A few weeks ago, if the Sacramento Kings had been headed into a matchup against the Washington Wizards at home, the pre-game comments would have questioned if a loss to the worst team in the league would be the new rock bottom.
Those fears no longer seem to be in place in Sacramento under Doug Christie.
Led by Domantas Sabonis, who had perhaps his best game of the season, finishing the evening with 29 points, 14 boards, and 4 assists, the Kings spanked a bad team at home, exactly what a good team should do. Jonas Valančiūnas led the Wizards with 23 points and 12 rebound off of the bench, while oft-rumored Kings target Kyle Kuzma had a typical performance, scoring 13 points on 15 field gaol attempts.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
The Good
- Making a bad team play poorly: Defensive intensity has not been a common element in Sacramento for quite some time, but the Kings put a chokehold on Washington on Sunday night. The Wizards ended the game shooting just 32 of 89 (36%) from the floor and 10/42 (24%) from deep. Sacramento also finished the night with 12 steals and 4 blocks, with the game’s result never really being in doubt, even with Wizards hanging around a bit.
- Sabonis the scorer: Over the last few seasons, one massive flaw in Mike Brown’s approach was always going back to his established foundations, even if something else was working. If a player or lineup was hot, they were still probably coming out of the game at their scheduled time. That was especially true of Domantas Sabonis, as his scoring prowess was regularly ignored in favor of his passing and dribble handoff mastery. But tonight, Doug Christie let Sabonis off of the leash, and the results were evident. Domas’ 29 points on 16 field goal attempts was about as efficient as one could get, and the Kings allowed him to shoulder the offense, as the Wizards had no one who could hope to stop him.
- Keon doing Keon things: Keon Ellis is a perfect role player for a team full of alpha scorers, and Christie’s continued trust and investment in Keon has continued to pay dividends. Right when the Kings needed to knock down some three-point attempts, Keon was locked and loaded. He ended the night with 18 points, including 6 of 8 from deep.
The Bad
- Kevin Huerter: At this point, it’s almost a little embarrassing to discuss Huerter’s continued fall off of the basketball cliff. In another terrible performance, Huerter finished the night with 3 points, on 1/6 FG and 0/4 from deep. There’s very little chance of Huerter being viewed as an actual asset by another team, and his contract is certainly viewed negatively, meaning his only chance of being moved will come as salary filler. Until that happens, he shouldn’t play a single additional second of basketball. It’s not helping his trade value, and it’s certainly not helping the Kings.
The Ugly
- Kyle Kuzma: It’s a little odd to talk about an opposing player in the “Ugly” section, but Kuzma’s continued stay in Sacramento’s rumor mill is nearing unacceptability at this point. Kuzma is not particularly good, he’s not a team player, and he categorically refused a trade to a real contender last season so he could hang out and jack up shots in Washington. Ending the night on 3 of 15 shooting is a perfect encapsulation of what he would bring to the Kings – nothing positive. Hard pass, Monte.
The King of Kings
Doug Christie: The Kings are 9-1 under Christie, and they seem to be playing loose and having fun. Enough said.
Up Next
Wednesday, January 22nd vs. Golden State Warriors – 7:00 P.M. (PT)
I would be legitimately livid if we traded for Kuzma. Have never been a fan and his nonchalant approach to any sort of competition would be detrimental to this team.
Wouldn’t mind if the Kings inquired about Jonas though. Having him assume the Alex Len / backup C mins off the bench would be lovely. Also just saw the Bulls shopping Patrick Williams. I mean… why not?
I don’t see a world where JV, still a starting caliber center, comes to the Kings to back up Sabonis. Its less a question about coming off the bench, more a question about coming off the bench for maybe 5 minutes a game. I also personally don’t like the dude, I’m surprised he didn’t “accidentally” break Fox’s hand last night while he had it trapped.
You really think that JV would put up a fuss over leaving the worst team in the league, where he is coming off the bench and averaging 19.7 mpg, and joining a significantly better team, while probably averaging about 15-16 mpg? Because if the Kings got him, Sabonis would get a little more rest, and Lyles would be moved almost exclusively to backup 4.
It’s good value for JV production. Domas can reduce his minutes a bit each game, and even more in games when the Kings have a lead and JV being capable of holding down the position.
JV is a large human. Alex Len is a large human. JV moved Len around like he was a little kid last game, same with Domas.
My guess is that JV isn’t worth more than a 2nd rounder. The Wiz might not want the $$$ that comes with Huerter, but that’s probably the only way I make the deal – I don’t think that you gain a ton if you lose Lyles for JV. Now, Huerter and cash might get it done, and since Was is under the cap, the deal works.
I’d much rather use Huerter in a Cam Johnson or John Collins deal, but if the deadline comes and nothing else materializes, I like JV on this roster down the stretch more than Huerter.
Nurkic could also work, and likely be had for less. Just a simple Huerter for Nurkic helps both teams. He’s not as good as JV, but if we are talking about backup centers that may get you 15-18 minutes per game, the difference isn’t that great.
Right now, there’s a glut at guard, 3 part-time 3’s (Keon, DDR, Keegan), 2 part-time 4’s (Keegan and Lyles), and one playable center. They’re screwed when Domas is in foul trouble especially against a big team. I don’t see a problem with JV + Domas together when he isn’t being used as a direct sub giving Keegan more rest or moving primarily to SF, especially when the opponent has a backup-heavy rotation. Domas gets a bunch of his assists on the perimeter and has the league’s highest 3pt %.
With his improved 3-point shooting and his ability to defend in space, at which point do we start to think about Sabonis as a situational PF? (Or shrink 5?)
I think he can do enough to provide spacing. The issue is that some players around him (cough DDR, Fox) take that spacing away again.
But I think if you surround him with guys like Keon, Monk and an improving Keegan, you may get away with a Domas and Jonas frontcourt. Or, as someone else suggested, the Lithuanian Lasagna and Baltic Bolognse menu.
Yeah, the only thing lacking for Domas is lateral movement. Either of those guys have difficulty tracking the quicker fours in the league. To your point, there would be situations (Cleveland, maybe Minny, a few others), where a Domas / JV front line would play a little better. But I would not see it as a viable option vs. Lopez/Giannis or Phx (KD) or Den (Jokic/Gordon), for example. All of that said, Lyles also lacks lateral movement defensively, so what have you got to lose?
Yeah, lateral quickness and lack of flexible hips is an issue.
But Giannis is a tough cover for almost everyone, I suppose.
And I think Domas can largely hang with Gordon, actually.
To your point, a jumbo option would be nice to have. It would certainly be a major change to how the bench contributes.
“You really think that JV would put up a fuss over leaving the worst team in the league?”
Nope. I don’t. I think he’d put up a fuss over playing 5 minutes a game.
And maybe he can get in there with Domas as a “situational PF” as Rik suggested but its going to completely change the dynamics of how the team has to play (and not for the better,) and how Doug has to manage rotations, all so you can give a few extra minutes to have your “perfect” backup for a guy who doesn’t miss any time (knock on wood)? Targeting starting centers as backups for Domas just isn’t realistic, IMO.
You take Domas down to a more reasonable 33 mpg, and I promise you that he won’t complain one bit about that. That opens up 15 mpg before you ever pair them together.
The bench has averaged 12mpg at center this year, so I don’t know where this 5 mpg thing comes from. Plug JV into that, and he has gone from 20 to 12. Next, take Domas down a few minutes, which is not an option with the current bench. JV is now at closer to 15-16 mpg. Run jumbo a little, and he’s at 18-19 mpg.
Honestly, I just don’t see the dynamic of JV being frustrated by not enough minutes, especially when his current situation is one of a bench big on an incredibly non-competitive team. He’d absolutely get minutes here, and meaningful ones.
And 1 – The guy that probably takes the bigger minutes hit is Lyles, who would be relegated to true backup at the 4. His minutes would go from 21 to probably closer to 14-15.
Fair points. My next issue is how it will most likely affect the pace; he’s not particularly the quickest getting up and down the floor. There’s also the fact that he does nothing to address the lack of a backup wing with any kind of size/length, an issue I feel is much larger than who do we replace Trey Lyles with at the backup big position. A role Lyles has done quite well in, I’d add.
As noted in my initial response:
Not to mention he wouldn’t get in foul trouble as much playing fewer minutes.
Saddiq Bey and JV works for Huerter and Len. Thoughts?
Sure, but Wiz say no. They want draft capital. Also, there is no guarantee Bey will be the same player after tearing his ACL. He’s been out nearly a year now.
Right. It would be awful to lose Heurter and Len for one good player in a position of need and one question mark. Much better to keep two guys that we already know aren’t helpful.
I really hope there is nothing behind Kuz dapping up Vivek last night before tip off. Acquiring him would be a Kangzish move lol
It’s because they co-own a sports team.
This is pretty crazy, that he’d rather be on a bad team if it means stuffing his stats.
Or it could be simply that he likes being in Washington, just saying…
Here is Kuzma’s quote from last season’s trade deadline:
“There was a point in time, Dallas, they definitely did want me. Winger presented me with what the trade was and obviously didn’t want to trade me and kind of left the decision up to me a little bit and asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to stay and continue to build something. And that was kind of the end of it.”
Solid effort from the Kings last night. Putting an inferior opponent to bed efficiently, from start to finish, and getting the W with some time for the bench guys is what you’re supposed to do to a team like that.
+1 “The Good”:
Its been nice to hear some national validation that, go figure, the coach really was the problem. Imagine that. No more “Vivek strikes again / worst owner in sports” sonnets with ridiculous choruses of “Vivek’s going to have Anjali running the team next.” Winning does cure everything. If we could get a name brand wing rotational piece in here and make a deep run, I’d vote Monte for Exec of the year.
+1 “The Ugly”:
The Wizards. I can’t imagine having to watch two of the shittiest players in the NBA ruin your stat pool and fandom by jacking their way to the top of the scoring categories while simultaneously tanking your team into fresh pits of despair night after night. I’d be happy to let them walk into FA with zero return if I had to. A fresh start would be better than any kind of baggage you’d potentially have to take back for those two goons.
Dance time, Kings fans. Dance time.
9-2 actually (losses to Lakers and Bucks), but still a great record for our new coach.
Interesting conversation about Sabonis. I always envision a pogo-stick 4 with a jumper (Mobley clone). Sabonis does play the offensive half of ‘that mouthy Warriors guy we don’t mention here’, so he’s essentially a hybrid 4-5 on that end. With an improved 3 ball from Domas, maybe you could add a 5 who’s a plus on D. He’d need quicker feet than Jonas in my opinion though. Although then there’s a logjam in the backcourt. Ultimately, DeMar can’t be traded and Fox is likely to leave next Feb or June. You either trade your best pick & roll guy for a D-first big man and give Fox the supermax or trade Fox for an ideal Domas front court partner.
The only issue I have with Sabonis becoming a “stretch 4” on the offensive end, is you remove him from the around the paint where he’s near the best in the league at offensive rebounds and distribution.
Welp.
Daniel Gafford did his best to increase his trade value. What a game!
And we’re now just 1/2 game behind the Mavs for 7th place in the West!
Need Timberwolves, Warriors, Clippers, and Suns to lose today.
Yes! Especially ______
Memphis beating Wolves late after trailing most of the game!
It’s a good day. Dallas lost to Charlotte, Wolves lost to Memphis, Phoenix lost to Cleveland, and Boston is firmly clobbering the Warriors.
Now let’s see what happens in LA….
Thoroughly enjoyed that Celtics blowout of the Dubs. It’s been delightful to see them come crashing back to earth. They’re 9-18 since getting off to a 12-3 start.
I enjoy watching the Warriors make a steady descent to the play-in, and ultimately out of it altogether. Looking forward to when they become irrelevant once again for many years.
Then we’ll see how many real Warriors fans there are. Glad to be one of those who are here through thick and thin. Especially in these nice times.
I don’t know, I take serious pause when dudes put up career games in a loss to really bad teams.
WE DON’T SUCK! WE DON’T SUCK! (Celebratory emoji)
Excellent assessment. Minor correction: 9-2 (Lakers, Bucks) under DC.
Let’s remember who said the Kevin Huerter trade was a bad move and would come back and bite us in the ass. Not surprised the Kings would improve to this point but now how do we get better from this point on which was the question when the Huerter trade was made. We need another impact player to be championship competitive and a guy like Nurkic may help around the margins but will not be a real difference maker. Jimmy Butler is the move and it comes with a lot of risk and the departing of a number one pick and other assets and yes perhaps Murray. If they take Huerter and we get back something else like a couple of,seconds it might be worth the gamble and it’s a big gamble but this team is going nowhere with the present roster.
I wouldn’t trade for Butler at all. It would definitely disrupt the chemistry we now have and he is to old. We need younger players like Cam John son and John Collins to come in and impact the team and be around for more than one or two years.
With Butler and Derosan you now have 2 players who won’t be around for any period of time. That’s 40% of your team. Short term but not in the long run. Need some staying power. One is enough two is too many.
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