The 2022-23 Sacramento Kings had one of the best offenses in NBA history, and Kevin Huerter’s emergence as a full-time starter, elite volume floor spacer, and dynamic off-ball mover, was a big reason why. Unfortunately for both Huerter and the Kings, he was not the same player in 2023-24.
Huerter in 2022-23: 29.4 MPG, 15.2 PPG, .484 FG%, .402 3P%, .603 eFG%
Huerter in 2023-24: 24.2 MPG, 10.2 PPG, .443 FG%, .361 3P%, .553 eFG%
I’ll start from the end of Huerter’s season, and work my way back: Kevin Hurter suffered a shoulder injury just two minutes into a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 18. Said shoulder injury would eventually require surgery, forcing Red Velvet to miss the remainder of the season and the play-in tournament. He is expected to make a full recovery before training camp in September.
But Huerter’s injury really just forced Mike Brown to do what already needed to be done: promote Keon Ellis into the starting lineup. Prior to the injury, Huerter’s minutes were already in decline due to poor shooting performances, defensive targeting, and an overall lack of positive impact. Brown just wasn’t willing to remove him from the starting lineup yet. Ellis provided the Kings with a major lift defensively, immediately. Sacramento had one of the best defensive ratings in the NBA once Ellis started playing consistent minutes. Ellis also shot the ball more efficiently than Huerter from beyond the arc, putting Kevin’s future with the Kings in a fascinating spot.
If I can play armchair sports psychologist for a second here, I would argue things started trending in a bad direction for Huerter in last years’ playoff series against the Golden State Warriors where he shot just 20% from three over the course of seven games, but I digress. The most interesting Huerter conversation you can have right now is this: what happens next?
Huerter has two years left on the fair 4-yr/$65M contract he signed in 2021. I would imagine his value isn’t the highest its ever been, but at the same time, it wouldn’t be difficult for a team to convince themselves that Huerter is still an elite NBA shooter with some positional versatility. For those reasons, plus the fact that the Kings have a cheap replacement in Ellis, it’s fair to assume Huerter is one of the more likely Kings to be traded this summer as Monte McNair hunts for upgrades.
An alternative, scarier timeline is one where Sacramento loses Malik Monk in free agency, Ellis resumes his role in the starting lineup, and McNair builds a new bench unit around Huerter as the sixth man while attempting to regain a little bit of the trade value his down season and injury may have caused. But we’ll cross that bridge if we get there.
While Huerter’s season was a disappointment, I still believe there is a decent NBA player there if his shot can return to form. I just can’t shake the feeling that his time with this organization has run its course, though. The Sacramento Kings need to get different, and Huerter’s season represents what the Kings need to change about their alignment. They need to get bigger, they need to get more physical, they need to defend, and if they’re going to insist on chucking threes, they need to go in.
It’s fascinating watching the playoffs and trying to project certain matters on the Kings.
Rebounding is such a key stat for winning in the postseason.
SGA leading all scorers in a game purely on midrange shots (are you looking coach Brown, Fox?).
Seeing teams overcoming injuries to key players and staying competitive in the play-offs (Knicks, Cavs, and the incredibly deep Celtics not missing a beat without Porzingis).
Josh Giddey barely seeing the floor in the play-offs.
And that one brings me to Huerter. Is Huerter a guy that you can give consistent minutes come play-off time? He tries on defense but just doesn’t seem to have the tools/skills.
When teams focused on taking away Domas DHO game, it basically tanked the efficiency of Huerter. All his fault? No, and I am still miffed that Brown did not come up with good counters. But it did diminish his offense.
And if Huerter isn’t a post-season contributor, what will that say about his trade value?
It did seem like it was DHO or nothing with Kevin. Why was there no adjustment to having him try different actions on the perimeter? Have him run off screens and find space, instead of being the DHO guy?
I still don’t think he would be all that playable in the playoffs. The defense alone was a major blackhole. He was targeted on so many possessions that he had to be pulled for Ellis/Duarte during the season.
I am sure there is a team out there that would like to have his shooting, and also has the team defense to help protect Kevin’s shortcomings.
With the injury and down season, It would be hard to gauge his trade value at this time.
No off season adjustments by the Kings. Almost unforgivable and scares me that Vivek is somehow lurking.
And the injury excuses are an absolute joke. They had their 2 stars-Keegs too.
You are thinking on the right track.
there is an interesting alchemy afoot here: if MM leaves draft a replacement ( never mind it took MM5 years to become good Malik) and second, KH cannot play defense, his job is taken by Keon and KH becomes the 6th man.
If the Kings get 4 guys who can consistently score, they can risk a defender (Eliis) as starter. KH can become a bench guy but a 6th many types of role? no. Not consistent enough – best suited as bench back up- depth.
Huerter was a negative in playoffs last year cause he can’t defend (gets targeted) and doesn’t even hit shots when needed.
It was clear and obvious last year they should have traded him.
More disturbing, along the same lines, it’s like Monte, Brown and all somehow took nothing from the playoff losses and stubbornly decided to run it back….even not changing the O!
Heurter talked about last off season just refining his skills but didn’t realize the DHO wasn’t gonna be the way forward and said he would have worked on other stuff if he had known.
Had Known? What the fuck were Brown and all doing? They didn’t realize the DHO-that style ain’t cutting it in the playoffs? Why would it take them so long to see this. Stubborn.
This team, as constituted and the way they play is not going anywhere. Heurter is a bench shooter. Move on. Make the changes you should have made last year.
How Fox and Briwn could have gone away from the mid range/floater etc-Foxes strength -is beyond me. Horrible coaching and focus from Fox.
If Fox doesn’t go back to the mid range-clutch game-he’s not worth having as your star. He’s simply not a star if he’s gonna jack up 3s like last year.
And It’s disturbing to see the 2 players (Luca and Hali) gotten rid of or not drafted because this team loves Fox so much, winning playoff series and Fox has not. Not even close this year.
I wasn’t happy when the Kings decided Fox was their future and not the others. But last year- with his mid range and clutch play it lead me to believe, maybe Fox can be that guy. Not how he played this year.
There are so many young players, who have passed Fox now. SGA. Brunson,
to name a few. Fox and Brown had better remedy the situation.
Maybe for career longevity? Maybe to try and open up the court more? Idk. It definitely did not lead to more wins.
I was thinking maybe Foxes injuries made it harder to drive?…..but even so, Brown shoulda told him to stop shooting so many 3s. To go to his strength. Mid range/drive/floater.
So after last night play-offs:
Joker is insanely good and such an inteligent player. I love Domas, but calling him Jokic Light is an insult to Joikic and creates unrealistic expectations of Domas.Like Giddy in OKC, Slo-Mo has become virtually unplayable for Minny. Didn’t see that coming.Perhaps Conley doesn’t fit the Minny timeline, as some here argue about vets, but boy is he important to them.You sometimes forget how good and incredibly strong and athletic Aaron Gordon is. I remember Tobias Harris was compared to him in the past. Hah!After SGA, another masterful midrange masterpiece, this time by Brunson.Incredible how the Knicks are without Randle, Anuyobi, Robinson and Bogdanovic and just keep going. Basically 3 starters and a key reserve. Hartenstein has been great for them.Tyrese finding out what it is to be targeted as the weak link on defense. Important learning moment. Interesting to see how he will react.TKH staff, can we get a continuous play-offs article, that stays near the top of the site? Please?
Agreed on the post season threads. Jokic is one of the very few players where I can sit on my couch and I just cackle like a lunatic watching him play. Gobert played great defense but it just did not matter. Jokic is an absolute monster at the peak of his powers right now. There’s just nothing to be done with him.
To your point Rik, it almost makes anyone even mentioning Sabonis’ name in the same sentence with Jokic certifiably insane. Sabonis just has absolutely no ability to do what Jokic did last night. If you aren’t a threat to score at every moment, you just aren’t that impactful in the playoffs unless your an elite defender. Sabonis just isn’t a threat to score. Sabonis is really good but there are levels to this.
Argh! I don’t know what happened to the formatting. There were bullet points!
Again:
Joker is insanely good and such an inteligent player. I love Domas, but calling him Jokic Light is an insult to Joikic and creates unrealistic expectations of Domas.
Like Giddy in OKC, Slo-Mo has become virtually unplayable for Minny. Didn’t see that coming.
Perhaps Conley doesn’t fit the Minny timeline, as some here argue about vets, but boy is he important to them.
You sometimes forget how good and incredibly strong and athletic Aaron Gordon is. I remember Tobias Harris was compared to him in the past. Hah!
After SGA, another masterful midrange masterpiece, this time by Brunson.
Incredible how the Knicks are without Randle, Anuyobi, Robinson and Bogdanovic and just keep going. Basically 3 starters and a key reserve. Hartenstein has been great for them.
Tyrese finding out what it is to be targeted as the weak link on defense. Important learning moment. Interesting to see how he will react.
TKH staff, can we get a continuous play-offs article, that stays near the top of the site? Please?
Knicks have a bunch of guys that play hard and smart. Will be interesting to see what they do with Randle. I know the Villanova guys want Mikal Bridges to join them…
Starting in the East – the Knicks are amazing to watch. That Philly/NYK series has been the best so far, IMO. And you are right- no Randle, Robinson or OG Annunoby – I forgot about Bogdanovic. Burks has stepped up. And remember – the Knicks got thinner in talent (no Quickly, RJ Barrett) to get OGA (not SGA). It speaks heavily to the ‘Nova Knicks but also to coaching. Thibs has always had the rep as a super coach but the knock, as you know, was taxing out his talent. And look at these Knicks – Mike Breen was very clever and funny when he mentioned that it was breaking news when Josh Hart sat for 4 minutes on Sunday.
Agree on Hali – his playoffs have been an up and down affair. Indy lucked into a Freakless, Lame Dame, welcome back from injury Middleton Bucks team. It spoke more on how it took them 6 games to win the series than Milwaukee holding on for deer life, IMO.
Here they are playing a magical Jalen Brunson (one tough sonuvabitch), with equally impressive Josh Hart and Donte D. and Hartenstein and I marvel just as much at how Indy struggles as the Knicks persevere. Makes me think of last season’s Heat and respect these coaches and assistant coaches and players deserve for teamwork and grit.
(we can compare and contrast and wonder about Sac during the long hot Summer)
The West!
Jokic is a finesse freak, off the charts, otherworldly. His skill level and decision making are why he’s a 3 time MVP (and narrowly second in voting last season for arguable reasons). There’s Steph Curry and his skill level and decision making, now on the down slope, There’s Lebron James and his skill level and decision making, also on the downslope and there’s Nikola Jokic. Superstars each and every one – but we are seeing Mile High performances in the here and now and not a moment too soon.
Domas is only Jokic-lite in that they are Point centers, team quarterbacks that play the 5. Both are ultimate team first players and intent on making their teammates and team better.
Sabonis is mechanical where Jokic is so fluid, Sabonis gives Iron Man effort and intensity where Jokic looks easy and bored. It’s like comparing Magic Johnson to Mike Conley. One’s an All-Star level talent, one’s a Hall of Fame superstar, one of a kind.
I wish we had Jokic, I am glad we have Domas.
he had a down year but he’s still a valuable player for the team. versatile player on offense, good rebounder. When the coaches add more plays to the offense, versatile players like Huerter allow for more possibilities. Can play backup SF. Shooting numbers will return to normal. not a bad contract either.
I think the “let it fly” approach should take into consideration the type of threes – and when they’re taking bad threes, that often is a result of coaching. For example, I doubt the percentages are good on the DHO threes on the move in the proximity of Ryan Anderson range. When Huerter went down, the team was having Keegan take the same shot. If Huerter and Keegan are both taking the same low percentage shot, that’s the coaches, not the players.
those shots are not just on the move from deep; they are also off balance, moving away from the basket with a hand in the face, and more than 10 seconds on the shot clock. just chucking.
Do you have the numbers on what Huerter shot on spot up 3s? percentage taken and percentage made?
Do you?
I do not, that’s why I asked. NBA.com stats site isn’t always the easiest for me to find shooting stats, and I know other people have access to different sites that have those stats.
Here you go
https://www.nba.com/stats/players/spot-up?CF=TEAM_ABBREVIATION*E*sac&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&dir=D&sort=POSS
Thanks. Some interesting numbers in there. Kevin sure doesn’t seem to spot up much.
Yeah, Kevin does a bit of everything in the offense.
no, but if someone finds a breakdown of percentages for different types of threes, I’d love to see it.
No idea what you are saying. Let me help you. Huerter sucks,
Much better with being concise.
Is it a coherent thought?
Not yet…but you tried.
Speak to text helpful?
The next time you say something half as interesting or thought provoking as I say will be the first time, and it will never happen, because you are a bore with a boring mind. At some level you know this, and so you vent your anger and frustration at those who are truly independent and creativeand cutting edge in their thought and analysis, This is the last time I will reply to you, you are not worthy of my attention. Best regards k4e
So you’re saying that if you ever say something nonsensical or just plain stupid we don’t need to bother reading it? Fairly positive that any comment I make is also not worthy of your time and also (as much as it hurts to say it) there also many other members of this site who may also not be worthy of your precious time.
Why don’t you stop posting and/or lurking around here and open up your own Kings site called “You’re not Worthy of my Time…..Fuck You”. I won’t read it and nobody else will either but you can turn both shoulders purple from patting yourself on the back. What could be more Kingsian than that.
That escalated quickly. I don’t lurk. I rarely read other opinions.
If I want to read something interesting and awesome, I make a post, then I re-read it.
I really have no interest to attack others unless they attack me, then I strike back twice as hard.
Is it the jumbled up words and insults without any punctuation that make it twice as hard?
I… can tell.
I read your posts.
Pretty sure you read mine as well?
Not always right but we can enjoy another persons opinion.
I guess we are weird?
Like an angry three year old…but not as cute.
Huerter is a good player under contract.
Is he the starter? Sometimes…
Is he a solid NBA rotation player? Yes..
Keep him and let him shoot the ball. A rookie from the draft or some other borderline NBA guy is not needed.
I bet you were highly criticial of the Domas trade, until you weren’t.
I bet you just figured out who was part of that trade.
It is unfortunate we got stuck with Fox in that deal. Sabonis is the best player the Kings have had within this generation.
Heurter has proven no value in the playoffs. Get rid of him.
To be fair, Huerter was one of the main reason the Hawks reached the ECF in 2021. The dude was 10-18 for 27 point in a game seven win against the Bucks.
He helped get them to the playoffs. That is something. The entire roster was useless in the play in this year.
Does a healthy Huerter get them a win?
Huerter definitely had a down year before sitting with injury, and yet he still shot better from 3 than Monk and Keegan, had a better EFG% than Fox and Monk, and the best NetRTG of any guard not named Ellis. Go figure.
He still have value as an NBA player and his contract is very fair at around the 100th highest paid player in the league. Considering he’s making around half of what Klay may be asking for this summer, I bet some teams still see value in his shooting and contract.
All I know for sure is that Ellis is the de facto staring off guard next season and it makes little sense to spend upwards of $35M on the combo of Monk and Huerter to come off the bench when the Kings don’t have a legit forward to start next to Sabonis. Monte has some decisions to make.
Package him in a deal for a real power forward and we improve. Trade him for a different purely shooting player and we did nothing.
What PFs do you think Monte should target? There are some out there that might help the roster, and might also be tough to get in a trade. Should be an interesting offseason for sure.
Any average power forward is an improvement. One that plays defense and will rebound are my only requirements.
Jarred Vanderbilt? Jonathan Isaac? Bobby Portis? Naz Reid? Grant Williams? Isaiah Stewart?
Some of those are better than others, and some of them would be much harder to obtain.
Any of those and any other average one. Sabonis needs help. An all star PF or borderline All Star PF drastically changes this team. Opens up the game for Sabonis and Fox.
Naz Reid just signed- missed out and Minesota won’t trade him. Isaac is hurt ALL the time. Grant Williams is undersized, and his teammates all hate him. Stewart has no range. Markenon but Jazz like him despite he is being older than their young core.
Everything you mentioned is still better than what we currently have.
I’d hit up Utah for Collins. Offer Huerter and Lyles/Sasha. Kings get out of two redundant players for a starting forward next to Sabonis. Utah gets smaller contracts to kick down the road and out of Collins deal.
I agree. I think Collins would be a good fit. Someone on here keeps saying that he is a “problem” or something like that, and I don’t know where that comes from.
He definitely fills a position of need and I think would fit the system built around Sabonis and Fox. Is he perfect? Far from it, but he can hit from 3, rebound at a solid rate, and is a decent weak side rim protector. His contract would also potentially come off the books at the same time Keegan’s rookie extension would be kicking in.
He fits the timeline both with age and as a contract.
Utah gave up nothing but an expiring/retiring Rudy Gay and a 2nd round pick for Collins. If he can be flipped for two solid bench pieces on fair deals (Huerter and Lyles/Sasha) that’s a win for Utah and the Kings get their PF.
Huerter has more value than Collins. I’d do Barnes/Mitchell for Collins.
Collins is a very bad contract for Utah. They need cap space to sign someone as well as give Markannen a raise (similar to Sabonis raise before his extension).
No free agent is going to sign in Utah. It’s down there with Detroit in terms of market desires. They only way they are getting a star is via the draft or trade, which is why I feel Ainge would want smaller more movable contracts as opposed to Collins.
I’m also in the camp that feels that Barnes has just as much value as Huerter. I prefer to move Huerter due to redundancy. Barnes can still have a role for the Kings as a bench 3/4. I see no point in keeping Lyles and Sasha if you are adding Collins.
I don’t think Barnes has more value than Huerter does. He is older, more expensive and cannot defend his position. Huerter can guard his position; he just can’t guard up or down.
There has never been a point in keeping Sasha. Lets get someone who can play.
“Huerter has more value than Collins.”
Huh?
10/3/2.5/36% 3pt
vs
15/8.5/1/37% 3 pt and a block per game
Even if you went 22-23 season Huerter (15.8 ppg,) I’d prefer Collins.
I’d be completely ok with a trade of Barnes, Huerter and fodder for Collins, sign Monk, draft solid and call that a decent off season. We might not contend for a chip with that, but I think we make the first round and maybe more if they gel and have a few intangibles go their way.
Like the trade outcome but don’t think anybody wants Sasha. Might have to put Davion in the deal instead.
I think Huerter and Lyles is very fair for Collins. Barnes then becomes the backup 3/4. That’s a considerable upgrade at the forward spots.
Maybe Monte can get Monk to re-sign and use the #13 on a more polished player like Knecht, da Silva, Holmes, etc. He’d also still have the MLE.
Fox, Mitchell
Ellis, Monk, Jones
Keegan, da Silva? Knecht?
Collins, Barnes, Sasha, Holmes?
Sabonis, Filipowski?
I want to keep Len… I like Da Silva .. I like Holmes too. Wouldn’t draft him if we got Collins I would go for The French Kid Salaun if you got Collins.
Lyles hates Utah..
So? It’s a business.
Wasn’t saying it should impact anything just throwing it out there that he hates Utah.. the place not the team
I still am not sold on Mitchell. He had a good 1/3 of the season, and a not very good 2/3 of the season. Skeptical moving forward about him. If Huerter is gone in your scenario, I hope they bring in another scoring guard/wing. I do like Ja’Kobe Walter at #13, but something tells me he won’t be available.
Da Silva or Filipowski would be my preference then, as I also think Knecht will go before #13.
Mitchell is a known entity. He isn’t going to do anything this team needs. Time to set him free.
Yup. He looks like he plays good defense, but the number say otherwise. His offense is just too hit and miss, he doesn’t rebound well, and can only really guard smaller guards. Cut bait.
The defense isn’t anything to justify his existence anymore. When he plays he slows one player down but he cannot score enough to get the lead.
Dude is a black hole on offense.
Draft- the top 11 will probably go in some order- that leaves Collier, Walker and McCain as guards on the cusp- with Saluan, Ware, Flip and DaSilva there as well.
OKC at 12 is the wild card. If somebody jumps for one of these and one of the top 11 drops, OKC will take that.
I, IMO, would want a big guy- and I think so does OKC unless Cody Willams drops to 12.
At this point- Flip first, DaSilva second.
I am over Mitchell and Sasha. Nothing is changing with them.
I take Monk as a starter of Ellis if we can keep Monk.
Len is going to do far more for us than Filipowski without any experience.
We need to be willing to give more for a power forward.
Love Knecht – a more athletic , bigger version of Tyler Hero .
OK with this but still think Jalen Smith is a better fit at center.He is a free agent if and when he decides to opt out of his contract which he should.
Like Smith and can defend the 5 also solid 3 shooter . Almost certainly will opt out of player option. Pacers will pay Siakim and Toppin . Likely get for 10 million or so ( exception ) draft Knecht . Of course keeping Monk top priority .
I’ll take Collins. Still young, can rebound and stretch the floor. Would’nt take an arm and leg to get him. I like Barnes and Lyles plus 2 seconds. Should do it. Also like Jalen Smith but more of a backup center to Sabonis. Can get him in FA. He can also play PF. Now I would use Huerter with Mitchell and a first and second and go after the Spur’s Keldon Johnson as a fit next to Fox. He just might be available since the Spurs are considering looking to not keep him since they are looking at Young as their point guard. He is a tough SG who won’t shy away from contact and averages around 16 points per game. Now you have Fox, Johnson, Murray, Collins and Sabonis. I like it.
maybe Christian Wood.. I like Issaac if he can stay healthy…I think that if we retain Len and Brown Gave Sasha a chance you could have some lineup versatility..
Please no Wood . Terrible on D and just a chucker .
You just described the Kings.
Excellent point !
Crazy isn’t it?
Drafting for hope again.
can’t get no wood, please
I am guessing you use https://www.basketball-reference.com/ for this. I would advise to stay away from anything other than raw stat in https://www.basketball-reference.com/.
The site has a nice layout but their advanced holistic stat is very flawed.
The actual net rating in basketball reference is almost at the bottom in the “Play by Play” section, in the “+/- per 100 Poss” column. You can see the net rating as well as the on/off rating.
Otherwise, NBA.com stats is extremely useful but difficult to navigate.
I’d be surprised if the Kings have to worry about paying Monk. I think he’s gone.
I expect one of two things:
You can’t just offense your way to contention. You have to have defense. If Levine wasn’t a sieve I would kinda like this. He is, unfortunately, so hard pass for me.
“All I know for sure is that Ellis is the de facto staring off guard next season…”
What makes you so certain? Because I don’t think that’s been determined at all at this point.
If you compare the four seasons in Atlanta (his first four, from age 20-23) to the two seasons in Sacramento it reveals some interesting insights, IMO.
Kevin Huerter played his worst season of his career, last season in Sacramento. Least minutes played per game and for a guy known for his shooting – his lowest 3FG%.
It seems that maybe, after having his best season last year (including a trip to 3 point contest, though that was disappointing) he had his worst season, and as Adamsite points out, it wasn’t all that bad.
I believe he can perform better, but likely not much better. But posing the question – does that better Red Velvet fit the needs of this team? , is the more relevant one.
He seems, to me, as one of the most engaging and likeable Kings, personality wise. And he has the work ethic and the “good teammate” gene. However, his performance “in the clutch” has been disappointing. Open 3s (this season) – not good. His playoffs last season (after solid playoffs for the Hawks) were without luster (less than lackluster). He is an easy player to root for – but on this team, with the emergence of Keon Ellis, and if they retain Malik Monk, and if we get last third of the season Davion Mitchell returning – pushes him to Chris Duarte minutes.
I am in the, “there is a better spot for Huerter on a different roster” camp. And I am of the belief (and hope) that many GMs will see that as well – because his numbers, throughout his career are solid and dependable.
The Last 1/3 of Davion was good.. hope that can stay..Big if..
Agree.
Hang on to what has gotten us here. We are winning!
Will always remember the similar takes on Donte Devensinzo . Looks ideal for Kings now . Maybe Huerter just needs a change of teams or roles to regain his production
He mentioned that he worked last offseason mainly on DHOs and got away from the fundamentals and being a more well rounded player. Not sure how significant that was to the dip in production. His gravity as a shooter is nice, he just doesn’t bring much else.
Except defense and rebounding . Ask Thibs .He is much better than Huerter .
I do think a lot of the issues with Kings players not being good-yet (Sasha etc) has to do with the fact that Brown has been atrocious at designing an O that utilizes their talents. I mean, all he had them do was drive kick-splash 3s.
No man or ball movement. An O that requires guys like Fox/Monk-make a play. Either Brown has to change or Monte needs to bring in guys that fit.
I think Sasha can play a good role if used properly… I also noticed Fox seemed to rarely pass to him
I thought the same thing. Sasha would be wide open in the corner and Fox would look and then pass to someone else.
I think there’s a lot of fluidity to our offense. At least until there isn’t. They definitely need a secondary set they can run besides ISO, tho.
As for the players being good, I think coach needs to be better about his rotations. There needs to be a better balance of getting wins while not making your 4 best players run 38 minutes a game every night. Having an extended rotation during the season helps with injuries, development, and consistency. We did get a bit of the injury bug this year, so there is that but its something I picked up on last season, too.
I have nothing to say about Red Diva I have not already said other than if you still think there is a place for this guy as a bench performer you need to raise your standards.
We would have made it to Round 2 two seasons ago if Red Diva did not choke away so many clean looks playing aside two All-NBA forces. We would not have had to scratch and claw our way out of the play-in if Huerter would have used the failure of the previous playoffs to return with a vengence and hyper focus. Instead he sulked and played the victim when his starting job was put into jeopardy.
Huerter is a baby, a big red headed baby.
He is also kind of fat, not nearly the lean and mean shot creating machine of a Tyler Herro.
There was a time Herro and Huerter were the same caliber of player in my mind.
Herro had a crummy playoffs except for Game 2 vs BOS if I recall correctly, yet Huerter could only wish he had the shot creation and space creation of Herro.
Herro is all world compared to Huerter. Huerter is a bricklaying slug. Any questions?
An analogy in terms of not giving up on said slug would be as a Wolves fans defending KAT, who just does not have what it takes, a manic offender against the fundamentals of the game, driving into traffic, beggin for calls, launching bricks, or as a Thunder fan, holding out hope and prayer for Josh Kiddy, that this weird slacker with high estrogen, seemingly, can be instrumental to greatness.
Greatness is not easy. If it was, the majority would not be SO mediocre. Greatness is reserved for the obssessed, not the casuals. The Kings fan calling for De Silva have a mediocre mindset. Yah, lets go draft Tres Lyles Light or Tres Lyles Adjacent, take your pick. That will allows us to run the league, not.
Here is a fun fact about Huerter no one talks about. Go back and watch the clip in which his shoulder was removed from its socket. You would think there must have been a violent assault on his limb to cause such calamity.
REALITY: Dude got discombobulated and surgery appointment scheduled from a love tap.
Desmond Bane is a strong player but he did not do anything unsportsmanlike. Now fans are wanting this surgically repaired porcelain doll who ended up on the operating table only because he did not take theweight room seriously to be some sort of valuable component next season?
Why don’t you go buy a lottery ticket while you are at it and bet on the Wizards and Pistons to meet in the 2025 ECF?
My new name for our GM is Monte Mc Semi-Genius. I hate to do it because I really do LOVE and TRUST our GM but I am a “what have you done lately fan” not a “ 2022 trade dealine for life” dupe.
Here are the facts until proven otherwise: Sasha sucks. Huerter sucks. Duarte had the worst eFG% of anyone on our team playing 50 games. If you have these three losers on your resume you are NOT a full fledged genius anymore. Also the head coach he hired is overrated but that is a topic for another time.
I do not expect perfection. This is a game of probabilities. OKC is probably going to advance to the WCF (and lose). Well their GM drafted Josh Kiddy and Poku. It is hard to bat 100%.
But can our GM please stop swinging and missing with the regularity of a non-genius?
I am genius. I know non-genius when I see it. Our GM is venturing into that territory.
Here is how our GM can get back in my good graces, remove the “semi” from his moniker.
One: Go get Kuzma ON THE CHEAP.
Two: Let Monk walk. Adios Amigo.
Three: Seriously consider Yves Missi.
I REALLY LIKE YVES MISSI. It is not what said player is, it is more about who said player can be. It is the vision that matters, the foresight that rewards.
I cannot get on board with DaRon Holmes. I don’t know. He’s not terrible but meh. His vitals are good but he played against weak competition. His intensity is not quite where it needs to be. DaRon is mechanical and canot flip his hips.
Yves Missi is a player every serious Kings fan should think long and hard about.
Have you ever heard about something called “high drop coverage”? If you are not sure what this means, you are not sophisticated NBA fan. Missi can be really good in high drop coverage, which basically means he can defend outside of the paint at the level of the screen, kind of like Chet Holmgren, so instrumental last night in their win. Basically the big should be able to confidently venture outside the paint harrass and recover.
Missi is also a awesome pick and roll player and shot blocker in the rim, an attribute that we sorely lack. Missi has NO shot and he he’s not anything near a dime dropper from the high post. But what he can do is attack the rim if the defender backs off and challenges him to shoot. I see Missi as a more athletic version of Metu, a great athlete, so I sought to compare their vitals.
Metu measures 6’8.5 without shoes with a 7’0.5 wingspan and 220 lbs when he entered the draft. Missi measures 6’10.25 without shoes with a 7’0.2 wingspan and 229.4 lbs last weekend. So basically two inches longer and more explosive than Metu, with better skills.
MISSI IS AN ATHLETIC BEAST!!!
LFG! With the 13th pick in the 2024 draft the Sacramento Kings Draft Yves Missi!!!!
Missi just needs the refinement and seasoning, the same season received by Keon. Then you have a better version of Jarrett Allen. This is the kind of prospect we should be targeting. Look at the elite teams in the West: OKC with Chet. DAL with Gafford and Lively. DEN with Joker. MIN with Golbert and KAT.
Who is our counter to defend above the rim?
Alex Len?
Give me a friggin break!!!
There is a recurring theme throughout the playoffs that was already known for those who know. No defense no chance. This is why I advocate for departure of Monk, or discount significantly the value of his potential loss. Defense reigns, unless you are the Pacers and have the fortune of a second round opponent decimated by injury.
All the prospects mentioned in this thread do not excite me. Missi, if you can see with the proper lens, is very exciting. That’s all for now.
Has anyone ever read one of these?
Why not man?
Kings4ever is entertaining
Maximus: a gentleman with exquiste taste.
Ok?
I am not a sadist. If that is your jam be happy.
Really? We’ll have to agree to disagree.
Easy to do.
I want to be rejected by you. I know the way you think, Reject away.
Alright?
I have but they are usually written by you. You guys share the genius gene. We here are so blessed by your presence.
Appreciate the conversation.
You obviously did. Admit it, you enjoyed it.
I have skimmed a few. Stopped about a week ago.
Epic comment. Keep em coming K4E.
He is trying to steal your gimmick with the rant.
The only thing Huerter and Herro have in common is that they are white. Your take on Huerter that he is “fat” and that you are a “genius” is demeaning and narcissistic.
You do better when you use stats and evidence, and I do enjoy those comments, but declaring your opinions as gospel and a gift to the rest of us is condescending.
Either declare yourself parody or grow the fuck up.
Relax.
I think he has an angry version of ChatGPT that he steals content from.
Yves Missi is a nice prospects…
We need some rim runner…..
But will #13 is a reach ?
Hurt.
Huerter.
Hurtist.
It is unfair to associate those two with that garbage on the bottom. Insensitive and horrendously offensive to both of them.
Haha. The only time I think of Bagley is when I see your comments. It rips the scab off every time!
Set this team back a decade.
Those gray jerseys are atrocious. Please Vivek and Angelie, don’t ever bring those back.
Well done.
If Brown had benched Huerter when we all first saw it coming, he and the rest of the team would still be playing rn.
Badge Legend