Anyone who has had the pleasure (or pain) of watching the Kings this season can see the Achilles heel of the team is a lack of defense and spotty shooting. It’s no secret that when our three-pointers aren’t failing, we’re not just destined to lose, we practically gift-wrap the victory for the opposing team. In our losses this year, the Kings have been shooting threes with just 31% accuracy and our overall score stands at a dismal -250 for the year, averaging a cringe-worthy -16.7 points per loss. So, what’s the solution? Well, it boils down to one word: consistency. If we’re going to worship at the altar of the three-pointer, we need players who can hit the mark.
Enter stage right: Jerami Grant. At 29 and under a long-term contract for the next five years, is an investment worth considering for the Kings. He may not be the perfect fit for our roster, but he’s certainly a darn good option. His $32 million per year contract might be slightly above the market value, but for a forward with his defensive versatility, it’s a deal the Kings can live with.
In contrast to Pascal Siakam, who’s frequently mentioned in trade rumors, Grant isn’t playing for his next contract – he’s already secured his bag. This could potentially make Grant more willing to embrace a supporting role within the Kings’ lineup. Both players would likely need to be comfortable with being the 3rd or even 4th banana in the offensive hierarchy. Siakam’s current pursuit of his next substantial contract, possibly exceeding $50 million per year, could force the Kings into tax territory. This is a move that ownership hasn’t had to make since the Chris Webber era. At 29 years old, does Siakam warrant such a significant financial commitment? Personally, I remain unconvinced. His current performance may not justify the hefty contract, and this disparity would only grow over time.
Grant, on the other hand, currently has career-high shooting percentages highlighting the potential value he could bring to the Kings. With an average of 41% shooting from beyond the arc, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 21 points per game, he would integrate smoothly into our offensive lineup. His rebounding skills may not be top-notch, but his overall enhancement over Harrison Barnes, both offensively and defensively, is significant.
As for Barnes, his performance this year has been well….bad. It might be time to make a tough decision and extricate Barnes from Mike Brown’s determined hold. I understand that he’s often the first one in the gym, a model professional, and so on. However, his recent displays have reached an unfortunate nadir, with his last ten games culminating in a -37 over 24 minutes per game and averages of 7.8 points, and 2.1 rebounds on 41.7% shooting.
I’ve been vocal about this in trade discussions on Twitter, Reddit, and talked extensively at my wife and dogs regarding the one opportunity to add another hefty salary to our team. Fox is due for a substantial extension if and when he makes the All-NBA again this season, Keegan will get his rookie extension in another year and a half, and Domas has already cashed in.
What would such a deal look like, and why would the Trailblazers be interested? Firstly, the Trailblazers are currently far from being a top-tier team and aren’t looking to retain veterans who help them win games. When they traded for Grant back in the summer of ’22, it was for the Bucks’ 2025 first-rounder and two second-round picks. However, Grant’s contract situation was different then. His re-signing with the Blazers last offseason raised eyebrows due to the length and amount committed, which many still view as a slight negative.
That being said, the Kings could trade their 2026 and/or 2030 first-rounder due to the lottery-protected first-rounder owed to the Hawks this season. We have an arsenal of second-rounders at our disposal. A deal centered around Harrison Barnes, who the Blazers could likely flip again for at least a couple more second-rounders, Davion Mitchell, Chris Duarte, or Sasha Vezenkov, plus our 2026 first-round pick could be a competitive offer.
James Ham hinted at some traction towards such a deal as recently as last Friday.
James Ham says there have been "murmurs" that the Kings might be interested in Jerami Grant. Talking about it now. https://t.co/TuEtFnLOeX
— Brett W. Huff (@bretthuff22) January 12, 2024
I believe that this potential trade would propel the Kings into the top four this year, and significantly boost our postseason prospects, while also preserving resources for re-signing our players like Monk and Murray and maintaining plenty of draft capital for the future.
I can’t say I’ve watched ton of Grant in Portland this season, but based on his career overall, the key for the Kings would be in convincing him to really embrace that 3-and-D role that made him so effective in OKC/DEN. Pump his assisted shot % back up into the 60s-70s.
That’s one of the things that worry me about the Grants and Kuzmas of the trade market. They are guys who went from effective medium usage on good teams to high usage guys on bad teams. They are on record of wanting bigger roles. It’s the opposite for someone like Wiggins, or even a guy like Aaron Gordon (who obviously is not on the trade market).
What kind of player is better for the Kings? IMO, it needs to be someone willing to play 4th fiddle behind Fox, Sabonis, and Keegan. I’d hope Monte would have a good pulse on the players intentions and personalities before he made a trade for any of those guys.
Considering Grant is under a long term contract I think he would be amenable to a third fiddle role.
I’do it simply to consolidate some “meh” assets (Barnes & a couple of future late 1sts) into a single valuable asset.
In the case he doesn’t work out, he’d be a far more favorable trade piece going forward than HB
Well stated…and I really like Jerami Grant’s game, but that game is in a place where he’s the first or second option.
Yup, he’s second in FGA at 16 per game and second in usage at 25% up in Portland. Compare that to Keegan who is at 13 FGA per game and a usage of 18%, or Sabonis at 14FGA per game and 22% usage.
If things were to stay the same for Grant in Sac, he’d be the #2 option, and I’m not comfortable with that. Ideally he’s the 4th option, like an Aaron Gordon in Denver, but is Grant willing to accept that role?
I think Grant is fine with being “the guy” on a bad team.
I feel Kuzma is as well.
It’s not the worst trade scenario. Grant is locked in salary for the next few years and seems like he could just step right in an contribute.
I’d like to get Thybulle back in the deal as well. Grant’s rebounding is atrocious for a forward, so he’s not going to take pressure off Domas there. One thing this might allow us to do is deal Malik for a defense-minded frontcourt player (I am increasingly worried we will lose him for nothing).
Grant’s rebounding rate is pretty bad, but it’s considerably better than Barnes.
I would go after either Caruso, Thybulle or Okoro then pickup a 4 like Tari Eason or Wendell Carter J. I understand Carter is now on the trading block. If you want a rebounder he can rebound. If you want a shooter he shoots 3’s at around 40%. You want a rim protector especially on the weak side you would have it. And if you want a big body to compete with the bigger players(Sabonis has a hard time doing this) then you have it plus he is only 24 and has a really good contract. What else do you want?
PS His wing span is 7′ 3.5″. He can play either PW or center. Nice backup tp Sabonis.
If you’re going to endlessly advocate for a guy whose team is never going to trade him, why not go with Mikal Bridges?
Because that would be great.
I’ve been coming around on this idea. The contract isn’t great, but it’s not awful if the Kings think he can age gracefully. It’s definitely a lot of eggs in one basket though, which is not how Monte tends to work. But I think especially if you can get Thybulle too, you give the Fox/Domas/Keegan core the kind of 3-and-D support that could help this team take a real leap.
I’m worried Thybulle will command a FRP all on his own. That said, I would be happy with Grant and Thybulle for HB, Davion and Duarte plus a protected first and a second or two.
Unfortunately, HB, Mitchell, and Duarte for Grant and Thybulle doesn’t work salary wise. Kings would need to add close to $10M more or get a 3rd team involved.
Grant and Thybulle is my ideal combo get at the moment. I’d imagine PDX is looking to cut long term salary and focus on their youth. IMO, the Blazers re-singing Grant was for this very purpose. They saw him as an asset that they could move for future assets and he was never really apart of their long term plans. Detroit did the same with Bojan and it could be viewed that Monte did he same with Barnes. Ample cap space really doesn’t mean much to rebuilding teams and markets like PDX and SAC, so sometimes keeping the assets you have to move down the road is a better option then letting players walk for nothing.
I’m gonna get shit for it, but I’d offer Barnes, Monk and Mitchell for Grant and Thybulle. PDX is likely gonna want some picks, and offer whatever 2nd rounders they want. The additions of Monk’s expiring and Mitchell’s TO is PDX is likely looking for, but I’m not including a protected 1st.
If PDX want’s first rounders, then remove Monk and replace him with Sasha and Duarte and a protected first.
Lastly, I’m only eating Grant’s contract if he comes with Thybulle. Bottom line.
I like your second option better. Hate to give up Monk.
The only reason I include Monk in any situation comes down to his contact. There is just no guarantee he returns next season. Even if Monte feels it’s something like 70/30 that he returns on team friendly deal, you may still have to cash in on him like any other asset. If Monte and Monk’s camp already have a handshake deal, then keep him, but that is something we won’t be privy to.
Adding…Here’s the think Jack, if Monk loves it here so much then he’d understand if he were included in trade to improve the team. The Kings could simply re-sign him in free agency this summer. They will have their bi-annual exception to use or even give him a vet minimum deal. Kings would then have his full Bird Rights and could sign him after the summer of 2025 to whatever deal he wanted.
Do you think he’d accept that? Almost certainly not, because he has every right to get as much money as he can this summer. It’s a business and anything could happen to any player at any time, so get it while you can. IMO, Monk is going to test free agency this summer, and as one of the better players available, I feel someone will offer him more money than the Kings can.
Teams can’t trade a player and then sign him in the next offseason. Kings would have to wait a calendar year from the trade to sign.
Oh snap, you’re right. I forgot about that provision.
I don’t mind trading Monk if needed. Would someone like Caruso be just as good? Because he actually plays D?
As for all the other names…theyHAVE to be defenders and able to hit a shot. Otherwise it’s useless in the playoffs.
The Kings already have 1 player-Sabonis-that teams can not guard in playoffs outside the paint.
Like Draymond. But you can have more than 1 non shooter in playoffs or more than 1 non defender. Possibly not even 1 bad defender.
So, whoever brings D and enough shooting to honor that is who I want.
Can’t have more than 1 non shooter
Denver and OKC roll with more than 1 non shooter. They seem to be doing fine. Caruso or Thybulle added to the staring 5 wouldn’t be an issue IMO, and they also aren’t bad shooters by any margin.
Who are the 2 non shooters? Gordon can hit the mid range. I’m not talking about just 3 ball.
Oh, I was thinking you were talking about from range.
So by that margin, who are the non-shooters in the Kings staring 5?
Just Sabonis
Sorry. I didnt make that clear. Mid range is enough to keep the D honest. Rather 3 ball but I’m thinking about playoffs. When mid range/half court becomes important.
So I want Defenders who can shoot at least that to go along with Sabonis.
In fact, what I see from there starting lineup is only Gordon who might not be able to shoot. Everybody else can.
Same with OKC. I don’t see two non-shooters in the team that finishes the game. And even if they go to those lineups once in a while, it’s not that often.
I’d love those 2 for sure.
If you tradeMonk who is your sixth man who scores almost 20 a game, is the spark almost always and get things going, who can facilitate and has the best motor on the team?
OT: Since we are fantasizing trades. I really do wonder Brown can re-kindle some of Wiggins’ magic with a change of scenery. I also wonder if he Dubs would like to bring Barnes back. Both could use a reset.
Wiggins played well when Brown was coaching him. Getting him on the cheap and possibly reviving his career would be really good for the kings
If they are supposedly that desperate, I’d offer Barnes and Duarte and see if they sniff.
His trade value is low, but so is Barnes and Duarte. I like the salvage potential of Wiggins, and especially like the idea of peeling off Moody/Podz/TJD along with him.
I’d give up Monk, Barnes, and Duarte and maybe even a couple seconds for Moody and Wiggins. That’s potentially two two-way guys you’d add to your long term core. I’d try fairly hard to have that winning bid.
I’d have to disagree that Barnes’s value is low…he’s a versatile F on a team-friendly contract, plays every game, he’s a veteran mentor, and he’s shooting 40% from 3pt. this year.
He’s not valued like a star by any stretch (and his recent ho-hum play isn’t trending well), but he definitely has value around the league. The fact that Kings are looking to upgrade doesn’t really have an impact on his value, NBA decision-makers know who Barnes is.
Huerter on the other hand, should prob be retained to rebuild his value unless his salary is needed for matching. He’s a 3pt specialist in a shooting slump but he brings the promise of spacing if other teams view him for a lesser role off the bench.
Let’s be accurate: “when Brown was one of the assistant coaches coaching him.”
I think it’s difficult to assess how much Brown was coaching him, specifically.
Yeah, okay. Thanks for the clarification.
Sorry if I sounded pedantic.
Didn’t intend to, but reading back it was worded poorly.
All good Rik.
In my personal opinion I would’t go after Wiggins.
we agree, Trader Jack.
Getting one of Wiggins, Grant or Kuzma would be a good thing. Each are better than we currently have on the roster so it comes down to what it would take to acquire them. I kind of like the idea of Wiggins getting yet another chance to reset himself back under Brown. We don’t need him to score a ton so he could figure as the third or fourth option and focus on his defensive capabilities. I also think it would be a good move for Barnes to go back to the Warriors and maybe help his NBA longevity.
well, that’s the worry. “Ben Simmons territory” is a big red flag. That insinuates that it’s not the talent, but the drive. And drive is key. I’d rather have Chris Duarte and his drive, Davion Mitchell and his intensity, Harrison Barnes and his professional and involved demeanor – than any player who is going through the motions.
Gotta be honest, I’ll take a chance on the second best player of a recent championship team over the bundle of spare parts you just listed.
First I’ve heard anyone talk of acquiring Draymond Green.
At this point, I’m going to be surprised if we make any major trades.
Looking at what’s available and what the Kings have to offer in exchange – I’m right there with you. They’d have to trade first round picks (FRP) and that would be to escalate the time line this season. Are they Champion contenders with Kyle Kuzma, Jerami Grant or Andrew Wiggins? I don’t believe so. They also have Keegan Murray and his improvement to consider and be patient with.
Upgrading the bench would be welcomed, however.
Agree on all counts.
Obtaining Grant and Thybulle would potentially solve our two main problems:
Perimeter D
An athletic 4 next to Domas that can shoot the 3 and defend.
As long as Monk is not included in the trade, I’d be for it.
Hypothetically, if Monk was the deal breaker from PDX, you’d walk away? Is there any situation where you would deal Monk if it got back those two?
If the goal is to better the team and win a title, any of the players should be on the table.
That’s the goal, right?
Should be, otherwise the team is just treading water and filling seats…full disclosure, this may or may not be ownerships agenda.
I wouldn’t say it would be a deal breaker for me, however I saw in the playoffs last year how valuable Monk’s scoring was. You need that third or fourth guy that can get you buckets when buckets are hard to come by and Jerami and Domas aren’t those types of guys so that leaves Fox, KM and Monk.
Let’s say we make the trade and give up Davion, KH and HB. The top 8 look something like this:
Fox
Monk, Thybulle
KM
Jerami, Lyles
Domas, McGee or Len
Stil could use a better backup at center and another wing.
Also, if we trade for Jerami, we are pretty much locked into a core four of Fox, Domas, KM and Jerami…have to think hard about if that core is going to be good enough to win a title at some point, because the financial committment for those four is staggering.
Good luck MM.
I wouldn’t. Simply because I’m not very high on Jerami Grant being conducive to winning basketball at this point in his career.
I have come around to thinking that this team is not close to competing for a title. Therefore I would like to avoid older, expensive, win-now players that will accelerate the closure of a championship window. Especially ones that are not particularly good on defense.
I’d recommend looking 2-3 years onto the horizon. Looking at the current roster, Fox, Domas, Keegan, and Lyles are the guys I believe will be a part of the championship core of this team. Based on age, role, and contract I’d like to have Huerter in this group, but he has not performed well enough. I like Monk, but I believe that overpaying to retain a 6th man that’s bad on defense puts a hard ceiling on this team’s potential, and therefore do not envision him as part of the core, either.
With all this in mind, I’d like to focus on attaining 3-4 two-way players of various caliber over the next couple years. I do not want a big swing right now, but I’d like to see Monte hit a double at this trade deadline. Warriors seem to be choosing Kuminga over Wiggins, and I’d bet they’d give us Moody in order to take on that contract for the right price. Dorian Finney Smith, Thybulle, Caruso are all interesting pieces. Saddiq Bey or Isaac Okoro could be looking for new homes.
I’m willing to be patient and slow cook this team. But Monte needs to show that he has a plan which will lead to growth by the time Fox/Sabonis/Keegan are all at their peaks.
All ifs and fantasy notions. Nothing is guaranteed. Injuries can happen. Trajectories on players don’t always occur. Decline in overall play occurs. To sit idle for the next 2-3 years while there is no clear cut favorite in the West would be a terrible plan. You have to acquire talent and never assume better years are ahead.
Gotta get the talent when it’s available.
Those you mention are good except Smith. If you are talking 2 or 3 years he’s already 30 and doesn’t really fit the timeline.
Kind of suggests a rudderlessness that isn’t in evidence, to the best of my knowledge.
Posted this earlier in another thread, what do you guys think?
Something I’ve been thinking about lately was whatever happened to T.J. Warren after his injuries, he had some great breakaway games in the bubble and was on his way to becoming one of the best two way players in the league at the time.
I looked into it a little bit and currently he’s not signed to anyone. He just needs a chance to prove himself worthy again, and honestly I think we should take a chance on him as he’s only going to cost of a min vet that’s probably not even guaranteed or maybe a 10 day if we have any of those left.
Personally think he could be a cheap valuable experiment to run between now and the deadline that could improve the kings bench and can possibly even take Barnes or Heurter’s place as a starter depending on how productive he is.
I like(d) T.J. Warren, and if the price is right, sure.
I’ve been a fan of his for a while. He’s had terrible injury luck, but for what I’d expect to be a low cost, if he’s in game shape, why not?
I think it would be a fantastic get for the Kings. But I have a feeling The Blazers will get a better offer.
The Blazers are looking for young players with upside and picks to reinforce their rebuild.
Barnes: Is a non starter. Will just eat up salary on A Blazers team that will see very little reason to obtain him. Strapped with that 17 mil the next 2 years
Sasha is an unknown. But it looks like he doesn’t have much ceiling. Other than an 8-10 guy off the bench.
Duarte and Mitchell are not real appetizing prospects for growth either. In addition, Blazers backcourt is one area where they are already loaded with promising players. Their backcourt is set. Scoot, Sharpe, Simons and Thybullle. All 25 or younger.
Brogdan is the odd man out at 31.
That leaves the picks: They will be late first rounders.
This trade helps the Kings infinitely more than the Blazers.
I see Grant ending up with Dallas, Indiana, Houston, or Heat.
From KOC’s piece this week:
Pretty much what I and many here have been saying for a long time, we need to find the ideal player next to Domas and Jerami may just be that guy. I also like the idea of going after both Jerami and Bojan. We’d be all in on going after the WCF this year.
Sacramento’s attention should also be glued on Blazers forward Jerami Grant and Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic. And not just on one of them, but both. Neither player is better individually than Siakam, but together they could be. In theory, the Kings could send Barnes and Mitchell with picks to Portland for Grant and send Huerter with picks to Detroit for Bogdanovic.
The Pistons fire sale may have just begun with the Bagley deal, and Bogdanovic could be next, with a number of teams interested. The Kings should be at the front of the line: Bogdanovic is a more seasoned offensive player than Huerter with his off-the-dribble game, and he’s a better defender, too.
Siakam is a better player than Grant in a vacuum, but Grant is arguably just as good of a fit in Sacramento because of his superior spot-up shooting and defense. They might not be considered franchise-altering acquisitions, but neither was Gordon or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for the Nuggets. Glue guys are necessary. Acquiring both would maintain the Kings’ long-term flexibility while making them bigger on defense and more dynamic on offense, giving them a better chance to win it all. Not a bad plan B.
Bojan is basically a better version than Sasha, or who many of us hoped Sasha would be in the NBA.
I like non-reneging Bogdanovic, but he is an absolute turd on defense, which apparently comes with the surname. I wouldn’t object to making a run at him for the right price. He’s thirty-four with one more year on his deal, which isn’t bad. He’s good at what he’s good at.
There’s a lot to recommend Grant, too, depending on the price. Acquiring both is possible, but I suspect that the draft capital required would be crippling in the long term, particularly now that we have a front office that actually knows how to analyze talent.
Beyond that, I can’t sell myself that getting both guys actually puts Sacramento in the conversation for contending teams. Both could very well be upgrades, but just for starters, could adding both give the Kings an overwhelming chance of winning a series against New Orleans should it play that way this season? And, of course, the Pelicans won’t be the best team in the WC bracket when all is said and done.
That’s a really hard question to answer. Siakam could be that difference-maker, but given his stance, it would be a fool’s errand to acquire him. My hope is that something completely off the radar falls into place, and Monte locates a particularly bouncy rabbit in his hat.
I believe the best player to go after and is likely available as I mentioned weeks ago is Wendell Carter of Orlando . Is a former starter at 5 or 4 with different teams . Shoots the 3 ok and rebounds and defends . A great fit next to Sabonis . Reminds of Bobby Portis .
I think Carter would slide in to the starting unit, and leave Lyles to come off the bench in his familiar role. The main issue is probably Barnes or Huerter goes out in the deal because of salary matching, which leaves that 2/3 position even more thin.
But I like Carter Jr. for this Kings team.
I’m not against this idea at all. It immediately makes the Kings bigger and theoretically helps protect the paint.
My main concerns are the Kings need help on perimeter defense at the POA and this is similar to a Domas and Myles Turner pairing. If the Kings can also get a wing defender then I like it.
Lastly, I don’t think the Kings can afford Carter. The Magic are rightfully gonna want a lot in return for him.
i really like Carter as I mentiond above in my comment and he would be really good along side Sabonis. If we could him and still have Huerter as a chip the Bulls were seriously looking at him earlier then a trade might be possible like Huerter and a couple of seconds for Caruso and Drummond(expiring contract).
They also want an experience forward who would help the younger players and solitify the locker room.
Carter is not a starter. Goga is. Maybe something like Barnes and Jones a first and second for Carter and Okeke(expiring contract). If not Jones then maybe Kessler.
Carter has started 256 out of the 274 games he has played in the NBA. With the addition of Paolo last season, I think the Magic decided to bring Carter off the bench to balance the roster.
But I don’t think Barnes + Jones/Kessler + a 1st and 2nd rounder is, in my opinion, too much for Carter.
take out the 1st rounder and it looks better, but the Wing position would be even more thin, and subsequent moves would already need to be in place to address that situation.
That’s why we might get Caruso and Drummond(fills out the trade package and is on an expiring contract) for Huerter and either Jones or Kessler and 2 seconds. Bulls get Huerter who they were looking at and a young up and coming player like Jones and 2 picks. Now we have as starters: Fox, Caruso, Murray, Carter and Sabonis. Offense defense rebounding and help for Sabonis.
Overlooked in this convo (or I may have missed it) is that Carter has Bagleyesque levels of staying healthy. Dude misses a ton of games. The contract is good, but I would not send any 1st round picks for him.
I could see Orlando being perhaps interested in Huerter, in which case it should be Carter and a 2nd rounder for Huerter. I don’t see the Magic having much interest in Barnes, but if I’m wrong about that, Barnes for Carter straight up is reasonable.
I don’t see Orlando champing at the bit of either of these deals, but I also don’t think that the Kings should be overpaying for Carter, given his injury history.
What is really funny is that Carter Jr. and Bagley were on the same Duke team.
I just crunched some numbers. Career, he has missed 157 of 431 games. That’s 36% of all games missed. That’s missing 30 games of an 82 game season. At the beginning of 2021, he played in his team’s first 30 games. He has not had a streak exceeding 20 games since.
That’s my main concern with Carter, too.
I have picked Carter four years in a row in at least one fantasy league I participate in, often in a couple, thinking this is the year he turns in to Gminski on the low end, and Sikma on the high end, and then he gets injured.
I really like him, but his fit is not perfect, and the health gives me plenty of pause.
Quentin Grimes has come up as someone that the Knicks might be moving.
The shooting numbers look good, defensively I have no clue. Has anyone seen him play much? Could he be the SG off the bench that actually grabs the backup minutes?
Knicks probably want to add “Do Not Google” to the deal, so there is that, lol.
He can defend. Is a good/solid defender.
Word is Knicks may be including Grimes with picks in order to get D Murray etc.
and I think as kings fans, and the kings need to be open to the idea of trading someone like Monk, even.
Getting guys that can defend etc. But I think they probably keep Monk.
You keep bringing up the idea that the Kings should trade Monk for defense (or at least a 2-way player), but Monk isn’t just some average rotational player. You’re then losing the team’s 3rd/4th scorer and 2nd/3rd best playmaker (and potential 6th Man) and by doing so you’ve just created another massive hole in the team that needs to be filled.
Monk has value as a trade piece so I understand the thinking, but his production versus contract is stellar and he would be missed more than whomever he could help bring in. Lastly, this team’s 3 best players are all sort of quiet leaders, we need more shit-talkers with some DAWG in ’em (preferably positive ones like Monk vs the negative ones like Dillon/Green).
I agree that the team needs an influx of players whose talents lean towards the defensive side, but IMO, trading Monk is a horrible idea as I believe he is far more important than some people realize.
If you replace the 3rd/4th best scorer with your now best defender, it’s a win. Also, a 6th man winner hasn’t been on a championship team in nearly 30 years, while all-defensive team members are on them nearly every time. This team needs defense more than it needs scoring.
would Grant guard the opponent’s best wing?
Personally, I can’t help but wonder if Grant would guard the opponent at all.
I wouldn’t. I prefer to yap my mouth instead and exclaim “ohhhh boyyyyyy”
A low risk/high reward move (barring injury) would be to acquire Jonathan Issacs. A perfect complement to Domas. Can shoot the rock, rebound, and an excellent rim protector. Would not give up alot(Davion and a 2nd round pick?) The biggest question is his availabilty.
No, the biggest question is his health. The dude has played in 23 out of 40 games this season..which is the most he’s played in 4 years!!!
Also the anti-vax and national anthem stuff is another red flag. It’s not a dealbreaker in itself – maybe outside his strong political stances he’s a chill guy that plays his role and gets along with others – but you’d have to really make sure he isn’t some weirdo that’s going to disrupt the locker room. Between that and the injuries, it’s a tough sell.
His personal opinions aside, I do feel a lot of his personal attention is related to things off the basketball court. I’m just not sure his heart is totally into the game anymore. I could see him walking away from the game once his contract is up.
Since when is standing for the National Anthem controversial?
If you go back and read the context of what transpired, it will answer your question.
Not making a call on right or wrong here, but Isaac’s decision not to join the entirety of his team in the moment was indeed controversial.
I remember why, and I applauded him for standing firm with his beliefs, no matter what side he was on.
Right. And him doing that – standing while his entire team took a knee – was controversial. The issue of why is complicated, but the description of the event as controversial is not. It was.
Yeah – I just don’t get the desire for Jonathan Isaac who is the highest paid Magician and 12th in minutes played. The only way to trade for Isaac is to get FRP or desirable 2nd player in return (I don’t know who that would be for Orlando. Gary Harris is also a career Injury player and is getting $$13M/season (3rd highest for Orlando).
Gary Harris and Jonathan Isaac – A wing and a prayer
… a wing and a prayer
I agree on Issacs. Certainly a low risk high reward type of move. It’s something MM needs to do more of, take flyers on guys like this.
As for the vax and flag stuff, who cares?!
I won’t go into the politics of that.
As for the health factor, well that’s one reason why you can get him for cheap and hope he can get healthy.
Has not been able to stay on the floor except for 2018-19. Has missed more games than he has played. So I guess he’s rested?
Can you body be rested if it’s constantly recovering?
I don’t think they can trade their 2026 first round pick. The pick owed to the hawks is top 10 protected in 2026. You can’t trade a pick that is potentially owed to another team no matter how likely it is to be conveyed in this year’s draft. They would have to trade their 2028 pick since you can’t trade back to back year’s picks.
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