Welcome back to Chainmail! Today’s edition is coming in the post-draft, pre-free agency window, so we’re taking question on both! As a review:
- The Kings drafted Keegan Murray with the 4th overall pick last week
- Monte McNair traded the 37th pick for Dallas’ 2024 and 2028 second selections
- Monte McNair traded the 49th pick for cash and the rights to Sasha Vezenkov
- The Kings will enter free agency with no cap space, but they will have access to the non-taxpayer MLE (up to 4 years, $43 million) and the bi-annual exception (2 years, $8 million)
- Donte DiVincenzo and Neemias Queta are restricted free agents
- Jeremy Lamb, Damian Jones, and Josh Jackson are unrestricted free agents
- Chimezie Metu and Trey Lyles are non-guaranteed contracts, with a decision regarding Lyles needing to be made on Tuesday.
Now, get to asking so we can get to answering!
Show me your reasonable vision for the 12 man roster to begin the season.
If you don’t get Jesus to play point, the rest of these guys are worthless.
They even got LeBron James’s hair right.
I laughed way too hard at this. Probably why I’ve been relegated to basketball hell for the last 25 years.
Blasphemy is the best.
LeBron isn’t worthless.
I assume the James on the bottom is LeBron.
Vivek is lower row, second from right.
If they ain’t playing for a top pick for the next draft, they ain’t doing it right. Unless Murray is the new Tatum (and who the hell knows, maybe he is), this team is dog doody
I’m not thinking we should pin our hopes on a rookie. Of course he could be Clyde the Glide!
Pin our hopes on Murray or pin our hopes on the top pick of next years draft?
Which one?
I agree that Murray should earn his minutes and not be the next Bagley.
I also agree that this team should have tanked long ago to get draft picks that are assets.
No rookie (even a ROY) should be expected to lead a bad team to the playoffs, this season next season, or ever. The Kings still need another starting quality forward.
I think the Kings need four three new starting players.
I don’t anyone is expecting Murray or a first round pick to lead this team the to the playoffs in their rookie season.
Tanking, then getting better draft picks is a proven process to improve a team. Do you agree?
I love the Murray pick! I wanted him over Ivey. I loved the Mike Brown hire. He was one of my favorites out of the initial list.
Check. Check.
So,
Why do you think that so many people insist that the Kings had a good offer for the #4 pick, despite there being absolutely no evidence of such a great deal?
Purpled!
I don’t get why people figured there was a great offer, Detroit wanted Ivey and would have been happy with Murray, no good reason to give up an asset.
Collins for Chance at Murray? No thanks..
Cap space be damned…What does your realistic 6-10 roster spots (primary backups) look like to make the playoffs?
Murray, Holmes, Mitchell, DiVincenzo, Davis.
Because in order to be reasonably confident in making the playoffs, they need to add talented enough players to push guys like these to the bench.
So, in your opinion, the Kings are still 2 starters away from being a playoff team, and I’d agree with that.
Yeah. I mean, obviously it depends on who those starters are. If somehow one of them is a top-10 or 15 type, then one of these others guys could probably fill a spot passably. But short of that, I think they need another 2 unconditional starter types.
In case it isn’t clear, by “unconditional starter” I mean a guy you don’t have to say “sure, they could start in the right system or with the right personnel around them.”
Now that’s a bench I can get behind! I guess the follow up question would be “what two newly acquired starters push two of those guys to the bench?” Gary Payton Jr? Otto Porter? Malik Monk? John Collins?
I like your answer and agree but I project two of those players being starters, unless we can, hopefully, bring in two more to push them to the bench. As the roster currently stands and with Tim’s previously explained salary cap limitations, I could easily see Mitchell and Murray being starters on this team. Murray maybe not to start the year but certainly for at least half of the year or post-trade deadline.
Oh, I agree that two of those guys probably will be starters, I just don’t think that will create a starting 5 I’d feel comfortable beating on making the playoffs.
Your follow-up question is the big one. Really, I think only one of those guys (Collins) would be a no-doubt starter. The others are still guys that I think are best used from the bench.
That’s actually kind of why I asked the original question. Because I see two players like Murray and Mitchell starting, I really think we are going to need to beef up our 6-10 spots.
For the record, I’m excited to see a Mitchell and Fox backcourt if that ended up being the case. But if Mitchell is coming off the bench that’s really encouraging because it means we acquired a really good starting guard opposite Fox.
Mitchell as a starter can raise this team a notch thru tenacity and defense . Young version of Kyle Lowry – winner .
While I don’t necessarily expect Keegan to be good enough as a rookie to be a starter on a playoff team, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise for me if he was that good. Also, Sabonis pushed Holmes to the bench.
Anyone other than the current 6-10.
You’re not wrong!
Do any of the following guys have a chance to make the roster?
Keon Ellis
Jared Rhoden
Jeriah Horne
Alex O’Connell
Jai Smith
Why are some people hurrying to extend Monte McNair’s contract? Why can’t it wait until after the AS break/trade deadline?
Sasha Vezenkov today’s news. He made some new comments on Bulgarian media:
The way he said it sounded like there’s a decent possibility for this year.
I read that as he has conditions to his coming to the NBA. Like a guaranteed rotational or starting spot.
“Proposal” = money and playing time.
Is biannual to low2/8? and taxpayer midlevel too high4/43?
Who is going to start next to Fox in the backcourt? Is that player currently on the roster?
I don’t think so. I could put in a word for the Nets Bruce Brown.
with the flat earth fella signing in NJ it would seem that Brown is “out”
I’ve been reading that Keegan is actually a left hander but his brother taught him to shoot right handed; the exact opposite of De’Aaron Fox if I’m not mistaken.
Outside of being able to surprise defenders off the dribble with the “off”-hand, what benefits are there to this?
+1: Vezenkov played with Papa G last season at Olympiakos. Does that give us more or less chance of bringing him over this year?
Ambidextrous = good
+1- worse chance.
He’s an identical twin, so either he or his brother is left handed.
With no clear starter/minute eater at the 2, is DDV the best the Kings can hope for by matching in RFA? If not, is there an alternative in the free agent market or already on the roster that is a better alternative?
Adding onto this, what sort of sign/trade returns might there be for a DDV?
I keep wondering who might throw money at DDV to try and pry him away from the Kings, and I can’t think of any. Few have the cap space or need for a player like him. At best I think he might be worth the full MLE. Maybe the Spurs offer more and a chance to start? He seems like a Spurs type player.
Exactly why I’d prefer we keep him for the next couple of years.
Adding that if we could figure out a SnT that moves him and another Kings asset for a decent near all-star that compliments our current core then we should probably do that.
I don’t believe you can package a S&T player with anyone else. Multiple players can come in return but said player must go alone. I could be wrong.
Multiple players can be packaged with a S&T player. The tricky part is helping around the BYC element of S&Ts.
So specific and useful.
Unlike yourself who has difficulty presenting yourself as either of those things let alone both simultaneously.
Spurs roster is full- so there are options
at the same time, it is tough to get like for like.
Spurs did draft 3 wings. + Primo from last year.
Olidipo might want a short-term deal to show his value
otherwise, DDV
Kangz have to win more regular season games than 5 western conference teams to make the play-in. Assuming we make it to the 10 seed, name those teams. (to me 4 are obvious but the fifth is not)
I have the current Kings lineup ranked 12th in the West.
Dubs, Mavs, Pels, Blazers, Grizz, Clips, Suns, Jazz,Nugs, Wolves, and Lakers as Top11.
If healthy.
I have them in the second of three tiers (teams in no particular order within their tiers):
GS, Phx, Dal, Mem, Den, Min, LAC, Uta
NO, Por, LAL, Sac
SA, Hou, OKC
The age thing is real with the Lakers and cannot be ignored. Portland gets Lillard back but also drafted the rookie that may be least ready to make a contribution this year. New Orleans should be improved with the return of Zion, but chemistry is TBD with him / Ingram / McCollum.
My guess is that the Kings are in a four team race for 9 and 10, and they will need to perform at or near their peak while teams in their tier fall back to them. With no further additions to the top of the roster, I am not anticipating having to set aside any time in April for playoff basketball.
I had the same list. I guess we’ll have to wait to see what happens in free agency too, but of those teams at the bottom, I have some questions.
Blazers – I’m not sure when exactly Dame started hurting, but they were barely flirting with .500 prior him going down with CJ. I don’t Grant makes up for that loss.
Clips – Is Kawhi fully recovered and if not, can PG repeat the hot start he had last season?
Jazz – What do they look like with a new coach, and do one of the stars get moved?
Lakers – They are another year older and need both AD and LeBron to stay healthy
The Kings would still need to improve to catch 2 of the above teams if they faltered.
Spurs finished at the 10 spot last season 4 games ahead of Sacramento and they still have Coach Pop. They go in the Play-In tier for me.
That leaves OKC and Houston which both tip the PotentiaMeter with all their young talent. Maybe Jabari Smith, Jr. or Chet Holmgren really are dynamic win getters. Maybe their other young stars begin to blossom.
I am going with the oft healthier outlook that the Kings will underperform my underwhelming expectations. This has served me well these last 16 seasons. I am not saying I hope them to finish 12th in the West again, I am just saying I hope to be pleasantly surprised if they don’t.
Western Conference prognostication:
Phoenix won 64 games last season. That’s a ton. I expect them to have less wins next season.
Who is anybody’s guess, pre-FA, pre-season, to both
A) Top the West and
B) win 60?
The Western Conference – More Parity. The Sacramento Kings – more parody?
I’m figuring that D. Murray gets dealt and the Spurs embrace the tank.
Indeed. Sounds like the Spurs are looking to tank given the Murray rumors. They may just pull another Duncan by landing the first pick and getting Victor.
It is still a lottery .
yeah, I don’t see why trade a young all-star PG who plays both ways just to hopefully increase the odds of landing the #1 pick. Hell, I’d trade Fox straight up for Murray if we could. Spurs would laugh at the offer. That’s why they are now insisting on 4 first round picks for Murray. They only trade him for a ransom.
Complete the trade: Holmes, Holiday, and a lightly protected 1st round pick for…
For reference, that’s about $17MM in salary. Right in the Anunoby/Robinson range.
OG seems to fit what the Kings want to do with the roster. He would help defensively and allow for Keegan to come off the bench and ease in to the season.
He does in theory, but he’s a “when he can stay on the court” guy. And I’m not a fan of investing much in those guys. If you could be sure of his health I’d be fine with that deal. But you can’t, so it gets pretty nervy.
Games played:
17-18:74
18-19: 67
19-20: 69
20-21: 43 (covid shortened season, I think)
21-22: 48
Not the best. I don’t remember the injury, think it was in the lower body.
He tore his ACL, missing the second half of his last college season. Missed time in ’19 for an appendectomy (though I don’t hold that against him as it certainly isn’t a future concern). Missed intermittent games in 20-21 and 21-22 with a lingering calf and hip issues. Then he fractured his finger last season.
I’m not worried about the finger or appendix. But the ongoing lower-body issues are an issue. Especially for a guy so heavily dependent on his athleticism and agility.
I could still probably get behind the idea, and it wouldn’t be a franchise killer if he didn’t become a star, but the injuries definitely play a role in my comfort level.
I’d go for Robinson. The Kings desperately need floor spreaders. I also think you wouldn’t need to include the pick.
I’m not sure the rest of the supporting cast can support giving a lot of minutes to a guy quite as one-dimensional as Robinson.
I think he provides the gravity to the perimeter that Fox and Sabonis need to maximize their games. I’d tell Duncan to either float behind the 3pt line or cut for layups off a Sabonis pass, and that’s it. Use him like Klay.
Yeah, you just have to ask if Klay is so great if he’s an easy target on the other end. A big reason Klay is so effective for the Warriors is that he’s a great shooter AND a plus, versatile defender.
Like I said, I’m just not sure the Kings have the personnel to make up for Duncan’s lack of any contribution beyond his floor spacing.
I’d probably rather have someone like Martin, who’s a lesser but decent shooter but brings more other skills to the court. And, of course, cheaper.
Very true. Here’s hoping coach Brown would have some solution for the other end of the court.
It will depend on what he has to work with. Right now, the two cornerstones of the team are how les to plu on D. With Robinson, that’s 3.
How les to plu?
Crap: holes to plug. Sorry
I think Hield showed that they can’t.
Who is they? All that’s left of the core from the Buddy era is Fox and Barnes. IMO, Sabonis needs a Buddy type shooter to be successful.
I think Sabonis & the other current Kings wouldn’t have been able to cover up for Hield’s defensive mistakes.
I agree Adam. I think Robinson would look better here than he does in Miami.
I would imagine that Brown is going to be considerably more clever than the previous coach in defensive schemes and might be able to make it work for 25 min a game.
The Heat just paid a guy $90M and then he sees hardly any playoff minutes. Uncan Robinson does not seem like a good get.
Please no Robinson . Beat out by undrafted Max Strus . Trade for him !
A shooter. Hopefully not a Buddy type.
Glad I’m not the only one who thinks that about Robinson!
Only positive I’ve seen out of Robinson is his shooting. Anything else is a lot to be desired. And he earns 17 million next year which is too rich for my taste.
We just get rid of ourselves with Buddy (shooter and no defense) and only to replace him with someone similar.. I’d go for a hard pass.
Miami would give picks to move him . Terrible contract .
Then the Kings should take picks to bring him on. Yeah it’s a terrible contract, but getting his shooting, contract, and picks, while moving other contracts (Holmes) is better then overpaying for some middling vet in free agency with nothing in return.
Terence Davis is better and he is here and under contract .
Wait…we just got rid of Buddy Hield and you want a poor man’s Buddy Hield?
The Kings should definitely get a pick back in a deal for Robinson.
I would guess that OJ would cost an additional pick and Robinson shouldn’t cost a pick.
Maybe. I don’t know. I think these types of markets are hard to guess at.
I like Anunoby first and Kuzma secod. You can have Collins.
I think Kuzma’s well below Collins & Anunoby.
Could you go a little farther on why that’s true. Anonoby might be but is always hurt. If you look at the major stats such as scoring and rebounds Kuzma wins out. Don’t understand.
PS Kuzma is making 13M for the next two years way below the other two.
Collins is a better shooter & defender than Kuzma. Anunoby’s a much better defender than Kuzma. However, he’s definitely more injury-prone than Kuzma.
You don’t understand because you’re looking at an extremely narrow couple stats without any context or nuance. Even just looking at last season, which was easily Kuzma’s career best and one of Collins’ worst, Kuzma scored less than 1 more pt per game. Great! But it took him more than two more shots per game and 4 more USG points to do it. The short story is that Collins’ 16.2 pts/gm on 20USG and a .610 TS% means that Collins scoring benefits his team’s offense more than Kuzma’s 17.1 pts on 24 USG and .547 TS%. As for rebounding, you have to keep in mind the context. Collins shares the floor primarily with an elite rebounding C in Capela. Kuzma shared the floor primarily with poor rebounding Cs in Gafford and Harrell.
But even if you wanted to put all of that aside, to compare two players on different teams, at the very least you need to compare their “per 100 possessions” numbers. Doing so reveals that the only statistical advantages Kuzma has are in assists (he handles the ball A LOT more, especially with Beal out), though he also turns it over enough that Collins has a better AST:TO ratio, and Kuzma makes more total 3s but does it at a lower percentage as Kuzma’s 3pt percentage is below league average and Collins’ is above.
Agree, Kuzma is better and more available with a reasonable contract .
Ham put together a reasonable list.
https://twitter.com/James_HamNBA/status/1541846068840738816
Which of these would you add to the Kings?
Jalen Smith, Taurean Prince and even Oladipo (if we lose Donte in FA).
Martin twins are interesting. The rest are not that intriguing
I would absolutely make a run at Roby, and keep a close eye on the Smith market. Adding a Martin would be nice. Preferably Cody, but the RFA issue is big for the Kings.
If you go after Roby do you not keep Lyles? I guess Roby instead of Metu.. I think we need more help at 3 because Bar es can also play 4 and as much as I love Murray I see him spending most time at 4
I’d let Metu walk since he’s non-guaranteed and not as good as the other two. Lyles is fine on his contract, but neither of them are guys I’d really consider that much in my decision making. Personally, I think Roby is better than both and has more upside.
Lyles got signed today
Brown coached Metu on Nigerian national team.
What do you mean Trey got signed today. The Kings had a team option. Did they pick it up? I would be surprised if they elected not to.
Trey’s team option was indeed picked up today. No word on DDV and Queta’s QO’s as of yet. We’ll hear about that tomorrow, that’s the deadline.
People find extension, team option, and new contract interchangeable I’ve found.
All those people less than you…..
How do you do it?
He is just crazy that way; similar to the way I read the entire SCOTUS opinion or Controversial bills at state and federal level..
You should get a sticker!
What kinda crazy are you W2W? First, you’re all pro Keegan Murray and now you actually read SCOTUS’ opinions on the cases before them? What’s next? Base jumping with Batman?
Base jumping with Batman would at least be exhilarating! It’s really all a waste of time to go down the rabbit holes I do.. oh well!
Like most twins, the Martin’s add a bit of nasty (think Morris)
Cody better scorer.
Bench guys.
SAS would be a good spot for DDV but they have a ton of wings- and drafted 3 more.
1 of the Martin twins would be nice. Brown’s the most intriguing player in his guards article, but Idk if he’d leave the Nets.
Of the above forwards on Ham’s list the two I like are Jalen Smith and Isiah Roby.
Either of the Martin Twins..
Tier 1: Right fit, right price.
Prince
Roby
Caleb Martin
Tier 2: Worth the risk if other options are missed
Porter Jr.
Boucher
Cody Martin
Jalen Smith
Tier 3: Meh or Nope
Warren (injuries and too much of a wild card)
Jones Jr (if he’s anything other than your 11th man, meh)
Kyle Anderson (ultra meh)
House Jr (Meh)
Okogie (not interested at all)
Q1: Keegan Murray is expected to be wonderful and turns the ripe age of 22 in August – but is he ready to be a first day starter? Is that a reasonable expectation? Preferable to start him with HB or let him grow into the role? That is a question for HC Brown and his staff, but what is your opinion?
If he is not the starter – who would you expect to be of the current pre-FA roster?
Q2: Now that Keegan Murray is a King – will he continue to pick up the check for meals for both Fox and Sabonis? Where will they dine next? Lunch or Dinner?
I’m generally of the opinion that, except in extreme cases of generational prospects, teams with any ambition at all should build their roster as if the rookie won’t be starting immediately.
That would be ideal. At the moment, I’m guessing that Trey Lyles at PF might be the way to go if they want to ease Murray into NBA play. I suppose it’s either that or a small lineup with Barnes & Mo at the 3/4, which I don’t think anyone is excited about.
I do think that Lyles is going to have a good season. He’s very skilled, stretches the floor, is a smart defender, and will be playing for a new contract. Maybe Mike Brown can coax out all of that potential that made Lyles a lottery pick back in 2015.
To your first question the only free agent I can think about would be Bobby Portis. About lunch or dinner I don’t care as long as they invite me.
Q1: I understand experts hate that the Kings passed on Ivey, but from what I’ve listened to, I think they all agree Murray is the most “day 1 starter” out of everyone in the lottery. I expect him to start right away.
Q2: In and Out for everyone!
Just now:
Carmichael Dave
@CarmichaelDave
The Kings remain engaged in talks for Atlanta’s John Collins.
Pick swap, Holmes+Holiday+Davis? What the hell does Atlanta really want for Collins, other than getting him off the roster?
cap space i.e. Harrison Barnes.
Atlanta wants Dejounte Murray. That’s a heck of a lot more than we could trade for.
But SA does not appear to want Collins – if the reports are right, they want a full tank.
Depending on the car they drive a Full Tank will cost them a lot! I specifically if they get it in California
Most of the Murray talk seems to be coming from Atlanta, not San Antonio. Imagine that.
Yep. We’ll see if anything comes of it soon enough. Murray posted the old cryptic chin rub a few hours ago.
SA could trade him, I have no doubt of that. But for John Collins? Believe it when I see it.
Everything that I have read says that Collins is not part of the deal – SA does not want the salary. Sounded like shorter contracts and picks.
That said, if the deal has legs and you’re Sac and trying to jump in, the expiring of Barnes to SA might get you in the door. Murray to Atl., Collins to Sac., Barnes and Atl. picks to SA.
That would be worth doing.
I could see SA try to pinch Jalen Johnson or Griffin from Atl. while they’re at it. I’m guessing the Davion’s name would come up as well, but that would be a pass for me.
Yep. I can see that.
Can WE try to pinch Jalen Johnson? He’s a talented guy.
Yes! Let’s poach all the talent!!!
From what I heard, the guy they are interested is Okongwu to be included in the deal
Don’t think we should have to give up more than a highly protected first rounder as the center piece for Collins given his contract. Even then, don’t know that it makes sense given Murray and it’s hard for me to look past that contract because it basically locks us into a core of Fox, Sabonis and Collins which isn’t going anywhere.
Let’s talk Bulgarians. This will be a two-parter, and I’ll take my answer off the air.
Is Sasha Vezenkov already the best Bulgarian basketball player of all time, better even than Cedric Simmons, Vaunt Saxoni, Dmitri Angelov, Doneeka Lewis, Peanut Alleev, and Pasha Georgiev?
Part two. How many of these guys are completely made up?
Thank you for Part two, I was struggling to reconcile Bulgarian surnames with Lewis & Simmons.
Having said that, I honestly don’t know if any of the names are real.
One of those names I remember from the 80’s Olympic Weight Lifting squad.
If it’s the same guy you’re thinking of, my recollection is that he was a high-ranking member of Spuds McKenzie’s entourage.
Those two are real.
I believe they were all drafted by Vlade Divac in the 2016 lottery.
Vlade owed his Dad a favor.
Marinovic or whoever did get moved by the Kings- or his rights plus cash considerations ( that pesky old power forward)
Monte seems to be under a win now mandate which might partly explain his moves.
Let’s assume the Spurs would have assembled this roster or a new Kings owner would hire a new manager. How would someone maximise the assets on the roster? Do you think they would trade Fox and draft differently (potentially twice in the first round with the return of such a trade)?
I fail to see how a team led by Fox will achieve contender status, and positioning the team for an 8th seed does not seem to make a lot of sense for any franchise apart from the Kings. Even the Pacers acknowledged as much recently.
What seed do you feel should be the minimum the organization should be positioning for in ’22-23? And, based on actual reality, which includes not being able to force teams into one-sided trades, or lure high-end free agents, how would you make that happen?
My impression is that Fox doesn’t have a lot of trade value right now. I think the Kings will be led by Sabonis, not Fox (though the Kings are a long way from being a contender).
I agree, Sabonis is the cog to the Kings roster that determines its success or not. Fox is second fiddle, which I feel is a good thing.
I would trade Fox. One option I have been reading about is Fox to the Knicks for Barrett, Rose ad two 2023 draft picks.
Fox will be the leading scorer and 4th best player by seasons end .
I’m sure every GM wants to “win now”, Monte included. He stated at his presser after drafting Keegan Murray that there is no “playoff mandate” coming from ownership, tho.
Which would be wise, considering this team is probably a year, maybe two from opening a real playoff window, assuming they’re able to retain Sabonis.
The playoff (and/or competency) drought is now 16 years and counting. How many consecutive seasons/years of competency and success (define that however you want) would it take for you to believe that, hey, they finally did it, they’re no longer an embarrassment/dumpster fire/mess/pick your own adjective?
If the Kings actually became good again, I would have to retrain myself as a fan. It’s been so long since winning has been a thing in Sacramento.
The question came to mind because I remembered the 2013/14 Suns who came out of nowhere with a funky roster to win 48 and just miss the playoffs. People thought, oh, they’re on the upswing! And then the next six years of misery happened for Phoenix fans. Twas just a flash in the pan.
I feel like both NO and the T-Wolves could be a version of that team. Will be interesting to see how each FO respectively handles the offseason for the teams.
The big question about NOP is health. IF they somehow put together a healthy season, I don’t think they’ll have much trouble making the playoffs. But that’s a HUGE if. The Wolves I can see regressing a bit.
I don’t think the Wolves will win more than 46 this coming season, unless they somehow upgrade from Russell
I’m looking for sustained success. It would be somewhere around middle of year 2/3 (depending on the process & product) of a team that has made it to the playoffs and shown consistent growth heading into at least its 2nd playoff run for me to say this team looks like its no longer a shit-run franchise.
Assuming no extension for Monte by the beginning of the season: 1. Should he have an extension by now already? What does Anjali, I mean Vivek, need to see to offer Monte an extension by season’ end?
I don’t get the “Anjali, I mean Vivek” diss. Sounds super petty, she doesn’t have anything to do with the parent club.
I have a hard time finding fault in a man providing opportunities for his children when they’ve shown interest in something he’s passionate about. Thumb your nose at nepotism but her role seems mostly impact-less and, who knows, she might actually be good as an exec. Let her find out in Stockton. Seriously, who cares? If I could provide opportunities like that for my children (assuming they were interested and had a potential for competency) I would do it in a heartbeat.
This is an NBA franchise. Handing someone with no experience the role she was given is incompetence at it’s finest. Not knocking Vivek giving his kids opportunities in the ‘family buz’ but perhaps give her more of an entry level FO role and have her work her way up.
Asst. GM of a G League team? I really don’t think that there is much to see here. 29 year old hoops head that has been around the organization for nearly a decade, placed in a pretty benign role.
Plenty of things to rail about if you’re a Kings fan. For me, this is does not make the first (or second) cut. Father’s involvement concerns me about 1m more times than his daughter being the Asst. GM in Stockton. Your mileage may vary.
I see your point.
The issue is the message that it sends to the actual professionals qualified for that position.
I suppose it might be a big deal if she sticks around, but I’ll bet she quits when she has to do actual work. It’s a tough job being an AGM of a G League team.
The average NBA asst. GM makes less than $40k a year. I can’t imagine what a G League asst. GM makes. My guess is that there is not an ongoing list of qualified professionals clamoring for the glamorous role of asst. G League GM. It is at or close to entry level when it comes to front office gigs, I think.
It was interesting listening to James Ham and Sean Cunningham say basically that what your point is isn’t true. That is a complicated job requiring connections high and low given the constant transitionary nature of the G League.
And I have to believe AGMs at both the G League and NBA level make more than 50K. I’d be surprised if Wes Wilcox wasn’t making 500K.
I’m not vetting it, but this is from Glassdoor:
But is that Assistant Manager at a concession stand, or is Assistant to the General Manager?
Someone else can handle the Dwight Schrute meme, I’m very busy.
You could very well be correct. And that’s where I step out of this conversation.
How many people with legit experience would love to work for that ? I know dozens .
This isn’t about salary, this is about opportunity. Someone with no experience should not be getting an Assistant GM job. If Vivek wanted her to work for the team, I totally get it, come up with some BS title like he did for Gentry, Dumars, etc.. There have been people working for years in basketball, for a helluva lot less than $58k-$77k, to get a job like this.
but James Ham……
Actual professionals qualified for that position likely wouldn’t want anything to do with the Kings G League affiliate, perhaps why she is doing it in the first place.
Again, I don’t know why anyone cares. I already have a laundry list of reasons to despise Vivek, this barely makes the cut and is hardly worth as many words as have been negatively typed about it.
Mileage varies a lot on this. Intern maybe , but a lot of experienced basketball people that would love an opportunity .
The former owner of the Ottawa Senators (who died recently) had 1 of his daughters work as an intern in their FO when she wanted to get involved in their FO. I’m not sure if being the asst. GM in Stockton is more appropriate for Anjali than being an intern in Sacramento.
Top three players you’d like to see the Kings trade and what you think would be a reasonable return for them.
The Beast lives!
Hahaha! Long time listener first time poster . . . here. Good to see you all.
Welcome (back) to thunder dome, old friend.
Thanks!
Awesome! Savage Beast and scottymusprime – double whammy of WOW!
like old times…(maybe one more voice to complete the trio?)
Haha. LPA says hi.
Good to see you back, hope you continue to make at least occasional appearances. Even better would love to see LPA back with her perceptive comments and sharp grammatical corrections. I think the level of discourse here has fallen a bit in recent years and we could use her to get us whipped back into shape.
I’m so glad you popped up today.
You should go back into hiding. This place is horrible.
Haha. As long as you are here, not-Pookey, it can’t be too bad.
That name will be the bane of my existence for eternity, I swear.
Good seeing you SB.
That name at one time was the bane of existence for many Kings fans who dared to test the waters of commenting for the first time at the old site
Is there a player out there who might actually be obtainable that you would trade our full suite of picks for? (’23, ’25, ’27, ’29) like the Clippers did for PG?
JJ Hickson
(too soon??)
I think Salmons is still available
Saw this comment on Bleacher Report community thread and was curious to hear Tim’s thoughts. 😁
“I see the giraffe is sewing seeds of discontent once again. What a putz”
If you only look at players 4-12 on any other team, which teams would you NOT trade our 4-12 for. So not just straight up roster swaps, but full rosters minus their top 3 players and our top 3 players.
I think we have a bottom 3 roster, if that’s what you’re asking.
Seeing a lot of sentiment online for the Kings to go after Collins and Dipo. I don’t share that sentiment but this is what a roster in that mold would look like:
Fox
Dipo
Murray
Collins
Sabonis
Mitchell, DDV, Lyles…
I get the feeling that Dipo is the type of player that would come to Sac, play for himself to prove he is still good, then parlay the good season to look elsewhere. It would be all about him, not the team. Just my opinion.
Agree, and he said as much . It would be a wasted year for Davion , so no .
I would rather keep Divivcenzo.
As would I.
Murray showed a huge improvement from his 1st to 2nd year of college ball; before that, he improved from a high school senior with a single low-D1 scholarship offer to a Big 10 recruit. Given his demonstrated ability to improve markedly in a short period of time, why is he constantly labeled a “low-ceiling” prospect? And is this label completely unfair?
Don’t know if you read Cameron Salerno’s piece in the Bee on Keegan, but there was a point made that the reason Fran McCaffrey got the twins so easily was because he jumped on them earlier than anyone else. There might have been something like 20 scholarship offers if they had waited.
That year in FL did the Murray twins alot of good.
I would think that it helped that their dad played for Iowa & that they grew up in Iowa.
McCaffrey saw the twins play against his son in Iowa before FL, too.
Something in FL changed for them. That’s the way I look at it. And McCaffrey jumped on the opportunity to offer them scholarships at that point.
It’s also the first I’ve heard of that kind of path to the pros. I can’t recall any player who went from graduating high school, to post graduate prep academy, to D-1 school, to then getting drafted in the lottery…Hell, drafted at all.
Sure, it makes a guy older, but it potentially also makes a guy far more experienced, vetted, and game ready.
Why waste two years of a lottery rookie contract developing a player when you can get the more ready player ready to go on the first year of his rookie deal?
I feel like Keegan has been through the trenches and has the patina to play in the NBA whereas a guy like Sharpe is gonna have to work a hell of a lot harder for it.
Excellent points. I think it will not be the last time we see this, either. Once it works for a guy, others try it. How successful it will be? That’s another question altogether.
Great question!
Excellent question. It shows me that he is the type of person that fights and works hard to get what he wants, and didn’t just have crazy talent and relied on that in lower levels (Bagley types). His path created a humbleness that I really appreciate.
Harrison Barnes played 34 mins last season. John Collins 31, and Keegan Murray will be a rookie. There are 96 mins, per game, available at the two forward spots, and Collins is still available. Besides the notion that we’re not supposed to have nice things here in Sac, what’s the problem? Barnes’ will be gone after the season anyway, (or hopefully before with the right trade) and Barnes is Murray’s best comp. So if Barnes/Collins is a strong forward combo, (theoretically) then why can’t Murray/ Collins be good? As for matching salaries, several teams spent upward of $150 mil last season. There’s always a way to make it work, unless you don’t want spend or your capologist isn’t good at their job. Why should we, as paying fans continue to accept lame excuses?
What if they kept Barnes, acquired Collins, and used all 3 as a Forward rotation? There are plenty of minutes for all 3 to be out there, and can even play some small ball at times with Murray or Collins as the “C”. Barnes is still good, so unless the package to move him is good, might as well keep him and re-sign him.
Don’t do that. Don’t even consider such a revolutionary idea like adding a starter and bringing a rookie off the bench. DON’T. EVEN. LET. THE. IDEA. CREEP. IN. YOUR. HEAD. FOR. A. SINGLE. MOMENT.
This is Sacramento. Such concepts literally are banned by the basketball gods because they enjoy watching basketball hell on Earth every season. And where better than Sac?
Another idea. As in a report I read trade Fox for Barrett, Rose and 2 2023 first round picks. Trade Barnes, Holiday and our 2023 first round pick and get Collins. Trade Holmes for Kelly Obrue Jr. Keep Divincenzo and Jones.
Starters: Rose, Divinvenso, Barrett, Collins and Sabonis. Backups: Mitchell, Davis, Obrue, Murray and Jones. We still have 2 2023 first round picks. Please comment.
That might be the best offer the Kings ever get for Fox, but I don’t think that package is as valuable as what Fox could become.
I think the idea at this point is to see what Fox is for you before you pull the plug and settle for what is at least a fairish return from a value standpoint. Which probably won’t be there in 2 years.
The hype was strong for Ivey as a top 4 player in the draft equal to or slightly lesser than the big three. Murray was supposedly a tier below.
As much as we here all the “it’s smoke screen season” before the draft, isn’t it fairly possible that a lot of Smoke was being created by Detroit and Indiana to get Keegan to drop to them? Hype up another guy so the Kings feel pressured to pick him beccause it’s the “consensus” pick.
I for one call bull shit on the Ivey hype.
Agree on Ivey . Just watch the St Peters game . Last game for Ivey was terrible and against a no NBA talent team . 9 points on 14 shots and 6 t.o ‘s . Hard to see greatness and more a version of Porter jr – Houston .
I see a less defensive version of Oladipo when I look at Ivey. Okay player, not a superstar player. Like all prospects, if development happens then he can be really good.
I’d really caution looking too harshly at a player’s final game. Most players have a poor final game, which is why their teams lose in a one-and-done tournament.
I realize you added the caveat that St. Peters did not have NBA talent, but even using that definition.
Steph Curry’s final game was an NIT loss to a St. Mary’s team with Patty Mills and no one else and he shot 11-27 with 5 assists and 6 turnovers.
Cade Cunningham’s final game was a 2nd round loss to an Oregon St. team with no NBA players where he shot 6-20 with 3 rebounds an 4 assists.
Damian Lillard’s final game was a CIT loss to an LMU team with no NBA players where he shot 6-17 with 2 assists and 4 turnovers.
Anthony Edward’s final game was a conference tourney loss to an Ole Miss team with no NBA players where he shot 2-13 with 2 rebounds and 4 assists.
Obviously, you get the point. Not trying to be a jerk here. Just this is a common talking point that isn’t as meaningful as we sometimes want to make it. It’s one thing if a prospect plays poorly against most top ranked teams, but simply having a bad final game is pretty par for the course and is not really a good indicator of future NBA play.
are those extra long CVS receipts a waste of paper or are they the best thing ever?
In October, make a few visit to CVS, and get a candy bar each time. Save the receipts, and BAM, you’ve got a mummy costume for Halloween.
I hope I am not too late. I have a moral dilemma question for you. I am thinking of buying a Keegan Murray jersey.
I haven’t bought a Nike/Jordan product in more than 25 years. I have been avoiding them ever since we had a disagreement about whether the air soles in three consecutive Airmax Uptempos should pop.
For the first time since the Kings have switched to Nike/Jordan jerseys, I am tempted to buy one. It is partially because we have the same last name, and partially because I like his personality.
For the record, I don’t think I am a jersey-jinx. My previous Kings jerseys have been Mitch Richmond, Brian Grant, Chris Webber, and Skal Labissiere (it was the last year of Adidas jerseys and 3 is my number).
Are you well into adulthood? Don’t buy a jersey. It’s not a good look. Buy one for your kids or grandkids and bring them to games with you. Worse case scenario buy one for your wife, she will wear it better than you will.
That depends on whether you consider 50 adulthood? Or, does the wearing a jersey look come back around at some point?
I would not subject my nieces/nephews to Kings fandom. I am hoping the ones in Colorado Springs stick with the Nuggets, and the ones in Florida go towards the Heat (although they are somehow into the Spurs.
I live in NC now, and I have only made the one Kings game in the new arena…and that was the only time I wore the Skal jersey.
Having the Western Conference loaded, in what point should the Kings go for the tank? Assuming our beggining of the season isn’t any good. Let’s say we start 10-20, a very possible scneario. Trade everybody? Should we try (one more) come back from this?
How will Fox begin the season. Slowly as usual or engaged from the very beginning.
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