contract.
Kangz
Given the partial guarantee, I think that he is easily moveable at the deadline – he’ll cost the acquiring team less than $10m this season and roughly $10m next season (if bought out). That’s a fairly cheap buy for a contending team looking to bolster its ability to close out games.
If they waive and stretch DDR with his $10M guarantee that would open $22M. That’s $47M, not an ideal way to use an asset but it creates the space for Keon, Keegan, and the top ten pick this team will likely get this year.
Good point, but man would that be a depressing way to use a supposed asset. Sign a guy to be your starter only to waive and stretch him two years later becuase you can’t find anyone to take his unguaranteed contract? Yikes.
Extension they deserve? The biggest risk to the Kings future is overpaying to keep those two guys. To me, at this point, the plan is play this roster until the trade deadline and then reevaluate. If for some reason, we are vastly overachieving then go for it. In the more likely scenario, we are getting as expected performance, begin the tear down and acquire all the draft capital you can get and EVERYONE is up for trade at the right price.
The first half of the season is also used to critically evaluate Murray and Ellis. They are certainly not untouchable. Better to trade and acquire draft capital than overpay and get locked into a long term unmovable contract.
So when you say the extension they deserve, I’m not sure what they deserve, when you’re on a non playoff team in a league where two thirds of the teams make the playoffs, I’m not sure you deserve anything.
Full stop. Both Keon and Keegan are currently underpaid on their current deals. They will make more on their next contract whether it’s here in Sac or elsewhere. It’s as simple as that. So yeah…they deserve more money.
This is especially choice since you are on record of being fine with the Schröder deal. Nonsense,
Yep, that’s the nature of rookie deals. Assuming neither of them totally tank or explode, using current deals for reference, they’re both probably worth somewhere in the 14-20MM per year range. That said, the last thing you want to do is overpay for guys that are likely solid 4th-7th on the roster types. Unless you have a really good idea about where those 1st-3rd guys are going to come from.
What did Sacramento do to deserve this?
It’s sad state of affairs with no fix in sight.
I’ve been listening to a lot of local radio media and I want to know why they (1140 and 1320 afternoon hosts) are acting like Scott Perry is doing god’s work out here when he literally turned $10 into $4 and an obligation, hasn’t made one move outside the draft that has netted a positive result and sounds like he’s completely in over his head when you listen to him in interviews.
They can try and control the narrative about their new GM all they want but when you look at the results and they’re more chicken shit than chicken salad, people aren’t going to want to digest it.
The local media sometimes appear to have little end of season flare-ups to give the impression that they are critical of the organization, but then slide back into being mouthpieces and cheerleaders, so it seems to me.
Maybe the TKH staff can shed some light on it, and how much pressure there is from the Kings not to be badmouthed by the press?
The 1140 guys must be well aware of the financial ties to the Kings and their job security . Seems 1320 and new 890 not so much .
Vivek is the warlord of Sacramento professional sports. There are 20-odd people trying to make a living covering the Kings on podcasts, radio, print, etc. They tend to be employed by organizations that have direct financial ties to the Kings. Most of their listeners aren’t sophisticated armchair GMs and just want to have some dudes to cheer for. The listeners get what they ask for, and the media members minimize risk to their jobs.
Local media are the mouthpiece for the FO/ownership. Never trust them. I personally don’t listen to any of them.
Grant Napear is right: Sacramento has had dogshit for sports radio.
Listened to Lowe on the BS podcast.
Lowe went over all the leaguewide chatter that was going on amongst GM’s and higher ups at SL.
The talk regarding the Kings was as you’d expect. How did they go from LTB to Kangz so fast. He used the word “depressing” to describe the Kings.
And there’s a lot of chatter about Vivek and how he “can’t get out of his own way” “ can’t help himself.”
They revisited the Hali/Sabonis trade and made it clear the Pacers won that trade (sorry Sabonis’ apologists).
Lowe made it clear that Fox only wanted to go to the Spurs and behind the scenes there was likely a wink wink understanding that the Spurs would extend Fox.
Kangzzzz
I think it was given that the Spurs were going to extend Fox. The new wrinkle, however, is that if they do, they can’t trade him for some time (like Utah did with Lauri) and the Spurs just drafted another guard at #2. Fox, Castle, and Harper all should be getting big minutes, but it’s gonna be hard.
I sometimes wonder that if the Spurs had known they were going to land Harper with the #2 pick, do they still make the trade for Fox? It a tad bit reminds of how the Kings had Fox and Hali and then drafted Mitchell. It’s not nearly the same level as talent as Harper, but we all know how that one played out.
Harper wasn’t very good in SL. I think it’s going to take time for him to develop. Jerry said as much on the recent pod.
And it’s not a given that Harper is going to be a stud. Spurs need to see what they have in Wemby and Fox playing off each other. I don’t think they’re worried about how Harper fits in long term just yet.
Grant, thanks for the summary. You took one for the team. That leads me to a Chainmail Extreme Masochism Edition question: if Fox would only go to the Spurs, isn’t that some Kangz leverage? What stopped them from saying Vassell, Sochan, and this year’s first, or FU? So, was Fox and Huerter for The $47 Million Man rather than youth and picks the worst trade ever?
That’s on Monte. I was all for trading Fox but not for that return. I would have held off on a trade at the deadline and waited for the offseason.
Maybe Monte felt compelled to make whatever deal due to job security, I don’t know. But to not even get back that 2032 Spurs swap that he stupidly traded away in the DDr transaction is absurd.
Same way everyone says FK Vivek, I feel the same about Monte.
8 coaches and 4 GMs in 12 years, yet only one thing remains consistent.
Never underestimate Matina .
I think Matina was there for the previous regime also, even during the glory years. I suspect her negative effects can be overcome by a competent front office that the owner doesn’t interfere with. Unfortunately I don’t think the current front office is anywhere near competent, and at any rate the owner that can’t keep his dismissive little hands out of the cookie jar.
So, I was just catching up on some NBA news and stories while enjoying my cup of coffee and it looks like the Westbrook to Kings talk is heating up Carmichael Dave gives it a 80/20 chance?
In all seriousness, the Kings need another guard like they need a hole in the head. I can’t imagine the Kings are the only team that are willing to give him a vet minimum deal, which likely means they are likely giving him more than the vet minimum. Ridiculous.
Bring in Westie and Kuminga. At this point, why the fuck not? Let’s just go full Circus.
There’s your problem.
Perry’s inspirational quote for today:
If Monk is traded, then I guess Westbrook would a decent backup for a season…it’s not like the Kings have a young PG that needs minutes.
I wouldn’t bring in Westbrook. If you are going to trade Monk do it with the Magic. Monk for Anthony Black and Jett Howard. Black your backup until Schroder is gone than takes over as the starting point guard for years to come. 6’7″ can playmake pass and defend. Howard at this time is the fillin but can play defense.
Another idea might be to dump this Kuminga thing and trade Derozan and Carter for RJ Barrett. Barrett would be a good fit as small forward and the only drawback is that Murray would be power forward and that’s okay. The Raptors are interested in moving RJ. He doesn’t fit right now so a trade would work out. He is only 25 and still can improve but his stats are great in scoring, rebounds and assists. He could really help the Kings and at his age fits right in. He is also a good teammate and fit in the locker room. Combined with the Monk trade above the Kings IMO would be set. Schroder, LaVine or Ellis Barrett ,Murray and Sabonis. Black as backup point guard with Nique Max Jones this would be a great bench. Good start.
IMO, Barrett isn’t good trade option for the Kings.
He’s plays small for a SF as he shies away from contact and plays much more like a slashing SG, he’s fairly inefficient for a scorer (eFG% less than 50%), he’s an okay but not great floor spacer (35% career avg from 3pt), negative defender, decent playmaker but he turns the ball over too much to rely on him (5/3 Ast/TO Ratio), and he’s very expensive for the production you get with 2yrs remaining at $28MM and $30MM.
I think Nique is a better version of RJ Barrett.
Keep the trade ideas coming though. The ORL trade you mentioned of Monk for Black/Howard was one I was pitching a few months ago and I think it makes a bunch of sense for both teams, even with ORL getting Banes. They have several forwards who need to play (Paulo/Franz) and develop (da Silva/Penda/Houstan) and a lack of scoring from the G position outside of Banes.
I think this gets put on the back-burner though until ORL determines if Jace Richardson is ready or needs more time. If he isn’t ready a few weeks out the gate, I think ORL might pull the trigger on a move like this, or maybe they look at A. Simon’s (BOS) expiring contract instead.
There’s just no chance the Magic would trade Black for Monk. Not much reason to hope for that.
If we can move DDR, Monk and Carter and bring in Kuminga and Russ without sending out a bunch of draft capitol, that would be a plus move.
Yeah, I could get behind that, especially if the Westbrook deal is cheap and short term.
Monk and Carter in a S&T for Kuminga, then DDR in a salary dump for Rozier.
Also, if Rozier is not cleared of the charges (& banned by the NBA) – his entire salary would be wiped out prior to the end of the season. If he’s cleared, the contract might have value at the trade deadline for a team trying to get under the 2nd apron (Cavs & Suns) or teams near the 2nd apron (HOU, NYK, DEN, TOR, MIN, LAL, or BOS).
I could get behind this also.
But the warriors can only take back 50% of Kuminga’s salary in a sign and trade because he falls under the base salary compensation rule. So Monk and Farter would be like $25m, which means Kuminga would have to sign for $50m?
If there was a 3rd team involved, I think they could do some shenanigans and make it work.
I agree. I love monk but it fixes the roster imbalance quite a bit and puts guys like Ellis and Nique in a good place to not only have a real opportunity but succeed and progress.
Kings over-under 35.5 wins this. I bet the under.
I can easily see the under happening. The over, not so much.
If the roster stays relatively the same I would bet the under. If some major changes take place like trading for Kuminga and others IMO the Kings might reach 40 or 42 but changes have to be made.
That’s a tough bet because 35-36 wins feels pretty on the nose. Not good enough to make the playoffs, not bad enough to have a decent shot at a high pick.
DDR to the Nets for Claxton and Dennis to Boston for D. White solves everything. Work out the details. Wtf are we doing? It’s nothing on all the other BS and definitely no to Westbrook.
Hate to break it to you, but Nets aren’t making that deal unless the Kings attach a pick(s) and Schröder can’t be traded until Dec. 15th.
And that’s ok. I think Claxton is good for a 1st down the road and a 2nd.
Boston is tanking. They may want to get off D. White’s deal. I’ll take him over Dennis anyday. Hell, trade for him ON the 15th.
White
Lavine
Murray
Sabonis
Claxton
That is solid. Hides all deficiencies.
What big if should give Kings fan’s the most hope? Like what if Clifford plays at an all star level? What if Sabonis’ 3 point release is quicker, more frequent, and just as effective? What if Carter turns into a legit point guard? Or maybe it’s just what if the Kings can trade Lavine and/or Derozan for players that just fit the roster better? Give me one thing that should provide hope, just one.
What if the Ranadive’s, Matina, and Vlade were no long part of the Kings?
I’d love to see Clifford, Ellis and even Raynaud get a ton of minutes, but even supposing Christie was inclined to play the kids, I don’t know if the front office will permit them to eat into DeRozan & Lavine’s minutes.
We’ll waste most of the season showcasing those two, and while I think DDR is likely to be moved before the deadline, Lavine is a tough sell. Unless a team with a real shot at a playoff run loses to injury a guy who scores a ton of points, Zach will be around.
It’s nice to think that after the deadline, Lavine will see a lot of DNPs due to nagging “injuries” that medical science is unable to explain, and the younger guys will get a ton of burn. The likeliest scenario, as we are all aware, is that it won’t play that way as the franchise pursues the ten-seed and a one-game postseason.
My butt-pulled prediction, if the Kuminga thing falls apart, DDR will be in Milwaukee before the start of the season for Kuzma and filler (like Tyler Smith or Utah’s 2026 second rounder). It just make sense for both teams. Bucks are gonna want to get help for Giannis and DDR provides that scoring punch in a position of need. Kings get a bit younger and longer. It’s a whole bunch of “meh” for me in terms of fit, but I could see it happening.
I’m with you on LaVine. It’s going to take a very desperate team to want him at his price. Maybe a surprise team in the East sees an opportunity with Indy and Boston taking a gap year? Could Detroit see a window and send out Duncan Robinson, and expiring Tobias Harris and filler?
Tyler Smith and the 2nd would be the more important assets. Take the flyer on the young guy, have another 2nd round in the cache for a later trade. It would also out Keegan at SF, which balances thing better.
Kuzma does not excite me, but the contract ends soon enough.
I’m not a betting man, but it’s a move I’d put money on. I’ve got a feeling the Bucks want to keep Giannis as happy as possible and DDR gives them a window in a very weak East. Kuzma, quite frankly, is redundant with the Bucks having Giannis, Portis, and Turner as their front court rotation.
I think it also does DDR a solid by moving him from Sac to a contender in the East.
I could also see the Bucks interested in LaVine instead, but I just don’t see a way to make it work numbers wise.
What if the Kings got the Kuminga for Carter/Saric/Two 2nds or a protected first AND the Kuzma deal you cited?
Start DS, Zach, Keegan, Kuminga. Domas and bring Monk, Ellis, Kuzma, Clifford, Jones off the bench.
A bit younger and bigger at the wing/forward spots. Gives Raynaud some time to develop a bit more and see where he fits at the 4/5.
Yeah, I could see that. If Perry thinks that Eubanks and Maxi can handle the back center minutes then more length and depth on the wings seems wise.
Without having to give up Monk, there’s no way to bring in Kuminga without the Kings going over the first apron.
And that’s okay!
They can’t go above the first apron because they are hard capped thanks to the S&T for Schröder.
The Kings are currently $6.7M below the tax and $9.8M below the first apron. That means if the rumored trade of Saric and Carter (combined for $10.5M) for Kuminga via S&T, the most the Kings could offer is the current apron space and the contracts of Saric and Carter, which is around $20.4M
Kuminga is currently not taking the 2 year $40M offer from the Warriors, so why would he take $20.4M per year from the Kings if his reported asking number is $30M per year?
It seems to me that Monk or DDR need to be shipped to a third party, with less in return, to reach Kuminga’s asking price. I’m not sure how it gets done.
If they did a DDR for Kuzma straight up, that lower the Kings salary by $2m. Waiving TD would be another $2.5m, so that could get the Kuminga contract unto roughly $25m/per year, which may get it done.
There are ways they can manage the cap to create space.
I’m just not sure the Bucks want to take on another $2ishM by taking DDR for Kuzma. I’m guessing they want to lower their cap.
You are right though, there are lots of ways to making the moving parts fit to benefit all.
I can’t imagine any team trading for LaVine, the only way the Kings move him is if they attach picks
I can see DeRozan getting moved as he has value as a scorer to a contending team
Why can’t the Kings ever get back a young player with promise, it seems like the Kings get veteran has been’s or never wheres in deals
Painfully, the Kings probably have to just spend the next couple of years losing, cycling prospects, looking for deals, and waiting out contracts.
The two year plan:
Priorities:
Good plan.
But Viv-per-tina will be moving our youth and picks for “win now” geriatrics.
Year 1:
Lose for Boozer!
I’m gonna custom make and wear shirt saying “sell the team Vivek please” when they come to okc. Usually always a few kings fans when they play here and I’ll try and start a chant with them at some point.
It’s a bit awkward as a chant. Try “Ranadive! Won’t you leave!”
I’m always amused at how easy this shit is.
Vivek Wannaleave, eh?
Vivek Wontchaleave, eh?
Vivek Runandleaveh
.
Don’t say please…
“Sell the team Vivek RIGHT NOW!”
SELL. THE. TEAM.
EAT. MY. ASS.
It doesn’t rhyme, but I feel that Kings fans have earned the right to use prose with such things. It really brings out the cleverness, as you see.
Question. There was once a lot of talk about the brilliant move to retain the Hueter trade. What value does that still have and how can the Kings best use it? I think I remember it expires this year. I just don’t hear any talk about it anymore.
The TPE created in the Huerter trade? I believe that was used in the Schröder signing instead of the the MLE.
Does that mean they still have the MLE but can’t use it fully because they are so close to the first apron? You always know the answers to this kind of stuff! Impressive.
I believe you are correct. They have the full MLE, but can only use what’s available below the 1st apron. I’m guessing it was just beneficial to use Huerter’s TPE because it was available and it has an expiration date. The MLE is always there (as long as they are below the apron) and can now be traded into, much like a TPE. Time will tell, but maybe Perry has something up his sleeve.
I’m no cap expert, but trying to learn this new CBA and apron rules is kind of a fun challenge. So many wrinkles…and I may be wrong a lot of the time, but it makes for fun conversations!
Final question. Is there any intel on why the Kings seem so adamant on trading Malik Monk? I know he has one of the few (sorta) moveable contracts on the team and is part of the logjam at guard, but just wondering if he’s butt hurt by Fox leaving and the way that was handled.
Just my opinion but forget he Kuminga trade for now and go after other pieces. There are a lot of fish in the ocean. I uderstand Perry can only catch certain fish. I still think he can or maybe he is interested in RJ Barrett. There are talk around that he is on a trading block.If we could snag him for let’s say Monk and Carter and a second or 2 I would be happy. Look at his stats(points rebounds assists) He is only 25 and has time to improve on areas he needs to. Over 20 points a game. Near 6 rebounds a game. Over 5 assists a game. He would play SF and Keegan again PF but that isn’t that bad.
If you could trade DDR to the Bucks for Kuzma and Smith. Now Kuzma would be a backup to Keegan or Barrett and Smith is a player at 6’11” and very young could possibly be a good backup. With the effort.
Starters: Schroder, LaVine or Ellis, Barrett, Murray and Sabonis. Backups: Westbrook, Ellis or LaVine, Clifford, Kuzma or Jones, Eubanks and Raynaud’
Not a bad team and without Kuminga.
Jack, I explained it once to you, I will try agin.
The idea of these threads are that if someone talks about something and you respond to them, you respond to the topic on hand.
Here, lazlohollyfeld was talking about why the Kings seem adamant to lose Monk and you respond by claiming that they should stop pursuing Kuminga.
That’s no way to have a conversation on this site. To me, it’s rather annoying.
If you reply to someone, please actually engage with what he/she is writing about.
You want to bring up another trade idea, start a new thread. If it is relkated to the topic if the article, fine. If not, just begin your post with “I have an off-topic trade idea“.
Thank you in advance.
Thank you for your comment. My comment was not to insult anyone especially you. All I wanted to do is show a different way to go for the Kings to get better and younger. If I hurt anyone’s feeling or for any reason changed the subject I am truly sorry.
I’m not insulted, just somewhat annoyed. No hard feelings.
Look at it like a real-life conversation. You’re talking to someone about a specific subject, let’s say a potential Kings trade, and the other guy replies by complaining about the weather in Alaska and ignoring your trade idea. Wouldn’t you be miffed?
Yes.
Agreed, I enjoy a good non sequitur as much as anyone, but you’re just changing the subject instead of taking a hard turn into unrelated nonsense.
“Unrelated” is key.
Kuminga update: What a shit offer from the Dubs. Basically, “Here’s a 1 year guaranteed deal in which you will waive your no-trade rights so we can trade your ass to whomever we want in a few months for a better return than we can get right now. Oh, and they they will control your contract for the following season.”
Kuminga has every right to tell the Warriors to pound sand.
Warriors are screwing this situation up even more. I hope they move to being irrelevant quickly.
Kings appear to be the front runners, however the Dubs still have to come to the table.
https://bsky.app/profile/ohnohedidnt24.bsky.social/post/3lv7db23ork2b
Hope Perry doesn’t pull a Dumars and agree to an unprotected 1st. I don’t think we should include any first rounders. It’s a sign and trade, they’re lucky to get anything.
The only thing I might consider are the firsts received in the Fox trade. San Antonio’s 2027 or Minny’s 2031 are likely less valuable than an unprotected Kangz pick. They also don’t tie up future trades via the Stepien Rule, as the Kings would still own all of their own picks.
We’re going to need those picks to move old guys so we can sign Keegan and Keon
Kuminga’s agent: “Lol, nope.”
Probably no chance at all the Kangz are being used as leverage and he’ll resign with the Warriors.
I don’t know if that’s the case here. The Dubs are just $17M below the tax (of which they would be repeaters) and $25M below the first apron. They only have 9 dudes under contract so they really don’t have a whole lot of wiggle room to give Kuminga a deal. Even at just $15M per year, they be really close to the tax level with an additional 4 roster spots at minimum to fill.
Thats where the Kings offering $90ishM over years to Kuminga in exchange for 2 live bodies in Carter and Saric (who is expiring) at just $10M per year may be the best the Dubs can get. They get live bodies and it gives them room to sign Horford, Melton, and others.
Three questions:
What’s your optimistic trade for DDR? (Maybe it assumes we get Kuminga, maybe not!)
What’s the trade that we’re going to look back on from 2025 with the most regret? (Trading Fox? Trading Carter? Signing Kuminga? Signing Schoder?)
What do you think minutes will look like for our rookies this year?
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