The Kings Herald Show returns with Jerry Reynolds, Will Griffith, and Tony Xypteras to break down what the Sacramento Kings accomplished in the NBA Draft and free agency, and review the California Classic.
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You can submit questions for Jerry on Patreon, or write your questions in the comments below this post! Or you can just yell questions to Tony or Will on Twitter.
Good stuff as always. I was a little disappointed when Will asked the question I’ve been wondering since the Duren to the Kings talk started (“As a GM, what would you do if Duran just says that he’ll sign the qualifying offer?”), and Jerry answered a different question. As unlikely as it sounds, the QO is probably Duren’s best leverage, much like the Warriors/Kuminga situation last year. It’s also the Kings cleanest path to get Duren. In the (extremely) unlikely event Duren really does prefer the Kings over any other destination, he could simple sign the QO and become an unrestricted free agent next year—when the Kings will have more than enough cap space to give Duren what he wants. I’m not saying this is likely, but it’s a reasonable hypothetical worth considering. Would love to have heard Jerry’s thoughts on this.
The Kings should talk to his agent to push for a sign and trade without having to give up more than a lottery protected 1st-round pick in 2029. Experiment to see if Sabonis would be interesting in their win-now mindset or take on Hunter and Monk to clear some space for the 2027 free agency. Objectively, big guys that can’t shoot a 10-15 footer should not make much more than 25 mill. Also, if you can’t shoot the 3, then you probably should not make more than 35 mil (Sabonis is a perfect example of an inflated contract, but he rebounds at the top of the league and passes better than all big men not named Jokic). The message here is to “see what would happen” if the Kings got back into the mix.
I know it’s been reported the Pistons have no interest in Sabonis. Also been reported Perry is willing to trade a few picks to get Duren.
I guess the question is, if it gets drawn out and confrontational like the Kuminga situation last year, would Detroit be willing to take the picks and Lavine’s expiring contract?
Yes, I saw that they aren’t interested in Sabonis. Great insertion of Lavine if it were to get bad in the next few weeks. Two picks + Lavine vs. 1 pick and Sabonis (or Hunter/Monk) would be a great experiment– they likely would take Sabonis or Hunter/Monk with 1 pick and I would tempt them with this offer. The one fear that I would have is the agent says that they want a 40 mil deal, as that’s too much for Duren’s talents.
I think that I would rather keep Sabonis than give up any picks. I would rather keep Monk/Hunter than give up any picks, unless Duren’s contract is 35 mil or less. I would likely give up 2 picks with Lavine included and take on the 40 mil salary or less. What are you all willing to give up, in terms of annual salary and picks?
I have a hard time seeing anyone being interested in Sabonis without knowing if his knee still works right.
I doubt it. My money is on the Piston and Duren coming to some agreement in the middle, which is more than he could make in FA, but less the the bird rights max. He’ll probably want a PO at the end of 4 years with the opportunity to sign a super max.
I don’t think he’s worth it, but he and his agent are likely betting on himself.
I agree. IMO he isn’t worth it. I would rather see if Perry can trade Sabonis or say Hunter|Monk for Ingram. Maybe just maybe I could see Kuminga at PF. Not quite sure on this one.I really like Peyton Watson but that might be stretching it too far. I also like Monk and say a long way off first for Jarance Walker and Ben Sheppard(expiring contract)
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I’m probably a bit off but IMO I can still see Raynaud and Cardwell working together. If we get Duren, which in my opinion will cost way too much compared to other possibilities that leaves Max holding the bag.
One set of starters: Acuff, Clifford, Murray, Jarance Walker and Raynaud. Gives you dynamic point guard play. Two way wing versability. Rim protection including weakside.Really good rebounding. Won’t cost you an arm and leg. Great backup to starters: Stevens, Sharp, Hunter, Achuiwa and Karaban and Cardwell. Not too shabby.
No Kuminga. No no no. Two teams have already felt fit to let him go. He can’t shoot and he doesn’t necessarily play well with other others.
The kings don’t need any more non-shooters
I agree, Duren ends up back on the Pistons. The Kangz run back the same core sans DDR.
I don’t hate it. It’ll be an entertaining team that gives up the most points a game and has a chance at a high draft pick.
Acuff
Lavine
Keegan
Max
Domas
I think Hunter needs to start, especially to show other teams his value. Max should take the bulk of his minutes, but not in a starting role.
I kinda think having Sabonis on the team will help Acuff develop his game as he sets a good screen, is a willing passer. This will help teams crowding him with bigger defenders
I’ll ask (again):
who are the top 5s in the Association?
Wemby, Jokic, healthy Embid, Rudy Gobert, healthy AD (oh wait, he’s a 4 – ha!), Sabonis? Bam? Zubac? JJJr? KAT? Hartenstein? Sengun?
young 5s:
Wemby, Clingen, Ware, Kessler, Sarr, Edey, Mobley
Did I leave anyone significant out?
Where does Jalen Duren fit in those groups?
Wemby is The Alien he fits both categories. Not comparing them, but does Duren? (can he be the Zo to Wemby’s Shaq?)
If Domas isn’t a King – in what world can you say that Max Raynaud can reach Duren’s level?
If you are building a team – you have Tim Hardaway (Sr.) at worst or Iverson at best in Acuff: does Duren give enough defense to be the 2nd building block?
Who else do you all want to build the Kings with? Do you wait and hope to get the guy in the draft? Who are you trading for?
IMO, if Domas would shoot jumpers he becomes a top 5 center, but since GSW exposed him in the playoffs he seems afraid to shoot. That kills his playmaking from the elbow because his defender just drops off which eliminates cutters along the baseline and allows guard defenders to always go over any Domas handoffs. There is no need for either defender to pay attention to Domas.
As it is, factoring in contract, I’d rank him in the 10-15 range.
I have to wonder if the Duren agreement is being monitored by LeBron. Once done he would be a great addition.
Doesn’t the team need the actual cap room to give QO ? Thought the rule was no team can go over the cap to sign to sign a free agent unless it’s their own ? Thought that was discussed sometime . Also , even if the Kings had cap room he is still a restricted FA and Pistons could match .
The Pistons have already made Duren’s QO—it’s a little less than $10 million. If Duren rejects it, he becomes a restricted free agent and the Pistons have the right of first refusal (can match any other offer, or agree to a sign-and-trade); if he accepts it, he plays one year for the prescribed amount, but becomes an unrestricted free agent next year—when the Kings will have more than enough cap space to give him whatever he wants (not that they should, necessarily, but they could). But the only way the Kings can get him this year is if Detroit agrees to a sign-and-trade with enough matching salary (Sabonis or Levine).
Bottom line he will sign a long term deal with Pistons for about 40 million per year . Book it !
That’s the most likely outcome. If Duren truly wanted to play in Sacramento, his path would be to accept the QO and wait until next year. But if he just wanted to maximize his leverage, he’d do exactly what he’s doing now (express and interest in Sacramento and start talking to them), then threaten to accept the QO.
Always a treat to get these in the offseason. Thanks for the extra-long episode fellas.
OT:
Peterson looks like he’s following in the footsteps of Wade/Ant/Kobe. The Jazz have assembled a crap ton of talent and still have a boatload of picks.
Really seems like the Thunder, Spurs and Jazz will be running the West for the forseeable future. I think the Jazz will make the leap next season in Peterson’s 2nd season.
All three franchises still have a lot of future draft capital.
I think the Mavs are going to have trouble putting talent aroung Flagg, similar to how they did with both Dirk and Luka.
The Kings need to take the long road for their rebuild as they’re years behind these other franchises. Even if Acuff ends up becoming a Dame/Brunson (which I believe he will) caliber player, it’s going to take a lot to put something around him without some draft luck and Vivek isn’t going anywhere.
Yep, Peterson is gonna be a problem.
Let Sharpe handle him.
As of today, I’d pencil in the Kings as the second worst team in the West behind Memphis. I feel Utah will be better then them by a healthy margin. Should they sell of guys like Sabonis and LaVine for spare parts they could get very bad very fast.
There is a chance they are a bottom 3 team in the league, right down there with the Nets. leave it to the Kangz to be horrible as soon as the lottery rules change.
Prediction for the WEST only: If we keep Monk, Hunter, Lavine, and Sabonis (I think we can really only argue that Sabonis is worth keeping), Clippers, my guess is that we would be competing against Memphis, New Orleans, Dallas, and maybe Golden State. I could see Phoenix and Houston being in the 8-10 range in the West. I think we could be better than all of these teams (except Houston and maybe Phoenix), if healthy, but the hope is that we finish ahead of at least New Orleans, Dallas, and Memphis so as to stay away from being in the top 5 worst teams in the league.
I think the Kings are going to be fighting to stay out of the bottom three all season. If they’re on the line, look for a “win now” move from Vivek (Hi Zion) wasting assets and tying up a bunch of salary for years.
Yeah, I see six teams in the bottom three mix: Kings, Griz, Pels, Bucks, Bulls, Nets. I have the Clips, Mavs, Wiz and Hornets rounding out the bottom ten.
With a healthy Domas and LaVine, I could see the team creeping out of the bottom three, with may 29ish wins.
I don’t see why the Jazz, if healthy, would not be competing for the 6/7 seed (they may come up short, but could get into the top 9-10 clots). With the flattened odds in the lottery, it would only motivate them more to actually compete if they are healthy.
At Vegas, I hope to be all aboard the Karaban caravan.
Jerryism?? Anyone?
Sharp,E is making his mark
Sharp is leaving the defender flat footed
Sharp is playing at a fevered pitch
With his offensive repertoire, we are seeing the various from Darius
Darius is nefarious
5ive alive with the jive (groan!, that made me writhe)
That defense have seen enough of Acuff
They dared him to shoot: Acuff called the bluff
Bascuffball
Darius the Scariest
The Razorback Attack!
The Tasmanian Arkansanian.
(I spoke to Jerry, and he offered “Boss Hog.” Chef’s kiss!)
((I had offered “The Fayetteville Flash” when he buried me with his.))
When he plays defense: Cuffed by Acuff!
OT: The NBA has officially processed all of the Kings offseason acquisitions, including the signings of Plowden and Precious. The Kings are now right at the tax line with still another roster spot needing to be filled.
Interestingly enough, and for those who care, none of the Hornets trades of Naz, Grayson Allen, and Royce O’Neale coming in and Ball, Bridges, and Green going out, have been finalized yet. There is speculation on some Hornets blogs that these are not done just yet because there may be more moving parts. Their trade for DFS did go through, but they don’t intend to keep him. Remember, the Hornets had interest in Sabonis.
Most likely it’s nothing and just the NBA wheels grinding at their own pace…but you never know.
They’ve gotten younger with their core (Miller, Kon) after trading Ball, but picked up vets in the Bridges trade. So it’s hard to understand if they’re trying to make the leap now or playing it slow around Miller and Kon. My guess is after the Ball trade they no longer have interest in Sabonis.
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