The Kings managed to get to four wins in a row this week, which somehow managed to feel both impressive and deeply concerning. Welcome to Kings basketball.
The most dangerous thing the Kings could do: Win
The Kings extended their little two game win streak to four this week, with wins over both the Knicks and Wizards before falling to Portland on Sunday. The win against New York was most surprising, with the Kings dominating that game right from the tip. New York did lose Jalen Brunson to an injury early on, but they could not buy a basket throughout the game, shooting just 39% overall and 19.5% from three against one of the worst defenses in the league. The Kings also got off to a torrid start against the Wizards, putting up 41 points in the first quarter alone. A lot of this has to do with the play of veterans like DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Russell Westbrook, so it’s a bit bittersweet seeing the Kings win these games thanks to the performances of guys who almost certainly won’t be with this team in the coming years. The absolute worst case scenario for this season is that this team manages to win a few too many games down the stretch and play their way out of a chance for a top pick in this draft. A top pick is the only way this miserable of a season is worth it. I can’t fault the players and coaches for giving their all as they should, but management should be doing their utmost to find new homes for some of these guys in the next couple of weeks, even if the value isn’t optimal. I agree the Kings shouldn’t be taking back crazy long term money, but if we can get rid of some of these guys for even expiring contracts, that’d be worth it in the long run. But hey, at least these wins are coming in front of the hometown fans, they deserve to get their money’s worth when going to games.
Sabonis returns on a minutes restriction
Domantas Sabonis returned to action on Friday after missing 27 games due to a torn meniscus. The Kings opted to bring Sabonis in off the bench for both of his first two games back, and he only played about 20 minutes in each game. What I most liked about his return was that Doug Christie still played both Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell as well, and even included them in several lineups with Sabonis. We’ll see how long Sabonis stays on the bench with limited minutes as he gets back into game shape, but eventually (if he stays on the team past the trade deadline), I’d like to see both him and Raynaud starting to give this team some much needed size up front. Cardwell also still deserves some playing time as well, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he earns a regular contract from this team before the season is up as he seems to have earned a spot in the rotation for now. Cardwell even finished the game against Portland as he was providing the best resistance to the Blazers paint attack, and finished with his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in just under 26 minutes. The Kings need to continue to play and develop these young bigs, even in the return of their best player.
The clock is ticking on Keon Ellis
Keon’s days with the Kings appear numbered. For all his bluster about how the Kings are “big Keon Ellis fans”, Ellis has continued to pop up in trade rumors and more importantly, struggle to find a role on the court. For the past week, he played just four minutes and has missed the last two games with “knee soreness” which I’m always skeptical of around this time of year, especially with guys on the block. Reports indicate multiple teams interested in Ellis, with the Kings wanting at least a first in return. Given that Ellis will almost certainly be an unrestricted free agent after this season (and I don’t see why on earth he’d want to sign an extension with the Kings before then at this point), it makes sense that the Kings would at least want to get something of value in return. Of course, I would posit that there might be a reason so many teams are interested in a guy like Ellis but hey, what do I know. For what it’s worth, when Sam Amick was asked in an AMA on Reddit to name one guy aside from Jonathan Kuminga who he thinks will absolutely get traded, the name he gave is Keon Ellis. Perhaps the two will be involved in a trade for one another, we’ll see.
A win for the Front Office
I was not a big fan of Scott Perry’s first offseason (although draft day was pretty solid), but his start of season acquisition of Precious Achiuwa has been very good. Achiuwa is a guy who I’ve always been a bit interested in, and it was surprising to me that a 26 year old big who had played meaningful rotation minutes for a solid team wasn’t getting picked up. Achiuwa has been a welcome addition to this roster, and against his former team, he went all out, scoring 20 points to go with 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. It’s clear he had a bit of a bone to pick with them and went extra hard. He followed that performance up with another solid game against Washington, scoring 16 points on 7 of 8 from the field, with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Achiuwa won’t be doing that every night, but he’s a solid rotation player and definitely deserves a spot in the league. I could see the Kings retaining him and having him serve in that Trey Lyles bench big role for the next few years to provide a burst of energy.
Air Malik
Malik Monk has to be up there for best in-game dunker in Kings history. His signature move is cocking the ball all the way back with one hand and it always looks so good. Even some of his missed dunks are spectacular. If I had to come up with the Mount Rushmore of Kings dunkers I’d probably put Malik Monk, Derrick Williams, Gerald Wallace and Rudy Gay up there. Anyway, this is just my way of saying that Malik should be invited to the Dunk contest and it’s a crime he hasn’t yet.
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Upcoming Schedule:
- Tuesday, January 20th vs. Miami Heat
- Wednesday, January 21st vs. Toronto Raptors
- Friday, January 23rd at Cleveland Cavaliers
- Sunday, January 25th at Detroit Pistons
Book it.
Yep. Always happens without fail. The time of the season when teams start benching players, the Kings seem to always feel like putting out all their starters.
It sure does feel like Keon is on the block. If his camp has made it clear he won’t sign an extension with Sac, the Perry absolutely should move him. If his rumored value around the league is legit, he could be a nice sweetener to move a contracts LaVine, Monk, DDR, etc.
I wonder if Keon’s camp has made it clear if he would sign an extension with a team he potentially is traded to, otherwise I don’t know why any team would give up assets for a short term rental.
Is it possible he could make more in free agency then he could with a contact extension?
Kings don’t want to give up draft capitol to sweeten any deal. Keon might be the sweetener.
Regardless of the size of his next contract, he will have a more lucrative career by opting-out of this shitshow.
OT: I saw this video and the journeyman history of Schröder and thought it was informative. Pretty good insight, IMO. If feels like Dennis is kind of stuck in this in-between skill and role he has. He’s fringe starter material but not good enough to lead a playoff caliber team. He’s deserves the pay of said fringe starter, but contenders really can’t afford that kind of guy. Monk is in a similar place, IMO.
He’s truly a purgatory player in the NBA. Perfect for the Kangz.
Lol, in that same AMA reddit with Sam Amick, someone asked if the Kings will ever be successful under Vivek, and he had this to say:
Sign Spoelstra
Kings need to go and sign that Indiana football coach. The dude is a savant. I don’t care if he’s a football coach. It worked for Ted Lasso.
Just sign this Ted Lasso dude, then.
I was watching the game last night, and I said that the Miami HC is the neighbor that reads your mail, while the Indiana HC is the neighbor that makes your pets mysteriously disappear.
the Chap would can him for sitting a jersey selling vet
First of all, I do feel bad for Jimmy Butler and the Dubs with this injury news. It might be a career ender for him. It will likely take a year or more to recover and he will be at the end of his contract and 37 by then.
Now, I wonder how this plays out with Kuminga Do they now play him and take him off the block, or could Perry ring up and offer DDR for Kuminga and filler. I also wonder if the Dubs would trade an injured Butler with picks for a scoring replacement. LaVine for Butler package?
That’s what I was thinking: Butler for LaVine. Add in Keon, Kuminga, Moody, McDermott and who the hell else. But I’d want a FRP from the Warriors.
If the Dubs were in fact willing ot move Butler (which is an unknown), they’d most certainly have to include a pick or two. Any team acquiring him would use the DPE next season for Butler, but it would still be a significant cap hit. It’s what a smart rebuilding team would do.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Nets jumped on the opportunity to get some Warriors picks.
The header photo is fantastic. They’re wearing shades because the future is bright*
*as long as we tank
Watching this team is like watching an eclipse: Never stare right at it, and don’t watch for prolonged periods of time.
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