NBA Free Agency kicks off today at 3 PM PT, and nobody seems to know what the Kings might be up to. Thursday’s trade opens up use of the full MLE, and the Kings still have the Bi-Annual Exception available, but both deals come with cap ramifications under the new CBA. Spotrac’s Keith Smith shared a very useful reference chart that I expect to use a lot in the days to come:
Enough people seem to like this, so I figured I would share with all.
This isn't the be all, end all of what different levels mean for NBA teams, but think of it as a quick reference guide for when you hear all about cap space, over-the-cap and first & second aprons this summer! pic.twitter.com/NPUapAmSot
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 30, 2024
The biggest domino in free agency this year is Paul George, who officially opted out of his contract with the Clippers yesterday. The Kings themselves aren’t likely to be in the Paul George sweepstakes, as landing him would require a sign-and-trade and seems quite far-fetched.
Klay Thompson is another big name to watch, as it seems likely he’s going to actually leave the Warriors. Dallas and the Lakers are being mentioned as potential landing spots for him.
Among MLE targets for the Kings, I’m a big fan of Naji Marshall. He’s a big wing who produced well for the Pelicans but didn’t get a big opportunity due to the Pels having 4000 wing players. Exactly the type of player that makes sense for the Kings in free agency in the sense that he fills a positional need, adds size, and has potential to be better in a bigger role.
Jalen Smith could be another name to watch after he opted out of the final year of his deal with the Pacers. Smith is a productive big man and just 24 years old.
Caleb Martin is another wing I wouldn’t be mad to see the Kings sign. He opted out of his deal to become an unrestricted free agent. He doesn’t have the flash or upside of of Marshall or Smith, and is a little older than the Kings ideal timeline, but he’s a solid veteran wing.
The Kings also have the option to use the MLE in a trade for a player under contract for less than the MLE, which could be an interesting option if the Kings are otherwise striking out.
Free agency kicking off can also spark offseason trade activity. The Kings have been linked to a number of players dating back to the previous trade deadline. We know the Kings are shopping Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter. They’ve been linked to players like Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, and Jerami Grant. Can Monte McNair get a trade across the finish line?
Hopefully we get to enjoy a flurry of activity at the start of free agency, rather than the league sitting around waiting on Paul George. But as we kick off free agency I also want to take a moment to appreciate that we aren’t panicking about Malik Monk leaving. Watching some of the other extensions being signed, it feels more and more like Monk’s deal is a bargain, and I’m happy that we’re looking at roster improvement rather than trying to figure out how to replace Monk’s impact.
Gonna be a wild day and a hot week in Sac, stay cool out there.
I only just got a portable AC unit last summer (my apartment doesn’t have AC). Even though I don’t live in Sac (Mountain View), the South Bay still can get quite hot at times. I wouldn’t survive this upcoming heatwave if I didn’t have the AC.
-CHI signs Patrick Williams for 5/90.
Claxton 4/100
Quicklu 5/175
The Monk deal is such a steal.
-Richaun Holmes signs with the Wizards.
-76ers front runners for PG.
-Fakers may trade for Klay. Makes sense, pair two of the most entitled players in the NBA with one another.
I don’t get the sense we’ll make a day one move, Monte seems like the wait and see type.
My crazy hope is we end up with this starting lineup:
Fox
Monk/Ellis
Keegan
Lauri
Domas
I don’t see how you get Lauri without trading Keegan.
No chance without Keegan, unless maybe a 3rd team is involved, and even then u don’t think it happens. That’s why I crossed Lauri off the wishlist months ago.
Would you trade Keegan for Lauri straight up?
That’s a tough one. I love Keegan, but the FO has to do something to show that they are serious about getting to the next level (like, winning a play-off series).
Ultimately, if you can trade an established but still young star for an up and coming guy who may or may not get there, you have to do it.
I agree, I would make that trade as well.
this is tough because LM might be better right now but the cost is Keegan + and there is still a hole in the lineup. Hence, marginal improvement at one spot and don’t address total needs
if the Kings had 5 solid guys in the lineup, then this makes sense , one of the 5 gets better.
It could be seen as a Haliburton<->Sabonis, second verse
Patrick Williams got paid and hasn’t really shown much, and is injured frequently.
Holmes somehow still gets deals for not being very good.
The Williams deal is perplexing.
Naji Marshall and Isaiah Stewart would help. Not significant roster upgrades overall, but tough defenders and capable offensive players at positions of need.
They would be good signings with whatever exceptions we have. We need better depth on this roster.
Stewart would need to be traded for. Idk the market for Marshall. More than the BAE, but less than the full MLE. Maybe 3 years/$21m?
they would help. The FA is a better deal.
But this is just adding more tier 6 guys- Kings need a tier 1 or 2.
Happy 59th birthday to the original The Rock, Mitch Richmond. Still my all time favorite King.
He is my all time favorite King by far. He is the reason as a kid I fell in love with the Kings and basketball. The man has always been a class act. I remember my 8 year old self being so proud when MJ called him his toughest defender. The days before every game was televised and I had listened to every game on Hot Talk 1140. Billy Owens for Mitch Richmond Is best trade in Kings history.
I remember that too haha.
What about Otis Thorpe for Jim Peterson and Rodney McCray?
“Monteball!!!”
That’ll leave a mark…
You’ll bruise your Kuzma.
Ice cold.
and it looked like his free agents were unrestricted! Yikes!
Jason Thompson knows this all too well
https://x.com/jtthekid/status/436227725058002944
This made me laugh
I’ll be at a Nascar race when free agency begins. Hoping to get good news when I check out the signings later in the day. Go Kings!
what about Slo-Mo?
I liked him, but he seems to have lost a step or two (yes, that was tongue in cheek).
Give me all the RikSmits dad jokes!
I wasn’t impressed with him during Minny’s playoff run. Plus we need more athleticism at the wing imo.
in terms of athleticism, it might be comparable to Beef Stew who some people mentioned here (and you okay’d)
the team needs to improve in the half-court. having a point forward who processes at a high level could help with that.
however, I don’t have any info on his eyes, the type of surgery he had, any possible effects on vision, etc. that would be my biggest question.
Finally, we make a move!!!
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1807448400108962240
We need a Banner Now….
Nevertheless, still a good sign….IMO
Serviceable. I like him.
Monte’s work is done…on to training camp.
There’s the splash Kings fans are looking for:
vs the splash Monte delivers!
A 6’10” PF who rebounds or don’t bother
Does he count?
I’m sure Bagley thinks he counts.
Hilarious the contract DET gave him.
he is under contract?
DET gave him 3/38, UFA next offseason in case Monte is interested in filling the PF position.
Bagley > Wiseman
The Ultimate Battle of Misbegotten Penultimate Draft Picks
A sad synopsis of Northern California sports basketball speculation
It’s a solid statement of how even the mavens at Golden State, who hold up Steph, Dray and Klay as proof of their prowess are still just gamblers at their core, and luck is a tickled fate.
Of course, Vlade gets and deserved earned no such regard. His drafting (and trades, signings and non-signings/extensions) is as woeful and sad as any sports franchise can have. The laughing stock of Vivek’s managerial reign was at it’s peak- one can only pray that Sacramento has suffered the last shaka of his input to the decision making arm of his governorship.
sigh.
Hey – has the. bell rung on the 2024 Free Agency yet?
The Jazz are in the PG sweepstakes. WTF.
I hope for something, but prepare for nothing. Nothing big, at least. And no, signing Jalen Smith wouldn’t be considered “big” any more acquiring Chris Duarte was big. Signing a backup 4 to be your starting 4 is not big, it is marginal—some would say it is lame. I’ve been one of MM’s defenders lately re: his conservatism and willingness to play it safe, but clearly this is no longer the time for that approach. That gets you from bad to okay/good, but not from okay/good to the ranks of legit contenders. Show us what you’re made of, Monte.
big=productive; see Keon Ellis
It doesn’t really matter how you acquired him or what you paid as long as he’s impactful.
Of course. I just doubt signing a lightly regarded piece would end up being very productive.
Kings declined two ways on J. Ford and Slawson, right? How about M. Jones?
Miami, of course, signed a couple of undrafted guys to two way deals.
This is interesting (not for Sacramento, but in general)
But if you weren’t panicking, would you even be a Kings fan?
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