2023 has been an amazing year for Kings basketball, but the Kings have one last stop to make in Memphis before they can move on to 2024 and hopefully an even brighter future.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Sunday, December 31st, 5 PM PT
Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
This is Sacramento’s first meeting with Memphis this season. Last year these teams split the season series at two apiece, with both teams winning once on each others home floors. However, the last time the Kings played against the Grizzlies to end a year, this happened:
Three in the Key
Wounded Bear
The Grizzlies are pretty hobbled and have been from the get go. Steven Adams is out for the season already, Brandon Clarke has yet to make his season debut and Luke Kennard, John Konchar and Derrick Rose are all listed as questionable for tonight’s game. These injuries as well as Ja Morant’s 25 game suspension to start the season are a big reason the Grizzlies sit at 10-21, but with Ja back since December 19th, the Grizzlies at least have their claws back. The Grizzlies won their first four games in a row in Ja’s return, but have lost their last two. Still, this Grizzlies team is far more dangerous than their record implies, and they’ll be desperate to make up for lost time to try get back into the Play-In/Playoff mix.
Offensive Offense
The Grizzlies hold the worst offensive rating in the entire NBA throughout this season and that’s not something that even Ja’s return has helped that much. In the six games since Ja’s return, the Grizzlies have only put together a better offense than the Spurs and Hornets. Memphis’ shooting efficiency has been among the worst in the entire NBA. They rank second to last in 3P% at just 33.3% a game, 28th in 2P% at 51.9% and dead last in overall FG% at .439. Their only regular rotation player who is shooting well from distance is Desmond Bane who is making 38.4% of his threes on 9 attempts a game. Ja has only shot 12% from three in his return. Ja does help Memphis ability to get to the basket however, and he is leading the team in scoring already, averaging 26.8 points a game. But with Memphis’ overall lack of shooting if the Kings can keep them out of the paint, they have a good chance to stymie an already weak offensive attack.
Paint Attack
One of the few things Memphis does well is keep opponents from scoring in the paint. They rank 2nd in the league in opponent paint points at just 45 a game, and their overall defensive rating is still top 10. A big part of that is thank to reigning defensive player of the year Jaren Jackson Jr., but the Grizzlies also have guys like Bismack Biyombo to patrol the paint, and Marcus Smart to keep guys out of it at all. Still, the Kings can’t just settle for threes the entire game, they’ll have to find a way to open the Grizzlies up and get to the basket.
Prediction
De’Aaron Fox outbattles Ja Morant as the Kings end the Year of the Beam on a high note.
Kings 119, Grizzlies 110
Bad offensive opponent, so they probably put 130 on the Kings, lol.
I predict a win. No way they come out in embarrassing fashion like the start of the Hawks game.
We missed out while Ja was suspended—
Memphis surged once that was ended.
Though he’s cleared by the league,
Still creates weird intrigue.
Come back home; leave the Grizzlies upended!
+1 Beat Ja to the draw!
Kings gotta make moves in 2024. Hopefully Trey amd Keegan can get more consistent on the Offensive end.
But Huerter and Barnes gotta be replaced in the starting lineup or at least show up more often than 1 in 10 games.
I’ve still kinda got Atlanta on the brain.
Question: would you trade Huerter/Davion for D. Hunter, and our pick back?
Not sure Atlanta would want Huerter back.
ATL would LOL then hang up the phone.
I’m assuming Hunter’s contract is a negative asset currently. They need to open a spot for J. Johnson. Another low 1st shouldn’t appeal to them much. Davion could be a nice compliment to Young, or even a replacement should they chose to move off Young’s contract. Huerter adds more shooting, (which they need) and an option at 2 if they decide to trigger any of the rumored trades surrounding Murray.
I’m not sure either side would do it, but what are you saying Hunter is worth? You could ask for a 2nd instead, it wouldn’t be a lot different. As much as I would like to see them move off Huerter’s money, I don’t think he’s overpaid. Of course, it could be Barnes, but I couldn’t see that w/o a 3rd team.
I guess the big ask is: should the Kings be interested if Hunter is available? and for me that is a tough one to answer. He’s never performed to the level of his current contract.
I like Bey better.
Many people do because he’s almost the same player for a fraction of the price. Hunter’s stats are the best of his career this season, making them slightly better than H Barnes. I think someone is over-valuing him a bit. Atl has been also quite lukewarm on his performance, and that’s not to mention his injury history.
Oh yeah. That deal also saves them over $40m. which could appeal to them, as well.
I don’t see Huerter’s deal as a negative asset. Sure, he’s in a slump, but his contract is very good by NBA standards and he’s still very young. I’d imagine NBA brass would look to his career averages rather than the past 20+ games. From that, Huerter is likely worth more than Barnes.
ATL also has a ton of money wrapped up in Young, Murray, and Bogi. I don’t see them wanting another guard in Huerter.
Lastly, I don’t see them moving Hunter. They moved Collins to make room for Hunter and Johnson in the rotation. Both are young, shooting 40% from three, and play both ways. Kings probably have a better shot at Bey or Griffin, both of whom would cost far less.
I don’t know enough about Hunter
6’8″ wing who shoots 40% from three rebounds at an average rate who is 26 years old and makes $20M per year. He’s an older version of Keegan.
That sounds good to me but why would ATL do it?
Most importantly, can he defend ?
I can hardly imagine Santa bringing Kings fans a better present than a reliable 3pt shot for Fox!
Good things to come in ’24!
Merry Christmas! (belatedly) Happy New Year! to all!
Instead of being social or going out for New Year’s Eve stuff, I think I’ll just stay home and watch this Kings game. 🙂
Good thinking
Social and going out is overrated.
So if Huerter sits tonight (or maybe if he is even healthy) I’d start Ellis or Davion and put them on Ja. Memphis thrives by having Ja blow by his defender at the POA and getting into the paint. This could be a chance for Davion to get his mojo back by taking on Ja. If he can slow Ja down, the Kings should win this one with ease.
My guess is they would use Duarte to start.
Don’t sleep on Desmond Bane. Dude is a flat out scorer.
(no doubt he’s lumpy and it’s difficult to get decent rest)
I’d put Keegan on him, Fox on Smart and Barnes on JJJ.
You are probably right, and I think it would be the wrong decision by Brown. Duarte has proven nothing on the defensive end.
Effort?
Huerter is playing.
Let’s hope he can make his shots tonight.
As much as I’m not sold on Huerter, I have actually been impressed with his willingness to apply himself in other aspects of the game, even if the results haven’t always been great.
Happy New Year from Amsterdam, fellow Kings fans.
Proost!
Duarte with the start!
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