The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft is now complete and Devin Carter is a Sacramento King. Here’s what draft pundits and media are saying about Sacramento’s latest draft pick.
First off, Sam Vecenie from the Athletic, who probably does more draft research and scouting than just about anyone out there:
Devin Carter is one of my favorites in this draft class. His basketball character is off the charts. He’s an unbelievable competitor and possesses and insatiable work ethic that enabled his year-over-year improvements going back to high school. He’s an awesome defender who will be switchable and aggressive at the point of attack across the perimeter; those traits should be even more valuable if the NBA and its officials continue to allow as much physicality as they have since February. He reads the game very well, drastically improved as a shooter and has enough touch to believe he will continue to make long-range attempts even if his motion looks funky. He’s an elite athlete, too, who does all the little things one could ask of a player. I have a lottery grade on him and think he turns into the kind of guy every coach demands their front office pick up in the offseason.
Sure seems like the Kings have a type. Sacramento’s nabbed yet another impactful, defensive-minded guard, and at a great value at the end of the lottery. With a wingspan 6.5 inches longer than he is tall, Carter contests shots most players his size wouldn’t be in the vicinity of and jumps passing lanes to great effect. The Gary Payton IIs, Bruce Browns, and Derrick Whites of the league have created a model for success as dogged competitors with some juice on offense—Carter slots into that mold seamlessly. P3 Sports Science rates him as an elite athlete, with numbers in at least the 90th percentile across its various tests. The Kings are still in search of their versatile wing-sized stopper, but for a team with aspirations of contending, better to bring in a talent who has the skills and tenacity to help right away.
Ricky O’Donnell, SBNation NBA:
Carter earns high marks here for his tremendous defensive motor, improved shooting ability, and nose for the ball as a rebounder. He feels like something of an odd fit for a Kings team that could use more size, but his defensive potential gives him the ability to play with either De’Aaron Fox or Malik Monk. If the improvement in his shot holds, Carter should have a high floor with his length, elite athleticism, and defensive playmaking.
This is a straight A. Carter was one of my three favorite prospects in this class relative to expectations. He’s an elite competitor going to a team where he can help right away. You don’t bet against elite competitors. He stepped up big-time when Bryce Hopkins went down. He has an NBA pedigree, and he is ready to go.
Carter’s selection by Sacramento also received a decent amount of praise on social media.
There are no 50/50 plays when Devin Carter plays — they're 90/10 in his favor.
Think Derrick White 2.0.
A tremendous pick for the Kings.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 27, 2024
Devin Carter is one of my favorites in the NBA Draft. A complete tone-setter. Does all the dirty work. Kings fans, you're gonna love him.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 27, 2024
The @SacramentoKings got the steal of the NBA Draft.
Devin Carter was the most underrated player in NCAA basketball last season.
Now makes it all the way to No. 13.
I don't think there are 13 better players.— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) June 27, 2024
For how the Kings offense works with De’Aaron Fox having the ball in his hands and being in control, on the perimeter you need a guy who’s going to embrace his role and do it to the best of his abilities. Devin Carter is that dude. Call it lucky 13 for Sacramento. STEAL.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) June 27, 2024
Guru @MavsDraft on Devin Carter and the Kings. pic.twitter.com/7Dlm4fZ92A
— Brett W. Huff (@bretthuff22) June 27, 2024
I love Devin Carter's game. He does a little bit of everything on both ends, is a ridiculous rebounder for a guard, and has legit all-defense potential.
Wrote about him a bit this morning. Full story: https://t.co/lLTWFwI5Qk pic.twitter.com/7N1dleZwKz
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) June 27, 2024
The Devin Carter tape moves me. pic.twitter.com/fay1Q0MB5A
— Skyler (KFR) (@SacFilmRoom) June 27, 2024
The NBA Draft concludes tomorrow with the second round. The Kings still have the 45th pick remaining.
I was surprised like most Kings fans. I love the tape, the analysis, and the external praise. I’m definitely not upset about how much talent we have at the guard spots and respect Monte for sticking with the BPA approach.
I’m assuming this move will make more sense in a couple weeks considering the logjam we have at the guard spots. Huerter has to be gone, and Davion this offseason or next. So going forward having Fox, Monk, Keon and Carter as our backcourt is honestly fantastic.
Monte has to make a swing for another forward though. Ingram, Kuzma, Cam Johnson or Portis? Someone else? Idono. I have a sneaky suspicion his highest priority is pairing them with Keegan, who seems like his little unicorn. Maybe I’m wrong on that but either way after standing pat at the deadline it feels like the pulse of this offseason, especially after drafting a 6’3 guard (albeit with a 6’9 wingspan, record setting 3 quarter court sprint and 42 inch vertical) now screams trade for a defensive forward.
Light the beam.
It’s funny how we react to those quotes based on our own views and preferences.
When the National media is saying bad things about the Kings (and their draft picks), they are being lazy, uninformed, baised against the Kings, just riding the LOL Kangz wave, etc.
After people wondered why the Kings took Keegan over Ivey we also talked about how these hot takes after one day mean nothing, draft grades are clickbait, players can only be evaluated after 3 seasons etc.
When they say nice things they (in some instances, the exact same people) are knowleadgeble pundits.
I get it. We expected the pick to be traded, and if not, we did not expect to draft another guard. Now we are talking ourselves off the ledge.
I like the guy. He may be a significant contributor. I hope he is. But it is difficult to hear very similar things to what we heard about Davion and not be a bit sceptical.
I just remind myself that McLemore was an A-, Jimmer was an A (ESPN called him a perfect fit), and Keegan was a B-.
Keeps my chi balanced.
The thing is that they’re right. It’s not like these writers are making things up. And it’s not like they’re reporting on something that isn’t there.
They’re reporting on the skill set the player has and what the potential fit is. Ultimately it’s up to the player and the team to either deliver on that potential or not.
If anyone from sports writers to GMs could say for certain what a player was going to do in the NBA they’d make millions.
So yes we can get super excited about what they say, or we can say how full of crap they are, But they’re all looking at the same tapes and the same facts. So you get a Davion Mitchell who wasn’t able to live up to his potential, and you get a Keegan Murray who does more than anyone expected. That doesn’t make the reports wrong.
Right about what, exactly?
Sure, they know his stats, measurements and saw what he did against NCAA competition. No diagreement there.
They are already declaring him the steal of the draft or Derrick White 2.0 before Carter, or any other first rounder, has played a single NBA minute. With Keegan they said that it was a mistake to take him over Ivey, Haliburton was a value pick after falling, but with limited upside etc. Those are the things I am talking about.
These are projections, assumptions, assessments, eduacted guesses, whatever you want to call it. But too soon to say that they are right.
Carter is a solid pick by any team at #13 I actually thought he would have been gone before #13, but I do have to say every other GM seems values length at the wing position or bigs. Monte is definitely a BPA regardless of age tor size ype of GM, but he has put himself in a position where moves need to be made.
The team is in need of height, shooting, and rim protection next to Sabonins. If Monte’s hope is free agency, I have a bridge to sell him. He’s gonna have to get on the phones and make something happen with the current pieces.
In no particular order, these guys should definitely be on the block: Huerter, Davion, Duarte, and Jones. IMO 2 at minimum need to be moved.
Mason or Colby 🙂
Yes.
Don’t you get rid of our bench hype man!
Huerter with his skillset and contract, with multiple future first rounders has to get a starter back, right? Right?
As should Sasha, Barnes Whatever it takes to get the missing pieces.
If they can shed some salary among Davion, Sasha, Huerter and Barnes, I could see them pursuing Tobias Harris. I don’t think Harris solves the Kings problems, but he’s better than Barnes and Kuzma (box score stats notwithstanding).
For the right deal, the Goldfish Man could be a nice get.
Plus he’s friends with Boban!
Just because you got 5 girlfriends, don’t mean you let them stop you from finding your wife
i thought carter was going 6, 8, or 9 so obviously he’s really good . The front office picked him for us . Time to support him and be a fan . Nothing else any of us can do but cry about length and size we gotta work with what we got fellas
For our lack of length it’s honestly impressive we have this many girlfriends
Dude literally. Wishing we were 6’9 so we could get with Leoshi
Oh I see. That’s how we’re supposed to fan. Thanks.
What is it with people uncomfortable with the expression of opinions and discussing/presenting potential issues?
lol complain if you want to and have an opinion if you want to . Ain’t no one controlling your mind telling you how to think or be a fan . I said it’s nothing we can do but “ cry about it “. So cry about it . I said I’m a support him and cry about not having size and length lol . Was a joke you obviously missed . If the pick doesn’t work out and the kings miss the playoffs Monte McNair will be fired.
I actually believe in rebuilding , I don’t see fox being here long term without the All NBA max contract . I rather trade him with 2 years left and get the most out of a package.
At the same time if Keegan or fox is able to take another step maybe we can be the 5th seed or 4th .
I wanted Kel’el Ware ,Holmes or trade the pick for Deni .
Sorry. Didn’t realize it was a joke. Got it.
No, you act like your opinion is the only one that’s acceptable, when in reality it’s just annoying to hear the same old shit said over and over again so confidently, like a broken record.
I don’t think anyone’s arguing this team is right where we want it to be. Some of us are just saying, Let’s see how things play out over the next couple months before writing off next season.
There’s every chance Carter could be a very useful piece to the puzzle, even if all the pieces aren’t in place yet.
Quite the opposite. I never implied my opinion is the only one acceptable. You are the one trying to get people to quit being negative.
Im just saying, express your opinion. If you don’t like my opinion argue rationally against it or just don’t read it.
Ridiculous that you try to shape this like I’m constraining the discussion.
In fact, I’m advocating for just the opposite.
Just wait a couple of months and avoid doing anything now to improve. Every NBA team builds a team this time of year but we need to sit and wait a couple of months.
Not at all ok to want this team to improve and express that opinion.
Everyone is praising this guy, which has me pretty excited thinking back to when we got Haliburton. Some guys calling Carter a top 5 pick. Take this for example:
My bet is this replaces Huerter. Huerter is now the trade bait because we’re not trading off Monk and Huerter will probably be upset being sent to the bench. Now we try to find someone who can play next to Sabonis for Huerter/maybe Barnes. Or perhaps flip Huerter for Filipowski + a first rounder? Lots of possibilities here and this should be an interesting off-season if Huerter stays on the roster for next season.
Cloudy, thank you for this vid. Chock full of info. Nice in game tape too.
The Kings get labeled as a bad defensive team, yet they were 14th in Defensive Rating at season’s end. My guess is that with Keon playing more, and the addition of Carter, they could move up closer to the top 10 next year.
??
https://x.com/anthonyVslater/status/1806186062362124356
There was a report about it before the draft, just to add a little more info.
You’re doing it wrong, Yak. You were supposed to freak out and moan about what a disaster this is.
“What a negligent front office to not know he had an injury. Unacceptable by idtiot McNair.”
Did I do it right?
[chef’s kiss gif]
Yeah, I’m that lazy.
Ok, I’m coming around. If you don’t make the playoffs you pick BPA, not for fit. Monte still has a lot of work to do but this is apparently a good start. Still need a PF and now next to zero leverage to offload the glut of so-so SGs
Devin Carter as the 1st round pick is good. If the Kings can get one of these guys in the 2nd round it’ll be a good draft all around (in this order): Kyle Filipowski, Jonathan Mogbo, Johnny Furphy, Oso Ighodaro, Enrique Freeman, Cam Christie, Tyler Smith.
Here is one more analysis I posted on last nights thread. Jay Bilas. His analysis of Devin begins around the 2:28 mark of the video…the first part of the vid is about Knecht and that team in LA…
https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/40441600
Everyone seems universally excited except for Kings fans. I’m making the rounds on my Kings podcasts and reading comment boards and there is a lot of dread for a guy that’s gonna make the All-Rookie team.
The offseason isn’t over! Monte has been targeting versatile forwards like OG, Kuz, Siakam, etc. for two years now. He sees where his roster is at, too. In the meantime, accruing talent is always a good thing and the Kings got the guy with the fewest flaws in a weak draft. He’ll be a two-way player from Day 1, which can’t be said for literally any other prospect. Everything is gonna be fine!
Everyone was excited about #13 for Caruso. Why not #13 for Carter? Virtually the same mold of player, and he’s cheaper and under control for 4 years. This is best-case scenario stuff here.
Clearly HB, Huerter, Mitchell, and throw-ins hasn’t been getting the job done on the trade market. I would not be surprised if trading a guy like Keon or Colby has ended a few phone calls with Monte so far. But Keon and/or Colby are guys that can probably close a deal and are now guys that the Kings can spare. I bet we see a pretty big deal in the coming weeks that parts the clouds and shows Kings fans the light (beam?).
If you bring in a guy like Jalen Smith, John Collins, or Bobby Portis this roster is going to start looking NASTY.
As I think about the Kings’ disappointing 2023-24 campaign, things fell apart when Monk went down and they couldn’t replace his scoring from the guard position. The defense was very good from the moment Keon replaced Huerter in the starting lineup, rim-protecting PF or not. By the end of the season, defense wasn’t the reason they missed the playoffs, offense was.
I am not sure any of the glowingly positive reviews of the Carter pick that I’ve read/watched have mentioned the glut of guards the Kings have. He’s going to be a stellar fit as a two way player. The pundits don’t give a shit about the glut of guards because they know that problem is easily resolved.
At this point, with Fox, Monk, Keon, and Carter, our guard situation is set for years to come – and three of those players are on extremely manageable / tradeable contracts. Carter gives the Kings a starter (Keon) and a backup (Carter) guard that will be lockdown defenders, Monk is the playmaker, and Fox is the all around playa. Only Monk is a below average defender in that group. Monte and Brown backed up their big defense talk with action.
And it seems they still have confidence and a timeline for Colby. Huerter is either our backup SF or gone. Either option is good. Davion is gone. And I think that when we look back on Monte’s draft history, we’re going to be giving him A’s for Haliburton, Murray, and Carter and a D (or F) for Mitchell. I’ll take that any day.
I know we didn’t get a PF yesterday. But the route to a PF was probably always going to be via trade or MLE. If we figure out a way to pull down Jalen Smith or John Collins without giving up much, this team will be a significantly deeper and better team than last year’s team.
I’m excited. Can’t wait to see what Monte does next.
How about both. IMO it won’t take that much to get Collins and use MLE for Smith. Collins starts and Smith is you bachup for now. Getting a little offf base IMO we can now trade for Isaiah Steward as bachup center. Really like the guy. With Smith and Stewart together would be great, If not Smith then Naji Marshall using our MLE. I could see Carter, Monk, Marshall and trade for DaRon Holmes and Stewart great 5 players.
I agree. I’m fine with starting Jalen Smith but it provide a lot more insurance to trade for a starting caliber 4 and then having him as a backup. Especially since he can get minutes playing alongside Sabonis or as a backup 5.
Yep, you wore me down with all the Smith / Collins talk, Jack! I would love both or some other similar PF or two. Get younger / longer at the PF spot and this team has an excellent window opening up with tradeable pieces to make an even bigger jump down the road if needed.
The thing that struck me during the playoffs this year was how the teams that made runs had contributions from deep in their bench. The Kings may not need a star PF to join that group. Add someone who’s a good fit at PF and you don’t need to squint to see a top 6 finish. Dallas showed that you don’t need to be a top 2 team to reach the Finals.
Both for sure.
We need a starting PF and depth at the backup big positions. MM has consistently undervalued the PF and backup bigs slots. TIme to invest some money there.
Great point. If DC pans out we are set there, although we still need a backup PG but that could be had on the cheap.
Interesting – but if we have ball handlers in Fox and Monk with Colby waiting in the wings, is there really that much need for a backup PG? I definitely agree that if we’re lacking there, we can solve that problem for cheap.
I mean an end of the bench vet backup PG that can come in and play when injuries inevitably happen. Not sure Colby is ready yet.
First I think Colby will be ready to contribute thisnyear. Get Chris Dunn with BAE if you want a pretty good bachup point guard. IMO we don’t have to have one. Alreadt set.
I would like them to move up and draft Filipowski. I think he can add some much needed depth at PF.
I was thinking the same thing this morning when I saw he was still on the board.
He makes sense. Problems with him is that he has a neutral wingspan, not highly efficient, and is not a good defender. He does a little of everything at the PF position (shoot, play make). He won’t be able to guard Centers because of his slighter frame for the position. But in a few years he might the stretch 4 that really helps.
That’s the problem. Bigs can take so long to develop that it’s a gamble to draft them.
Agreed. By drafting Filipowski this draft, he has time to develop with Lyles getting the minutes, so no pressure on Flip to be a rotation guy. Let him play in the G-League and practice with the big squad to learn and develop.
Nobody they draft in the 2nd round will crack the rotation this season. Take a chance on a guy that might in a couple years.
I wouldn’t complain about that approach.
Also trade foe DaRon Holmes
Unless there’s a major injury, I’d be surprised if Carter gets enough shots or minutes to compile the stats to make All-Rookie. At best, he’s the fourth guard, assuming Huerter is moved. Davion makes zero sense on this team now, so he’s 100% getting moved. Definitely appreciate the optimism on his talent level though.
He’s gonna get 20+ mpg off the bench and I would not be surprised to see him as the starting SG by midseason.
I agree on the 20 minutes but not starting SG. That’s for Keon to lose and knowing Keon he won’t.
IMO Huerter and Mitchell will be traded along with Vezenkov and Duarter and would not be surprised with also Barnes. Carter will get enough minutes IMO.
You’re already halfway right.
-DC is basically Josh Hart but two inches shorter but makes up for it with his wingspan.
-Hopefully the 2nd pick is a big. (Trade up for Kyle Flip?)
-It’s obvious at this point we have to trade for a PF and sign a rotational wing with size and a backup center.
-Players that should be traded: Davion, Duarte, Sasha and at least one of KH or HB if not both.
-Come training camp, the backups should be completely overhauled from last season.
Use the MLE on Jalen Smith, trade Keon, Duarte, Sasha and Lyles and ’27 first to Washington for Kuzma.
Fox/Monk/Davion
Carter/Huerter/Colby
Murray/Barnes/Edwards
Kuzma/Smith/Barnes
Sabonis/Smith/Len
This team has playmaking, versatility, defense, and shooting all over the place. Would absolutely compete for a WCF bid imo.
Keep Keon and trade Mitchell.
Nobody wants Mitchell. You have to give to get and that includes players you don’t really want to trade. Besides, Mitchell is perfect as a break-in-case-of-emergency 3rd string PG. Not worried about having Mitchell on the roster next year.
To me, if Keon is key to a deal, that deal needs to be a legit upgrade. I’m not confident that Kuzma is that legit upgrade. Otherwise, I would rather sit tight and make Huerter and Barnes available at the trade deadline for teams who need shooting or veteran leadership.
The Kings will be in the playoff mix at the deadline, even if no other moves happen this offseason. Note: more moves are definitely coming but it could just be as simple as offloading Sasha/Davion/Duarte for second rounders.
Don’t worry. He will be traded.
This is not really true.
I’ve been spending a ton of time recently watching other team’s podcasts and reading the associated fan-posts and several have stated that Davion Mitchell is worth a look. The belief is that he should be easy to obtain from the Kings without giving up a lot (most were offering a vet they no longer wanted) and is worth a shot for a year to see if you like him before deciding if you want to extend his rookie contract. This was coming from fans of the Bulls, Wizards, Raptors, Nets and the Suns. There may have been more, but that is all I recall.
I am not sure what the return could be, but the idea of Mitchell himself is one that is kind of intriguing to lead-guard needy teams. It’d a pretty cheap way to get a look at former lottery PG with known defensive skills but a questionable offensive fit. They see a high-reward, low-risk move for teams acquiring Mitchell.
I do think Mitchell, Huerter, Barnes etc have value. Teams will want them.
I completely agree. Huerter and Barnes are fairly plug and play, they don’t need a particular system, and every year in the playoffs we see how much shooting matters, and those guys are shooters. As Rob notes just below, Mitchell can be intriguing to teams, a point of attack defender will always make another team curious.
Every team might not need one of them, but they are fairly fungible, especially with their contracts in that middle range.
I don’t think that there is a huge demand for Mitchell, but I think that he is easily moveable. I could also see him doing better in other systems – seems like a good Memphis guy, for example.
Yeah, I don’t think any teams are clamoring for him but the idea that he can’t be moved is kind of crazy. IMO, he is basically Chris Duarte (from last year) except that he is trending up instead of down. He’s not going to command much of a return by himself but as part of package he could be useful to some teams. I think Memphis makes sense, so does Washington, Brooklyn and Phoenix.
Welp, I was wrong. He just got shipped to Toronto with Vez and the 45 for Jalen McDaniels (don’t look him up, it will just depress you). Does save the Kings $9m in salary this year, though.
I don’t think Keon is needed in that trade. WASH is getting a first and a good prospect in Sasha and they can take a flyer on Davion as well. I’m not overpaying for Kuzma.
100% agreement. Kuzma would be an upgrade, but he just doesn’t seem particularly invested in playing basketball. It’s serving as a lucrative time-waster until he decides to do something else. I sense no fire in him.
You could even make the argument that based on contract and potential, Keon is more valuable than Kuz straight up as Kuz is a known and making big money.
I guess I’d say that given what the Kings need, which is defense and scoring, Keon is more valuable, particularly since Ellis has barely scratched the surface of his offensive game. He’s under no pressure on that end other than to take open shots. I’d guess he eventually turns into a Doug Christie type of player, a capable scorer, but rarely featured as such.
Kuzma is an upgrade at PF, but I don’t believe he’d be a real difference-maker for Sacramento.
If we are banking on Kuzma to be the difference make that takes the Kings to the promise land, then we are royally f*%ked
There you go. John Collins(PF), Naji Marshall( wing with scoring and defense) and Isaiah Stewart as backup center. Get Marshall with MLE and trade for Collins and Stewart. Collins IMO would be a really good fit next to Sabonis and Steward because of Pistons needs can be gotten.
If not Collins then Porter but will be harder to get and cost morer.
I like these ideas Jack, especially the pivot to Stewart rather than Jalen Smith.
Having watched a fair amount of Pacer games due to having multiple players in fantasy leagues (including Smith), he is my nominee for the Dwayne Dedmon/Mo Bamba Great On Paper Players Who Actually Suck. If you enjoyed WCS’s motor and IQ, then Smith might be your guy.
Beef Stew has his limitations, but his motor is not one of them, and for those of us old enough to remember the Sacramento Greats, he fills the LaSalle “Tank” Thompson sized hole we have had on this roster for the last 37 years. We need at least one wide-bodied big who has some snarl and is always ready to wrassle.
It’s really that easy (not being facetious), which is why if MM doesn’t make some simple moves like these to upgrade positions of need, King’s fans are going to really lose it.
Well those players and/or teams need to be willing to sign/trade with the Kings, so it is not solely on Monte if a deal doesn’t get done for those listed above.
Kings fans want management to commit rape, when it should be obvious that NBA deals are entirely about consent.
“If Monte doesn’t do X, he should be looking for his next job!”
McNair had a deal in place years ago to get Kuzma for Hield, but the Lakers had to be themselves and went for a name instead of a fit in Westbrook.
“MM couldn’t seal the deal!”
Try going to a car dealership with your Camry and demand a straight trade for one of their new Benzes. And as you drive away in your Toyota, salesman still doubled over with laughter, do some serious introspection about where your brilliant plan went awry.
Andy,
I just tried that with my VW camper van.
I washed it in my driveway yesterday. It’s still there leaking oil…
Nicely done.
That is why I don’t get excited about the possibility of trading for some big named player. I just look towards incremental improvement and trying to build a team that can sustain winning for a years to come.
As a fan, I don’t think that I ever asked for rape, unless rape is defined as a legitimate stretch 4 and a bench wing.
Maybe it’s a hot weather thing, but this thread is absolutely rife with takes that the issue here is the fans. And that is categorically false. The issue here is that there was an unbalanced roster going into the off season of 2023, and it went unaddressed. And after last night, it is still unaddressed. And fans have concerns, based on the roster still being unbalanced. Are some takes more emotional than others? Sure. Are some takes borderline fantasy? Sure. But that is not the problem facing the Sacramento Kings.
It’s not a fan thing. It is a front office thing. They get the credit, and they take the hits. And right now the front office added another guard to a team that could not get out of the play in last year, and got repeatedly pummeled by teams that had length and athleticism on the wings.
That’s it. No more, no less. You want to fix the fans? Fix the roster.
I’m just chuckling at the fans who are overreacting about a draft pick that is being universally lauded. Seriously, has there been a single pundit who has given the pick less than an A?
MM quickly turned the team into a playoff contender after a disastrous Vlade reign. He gets a lot of leeway to methodically build this team – in my book.
If you want to place a whole lot of emphasis on roster construction, that’s your right. AGAIN, I share the same concerns about roster construction even if I’m not too worried that Monte will address it.
When I poke fun at fans, you’re really not the type I’m laughing at. Fans have very little influence on the team, so don’t misconstrue my musings as blame. That’s reading far more into my thoughts than necessary.
Thanks for being the voice of reason, as is often the case.
I don’t think you’re looking at it the right way. The offseason is a process, and the largest part of it doesn’t even begin for four days. If you can fill a position of need, you can do that, but at thirteen, who would you have been confident making a reach for at wing or PF?
Knecht? May have a fine career, but fell out of the lottery entirely, and may never score enough to balance his defensive shortcomings.
Ware? Might have been a good selection, but if his small sample size three-point shooting numbers were a fluke, he’s hard to play with Sabonis.
da Silva? A lot of the same issues as Knecht, and gives no impression of being a battler.
Holmes? I’d have loved that, personally, but was likely considered to be too long of a reach from thirteen.
Carter is a guy who can play meaningful minutes from game one. Did we need another guard? Of course not. Does drafting a guard who allows the team to not give minutes to Mitchell and Huerter offer an upgrade for those minutes? Yes, I expect it to play out that way. DC also provides another serviceable backup at point guard, something I’m told that McNair needed to address.
Nothing matters until leaves start falling, and I’d be willing to bet that cooler weather brings with it fewer guards on the Sacramento roster. This is why the whining and shrieking seems so rote and performative.
The roster got better in a couple of ways Wednesday night, as we added a two-way player, and one who may be a starter in the league at some point. Carter is money in the bank, and as with life, more money means more options.
And despite all of that, McNair is still unable to force other GMs to bend to his will, which seems to be interpreted as being a major character flaw, and a fatal one for a general manager. That’s the truly baffling part, and you read it over and over. The value of the draftee can certainly be debated, but the never-ending screeds about MM’s inability to close the deal are patently ridiculous, as I explained above.
I’m told that you can’t tell people how to fan, although that doesn’t seem to extend to fans who critique the takes of others. Posts are sacrosanct, but replies which dissent, less so.
No one is obligated to defend their opinions if they don’t feel like it. If my responses are deemed to be outside the guidelines of the site, I encourage the site owners to delete them.
“Nothing matters until leaves start falling, and I’d be willing to bet that cooler weather brings with it fewer guards on the Sacramento roster. This is why the whining and shrieking seems so rote and performative.”
THIS.
It hasn’t even been 24 hours since the pick was made and most King’s fans are coming around to it and seeing it as a good pick.
Now the onus is on the FO to balance out this roster as we head into FA and fans are willing to give the FO the benefit of the doubt in regards to balancing out the roster until FA/trades transpire.
Is this a brand new comment, or is it a cut and paste after last year’s draft?
The same faith that I have in this front office for making a solid pick is the same faith that I lack in a front office that has now taken over a year (and counting) to address obvious roster construction flaws. I don’t need corrective lenses to see that. It’s pretty basic.
Yes. And this is the same trying to wrangle negative opinions as previous years. When questioning Bivek-Cuz-Vlade-Bags. etc etc.
What makes/made this site great is that people would argue against a point, not a fan.
Gotta be a cut and paste, based on the way I raved about our first-round selection in 2023.
I’m honestly not sure what it is that you’re on about, Rob. I’m talking about the value of a draft pick as it relates to opportunities to improve the team, which DC does by likely being an upgrade over several guards currently on the roster. It changes the calculus about who should be trade bait and who isn’t and does so in a way that gives the team a stronger hand to deal with. If Carter ends up going out in a trade that gets us an all-star level player, then he can be a difference-maker that way. I’d not be surprised if there were teams already making inquiries to that effect, all-star or no.
Carter’s selection alone doesn’t solve the wing problem, but it opens more possibilities to address it. Free agency is a tough road, but importantly, it hasn’t begun yet.
I threw a few examples out in a previous post about other possibilities at thirteen. Would anyone feel that the Kings had made a truly meaningful step toward playoff success with any of the players available, even at positions of need? I like a number of guys that were there, but would any one of them feel like a step toward second-round playoff basketball?
And at this moment, Carter doesn’t either. But he was the guy most-likely to become an actual NBA player when the clock began ticking, although I’d be happy to entertain other opinions.
Since the PF/Wing issue couldn’t be credibly solved with anyone available (or by trading the pick), you add the best asset. Assets create possibilities, and summers are loaded with possibilities.
The Kings, like every other team*, have taken a single step toward configuring their opening night rosters, and the process is a marathon. I’m hardly Mister Brightside, and even I’m not willing to declare the “failure” to fix the PF/Wing problem via the draft to be something that cannot be overcome, even with months to go.
(*One other team, the Knicks, gave up five first-round picks and a career 39% shooter of threes. As much as I love Bridges and the way he’d fit with the Kings’ roster, how willing would people be willing to hand over those five picks, plus, realistically, Keegan Murray? The Knicks are in a different position than Sacramento, so it’s a bit easier to justify, but if Bridges can’t get them a title in the next few seasons, New Yorkers will be pining for the wisdom and prudence of a GM like Isiah Thomas.)
I feel (and would guess that most here agree) that you have some of the best takes and interpretations found on the site. I don’t understand why you’d take issue with my (admittedly lengthy) missives about why declaring defeat less than twenty-four hours after the draft may be short-sighted.
And all of you may turn out to be right! But the surety with which some declare the Kings’ draft to be an abject failure at this moment is, pardon me, risible. I’ve presented something like a reasonable argument as to why I feel differently. Unless the past is determined to be entirely predictive, the powerful declarations of catastrophic failure simply don’t make sense to me.
Same old, same old, Andy. I want to talk Kings and you want to talk Kings fans. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Your opinions about the team are respected, whether or not I agree with them. Your opinions about Kings fans and TKH members? No so much.
Tapping out on this convo, as it’s just going to bore the other folks that are here to talk Kings basketball.
I could just as easily argue that Monte hasn’t gotten deals done because he’s not willing to risk enough or be aggressive. Or because maybe Vivek won’t pay.
Id say it’s more a wait and see at this point. But last year made me question the FO.
I somewhat agree but if you wait to long then you might not get what you want. A good example would be the Deni Avdija trade before the draft. I really liked the guy and in some ways better than Kuzma. Would have a good fit for the Kings at PF.
Well said Rob.
Couldn’t agree more.
Because tweets are no longer showing up I’ll just copy and paste what Professor Oak tweeted:
Same as it ever was.
Thank you Rob. I feel like I’m/some fans are being attacked and ridiculed for pointing out questions and potential issues.
Questions that are relevant considering what Monte did not do last year.
Go after the opinion or point not the fans.
On the flip side, there are a few fans here who are perpetually negative and constantly accuse anyone who has a positive take as being content with losing or supporting a terrible team. There’s a constant undercurrent of “you’re a shitty fan because you’re not hyper fixated on the negatives.”
This coin has two sides.
Frankly, I enjoy the beauty and artistry of basketball. Of course I want the Kings to win it all, but I’m not a rube for enjoying a sport, regardless of the final result. For me, the journey IS the destination.
I’m a musician, so I’ll put it in terms like this: thinking that someone is a bad fan because they’re not throwing a tantrum over their team not winning the Finals every year is like giving up on your favorite bands because they haven’t won a Grammy. I like music, regardless of awards. I like basketball whether my team wins or not. Nobody gets to tell me I’m a lesser fan because I’m not in a permanent state of panic and alarm over my favorite team.
There’s massive holes on this roster. And trading isn’t the only way to fill them. Drafting and signing works as well. Seems like King’s fans being childish or stupid for wanting there FO to have a balanced roster is becoming a trope now. When it’s obvious how imbalanced the roster is with a glut of guards and next to no real bigs besides Domas.
And now we got commenters talking about rape in this discussion, wtf!
Even the most optimistic of people here are acknowledging that there are holes on the roster. Two things can be true at the same time: a.) the Kings may have made a great pick in DC and b.) the pick doesn’t address a glaring need at PF.
The Kings made the pick available for trade but in a draft that wasn’t particularly strong, it seems they couldn’t package it in an acceptable deal. So they went out and got a baller who plays Brown’s style of defense.
I would rather add a piece that pushes Davion and Duarte out of the picture than settle on a PF that the FO isn’t confident is the answer and stashing that player in the G League.
Other fans are free to make their case otherwise. I’m certainly open to contrary opinions. But if those opinions come in the form of a perpetual childish tantrum, I’m gonna laugh at the asininity of it.
The discussion about roster balance is hardly stupid. It’s very important.
The takes insisting that post-draft, it’s an intractable fact we just have to live with? They are reactionary, and closed-minded.
We aren’t getting Portis unless we offer something ridiculous, a la the Knicks. I love the guy, but there is a ceiling on what I’d trade, and it’s about sixty stories below what Milwaukee would want.
I love Portis for this team and I think the only reason MIL would move Portis is the because they are in the 2nd apron, but I also think that the restrictions imposed on 2nd apron teams means that he’ll likely return to MIL.
2nd Apron Teams
Portis is on a contract that pays out $13M in 2025 and PO for $13M in 2026. The belief is that Portis will be not be exercising his PO as he get could way more than $13M/yr and that the Bucks could lose him for nothing after next year. Unless MIL gets contract relief in the move, I don’t see Portis being moved.
I should add that if Portis (29yrs old) is traded for, he is looking for his own “max” extension, the same that was available to Monk, $78M over 4 years.
We can speak of roster imbalance – GM McNair addressed this in his presser.
The Kings have many needs and overall talent and athleticism was one of them.
The Kings got better with the addition of Devin Carter. And the kids got style! That’s a plus.
The next two weeks is going to be wild, starting with tonight.
btw, Devin Carter has a #22 Kings jersey.
Sam Presti was apparently so heartbroken after trading Giddy, he had to try to replace him with Nikola Topic. Thanks a lot, dummy.
I would not be happy if I was an OKC fan. They could have had Devin Carter, the superior prospect, instead they get a guy who will miss the next year rehabbing an ACL.
As much as I like Dalton Knecht, I dislike more the idea of adding another porous defender to our backcourt after bringing back Malik. It would be untenable to play Malik and Dalton together, just like any combination of Dalton, D-Lo and Reaves is going to get lit up like a Christmas tree at the point of attack.
I can fix our glut of guards in two steps (1) Huerter is now a SF. For the rest of his tenure, hopefully about to end in the next few days, you are no longer a SG. (2) Davion must go.
Davion was on the outs after re-signing Malik. Yesterday was the final nail in the coffin of his career as a King. It will be better for him too. If he is to reach his potential it won’t be here. I do not like him and Malik sharing backup minutes because neither one can check bigger guards.
Malik and Devin Carter by contrast could be an incredible duo! With his 6’9 wingspan and dawg mentality, Keon-like harrassment, Carter can check both guard spots, helping mask a weakness of Malik.
So, our guard rotation could or should like this:
Starters: Fox / Keon
Backups: Devin / Malik
Our fifth guard is Colby Jones. Davion must be traded. It is not a “must” that Huerter be traded, though preferable. Huerter is moved to SF or traded.
To those fretting we did not land Caruso or Kuzma or another frontcourt player yesterday, and though free agency and trade season has barely started, I say three things:
1.Tell me you don’t know how to (armchair) GM without telling me.
2.Tell me you don’t know the basic principles of negotiation without telling me.
3.Tell me you lack any semblance of impulse control without telling me.
I am about to teach something to the fans who baselessly hate on our Front Office. Listen closely. Sit down and shut up class is in session.
There is one instance where it is arguably okay to overpay, and even then it is not the greatest idea, and that is, when you are acquiring what you perceive to be the final piece to your puzzle, the last component to a title contender. This is what the Knicks did when they targeted and acquired Bridges. They surrendered five first rounders because they perceive Bridges as missing piece to beat the Celtics and anyone in their way. I kind of love what they did.
We are not one piece away. If Keegan was a 20 PPG scorer, a go-to force, and if we had advanced out of the 1st round once in the last two years, or preferably 2nd round, then you could more accurately contend we are one move away instead of self-delusion. Then, and only then, do you maybe sweeten the pot to excess.
We are objectively pretenders, not contenders, until we win a few rounds in the playoffs.
Simultaneously there is more of a sense of urgency to make something happen because we are in the window of prime Domas and Fox. It is incumbent on the GM to give his best players the best chance for ultimate team glory before this window closes. At the same time emptying the cupboard, so to speak, to try to obtain the final piece when you falsely perceive you are closer than you think, undermines your obligation, subverts the process and probably gets you fired.
This is too nuanced of a concept for those who want it all and want it now. Sad!
Before the ink was dry on the contract, the new PHX owner shipped out Cam Johnson, Mikael Bridges and a boatload of picks for KD, the surgically repaired superstar three years past his prime. This decision was a disservice to Devin Booker. The Suns were not one move away from ultimate team glory, since adding KD required the Suns to gut their depth. This is not hindsight analysis. It was obvious at the time. Compare this to what the Knicks just did. They are stacked at every position, esp. if they can retain Hartenstein.
Moreover the same critics who express their disapproval over not getting anything done would be the first to crow if the price was too steep. This is their hypocrisy beneath the surface:
Breath 1: “How come you did not acquire Caruso, all it cost OKC was a player unplayable in their playoffs, a guy who cannot shoot or defend with off court issues”
Breath 2: “How come you paid #13 pick, Davion and a future first for Caruso, our cupboard is bare, and we are still unlikely to get out the 1st round!”
Breath 1: “How come we did not acquire Deni Avdija for the #13 and Huerter, a deal comparable to what the Blazers just did, we need a talented young wing!”
Breath 2: “How come we traded for Keegan-lite, a duplicative player who does not address our front court toughness, now our cupboard is bare!”
For those who claim, this is a false dichotomy, that “you don’t know exactly what we would have had to give up for Caruso or Avdija”. Yeah, and neither do you. However, what I do know is that our GM has shown prudence and cunning in optimizing talent exchange as relates to Buddy (dead money), Marvin (dead money), getting more talent than you might expect, namely Lyles and Donte D.
I have evidence and relevant history on my side. You have impatience. Let our GM cook.
There was speculation at one point that Chef McNair had Cam Johnson and Kuzma on his radar. That we were pursuing both simultaneously. It was not one or the other, it was both or bust. This is the type of deals our GM is cooking up, that likely would have required the #13, Huerter HB and Davion to pull off. How much more visionary is this pursuit than this myopic notion to draft Zach Edey, the 7’4’ pylon, which almost everyone on this forum endorsed, like almost everyone endorsed Jaden Ivey two years ago, when it was obvious Keegan was the BPA and best fit?
Again, to the critics, verklempt and aghast and wheezing over drafting another undersized guard, to you, I say, sit down, shut up, and let our GM cook!
The Zack Edey discussion was moot anyway because the Grizzlies were going to take him if they could not trade up for Clingkan. He makes more sense there because JJJ can step out on the perimeter more so than Domas to check bigger wings.
It would be an insult to Fox and his driving lanes and Domas and his natural position to draft a lumbering oaf with the reaction time of a snail.
Here’s my plan, guys, tell me what you think, let’s undermine and alienate our two best players by drafting the slowest most cumbersome doofus available, what do you say?
Peanut Gallery: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Our GM is not immune from criticism. I am not defending him at every turn, though it may be perceived this way. He must trade Davion this summer. You cannot go into training camp with him on the team. Maybe he backed himself into a corner where he must move on from him with trade value low. He must bite the bullet on this one. If stubbornness gets the best of him, he deserves criticism.
I would like to see us pursue Simone Fontecchio and Obi Tobin as free agents. Can we sign them as RFAs then peddle HB and Davion in a S&T to discourage them from matching? I would not close the door on Cam Johnson or Kuzma, though not having the #13 as trade chip makes a deal less likely.
There is a time to pounce that we are approaching. This time is when the Plan A B and C of the other teams fail to materialize, disappointment sets in, when asking price invariably falls. Patience is a virtue. So is predatory readiness when the enemy, and you must look at your counterpart this way, becomes vulnerable. This is the game not for the faint of heart or weak of mind.
We pounced yesterday when Devin fell into our lap. This was a good day. Sam Presti choked when Cody Williams came off the board. Our GM flexed, identifying a prospect with Jrue Holiday like potential. Today we stack good on good when Adem Bona or Bronny James become a King. Even if LeBron does not want to play for us, which he does not, Bronny is an asset, 1st round pick payable to us, from a team who want to entice LeBron over the course of the next three seasons to play for them before he retires.
Regardless, I trust our GM. Let him cook. Class dismissed.
Haha, you’re a little arrogant but your class for the whiny, reactionary, small-picture babies on this site is spot-on, professor. I’m hoping Bona is available when the Kings pick today.
Personally, I like the idea of Huerter as a bench SF until the trade deadline when some contending team absolutely must add a perimeter shooter.
K4E,
Your long posts are a joy to read!
That was the 1st time I read one of your long posts in it’s entirety. Well done.
It wasn’t the first time for me but I agree it was worth the time spent.
Thumbs Up.
I just love the use of “Sad!” Made me crack up.
Pin this. Lol
I read your first paragraph and wondered the same thing – trading away Josh Giddey and then picking up Nikola Topic (Euro Giddey) in the same week, is weak.
The second round may be interesting – the bigs: Adem Bona (plays big), Oso Isogharo, Kyle Filipowski, Jonathan Mogbo (plays big), N.Faly Dante, Ulrich Comche, PJ Hall, Issac Jones, Enrique Freeman, Keshad Johnson.
Then more wings than a Wing Stop.
Should Monte McNair pick anyone 6’3″ (or shorter) who isn’t part of a trade – I would get the loony tune van to pick him up.
I hope Carter is as aggressive on defense as you are with this comment. That said, I agree with most of it and appreciate the thought you put into it.
I was not a big fan of Carter coming into the draft, but I’m rooting for him to prove me wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time I was wrong on a prospect.
..nor the last.
And multiply that by however many visit this site.
Thanks Greg for continuing to provide a fun place for us to mingle our minds.
It seems that Monte is employing his own version of Moneyball. Guards develop sooner than forwards and Monte appears to have a lot more confidence in evaluating guards than forwards in the draft. For good reason. Bigs are notoriously difficult to predict.
If there’s a theme to be identified here, Haliburton’s path probably shows the way. Draft BPA regardless of fit, watch that player surprise the league early in their career, and then trade them for an established forward.
Dude is playing the long game. When we add a Jalen Smith or John Collins type to the mix, the Kings will be set with easily moveable pieces for years to come.
Monte ‘Best Player Available’ McNair doesn’t know how to build a team. Period. I’d love to be wrong but I’m not. If he did, he would have had a trade for Carter or Monk or Huerter lined up already like a real GM. Now he has to deal from a position of weakness because other teams know he has too many guards and his frontcourt defense is a freaking sieve.
FA and trade season is around the corner, let’s see what MM does. If we leave FA with essentially the same roster and the obvious holes unfilled, then there should be a mutiny.
That’s one take. But it ignores the MLE and BAE as options. Or the fact that yesterday the Kings improved on a roster that was in contention at the trade deadline last year. I’d like to see him make another couple of moves, too. But he knows this team as currently constructed can afford to sit tight and make moves at the trade deadline from a position of strength if no attractive deals are available right now.
My money is on more moves to come soon. I imagine deals to unload Barnes, Davion, Sasha, and possibly Huerter along with a decent splash with the MLE. They’re not going to get a star but they’ll be looking for fit at the PF position.
Worst-case scenario: Not a single additional move is made. If that happens, the team has at least addressed one of last year’s most frustrating issues, that of the wonky backcourt rotations. Carter (if he’s as advertised) becomes the reliable bench guard the team has tried and failed to find for 2+ years now. Mitchell and Duarte are out of the rotation for good (barring special circumstances). It’s a curious case of subtraction by addition — shorten and simplify the guard rotation by adding another guard.
I agree, I am not upset at all about improving the skillset, versatility, and overall talent of the backcourt. Hopefully this simplifies things for Monte in his pursuit of a major move the shores up the front court.
Exactly! Even in the absolute worst case scenario, the Kings are currently a playoff contender with a significantly improved bench, pieces available to move at the trade deadline, and won’t throw two fringe NBA players on the court at crunch time.
Monk has not officially signed yet, and when he does he won’t be eligible to trade until mid-December. Also, it takes another team to actually accept the trade proposed by Monte. This is not some video game where you can turn on “force trades”.
Kings fans: Goddammit, we ignored the BPA while prioritizing a lesser player based on fit!
Also Kings fans: Goddammit, picking BPA fucked us! We should have prioritized a lesser player based on fit!
Monte: see Haliburton process. I know what I’m doing.
Response to Monte: Do you?
I mean, I have confidence in your ability to draft, but your roster construction to this point leaves a lot to be desired. It was a problem that you had going into last off season, and it went completely unaddressed. So if we are to have supreme confidence in your drafting ability based on history (and I do), would not this same historical perspective count as a huge strike against you when it comes to putting together a somewhat balanced roster?
But yeah, the fans are the problem here.
Fans are just reactionary but certainly not the problem. I wasn’t really talking about the RobHessing type of fan. You have a justifiable skepticism about roster construction, as do I. But when a legit two way player like Carter falls in your lap, you add the BPA and then move someone down the road to get your PF.
I just look at how he ignored the logjam at guard and picked Haliburton. Then he quickly turned Hali into an All-NBA center. Could Carter, Keon, or Monk get moved down the line for an All-NBA PF? History says it’s possible.
Yeah, and I have no problem with the pick – Carter was probably the highest remaining player on my board (which really means nothing, as I know nothing). That said, it would be fair to say that my temperature is a degree or two higher, as the draft asset was one potential avenue to improve this team at the stretch 4 or wing, and it did not happen. Now, that can change. But it did not last night, which is at least a bit of a disappointment.
This!
As a GM, you have 3 tools in your toolbox to fill the significant holes in your roster:
Given the salary cap and our financial restrictions, our possibilities in free agency are somewhat limited. And we are still a small market that isn’t necessarily a desirable destination.
If we want to trade for quality players, we will likely need to trade away quality players and/or picks. Due to the Huerter trade and the fact that we failed to make the play-offs last season, we are also tied up somewhat in that regard. And we didn’t use this pick for that either.
And we now used our third tool in the toolbox on what is by no means a significant hole in the roster.
Therefore, the path to a balanced roster and significant improvement got smaller yet again. I really hope that Monte hasn’t painted himself into a corner.
Devin Booker was drafted 13th.
So was Chris Duarte.
…
You like the pick? Think Booker and Donovan Mitchell and Zach LaVine.
You don’t like the pick? Think Georgios Papagiannis and Kendall Marshall and Tyler Hansbrough.
For me, it’s all about the front office not addressing obvious roster needs with one of the mechanisms they have to do so. So now we are down to free agency (no real money to spend, so an MLE is really as big as this one can get) and trades. And when it comes to trades, lately the organization seems to be wearing the Miss Congeniality sash.
I’m trying stay away from slotting Carter onto the current roster, because I find him battling Davion Mitchell for the 5th guard chair (provided he gets by Colby Jones). Unless 12 teams completely whiffed on Carter, I just don’t see how he cracks the guard core of Fox, Monk, Ellis and Heurter. There has to be another move, right? Right???
And therein lies the discomfort. This is kind of where the Kings were at this time last year. Going into the 2023 draft, the roster needed a legit stretch 4 and depth at the wing. And when the regular season opened…they needed a legit stretch 4 and depth at the wing. Fast forward to 2024, and these needs are still unchecked, with the 1st round of the draft in the rear view mirror. Tick-tick-tick.
It’s really hard for me to celebrate Carter at this point. A trade or two that balances the roster would change that. Based on recent history, I’m filled more with hope than confidence.
It’s hard for me to assess the Carter pick at this juncture because I’m assuming it is a part of a larger series of moves. Even if Monte didn’t plan on Carter falling to him I have to (curse this) hope it still aligns with what his overall plan was (trading Huerter).
I hear ya though, I’m at fool and a half right now and dangerously close to fool me twice. My worry is that, although I think the team would be better, he plans on starting Lyles in place of Barnes and trades Huerter for something far less than we imagined or hoped for. 2 trade deadlines and an offseason in between in a row he has chosen the path of staying the course without any major moves.
Tough to find the pigeonhole positional fit we need in a stretch 4 that blocks shots. I mean how many guys in the league can do that and are expendable? Or, if we get another forward like Keegan with more positional versatility than a defensive stretch 4, how many teams would give up on a guy like that? I mentioned this previously but I think we might be underestimating how much he has valued, and potentially is still valuing relative to a big swing, Keegan’s long-term development. I would be willing to bet his number one priority isn’t getting a player to play with Fox and Sabonis, but rather a player that compliments and helps Keegan.
If our team is Finnegans Wake, Keegan is the key to understanding it.