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Chainmail: Responding to your questions

You asked - we answered!
By | 63 Comments | Jan 18, 2025

Welcome back to the mailbag! You all asked a lot of great questions, so let’s dive right into them!

 

From SMF-PDXConnection

What would your most “out there” trade idea for the deadline be and why?

“Out there” being defined as the completely unexpected, out of left field thing we’ve seen like getting Sabonis or sending Cousins to the Pelicans.

Tim: I don’t know if it’s super “out there”, but I have one trade idea in mind that I think could help both teams involved.

The Kings should call the Suns and offer Kevin Huerter for Jusuf Nurkic – nothing else going either way. This trade solves a couple of problems for each team. For the Suns, they reduce their logjam and expenditure at center, while also trimming their luxury tax bill pretty significantly over the next couple of seasons. They would also, at least in theory, be adding the potential of more shooting around their big three. Of course, Huerter would have to actually knock down a couple of shots to make that benefit come to fruition, but there’s a hope that a chance in scenery would turn his season(s) around.

For Sacramento, Nurkic represent a significant upgrade at backup center, even if he’s dealt with a variety of injuries, and he’s certainly not the player he was five or seven years ago. Nurkic has shown some chops in rim defense this season, as he’s allowing opponents to shoot just 57% at the rim, 7.6% worse than their average. Compare that to Alex Len, whose opponents shoot 71.1% in the paint, a 9.3% increase over their average, and one can start to see why Nurkic would be a much better fit for the Kings.

It’s not the most exciting trade in the world, but simply getting Huerter off of the floor and not having to play Len any additional minutes would both be minor but important changes for Doug Christie.

If you just want my “let’s get crazy” trade idea, and I would only do this if the season falls apart again and/or Fox asks out, I would call San Antonio and offer Fox for Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson, the 2025 Atlanta first rounder (unprotected), the 2025 Chicago first rounder (protected 1-10 in 2025, 1-8 in 2026, 1-7 in 2027), and the 2031 draft swap back. I’m sure some will say that’s an underpay and some will say it’s an overpay by the Spurs, but I think it’s a reasonable price for both organizations.

 

From Hobby916

Are you confident that Fox is the franchise player to continue building with? If not, what would be your plan as Kings GM to reshape the roster to make sustained, deep playoff runs?

Tim: I believe that De’Aaron Fox can be the best player on a contending team, especially if there’s another 1B type of guy alongside him. Do I have much confidence the Kings (and especially Monte McNair) can build such a team around Fox? Not really. This is my final year in investing in the Fox-Sabonis-Monk dynamic before I think significant changes will be needed – whether that’s a total rebuild or more of a retool.

I mentioned my favorite De’Aaron Fox trade above, but let’s expand on it a little bit and assume the Kings lose in the play-in and keep their pick, or something along those lines. First, trade Fox for the package above, which hands Sacramento their (hopeful) future starting point guard and some draft assets. I would also put DeMar DeRozan (a couple of second round picks), Malik Monk (da Silva, Bitadze and a pick from Orlando?), and Trey Lyles (a second round pick) on the market to garner more assets. I’m also keeping Domantas Sabonis as the anchor for my young squad.

Those sorts of moves would leave the Kings with an asset cupboard looking like:

PG: Castle, Carter
SG: Ellis
SF: Murray, Johnson
PF: da Silva
C: Sabonis, Bitadze

Draft assets: 2025 Sacramento first, 2025 Atlanta first, 2026 Orlando first, future Chicago first and several second rounders as well. The Kings would also likely keep their 2026 first rounder and send their 2026 and 2027 seconds to Atlanta as well, meaning they would have four first round selections over the next two years, and possibly five, depending on Chicago’s situation.

That’s not a full, full rebuild, but it’s an exciting, young team that has some flexibility and future assets.

 

From RikSmits

What’s your take on the lack of a press conference from the Kings brass about the Brown firing, and the Mark Jones “interview” with Monte and the lack of questions regarding the firing?

Tim: Standard operating procedure for an unprofessional organization.

 

From PretendGhost

What is it that the team is needing and isn’t getting from the backup center position? I’ve felt like each of Jones, Robinson, and Len have provided some real value on the court, yet none can get consistent minutes.

From Sacto_J

What would the team’s record / season need to realistically look like for Doug to retain the head coaching job?
Tim: I’m never as worried about a team’s record as I am about their postseason performance. Of course, I realize that a solid regular season record can propel a team to an easier playoff journey, but that’s not always the case. For Doug to keep his job, I need the Kings to win a playoff series. That’s really it. If the Kings make the second round, give the man a shot for a year or two. If they flame out in the play-in or first round, search for a more experienced candidate.
Side note: For what it’s worth, and from a few whispers around the league and team, I believe Doug is the long-term choice at head coach no matter what happens the rest of the season, barring a completely and totally epic collapse.

From SomedayKing

Why hasn’t Monte McNair made a trade (before the season, during the season, and even before the season) to obtain a PF/ big that we all can tell the Kings are lacking and need?
Tim: Okay, I could go into the whole “Monte is terrified to lose a trade and his internal and external player valuations are way, way, way off”, which is all true, but there’s also another core reason as to why the Kings can’t trade for above-average players that other teams actually want – they don’t have particularly attractive assets.
Pop quiz time – how many second round picks can the Kings trade outright with zero protections right now? If your guess was exactly one, you win the prize! That’s correct, the Kings have somehow blown every second round pick they own over the last several years with nothing to show for it. They’ve sold some, used a couple on Chris Duarte, sent one in the DeRozan trade, and a pair must be reserved in the contingencies of the Kevin Huerter trade. So there goes Sacramento’s easiest avenue toward acquiring average role players.
In addition, outside of Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis, both of whom are desperately needed for defense, the Kings don’t have enough attractive showroom assets to get seriously involved in major deals. They can’t trade their 2025, 2026, or 2027 first rounders or their 2026 or 2027 second rounders due to the Kevin Huerter trade. They also don’t fully own their 2031 first rounder. That leaves either the 2028 or 2029 first (can’t trade both), as well as the 2030 first rounder, if they choose to move the 2028 pick.
To recap, the Kings can, without restrictions, trade one second rounder and two first rounders. That’s it. And if a trade required those assets, they couldn’t make any more moves until the pick owed to Atlanta came off of the books, one way or another.
How can that compete with the asset chests of Oklahoma City or San Antonio or several other teams?
It cant.
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UpgradedToQuestionable
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January 18, 2025 10:10 am

They also don’t fully own their 2031 first rounder.

My understanding is that this FRP is an unrestricted pick swap with San Antonio and thus the Kings own their pick, but not the order/rank of that pick. That makes this a tradeable asset and not Stepien restricted.

Or I am totally incorrect.

With the $20M ($10M/season x 2) that Sacramento will have committed to Mike Brown, I agree, the relative discount that will be available to sign/extend Doug Christie’s tenure at the helm make this his job to lose. I want the Kings to win, and it would be a great story if he truly earned that position with significant wins, playoff wins to make his contract a reasonable choice.

He’s hitting on all cylinders these first 10 games – wins, stats, pressers.

Last edited 3 months ago by UpgradedToQuestionable
Adamsite
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January 18, 2025 10:25 am

To the pick swap, I believe you are correct. Technically the Kings still own their 2031, which is why Tim mentioned that the 2030 pick is tradable.

Adamsite
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January 18, 2025 10:22 am

I totally agree with the Huerter for Nurkic swap. It’s simple, clean, and helps both teams. The Kings could potentially even go with double bigs at times if needed with Sabonis at the “stretch 4” and Nurkic down low.

My fear is, however, the Lakers are going to swoop in first as they are in need of a big. Vanderbilt and Christie for Nurkic also makes equal sense for both teams.

Pick up the phone, Monte!

As to this:

I believe that De’Aaron Fox can be the best player on a contending team, especially if there’s another 1B type of guy alongside him. 

Then what are Sabonis and DDR? There has never been more talent around Fox than this season, yet the team is still flirting with .500 ball. IMO, Fox is more of the 1B, or even 1C, much like Maxey or Herro. When you have any of those 3 as your “best” player, you aren’t gong to make much post season noise.

FWIW, I think Fox already is the 1B on this team. Sabonis is the engine to this squad, so he is the 1A, even if he’s not your leading scorer. This is also why I’m hesitant on giving Fox a max deal, because it appears to me when the team is cornerstoned with Sabonis and Fox, it’s a first round playoff squad at best. Which brings me to this:

Are Fox and Sabonis uncomplimentary stars?

Sabonis obviously makes those around him better, but I’m not sure he and Fox “work” that well together. I mean, does Fox make Sabonis better? They don’t seem to have that 2 man chemistry that Monk and Domas have, that’s for sure.

Hobby916
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January 18, 2025 10:50 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Fox doesn’t run the PnR well. He might use a screen from Domas to get freed up for a drive, but there isn’t a 2-man game there.

Fox also isn’t a great off-ball player, which makes him somewhat irrelevant when Monk and Domas are in the game. It’s just an odd fit with the Fox, Monk, Sabonis, and DDR.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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January 18, 2025 12:05 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

Just my opinion – and many have said this amd better than I can, trading one of your two best players, both All-Star caliber, does not make this team better.

Especially If you are trading for picks and lesser talent in hopes that they will be less expensive versions of De’Aaron because De’Aaron was and still is a less expensive version of De’Aaron until he gets a big(ger) payday with his next extension, in Sac or elsewhere. This guy dropped a 60 two months ago.

Is he Michael Jordan? Nope, not close. He can’t lead you to the playoffs without a strong supporting cast. Partly that is strength of the League. But he (and Domas) is/are in their primes and if they remain Kings for another 3 or 4 or 5 seasons they will own every Sacramento era record there is and will have their jerseys in the Golden1 rafters (2 #11 jerseys!).

I’m on board with that. Chase Unicorns for more talent – fine, but add them to the mix, don’t offload the goodness that is already here.

Hobby916
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January 18, 2025 12:19 pm

I agree. I don’t know if trading Fox makes them better. I also don’t know how high the current roster’s ceiling is. It’s a difficult needle to thread for the Kings.

RikSmits
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January 18, 2025 12:29 pm

if they remain Kings for another 3 or 4 or 5 seasons they will own every Sacramento era record there is and will have their jerseys in the Golden1 rafters (2 #11 jerseys!).

I know that mileage varies per person, but I really don’t care about such franchise records being broken. And I care less about personal accolades. I want this team to be in the mix for a championship.

I’d rather have one WC finals appearance than 50 combined records and All Star appearences and All-NBA picks and whatever for Fox and Sabonis combined. 

TheGrantNapear
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January 18, 2025 1:48 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

I know that mileage varies per person, but I really don’t care about such franchise records being broken. And I care less about personal accolades. I want this team to be in the mix for a championship.

well said Mr. Smits!

UpgradedToQuestionable
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January 18, 2025 2:02 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

I hear that.

But the personal accolades are a barometer for the talent of this franchise, past and present and it also speaks to the high level of play by these two players.

Just my opinion, they are part of the solution, not the problem. Replacing them, in this Vivek/Matina run organization and grasping for Larry O’Briens, whilst they have yet to win a first round playoffs series (and as you know, one playoff appearance in 19 seasons) is, a bridge too far.

Make the team good, then very good before more can be considered.

Stability would be nice too

Last edited 3 months ago by UpgradedToQuestionable
Scorliss_In_Sacramento
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January 18, 2025 6:56 pm

This team has hit their ceiling with Fox. First round exit is as good as it gets.

Fox is the 25th or so best guard in the league. If the Kings can get a couple young players and a couple picks, they should do it.

He’s a nice player, but he’ll do just enough to lose the game for you. And they already have similar and better players in Monk and DDR.

MillersCornrows
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January 19, 2025 10:03 am

The Kings once traded former rookie of the year and All Star MVP Mitch Richmond. I think the Kings should explore what they can get for Fox. The team looked very good without him. It’s not about REPLACING Fox, it’s about getting different players that fit the Monk/Sabonis/DeRozan/Murray core. Look, Fox is a really good basketball player. There’s no question about that. It just seems like he’s mentally checked out sometimes. I’d like to see him come out and hit the opposing team in the first half more and put his imprint on the game earlier.

SavageBeast
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January 19, 2025 10:05 am

I completely agree. Have a rec. The thing about this team right now, is I don’t know that we even have 1a, 1b, and 1c. We have a lot of players who do things very very well. You can argue that Sabonis is one of the best centers in the league. But not THE best center. You can argue that Fox is one of the best point guards in the league. But not THE best PG. Same with Monk and DeRozan at the 2/3. Add Ellis’s D and Keegan’s two way play, and this is a team with possibly 5-6 players that could start on almost any championship team.

In fact, I know it’s probably blasphemy. But except for the unbalanced part, this Kings team reminds me a lot of Boston, where anyone can attack, and they can do it in the paint, from outside, or off the fast break. Ellis and Keegan play really solid D and their offense is looking good enough to stay on the floor for longer minutes. Carter needs to work on his offense, but if he improves his weird shot, his is going to be another draft steal.

So let’s say we have several 1bs and 1cs without any obvious 1a. That’s a little scary when giving out a max contract. But look at the way they’ve played since Doug took over the reins. An off night by one player hasn’t sunk the team. We’ve played in different ways with different minutes, adapting to who we are playing specifically because we aren’t tied to forcing our game to follow through 1a and 1b the way teams like the Lakers and the Bucks do.

Yeah, yeah, I know this is extremely small sample size and we might come back down to earth. BUT, it is enough games to show what we are capable of if we continue to play this way. Fans are all so worried about signing a max contract for Fox. But that is okay because Monk, who I also consider a 1b is a bargain. And as the salary cap continues to go up, we are set to have more space to play with. And shoot, maybe Fox not being a true 1a saves as from the super max.

As far as not having trade assets, that’s true. But only because of the Huerter trade playing out so long. If ATL gets our #1 pick this year, which I think they will, then we have ALL of our firsts except 2026 available to trade and the two second rounders ATL doesn’t get free up again.

If we start playing the way we were earlier in the season again, yes, there will probably be big changes. But if we keep playing the way we have been for ten games now, there is no reason to believe we aren’t at least a second round playoff team even before we rebalance the roster.

Again, I know I’m way more optimistic about this team than many, but at least on paper, we have way way too much talent not to finish the season in at least the top six, and maybe the top four. And honestly, unlike last year when the Pelicans owned us, I don’t see a single team in the west that I think could sweep us. Oddly enough the one team we haven’t matched up well against is the Lakers, who we have owned in the past few years.

MichaelMack
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January 19, 2025 3:29 pm
Reply to  SavageBeast

Excellent post Savage. I miss reading your pov.

BuffaloDiaspora
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January 18, 2025 2:48 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

My hang-up on trading Fox is that he has become an extremely versatile player – he can get buckets in iso, he can shoot 3s at fairly decent clip, he can be a distributer, his defense has improved and I think at this point his game will age fairly well. On a max contract, I think he brings a ton of value that is hard to replicate and I don’t know that the team gets obviously better in any trade scenario. If he qualifies for a super-max, though, that goes right out the window – he’s not a guy that you handcuff the rest of the roster for.

Adamsite
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January 18, 2025 2:55 pm

I feel that everything you just said about Fox…

he can get buckets in iso, he can shoot 3s at fairly decent clip, he can be a distributer, his defense has improved and I think at this point his game will age fairly well.

…can also be said about Monk. Assuming Fox does NOT get All-NBA he will be eligible to sign a 4 year $229M contract. That’s over $55M per year. The difference is Monk is slated to make about 30% of what Fox would on a max contract. Is Fox 70% better than Monk when it comes to production to contract?

BuffaloDiaspora
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January 18, 2025 3:08 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Clearly not, but Monk’s situation in Sacramento is not really something that we could ever count on being replicated – he resurrected a career that looked doomed to mercenary contracts at best and got to play with his bestie at the same time. Monk staying here on that contract was Monte rolling a natural 20 on circumstance.

There are at least 15 teams that would sign a hypothetical FA Fox to a max contract – he could fit neatly into either guard spot on a lot of contending teams or provide an anchor to build around on a rebuilding team. Trading is a different story given the rules around contracts but I would want to see a ton of obvious value coming back if that’s what happens.

Adamsite
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January 19, 2025 8:25 am

There are not 15 teams that have max money to sign Fox in FA. AS an example, if the season were to end today, there is exactly ONE team that has enough cap space to sign Fox to a max $45M+ per year deal, and that is Brooklyn. I’m sure there will be more if/when Fox hits UFA, but I’d wager it will be less than 5 teams that have that kind of money.

Hobby916
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January 18, 2025 11:04 am

Thanks for answering my question. I am not sure if Fox can be the guy on a contender. Because of that, moving forward with a max contract would be extremely risky for an owner that doesn’t have deep pockets.

I do like Nurkic for Huerter. Much more comfortable with Nurkic for 15-20 minutes than Huerter. Every 4th game it seems Huerter plays okay, then a few games where he is a zero.

Jman1949
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January 18, 2025 12:00 pm

OT:

Keon Ellis was a full participant today and will be listed as questionable tomorrow.

James Ham (@jameshamnba.bsky.social) 2025-01-18T19:46:19.384Z

Klam
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January 18, 2025 2:47 pm
Reply to  Jman1949

If Keon still needs time to fully heal up, I wouldn’t have an issue with him sitting out tomorrow’s game and being ready for the Warriors on Wednesday. Washington is a team that (theoretically) we shouldn’t an issue with even without Keon.

BuffaloDiaspora
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January 18, 2025 2:53 pm
Reply to  Klam

Yarp. We shouldn’t need Keon to beat the Wizards. Let him get healthy and then go fuck up the Warriors on Wednesday.

RikSmits
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January 18, 2025 12:00 pm

Tim: Standard operating procedure for an unprofessional organization.

Thanks for answering my question.

I would have expected Monte to be a bit more professional that that. I guess I was wrong.

The longer his tenure, the less confidence I have in Monte. Since the Keegan pick, it’s been prety meh, with a few exceptions. And quite a few WTF moves before that as well. Nice vest, though.

Right now, Doug is saving his bacon.

And I agree that Doug will probably be the HC next season, no matter what. Vivek knows that this fanbase loves its heroes from the golden age, and picking Doug will protect him from criticism for a longer time than an external HC would.

discocricket
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January 18, 2025 1:02 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

Yeah, let’s just be honest, it’s pathetic that Doug’s performance is unlikely to affect who coaches the team next year. Doug is a mascot like Vlade, and Peja, meant to bamboozle the casual fan. Fortunately for us, he seems to be doing a good job so far. But if his message grows stale, we will likely be going through at least the 2026-27 season with him on the bench regardless.

There are only 30 GM jobs in the league, and Monte is clearly willing to stoop to whatever low he needs to in order to retain his. Imagine having to work for a jackass like Vivek and the rest of the Ranadive clan. Unfortunately for us, he’s a below average, unimaginative, timid GM who gets lapped by other front offices. Hey, maybe he will actually pick up the phone this deadline and do something meaningful!

Sacto_J
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January 20, 2025 10:27 am
Reply to  discocricket

“Doug is a mascot like Vlade, and Peja, meant to bamboozle the casual fan.”
I don’t think this is accurate. At all.
I think people around Doug know that he has an ability to succeed at whatever he sets his mind to. He set his mind to coaching a few years ago and this is the natural progression of a successful person. Monte may have had the dumb luck to have such a person already a part of this organization, but Monte also had to have the cajones to put Doug in the position to be able to succeed. I think your view is absolutely backwards to how this is happening in the real world and your take on Monte is likely about as accurate.

TheGrantNapear
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January 18, 2025 1:58 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

Apparently MB was an idiot and DC is a genius. We’ll see how long the new HC bump lasts.

RobHessing
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January 18, 2025 9:01 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

As someone that did not want Brown fired, my eyes tell me that the team is playing looser, harder and with more enthusiasm under Christie. I wonder if Brown is a stellar assistant whose HC messaging grows stale with his players. And yes, this may just be the new HC bump. But there is a tangible difference, whatever the reason.

TheGrantNapear
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January 19, 2025 8:21 am
Reply to  RobHessing

Duece and Morgan were recently on KOC’s pod and stated what you said. That MB was a bit of a drill seargent and overly demanding and running the players too hard which was wearing the players out.

Could be something to this that the players are fresher and playing more loose under DC. I certainly hope this is the case, but we need a bigger sample size for now.

RealMaKoi
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January 19, 2025 9:13 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

or MB was a genius and it was too difficult for some of the talented players to understand their role. They sat on the bench and the others had to soak up more minutes.

ForKingsandCountry
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January 18, 2025 11:16 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

The lack of professionalism in this organization comes directly from the top IMO. Sam Amick basically confirmed this a couple weeks ago when he said that Vivek runs the organization for all intents and purposes. The lack of professionalism has been consistent over multiple GM’s and coaches. I just don’t think it has anything to do with Monte. It doesn’t absolve him, it just is what it is. If we had any other GM the same thing would have happened because Vivek says it will be so. It’s pathetic and also what we’re stuck with.

lazlohollyfeld
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January 18, 2025 12:52 pm

My only counter to lack of assets for a trade that helps the team is the recent Nick Richards to Phoenix for Josh Okogie. I know picks were involved but I’m sure Huerter and whatever was needed for salary matching would have been appealing to Charlotte. The same is true about Jonas, who’s been sent to the bench by the Wizards, is a trade even worth overpaying for.

discocricket
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January 18, 2025 1:12 pm
Reply to  lazlohollyfeld

Charlotte would much rather have the 3 second round picks than a low upside bench player who is $8-$10M overpaid for this season and next. Huerter is not anyone’s idea of a valuable trade asset: he has now been benched for and lost minutes to Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, and Devin Carter, on a middling team.

RealMaKoi
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January 19, 2025 9:25 am
Reply to  lazlohollyfeld

Jonas is supposedly only worth a second round pick to them. That shouldn’t be too difficult to come up with from one of the guys on the bench. I’ve wanted Jonas since watching the trouble he caused the Kings in NO. He’s a great counter to the bigger teams. A big upgrade from Len.

discocricket
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January 18, 2025 1:06 pm

They can’t trade their 2025, 2026, or 2027 first rounders or their 2026 or 2027 second rounders due to the Kevin Huerter trade.

This is for Kevin Huerter, a 10th man making $18M this season and next. Great trade, Monte.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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January 18, 2025 2:11 pm
Reply to  discocricket

He’s dug (Doug) himself a hole – an inactive trade deadline will bring a brighter spark to fire.

When Monte and Mike were signed to matching extensions, it was with the hope that an Adelman/Petrie pairing was in place, and the Beam Team season rewarded them with matching CoY and ExoY awards. That seems a foggy memory ago.

Was Doug Christie truly McNair’s pick, or is MM just another Vivek stooge? Is there a cohesive outlook by these two (HC and GM)?

discocricket
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January 18, 2025 3:25 pm

Christie is Viveks guy, no question. He’s crossed 3 coaching staffs, which is highly unusual. Seems pretty obvious to me. Listening to Sam Amicks weekly spots on 1140 will clarify who runs the team (it’s Vivek).

ForKingsandCountry
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January 18, 2025 11:17 pm
Reply to  discocricket

Yep. Amick has basically said Vivek runs the show and tries to pretend he doesn’t. It’s comical.

TheGrantNapear
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January 18, 2025 1:49 pm

Giraffe, appreciate the logical and unemotional answers to the questions.

Last edited 3 months ago by TheGrantNapear
TheGrantNapear
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January 18, 2025 1:52 pm

At this point, it seems clear the FO isn’t trading Fox in season and will wait until this summer and see how the team does under DC which is fine and understandable.
I just hope they don’t make an all in trade at the deadline that sacrifices future flexibility.

RealMaKoi
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January 19, 2025 9:30 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

Until Monte actually makes a trade, I’m assuming nothing will happen just like the last 3 years. Maybe a Kessler Edwards type token trade to make it look like something is happening, but nothing real. After all, the team won 8 of their last 9. They clearly have everything they need meaning Fox will be happy and sign an extension.

macdoogs
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January 18, 2025 1:54 pm

I actually love the JV trade. As much as domas is a beast down low, I really believe he’d be best paired with another big man and indy may have had the right idea, but they just weren’t using him correctly with those lineups.

With domas showing he’s willing to take and make more shots in the mid and long range, along with his dho, it would open up the inside for another big. If that other big can hit the mid range decently that would be a big bonus on offense. Can domas guard some 4s would be the big question

Just my 2 cents

Corneroffense
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January 18, 2025 3:08 pm

There’s only one way out of the dead end Monte and Vivek have gotten themselves into. It’s not keeping Doug. It’s trading Fox. The handwriting is on the wall. Fox’s handlers know there’s no way they can ‘get better players’, especially with Vivek in charge. Sabonis WAS the ‘better player’. Remember? Fox’s ‘1b’. Murray was the #4 pick! That’s just an excuse. It’s Supermax or bust after next year, and not with the Kings. DeMar and Sabonis do not have tradeable contracts. It has to be Fox. Do whatever you want with Huerter and Lyles. That won’t move the needle, Monte. You have about a year before Fox asks out and you’re down to a ‘fire sale’ price. Finishing #9, beating #10, and losing to #8 under Fan Favorite Doug is just postponing the inevitable. But I guess that’s what ‘an unprofessional organization’ does.

TheGrantNapear
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January 18, 2025 3:52 pm
Reply to  Corneroffense

I think SAS and HOU would make massive offers for Fox. A Fox trade won’t happen in-season though.

Corneroffense
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January 18, 2025 6:27 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

Agree. We should just enjoy his crazy, undersized team with DC at the helm the rest of the way and hope for the best in the off-season.

ajonez81
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January 18, 2025 3:25 pm

Good stuff guys, being a Kangz fan is rough, writing about them a lot sounds worse lol but I enjoy your coverage.

Dorde34
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January 18, 2025 9:17 pm

It seems the Kings have a plan for this year’s trade deadline. 1A. Cam Johnson and 1B. John Collins. I’d be ecstatic with either one. Especially if able to keep Lyles off the table in a Collins trade. That would actually give the Kings solid front court depth with two 3/4s that can space the floor.

Hobby916
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January 19, 2025 6:31 am
Reply to  Dorde34

Idk how they get Collins without including Lyles contract, unless DeRozan is being shipped out.

Huerter + 3 or 4 smaller contracts works, but I don’t know if the Jazz can even have that many guys added.

Dorde34
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January 19, 2025 6:56 am
Reply to  Hobby916

It will definitely be interesting. I just hope Monte does something to improve the roster. He can’t stand idle 3 trade deadlines in a row. I don’t count Kessler Edwards from 2 years ago as an actual deadline move.

TheGrantNapear
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January 19, 2025 8:23 am
Reply to  Dorde34

It seems the Kings have a plan for this year’s trade deadline.

I think they’ve had plans the last few deadlines but MM has been unable to make trades for whatever reason.

RealMaKoi
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January 19, 2025 9:42 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

So he’s a GM that can’t M to provide a roster. That’s OK, but a coach that can’t succeed with that imbalanced roster gets cut just months after a contract extension? More failure to M. How does an owner accept his money getting pissed down the drain like that?

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January 19, 2025 8:28 am
Reply to  Dorde34

Either Cam or Collins will require Lyles to be apart of the package. In that case, I’d prefer Collins as he can play the 4 and even small ball 5, much like Lyles can. The same really can’t be said about Cam.

If you are shipping out Lyles, the Kings need someone to fill his minutes and role.

scottymusprime
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January 18, 2025 10:58 pm

They might not go for it, but I would LOVE to trade K’Von to the Wizards for Bey and Valancunias. It gives us more roster flexibility and the ideal bench big for Domas.

The problem with a lot of deals being kicked around (Grant, Cam, Kuzma, Collins, etc) is that they attack our depth (lacking) for one more big piece. If we trade Lyles and Huerter then we start giving more minutes to…

*looks at roster*

Jae Crowder or Doug McBuckets. Colby or Isaac Jones?

I say we go the other way. Even if it costs us our second round pick or someting. Other trades in this vein for just Huerter.

Philly: (Drummond + Oubre or C. Martin)
CHI: (Jalen Smith + Giddy –I know, yikes)
UT: (Clarkson + Kessler [we’d have to give up an FRP)
NOP: Herb + Yves
MIA:
GSW: GP2 + Looney.

Again, I don’t know that any of these teams for sure go for this, but this is the route that makes the most sense to me. Our core units are really solid. I doubt that Monte trades Deebo despite our speculation. But something like this has a lot of appeal for me.

Dorde34
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January 18, 2025 11:03 pm
Reply to  scottymusprime

I wouldn’t consider Huerter depth. He is a liability. If we get any of those players then it’s already a net positive. I agree on Lyles, but Cam or Collins equal their combined output. Plus more reliable. Both over 40% from 3. Would love to keep Lyles, but moving Huerter is a must. Front court pieces are a must.

scottymusprime
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January 19, 2025 12:07 am
Reply to  Dorde34

We could actually trade Huerter+Jones for Cam Thomas and then do Lyles + Mclaughlin for Valancunias. We’d be adding 3.3 mil in cap overall, but that keeps us below the first aprion (we’d have to bring in 5.1 to reach that). If the nets drop the price from 2 FRP to 1, then I think we’d be scary as hell for anyone. We’d be big, with good shooters and rebounders everywhere.

Fox/Carter
Monk/Ellis
3 man rotation of Murray/DDR/Thomas for the forwards
Sabonis/Jonas at center.

Emergency depth with McD and Crowder. The cap is going up next year (likely 10%) and while a big chunk of that would be a Fox extension, if they could use the MLE for a good depth piece first, and sign Fox to an extension that doesn’t hard cap the team, that’s a serious crew for a long time.

The problem with doing any Collins trade is that you’re almost definitely across the first apron if you do that.

Dorde34
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January 19, 2025 6:53 am
Reply to  scottymusprime

If two separate deals were able to transpire then that is definitely best case scenario. In ilk to what Mavs did last year. Is Cam Thomas one of their targets currently? Even JV? Asking price is the key for everything currently. Hopefully prices come down once we get to a week left before the deadline.

Hobby916
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January 19, 2025 7:51 am
Reply to  scottymusprime

JV and Bey would be a nice return for Huerter. Bey is likely out all season while recovering from his knee surgery, but he would be here next year for SF depth. JV is a good value contract. Throw in the one 2nd round pick they have available and it might work.

Other teams can offer multiple 2nd round picks for JV/Bey, so the Kings are operating at a severe disadvantage.

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January 19, 2025 8:29 am
Reply to  scottymusprime

Isn’t Bey likely to miss the rest of the season?

RealMaKoi
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January 19, 2025 9:51 am
Reply to  scottymusprime

Remember the Kings game where Giddy got boo’d every time he touched the ball? That would be as big of a failure as a Snow White movie without a Snow White character and CGI dwarves that are taller than humans.

Hobby916
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January 19, 2025 7:59 am

It looks like the Bulls are interested in trading Patrick Williams. I wonder if Demar has some insight on him.

Williams seems like the type of player they might need a change of scenery to continue any development that might be left in him. His contract is somewhat lengthy, and the risk is there. But huerter for Williams works, andayne the Lings could get some 2nd rounders back for taking on that contract.

He has similar size to Keegan, and lauded as having some high ceiling potential when drafted. He also looks like a player that doesn’t appear to make a huge impact on games. Might be a shrewd move by Monte, or seal his fate as a poor talent assessor.

TheGrantNapear
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January 19, 2025 8:26 am
Reply to  Hobby916

Williams seems like the type of player they might need a change of scenery to continue any development that might be left in him.

CHI overpaid him massively. Don’t see how we can take in another contract like that for a player that doesn’t solve our primary needs.

As an aside, I was always high on PW, he had a run a few years ago where he seemed to be putting it together and was a mini K. Leonard, but has since regressed.

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January 19, 2025 8:34 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

I’m not sure it’s that massive of an overpay. It’s a risk for sure, but the he’s still young and has all the characteristics of a 3 and D wing, but just hasn’t put it together yet. He’d be a buy low kind of prospect.

If the Bulls accepted Huerter and a protected 1st, would you do it?

eddie41
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January 19, 2025 8:48 am
Reply to  Hobby916

Has he developed at all? seems like the same story since draft day. physically bears some resemblance to Kawhi, but not Kawhi. signed a big contract based on the same speculative forecast. add injury/durability concerns. talented but not very hungry or productive. the type of player to keep an eye on, but not worth a future first.

Hobby916
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January 19, 2025 10:03 am
Reply to  eddie41

I would be looking at getting draft assets back from Chicago, not sending any to them.

They want to move him. Their coach just laid some pretty heavy stuff on him regarding being difficult to coach and instruct. They would be selling low and looking to get off future money.

eddie41
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January 19, 2025 12:46 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

I’d consider that.

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