Damn, two wins in a row? I hope Vivek’s got enough spare change for that next SMUD bill. Beamin’ is expensive.
Two Straight Wins, Nobody Panic
We are almost exactly at the halfway mark of the season, and yet this is just the second time this year that the Kings have managed to put together two wins in a row, and on a back-to-back no less. It helps that the team was at home, but they were still two impressive wins against teams well above .500. For some reason the Kings happen to have Houston’s number so far this season despite the Rockets on paper being a matchup nightmare for this team, and beating the Lakers is always fun no matter the year or context. Before the Houston game, the Kings were riding a seven game losing streak and were only a half game from holding the worst record in the entire NBA. Now the Kings are 2-0 to start a seven game homestand, their longest of the season. I don’t think this is indicative of any large turnaround for the team, but I do think that some of the injuries and suspensions have given the Kings a little bit more consistency in the rotation. They also had an abnormally good shooting night against the Lakers, making 17 of their 26 three point attempts. I also just want to say that while the Lakers on paper are a good team with a 23-14 record, they’re actually frauds. They have a negative net rating over the entire season, with an expected win-loss record of 18-19. The 14-26 Charlotte Hornets have a better net rating than the Lakers do right now. Yes, I still hate the stupid Lakers. For those upset that these wins can affect the tank, I’m sure we’ll get back to our regularly scheduled programming shortly. The Kings still hold the third worst record in the league, and some recent wins by the Pacers and Pelicans have kept us pretty close to the potential last spots
A Reminder of What We’re Probably About to Lose
Malik Monk has been the speculation of a lot of trade rumors and also has been seemingly frozen out of the rotation for much of the year, in part due to the absolute glut of guards this team has. Before Dennis Schröder got suspended for trying to fight Luka Doncic in the hallways of the Staples Center, he hadn’t played 20 minutes in a game since December 14th, with several DNP-CDs in the mix during that stretch as well. In the last two games, Monk has seen an increased role and reminded us why he was a favorite to win 6th man of the Year for the last three seasons. Against the Lakers in particular, he was incredible, scoring 26 points on 7 of 9 from three to go with 8 assists. There are few players as exciting as Malik Monk when he’s feeling it, from his incredible shot making, insane dunks, and just the energy he provides. I know his time in a Kings uniform is likely coming to an end soon, but I’ll always appreciate his time with us and hope he gets to a team where he can make the impact he deserves.
Another Random Kings Big We’ve Already Fallen in Love With
The Kings have had their share of end of rotation hustle bigs that have become fan favorites over the years, and Dylan Cardwell is proving to be another one, perhaps with more upside than most. Cardwell has seen some extended playing time of late and he’s done a good job of providing defense, rebounding and overall hustle, with his best game coming in the win against Houston where he scored 9 points to go with 11 rebounds. Cardwell’s offensive repertoire is fairly non-existent outside of the paint, but he sets big screens, attacks the glass, and is a good shot blocker as well. Between Cardwell and Raynaud, the Kings snagged a couple of nice prospects at Center. Cardwell’s upside is likely just that of a solid backup big, but that’s perfectly fine. I’m sure Drew Eubanks is a nice guy and all, but at this point I’m not sure I want to see him get minutes ever again if it comes at the expense of either Raynaud or Cardwell. Cardwell reminds me a little bit of a smaller version of New York’s Mitchell Robinson. You don’t really trust him to do anything on offense aside from set screens and dunk, but if he can keep providing the defense and rebounding at the rate he is, he’s worth playing.
Rumor Mill is heating up
Aside from the Jonathan Kuminga rumors we wrote about earlier this week, the Kings have found themselves in a few others of late. They continued to be mentioned to have some level of interest in Ja Morant, but only if the Grizzlies would accept a package including DeMar DeRozan, Devin Carter and draft capital (I’m guessing that basically means one first round pick). That’s a pretty buy low offer on someone with Morant’s level of talent so it’s probably not going to happen, and the Kings shouldn’t really be going after Morant at this juncture anyway, although at this suggested price I could see the risk being mitigated somewhat. Domantas Sabonis is also garnering a level of interest from teams, especially in the wake of Anthony Davis’ latest injury. The Toronto Raptors are supposedly seriously interested in Sabonis, but the Kings are unwilling to take on the contracts of either Immanuel Quickley or Jakob Poeltl which would seem to render that conversation moot. Given the size of Sabonis’ (and Lavine’s) contract, it’s going to be hard to find a deal that doesn’t bring some sort of lengthy or sizeable deal back without some decent maneuvering and maybe multiple teams involved. Still, the Kings can’t afford to stand pat either and this month will likely see some sort of serious change take place.
It’s 2026 and the Kings Still Don’t Like Threes
The biggest indictment of Doug Christie as a coach in my opinion is the simple fact that the Kings play offense like it’s the year 2000. Even against the Lakers where the Kings made an absurd 17 of their 26 three point attempts, the fact that they only shot 26 threes is ridiculous and was even lower than their league low 30.1 attempts a game. This problem started a little bit once the Kings got DeMar DeRozan with his affinity for midrange jumpers, but this year it’s become even worse. Russell Westbrook shouldn’t be leading this team in three point makes and attempts, but at least he is shooting them. It’s just simple math that shooting a three is better than shooting a two, unless the two is coming at the rim. Even shooting just 33.3% from three would result in the same amount of points as shooting 50% from two. DeMar DeRozan, as good as he is from mid-range, only shoots 46.9% from 16 feet to the 3 point line, and 48.7% from 10-16 feet. He’s shooting 36% from distance, the best of his career, but only 2.2 attempts a game. Zach LaVine, one of the best shooters in the NBA, is only at 6.7 attempts a game, the fewest he’s attempted since the 2018-19 season. Hell, Max should be shooting a couple attempts a game if we want to eventually develop him to be a stretch big, but he’s only at 0.8 attempts. This team needs to shoot more threes, and that’s on Coach Christie to implement.
***
Upcoming Schedule:
- Wednesday, January 14th vs. New York Knicks
- Friday, January 16th vs. Washington Wizards
- Sunday, January 18th vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Reposting from last thread: I’d do this deal:
I’d do that in a heartbeat.
Same!
Gets rid of a couple of potential wins at the hands of DDR while kicking the tires on some youth and length. Highsmith is a UFA at season’s end, Williams has a $6.3m team option for next year, and Kuminga has a $24.3m team option. Worst case scenario, it clears a little cap space. Best case, you find a player in this group.
Everyday of the week and twice on Sundays
Another rumored trade. I don’t want to give up a SRP this year and would rather get rid of Demar.
Cam Thomas is atrocious. Absolutely do not want.
Agreed. Do not want. What scares me is he is exactly the kind of guy Vivek likes. Buddy Hield 2.0, but with worse outside shooting.
Also, we absolutely do not need more guards.
I think I like the other one better. You do get out of Monk’s longer deal here, but it comes at the expense of Ellis and a couple of 2nd rounders. Thomas is a UFA, so you’re basically dealing for Kuminga.
I still might do it, but I’m sort of hellbent on moving DDR, as I think that he is biggest threat at turning close losses into wins.
I like the other one too simply because we need more size and Williams intrigues me.
Williams has a TO next year as well so the Kings could always cut bait if they wanted to. That deal KFan posted is basically DDR and Carter for Kuminga. I’m cool with that.
I’ll take door #1,
MontScott!Any deal that trades DDR, Schroder, Lavine, Eubanks or Saric is a win. More so if it brings back interesting young players or picks.
I’m resigned to the fact that Monk, Domas, Carter and Ellis could all be traded, and will reserve judgement until those deals happen.
I’ll probably have serious problems with any deal that involves Reynaud, Nique (his flashes intrigue me), Keegan or an FRP unless we are completely clearing the deck for an unexpected windfall like Luka was traded last year.
I feel Dennis makes a lot of sence for Minny. They really need another ball handler to take the pressure off of Ant. Something involving Conley’s expiring deal works for me.
Anyone else get a little nervous last night when they showed a smiling and happy Vivek on the broadcast after Monk, LaVine, Russ and DDR tore up the Lakers. I could totally see him sitting back and saying, “See, I knew these guys would click. They just needed some time!”
Then calls Scott and says, “After these last two, let’s be buyers! Get me Ja!”
You can’t convince me that Vivek hasn’t thought that. “Just 8 games out of the play-in and still half a season left to play!”
Let’s get Ja! We need to take a shot at some star power. If the team is able to acquire him I would hope they just rest him for the season and let the tank roll on.
We could potentially have a starting lineup of Ja, AJ, Keegan, Kuminga, and Sabonis (or a shot blocking rim runner if Sabonis gets traded).
Ja would help with the tank. The Grizz have been better this season when he doesn’t play. He’s also be guaranteed to miss 20-30% of each season. Pass.
If the Raps are that interested in Sabonis, there is absolutely no way the Kings should take on Poeltl’s deal. That dude has 4 more years guaranteed on his deal! He’s owed more money than Sabonis! I’d only consider eating his contract if he comes with multiple unprotected 1st round picks.
As to Quickly, I view him as an overpriced Malik Monk. In fact, he’s nearly twice the price of Monk. Because of that I’d insist on Murray-Boyles and a pick be included in any Sabonis deal.
Put me in the camp that feels that Toronto really doesn’t have the pieces needed for Sabonis.
Somehow Gradey Dick will be in this trade #Kangz
I like Sabonis for Barrett, Dick, Boles and a 2026 first.
Need more Schroder-Slapper
What if the Kings did all of the big moves: didn’t send out any draft capital, the three “untouchables” are still on the team, Deebo and Lavine were gone but your starting lineup after the deadline looked like this:
Ja Morant
Keon
Murray
Kuminga
Domas
How are you feeling?
Schröder? Monk?
Traded or coming off the bench.
Like a continuous lottery bound team? That’s 3 non shooters with two guys who are now knows more for their defense.
I don’t really want anything to do with Ja but if a miracle happened and he was able to semi-revive is career before the next trade deadline, I’d be interested. Stack up some Ls this season and move him for something positive next season.
Yeah, I think the idea of Morant is good, but he’s just not that guy anymore that was an all-star. He can’t stay on the court, can’t shoot, and his athleticism is beginning to slip. He’s everything I worried Fox would become but those two aren’t even comparable anymore. Fox is a tier or two above him now.
Maybe I am nuts or just ignorant.. but I’m OK with keeping Sabonis unless we get a great return. To me unloading Levine and DDR is what we need the most of. I’m not sure if AJ will be there for a number three or four pic. But let’s just say we have a shot at AJ and for whatever reason we end up with Kuminga. If we can go into next season with Murray, Sabonis Raynaud, Precious Kuminga and Cardwell. I feel pretty good about the front line if we get rid of LaVine and DDR and can pick up a point guard that is low usage that leaves us with Ellis, Monk, Clifford, Schroeder and some wing that can play 2/3. Kuminga, Murray and AJ can take 80% of the 3/4 minutes.. now the tricky part is getting rid of Levine. I guess if we took on a trade with the bucks and had Portis Kuzma and Anthony instead of Kamminga we could possibly flip Portis or Kuzma and that’ll still be a decent front line
There is no one on the list that you have presented that would have me take a positional approach to the draft. I am taking the guy that I see as the foundational piece for the roster. If I think that Kingston Flemings is a better player than AJ Dybantsa (or Cam Boozer), I’ll take Flemings. But I’m not going to pass on Dybantsa due to the roster presence of Murray, Sabonis, Raynaud, Achiuwa, Kuminga or Cardwell. And not that it really matters in my decision making, but Achiuwa and Cardwell are UFAs to boot.
This is a five player draft for me right now (Peterson, Dybantsa, Boozer, Flemings, Caleb Wilson), which means we’ll draft no higher than sixth.
I think you’re right, 6 or lower will be where the Kings pick because that’s how this team works. But I agree, it’s BPA no matter what and I’m hoping for a top 3-4 pick.
I don’t think we have to move Domas, but if the rebuild takes 3-5 years(as Perry mentioned) that makes him 33-35 when we’re ready to start competing.
So for asset management and because Domas deserves to not be on a rebuilding team, I’m for moving him as soon as we can get something of use for him.
In one of the recent TKH podcast Jerry mentioned he thought that Sabonis would make a lot of sense in Boston, and now I can’t stop thinking about it. Boston does have that nice fat expiring contract of Simons and some nice prospects in Gonzalez and Walsh. I doubt it would happen because Boston really can’t afford to fill out a roster with the contracts of Tatum, Brown and Sabonis, but it got me thinking there could be a team or two out there that no one has really mentioned.
Just an example (and one that I’m not necessarily advocating for), the Clips are near dead last in rebounds and assists, which Domas would certainly help alleviate. Zubac and Collins for Sabonis is almost a perfect salary match and the Clips are rumored to be buyers as they have noting to lose at this point. FWIW, Zubac and Collins are both expirings.
The scary thing about Simons is even though he’s expiring, there’s the danger that Vivek likes him and we extend him. Yikes. Be fine in the Monk 6th man role, but otherwise no.
I’m not really a fan of his either, much like Cam Thomas, but he is a good outside shooter. He could probably work in the Kevin Huerter catch and shoot role for the Kings, but of course that would require the Kings keeping Sabonis as the spoke of the offense.
Sadly Doug has shown a complete inability to design an offense for players that excel and catching and shooting. See: LaVine.
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