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Season Review: Jeremy Lamb

Remember when Jeremy Lamb was on the Kings? That's wild.
By | 39 Comments | Apr 21, 2022

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Lamb is going to be a great trivia question in a couple of years. Another in a long line of guys who we’ll say “oh yeah! I forgot all he was on the Kings!”

Lamb arrived as part of the Pacers trade, and was mostly included for salary matching purposes. Lamb was in the final year of a deal that paid him $10.5 million this season. With his contract expiring, it’s hard to see a path where Lamb is back with the Kings next year. He’ll be 30 years old entering next season, and even though he theoretically fills a positional need and might be able to be retained on a much smaller contract, it just feels unlikely.

This isn’t to suggest Lamb did anything wrong. Lamb is who he is at this point in his career. His production in Sacramento was nearly identical to his production at the start of the season in Indiana. He lived up to what was expected. But expectations weren’t high, and there’s no reason to expect him to suddenly be better or a more important piece for the Kings next year. I suspect Lamb ends up on a small deal for a team that just need bench vets, like the Lakers or the Heat.

He’ll move on, we’ll move on, everyone can leave on good terms, and then he’ll someday be another trivia question in the halls of Kings history.

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Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
April 21, 2022 4:38 pm

It really is something to look at how many players on this roster to end the season are of little to no significance to the future of this team. What are we on, the 7th player review? None of them are likely on the team when/if the Kings make the playoffs again. Some of them might have already played their final NBA game.

I think is says something when nearly 1/2 of an active roster is replaceable, forgettable, and unremarkable, but that is exactly how the Kangz roll.

Sacramento, where NBA careers come to die.

HongKongKingsFan
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April 21, 2022 5:11 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

You are damn right…and that’s why I dislike Gentry…..
Why on the earth he played Lamb, who will not be on the roster next year…

I mean, I would love see Queta play SG, rather than playing Lamb..

Or just play Harkless…….at least he is under contract for next year…….

It is just so meaningless to play Lamb…………

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
April 21, 2022 7:57 pm

He plays Lamb and other like him because he is trying to win every game. It’s as simple as that. It’s his job. He’s not tanking for the sake of the Kings. He’s playing for his next contract.

Why on the earth he played Lamb, who will not be on the roster next year…

Gentry is not going to be on the roster next year either.

Last edited 1 year ago by Adamsite
Kings-Rebuild
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April 22, 2022 7:55 am
Reply to  Adamsite

There was justification to play the veterans early on after the trades because they clearly wanted to make a playoff run. When it became obvious that was not going to happen it became very complexing why they kept playing some of these guys. I think it demonstrated poor communication between the front office and coaching staff again indicating a management team with no clear direction.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
April 22, 2022 8:21 am
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

I think that is assuming the front office wanted a guy like Queta to get minutes. There may have been no such directive. The truth is, he is the only one we are talking about. Every other possible long term prospect (Mitchell and DDV) were getting all the minutes they could.

I feel if we are worried about getting a second round 2-way player minutes our priorities are off.

Kings-Rebuild
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April 22, 2022 9:16 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I think eventually Mitchell and DDV got the appropriate minutes but it took too long IMO. I’m not sure why Queta didn’t get more minutes especially over the last 10 games. It’s not that big of issue considering all the issues the Kings have but it demonstrates a confused leadership team.

The bigger issue in the broader context is there doesn’t seem to be a clear overall plan. I feel as I’ve stated many times this management team doesn’t want to admit they are several years away from being a sustainable competitive playoff team. Barnes has one year left and Sabonis two years left and I fear we will lose them without a return. Barnes needs to be moved immediately and Sabonis should also be moved for the right deal. I suggested Sabonis to Portland for this years first assuming it doesn’t fall and next years first and a serviceable salary filler like Hart. If that pick lands us Murray, that would be a healthy return for Sabonis. I’d then start patiently shopping Fox hoping to land more draft capital, some cap space, and another serviceable salary filler. I mentioned a trade with Boston but maybe there’s a deal available with the Pelicans. Those moves could land us Murray, Duren, Koloko, and perhaps Sharpe and some future draft capital. That too me is exciting recognizing it would be a young team with some early on massive struggles but one with a future.

ArcoThunder
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April 22, 2022 11:02 am
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

I love your idea but it’s a dream. It’s not going to happen.

however, some of it in some form NEEDS TO HAPPEN. Like trading Barnes this summer. That basically has to happen. If not it’s a big strike against Monty. There’s no real logic for keeping Barnes past this summer. There’s logic in Keeping Sabonis. There’s logic in keeping Fox.

murraytant
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April 22, 2022 12:20 pm
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

This won’t happen but while the players you mention all have potential, it is so very tough to build a future team from one draft class. . Just never seen it done- maybe 2 guys but not 4.
The Kings once had 4 first round picks- Simmonds, Mayes, Bonner and Causwell. Did not work out at all. Did get Spud for Mayes though.

oswan88
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April 22, 2022 9:33 am
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

Agreed with no clear direction. I’m baffled at management allowing the team to drop from the 5th seed in the lottery to the 7th seed.

murraytant
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April 22, 2022 12:27 pm
Reply to  oswan88

Portland lost 11 or last 12 games or so in a deliberate attempt to overtake Kings. Only team they beat was the Pacers. And those teams had the worst records. – OKC, Houston, Detroit, SAS and NOP. Kings missed by 2 with them and by 4 or so with Pacers. Pacers were un-catchable. There was hope with Portland but I have never seen a more effective tank. Kings would have had to lose to Pacers, Houston twice and OKC- all teams on a serious mission. This would have required starting Q, Len, Jackson, Lamb and Slamson. Catching Portland- a tie would result in a coin flip so Kings had to catch them by 3 games. No way.

murraytant
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April 22, 2022 12:14 pm

Q at SG– good idea! seriously, I agree with you. Lamb and Jackson- gone, I hope.
Might have to wait on Harkless or Len until NEXT deadline- dump an expiring contract for a future wild guess second rounder. Worth it.
Gentry gone too.
Borrego fired. More coaches to choose from but more teams want to compete for coaches. I guess you get 3-4 years to prove you are an up and coming coach.
Should Kings hire a re-tread like Stotts, Brown, Atkinson, S. Brooks or a young inexperienced guy like Finch, M. Williams, Willie Green?
I would go young guy- Darvin Ham ??

Kingsguru21
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April 21, 2022 7:29 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I think is says something when nearly 1/2 of an active roster is replaceable, forgettable, and unremarkable, but that is exactly how the Kangz roll.

Other than Sabonis and DiVicenzo, who would you have expected to be on the roster next year? How can you possibly improve your roster if you never have turnover? And how, for friggin sake, is this unique to the Kings?

It’s not like the roster they ended the season with was the one they want long term. Of Holiday, Metu, Jones, Len, and Lyles, I expect two of them, at most, to be on the roster opening night.

I get not seeing the plan as of now, but I don’t see that being a big problem. A team needs depth right? I think having more moveable pieces overall and a moveable player in Holmes that still has value (even though that will be disputed) gives the Kings opportunities. But first things first: Hire the right goddamn coach.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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April 21, 2022 7:47 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

It’s unique to the Kings because it’s the same damn thing every year, Nate. 16 seasons! Good teams don’t have 7 expendable players suit up every night but the Kings have now hit puberty with that kind of method.

I have a serous problem with “not seeing a plan.” I feel there is no plan other than treading water. They have a near untradeable contract in Fox, 2 years of Sabonis, a diminishing asset in Barnes, and no future draft capital other than their own picks. Unless the lottery gods smile upon the Kings (and they don’t fuck it up again) I’m seeing the plan.

Fun fact. Monte now has 2 seasons under his belt. That’s the same amount of time Pete D’Alessandro lasted. 2 seasons! Why is Monte getting a pass when we where all with pitchforks and torches to drive Pete out of town?

All that said, I agree…hire the right damn coach!

Last edited 1 year ago by Adamsite
Kingsguru21
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April 22, 2022 6:55 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Fun fact. Monte now has 2 seasons under his belt. That’s the same amount of time Pete D’Alessandro lasted. 2 seasons! Why is Monte getting a pass when we where all with pitchforks and torches to drive Pete out of town?

Because McNair is a better GM than D’Alessandro is?

rockbottom
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April 22, 2022 7:28 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Overall results have not proven that yet !

Kingsguru21
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April 22, 2022 7:44 am
Reply to  rockbottom

Was it expected that the results would be there?

RikSmits
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April 22, 2022 7:48 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Monte himself said that last year’s team under Walton was expected to reach the play-offs. And then he fired Walton…

ArcoThunder
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April 22, 2022 11:12 am
Reply to  Adamsite

He’s “getting a pass” because he got Sabonis, drafted Haliburton and drafted Mitchell. There’s some sign of competence with Monte. Pete D drafted Ben Mclemore, Nick Stauskus, fired Malone, replaced him for the shell of George Karl AND… let Isiah Thomas walk for nothing. That’s just the highlights.

RikSmits
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April 21, 2022 10:24 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

High turnover of lower tier players is fine, if you have stability, with a long-term coach and a clear system/identity so you basically know which type of players fit and you can slot in.

For the Kings, the high turnover and lack of stability is just a buil-in excuse.

They have to learn a completely new system, that takes time.

A lot of new players, we’re still getting used to each other.”

We’re still figuring things out, looking for the best rotations.”

Sources confirm that the coaching staff had to dumb down the playbook.”

We don’t want to take the ball out of Fox’s hands.”

The dog ate my playbook during the India trip.

We had better chemistry two days ago.”

Next year will be better. Really!

Kingsguru21
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April 22, 2022 6:26 am
Reply to  RikSmits

Your point is what? That the Kings are a bad organization since Ranadive took over? Great. That puts you in the minority of no-one Dutchman. That’s as vanilla a take about this organization as it gets. That’s like saying the sky is blue or the Dutch tilt at windmills and wear wood clogsa and say ‘Ya’ a lot. And, your point is?

(Actually I hope you don’t wear wooden clogs. That seems counter productive to walking, but maybe that’s just naivete on my part.)

They have to learn a completely new system, that takes time.

This is true everywhere, but hopefully the excuses stop. No-one benefits from them and it only continues to ensure the dysfunction continues.

***

I could keep going but you get the idea. My point is, and will remain, that while making fun of this franchise is easy and low hanging fruit and I guess that’s all good fine and dandy, I just don’t think it’s very interesting and useful. I guess at this point what I’m interested to see if, for a change of pace, the Kings could actually win games at 45 win pace or better in the future. You don’t think that’s likely as of now, and neither do I. Nobody wins 45 games in late April.

But you can start building something, and if we’re being honest, the Kings have begun that process already once they traded for Sabonis. Will it work? Don’t know. But unlike D’Alessandro, who had a horrible feel for talent, and Divac, who didn’t belong sitting in that chair in the first place, I feel McNair and his FO, who does have a feel for talent (they are 2-2 in picking NBA players in the 1st round IMO) is better suited to actually run this FO for a change. Has it gone smoothly? Of course not. Why would you expect this FO to transition a clusterfuck of a trainwreck oranization and not have it be a dirty, messy job? Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither would the goodship Sacramento Kings.

Is it going to work? Don’t know. But I’d rather try and build a winner with actual NBA talent than cross my fingers and hope this time it works and hopefully this guy does this and this and this.

As I said (and yes I read your response), this comes down to faith. Either you believe it’s possible this time or you don’t. And that’s just where things are at right now.

RikSmits
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April 22, 2022 7:47 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

What’s your point?

Either you believe it’s possible this time or you don’t. 

And that isn’t as a vanilla take as it gets?

It’s fine to be positive if there are grounds for being positive. I have seen very little in that respect.

About that, I also have my doubts about Monte’s feel for talent, apart from the small sample size. . Tyrese basically fell in his lap. And although I will give him some credit here, he capitalized on the fact that other GM’s passed up on Tyrese. That requires a sizable amount of luck. It’s not that he picked a guy who no-one expected to be picked at that high a spot and then turned out to be a stud.

Davion is a nice pick, but there were plenty of guys available around that spot who could have been just as fine or even better, and not many clear misses.

His track record for second round picks is not good so far (I don’t have high expectations for Queta). Use of G-league talent has been almost non-existent.

Too soon to decide that he has a good eye for talent, IMO.

His trades/ FA agent signings? Not very impressed so far, with the lowlight being the TT trade (wasn’t fond of the Whiteside and Len signings either). I like Sabonis, but there is very little room for error, and especially very little time. And that is where my low-hanging fruit quotes come in. With an ompeding overhaul of the roster and a new coach coming in, it will take time and the clock will be ticking and the pressure will mount.

Will Monte hang on to guys like Barnes for too long and/or trade picks/young prospects for win-now players, mortgaging the future in a desperate attempt to reach the play-offs these two coming seasons?
What kind of ceiling will such a team have? Enough to entice Sabonis to stay?

But I guess that can all be answered with: Either you believe it’s possible this time or you don’t. 

Kingsguru21
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April 22, 2022 9:50 am
Reply to  RikSmits

And that isn’t as a vanilla take as it gets?

No, it’s a vanilla take. I don’t see there much hard hitting or revealing about this franchise that hasn’t been said already. We’re just rehashing the old arguments because, well, I don’t know why really.

Davion is a nice pick, but there were plenty of guys available around that spot who could have been just as fine or even better, and not many clear misses.

Who? Ziaire Williams? Moses Moody? Josh Primo?

We can go round and round on this but my only question is whom you rather would have had at that point at 9? And that really comes back to opinion of players at that time.

***

I can pick through all your stuff but it’s going to be more of the same. You don’t like the opportunities or chances at improvement as much as I do. And, well, you could easily be just as right as I am right now. It’s impossible to say, MOVES AREN’T GOING TO BE MADE YET.

If we are talking about this roster as constructed with maybe a draft pick and one signing in FA, yeah, I think your argument will be justified. And at that point, I might watch the games hoping it works until it’s clear it doesn’t.

ArcoThunder
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April 22, 2022 11:22 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

I think you and I are riding the same wavelength these days. Well said.

ArcoThunder
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April 22, 2022 11:18 am
Reply to  RikSmits

Which is why this coaching hire is SUPER IMPORTANT!!!! It needs to be someone that exudes confidence in a real plan of progress moving forward.

if it’s a real coach like Malone was for example then I for one will be supportive of that coach staying for at minimum 6 years. The coach soon to be hired is a massively big deal! Not that we should expect this new coach to immediately add on 20 wins but for the stability and vision for a bright future. I’m anxious about who Monte will select. If it’s Mark Jackson then we can expect another coach and another GM in two years And still no playoff birth. The broken record will continue.

Last edited 1 year ago by ArcoThunder
rockbottom
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April 22, 2022 7:26 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Which are moveable pieces ? Seems none are moveable, just waiveable .

Kings-Rebuild
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April 22, 2022 7:57 am
Reply to  rockbottom

True

Kingsguru21
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April 22, 2022 8:43 am
Reply to  rockbottom

Which are moveable pieces ? Seems none are moveable, just waiveable .

All of them?

ArcoThunder
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April 22, 2022 11:06 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Well said. One thing though:

”Of Holiday, Metu, Jones, Len, and Lyles, I expect two of them, at most, to be on the roster opening night”

I feel like this is super optimistic. But god damn, I hope you are right.

murraytant
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April 22, 2022 12:30 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

yes.
Re tread vs. young?
I say, go young. This may take them past lottery and towards draft to decide.

Kingsguru21
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April 22, 2022 12:37 pm
Reply to  murraytant

I don’t think it matters. Whom you can work best with is what counts.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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April 22, 2022 8:27 am
Reply to  Greg

I get that you are going through the weeds first, but man there are a lot of them. As I said, 7 inconsequential players is still half an active roster. That’s bad.

I was just thinking to myself, if there was an expansion draft for a new team, or even two new teams, the Kings would have little concern of losing a key player they couldn’t protect.

Kings-Rebuild
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April 22, 2022 7:51 am
Reply to  Adamsite

This is a great post with many really good points. I think it demonstrates a management team wondering aimlessly with no clear direction. The trade deadline moves were an effort to make a playoff run this year and they failed miserably.

Hozr
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April 25, 2022 9:53 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Sacramento, where NBA careers come for their last paycheck,

Bill2455
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April 21, 2022 8:48 pm

I read Boogie’s interview. Not going to find a good free agent for a long long time.

oswan88
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April 22, 2022 9:36 am

Not sure why Lamb was retained for the whole year. He’ll probably never developed but I would have rather watched Jahmi’us Ramsey get those minutes instead of getting released.

Kingsguru21
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April 22, 2022 9:53 am
Reply to  oswan88

Not sure why Lamb was retained for the whole year. He’ll probably never developed but I would have rather watched Jahmi’us Ramsey get those minutes instead of getting released.

Kings had to waive Ramsey to open up a roster spot. And who knows whether or not they had an opportunity to bring him back on a two way deal.

Lamb wasn’t on the roster all year, he came at the trade deadline.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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April 22, 2022 11:26 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

career advice from Boogie Cousins?

okily-dokily-okie-dokie[1].gif
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April 22, 2022 11:28 am

reply to wrong comment – apologies

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