Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and the summer Kings look to continue their strong play in game 2 of the Las Vegas Summer League vs. the Chicago Bulls tonight at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET on NBA TV. You can discuss all the action right here.
In case you missed Thursdays impressive 84-81 win over the Orlando Magic, Blake recapped it with analysis and highlights here.
Notably missing from all highlights and praise is Devin Carter – Sacramento’s 13th overall pick from the 2024 NBA Draft. Carter struggled in most areas, shooting just 2-14 from the field and 0-4 from beyond the arc in game 1. It’ll be interesting to see if he can right the ship vs. the Bulls tonight.
Go Kings.
Hopefully Carter settles down a bit and takes control of the offense.
I’ve seen headless chicken run around with more purpose (on offense, his D is good).
I’m a few minutes behind live, but he’s looked pretty darn good so far!
That didn’t age well
Well, I was talking specifically about his PG skills, but I guess after one high scoring summer league game we can put all the question marks to rest.
He gets into the lane pretty good for kicks, looks to dump to bigs, hits the three and plays good defense. He is at minimum a backup level pg in the nba
I see! They gave them baseball jerseys they could wear in Vegas during Summer League. Thoughtful. FJF.
And F Vivek for everything, including giving Vegas Johnny a three year Divorced Dad Sleepover in my county.
Birds of a feather flock together. Two of the worst owners in American sport’s history. Sport’s fans in Sac always get screwed over in the end.
Just so I’m clear here, is the working theory that the Kings how Carter impresses enough in Summer League to peak the Dubs interest in him for a possible Kuminga trade? Is that it?
My theory is the Kings have Carter, Saric and some 2nds for Kuminga, but the Dubs countered with Keegan and Keon for Kuminga.
I think the Kings want to see if Carter can be passable as a PG. It’s really the only way he would get minutes on the roster. The secondary benefit of him being decent is that another team might think he is worth trading for?
I think you’re giving VivPerry too much credit. They have no plan or theory of how they’re building this roster. Just throwing darts at the wall and seeing what sticks. And what sticks is always a sh!t sandwich.
No, I think they know they lack pure point guards on the roster and want to see if he can fill that gap. Because they sure as bball hell don’t need another shooting guard.
I’m with Jerry, instead of signing DS to that contract to address the starting PG spot, I would have just signed Westbrick to a one year deal. It would assist the tank, be entertaining and for Vivek help fill seats.
I don’t think Westbrook would sign in Sac. He’s likely title chasing. It wouldn’t surprise me if he signs with OKC, Houston, or back with Denver for the vet minimum.
I thought he would sign in NY. Milwaukee too, if they can get him. I don’t know if Milwaukee even has a PG
I don’t like the characterization of Westbrook. You’re talking about a former MVP and future hall of famer. It wasn’t too long ago he virtually single handedly led the Wizards to the playoffs and was around the top 10 in MVP voting. All he has ever done for the fans is bust is ass Everytime he steps foot on the court.
The disparaging of his name is a bad look IMO. I do agree with you tanking or putting winning on the side as a shorter term priority is the way to go.
I mostly agree with you.
I’ve always been a big Westbrook fan. Love his passion and drive and enjoyed his post KD run in OKC. But the current Westbrook is not really a plus player.
Westbrook deserves respect as much as any player ever . Cheap shots are just that – cheap .
What cheap shot? Get off your high horse.
I think the Warriors are smart enough to understand all of these guys are talented so all will have their moments. The question is can they produce sustained performance against a roster of NBA players night in and night out.
I also caution everyone about becoming too enamored with Keon Ellis that results in a massive overpay for a midline bench player. Yeah he gives a lot of effort on defense and yeah he hit 3’s around a 40% clip. It’s one thing to come in and bust your ass on defense for 10-12 minutes a game and hit a few shots with fresh legs against the opponents second string. It is another to do that for 35 minutes a game for 82 games. I have an educated hunch his numbers will decline significantly when playing starting lineup minutes over a long season.
We just can’t make the mistake of overpaying for Ellis and Murray because they are bright lights on a dismal roster.
Which is why in the depressed market THIS season they should of declined the option and made him a restricted free agent. He is gonna get a bigger deal now because we have to negotiate against ourselves
Possibly but I haven’t seen enough of him to commit to him long term. To me, he has the potential with our management history to be a Richaud Holmes overpay. I’m not sure what kind of contract you wanted to offer but some of the numbers thrown out on this site were ridiculous. Nevertheless, you can’t overpay for bench players and supporting cast starters otherwise your cost structure gets to a point where you lose flexibility.
No chance of being a r holmes, holmes was an undersized center that couldn’t shoot, Keon has the size and skills of a 3 n def players in a league starved for them
I’ve come to the conclusion that you just don’t like Keon which is fine if that’s you opinion. But when you talk about him potentially being overpaid (which hasn’t even happened) and at the same time can rationalize Schröder at $15M per year you are just talking nonsense.
Keon gives a lot of effort on defense? That’s it? The dude was second in the league in deflections and had the most steals per game since Doug Christie 22 years ago…in just 24MPG!
He shot around 40% from 3? The guys shot 43% from three on 4 attempts in just 24 MPG. The last King to shoot 3’s at that volume per 36 with that kind of accuracy over a season was Peja, when he was 4th in MVP voting.
To do that over 35 minutes a game for 82? Is Keon out of shape or something? The Kings have a winning record when Keon plays of 30 minutes.
What is this even based on, because it sure as hell isn’t data.
That is exactly how small markets, with zero free agent draw, retain talent. I’d much prefer to “overpay” for youth than fork out 80% of the salary cap to jouneymen over 30 while hoping for 40 wins.
If you don’t like they guy, just please say it so we can all move on. To down play what he has done in the opportunity he has been given while ignoring the data is just trolling at this point.
Well said.
Murray shot 500 threes his rookie year, then his minutes went up only about 4 per game and his 3pt% fell each year since.
Ellis shot 500 threes over his first 3 years total. Almost the exact same sample size. If his minutes increase, it is entirely possible if not likely that his 3pt% drops some.
And it’s entirely possible that his 3pt% doesn’t drop like Keegan’s. What happens to one young player doesn’t mean it’s going to happen to all young players. If the Kings had the mindset to never run with youth and see what they can do and instead only go with proven vets they we will continue to have the team we have right now hoping for 40 wins.
Fun again today in Vegas!
Maybe Flagg v. Maybe Dylan Harper at 1P. Maybe Fox sighting.
Surprised Matas playing, but look forward to seeing him.
PHX young guns yesterday looked nice Ryan Dunn has stepped up nicely- dude has become a “scorer”. Koby Brea as well. Ighodaro looking solid everywhere but scoring (passing D, rebounds – very Mason Plumlee).
Wiz rookie/1st yr collection as well. I think other than Cooper Flagg, Tre Johnson II has impressed most. Kaspar also very very good, Topic as well (he’s a rookie, despite his Champ ring). Ajay Mitchell was solid.
Of the bigs – Danny Wolf is a too big (too slow?) 7 ft point guard, same for Yang but bigger and slower, Malauch too slow, IMO.
The other guy who was a joy to watch was Carter Bryant. Spurs got a good ione there.
Kneupel looked lost, but his Jazz counter (Kon was #4 Ace #5) didn’t play.
Terrence Shannon Jr will play a lot for TWolves. Quinones looked like he’s a Memphis type player, he showed well.
Go Kings! If the Kings win can they purple the sphere (Light The Sphere)
McGenius:
2024 the immediate picks after DC:
Carrington
Ware
McCain
Knecht
da Silva
2023 traded the FRP.
2022 the immediate picks after KM:
Ivey
Mathurin
Shaedon Sharpe
Dyson Daniels
Sochan
2021 took Davion:
Not a great draft. However IMO Sengun was the obvious pick.
2020 took Hali. Great pick, although Hali dropped and fell in Monte’s lap. But hey I’ll give him credit for the pick, but then to trade him for Domas, all credit is lost.
McGenius couldn’t get out of his own way. Vivek was the biggest problem, but Monte was also a part of the problem.
As the lads on the recent podcast spoke about, this franchise seems to shoot for mediocrity in all ways, including the type of high floor low ceiling first round draftees (DC, Davion, Murry and even Hali fit that bill as a prospect). IMO, with top 20 picks you go with the most talent and potential upside and don’t play it safe, which is why I would have selected Ware, Ivey/Sharpe and Sengun. You can also extend this type of mindset to Vlade taking Bag over Luka. The first round pick always seems to be the perceived “safe pick.”
What about Monk and Carter for John Collins? Much better fit than Kuzma.
Also DDR for Rosier and Jaquez. Now backup tp Schroder and a young small forward.
That one has been floated around here many times, and I think most would be down for it, but the Heat added Norman Powell. They really have no use for DDR now.
Not true. DDR a much different player. A superb mid range scorer while Powell is more of a long range gunner.
They have Wiggins, Herro, and Powell. Them adding DDR would be like the Kings adding Wiggins to LaVine, DDR and Monk. It’s complete overpriced redundancy..
Rozier is more like Monk, not really a PG. I think the Kings are stuck with DDR too.
You have been Crandalled ! Collin’s is now a Clipper . Still like Jacques deal .
I appreciate this reference
The Clips traded for Collins, Jack. He’s off the table.
I believe that train has left the station now. Your second trade getting Jaquez is one I can endorse after suggesting it several weeks ago.
I like the idea of adding Collins, but I wouldn’t trade DC for him. DC is an unknown, we need to see what we have in him. I wouldn’t include him in a Kuminga trade either.
These rims sound broken.
Matches the organization. And the fan base.
DC with a nice bounce-back quarter!
Playing off-ball more.
Carter is looking much more assertive offensively. Taking the shot when he has it and passing quickly if the opening isn’t there.
I’m not sure why Raynaud dropped so much in the draft. I saw him a lot at Stanford and liked him alot because he does a lot of things well. Needs to improve his physicality and a little slow footed on defense which becomes apparent when he defends on switches. Other than that, he has the components to develop into a very effective player.
He’s well rounded. Seems to know where the right play is on the court usually. He does need some more strength if he is going to playing down low.
I think after two huge sample sizes (sarcasm) it is apparent he is not a good defender or rebounder and for a 7+ guy that hurt him. I think his offensive game is advanced for a guy with his experience so hopefully the shortcomings improve with strength
Seen a lot more baseline cutting by the Kings with a Max at the elbow or near the 3pt line. I hope they keep that in the play book during the season.
Notably Missing showed up.
Since no one was willing to give any credit to Nique Clifford tonight I guess I will..
GREAT JOB NIQUE!!!
He looks like a quality 2-way glue guy. He may not be a star, but he’s the kind of guy good teams value and need. If he can become an Aaron Nesmith/Josh Hart jack of all trades kind of guy, that’s major value with the #24 pick
Aaron Nesmith/ Josh Hart hybrid is a very fine player who i would enjoy very much.
Well where are the Carter haters now?? Yeah this kid can ball and showed it on the offensive side today. He dominated the whole game easily. Not bad for a headless chicken! What’s funny is he always brings it on defense to boot. If we develop him and Keon we could have are version of Holiday and White from Boston. The kings are lucky to have these young 2-way studs.
“If we develop him” is where I lose faith when it comes to this organization.
And even if they did they would probably ship him off to Indiana or San Antonio in another 3 years from now
Let’s wait and see before we get to far ahead of ourselves. Question: Do any of you think this might bring back trade talks with the Warriors. I understand we have 2 more games left.
So, he played much better tonight but the issue with Carter hasn’t changed: he can’t play point guard. Which might be fine on another team but I don’t think it helps the Kings all that much. Obviously if he can shoot like he did today, that will help a lot but I need to see him sustain that for a significant stretch before I believe it’s real.
I was much more impressed with Clifford and Raynaud tonight than I was Carter personally but YMMV.
This seems to be the case. He seemed struggle with a full court press on on ball pressure. The guy can obviously play defense and has the ability to knock down shots, but he’s more of a tweener guard than a pure PG. Lord knows the Kings have enough of these type of guys on the team.
Yeah it’s more of an archetype issue. Put him in a Cason Wallace type role between SGA and Jwill and he’d be perfect. Play defense like a demon and shoot the ball. Attack close outs here and there. That could work. But this team has no primary initiators so that won’t work.
Clifford looks much more comfortable running an offense than Carter does. I actually think Clifford might be able to play point guard a bit which I would have dismissed a week ago. If he can do that, it would be a huge help.
Good example of a Cason Wallace type role. Maybe he can start with an elite 2 way playmaker and wing, but really he may end up being an undersized spot role player. I kind of got some Bobby Jackson type vibes in that way.
Local Kings podcaster compared him to Gary Payton Jr. I agree, but with a little more offensive punch. Every good team needs some of those guys.
Oh, I stand corrected. It is now clear that he can have an NBA career that approaches that of Donte Greene, if he can get playing time with his NAPG label.
It’s the same thing every damn season. In the offseason and preseason the whole positivity police comes out in force talking shit, only to slink away when reality sinks in after approximately 10-15 regular season games.
I get the frustration of the kings not picking a player you personally like… I can think of endless frustrating drafts regarding this franchise for me. I just don’t get the frustration with Carter.
He is already a plus defender with potential all defensive team with his length, quickness and IQ. The kings suck defending on the perimeter…. I liked a few of the pics after him as well but none of those guys address this weakness. If his offensive game keeps developing… we could have a Curuso, White, Holiday type of player… what’s the issue with that?
It’s way to early to say anything about any of these players… but a lot of posters seem to think all the guys picked after him are amazing… but somehow this guy sucks already. I personally think you are throwing the baby out with the bath water. He is the type of player every teams needs and covets in the modern NBA. I could be wrong but (baring injury) I have very few questions about this guy. I can’t imagine him not having a productive long career.
This has nothing to do with not getting a player I personally like. I don’t even know where you base that assumption on and why it is relevant.
He looks like a good guy and he busts his ass defensively, which I admire.
But I see him as a shooting guard or at best a combo-guard. His fit on this roster is dubious, and it was dubious when we drafted him. Is that his fault? No, but it’s still the case.
Then why did you go and have a stab at me with your “Well where are the Carter haters now??“-comment.
I criticize players and I criticize the organization. That does not autonatically make me a “hater”, so maybe a bit more restraint in slapping on labels might be a good idea.
For the record, I have nothing but comtempt for Vivek and Vlade, but even that does not go as far as “hating”.
I had just posted in the last SL game thread that it’s just one game, give the kid time to grow. King’s fans including myself are rightfully cynical.
Isaiah Crawford had an impactful game on D as well as on the offensive side of the court.
He played an all around good game, but could improve by hitting a few more of his close in shots.
His size stands out to me. I keep trying to figure out who big number 29 is only to realize it’s Crawford (24)
Clips have had an awesome offseason, right up there with the Nugs and Hawks.
Goes to show you what a smart GM is capable of even with limited assets and cap restraints.
The Nuggets were trashed for firing Malone and their GM so late in the season, given how well they played in the playoffs and the sick offseason they’ve had, genius move by their ownership group, as unlikeable as the Kronke’s maybe.
Just imagine if MM and Vivek had the balls to have promoted Jordi and fired MB. Things could be a lot different right now for this franchise.
DC played well, but it looked forced. Didn’t look within the flow of the game. Somewhat selfish, had several lobs and chances to get teammates involved, but decided to take the more difficult shot. Point wise, great game. The game within the game, not so much. To a lesser note, the same “could” be said about Nique. Looks forced at times. Or…or, he’s just a closer, and we need a closer since the previous #5 is in San An. Maxi…Maxi is that dude. It looks effortless.
The thing that struck me about Carter was his lack of accurate passing. You mentioned some bad lobs, and there were more than a few, but his inability to hit cutters and teammates coming off screens caught my eye. He just doesn’t seem to have those pure PG instincts.
In terms of his shot, I’ve heard some say it’s ugly, but his release looks fine to me. It’s the arc of his shot that seems the most glaring. I’m no expert on the mechanics of a jumper, but I do know a solid arc with good rotation is much better than a line drive howitzer. My question is, does a high arcing shot have an effect on percentage make?. If low arc shots have a tendency to clang off the rim does the other end of the arc spectrum have similar drawbacks? Is there a sweet spot in terms of angle of arc to percentage of makes?
Man what a convo to have. That jumper is questionable, but does it matter if it goes in the majority of the time, or does he fix it when it doesn’t?
My honest take is, he shoots that way because he’s not mentally confident in his shoulder strength yet. I didn’t watch him at Providence to make an accurate or informed opinion on it. I’m no expert on mechanics either, but I know a clean square up, release, and follow through when I see one and DC doesn’t have that.
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