We’re back.
The Kings Herald Show returns with a light sprinkle of Kings news to discuss followed by a bunch of Sacramento Kings offseason scenarios submitted by listeners of the podcast on Twitter and Patreon.
Listen to Jerry Reynolds, Will Griffith, and Tony Xypteras break down all this and more on the latest episode of The Kings Herald Show. As always, thanks for listening.
We’d also like to take a quick minute here to thank our presenting sponsor for the podcast, Sacramento Electronic Supply! Sacramento Electronic Supply has been servicing the Sacramento area’s industrial electronic needs for over 75 years. Family-owned and operated, Sacramento Electronics is a registered California small business that prides themselves on their customer service.
Whether you’re looking for wire and cable, tools and testers, connectors, or relays, Sacramento Electronics is open for you Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm directly south of Costco in Rancho Cordova. Or visit them online 24/7 at www.sacelec.com
If you enjoy The Kings Herald Show, the easiest way to support us is to subscribe, rate, and review the show on your preferred podcast platform. Thanks for listening.
Apple.
Spotify.
Google.
Stitcher.
In addition to our bi-weekly podcast with Jerry Reynolds, we also record a Patreon exclusive Q+A once a month where Patrons at any level can Ask Jerry Anything.
You can submit questions for Jerry on Patreon, or write your questions in the comments below this post! Or you can just yell questions to Tony or Will on Twitter.
Thank you so much for keeping this going in the offseason! It helps with the Beam withdrawals.
Now please excuse me why I go get a dustpan to throw away what’s left of the Lakers after they got swept.
Also the Beam better stay FOREVER. Why would anyone want to get rid of it? It energized the entire fanbase. It’s a call sign now. So many times when I see Kings fans out and about (just yesterday like 5 of them on the golf course) it’s always a simple “Light the Beam!” and we all know what it means. It’s beautiful.
I think the beam stays. It’s now part of Sacramento going forward. But I think they will get away to players pushing the button to light the beam.
I think if the Kings win, the beam will just automatically get lit without a player having to interview and then pressing the button.
I hope the Beam stays forever but I also hope we make it playoff only going forward. As much fun as last season was (truly, truly a special season with so many unreal moments) and as integral as the beam was to it, our biggest goal isn’t making the playoffs anymore. We broke the curse. Beam energy helped us in the regular season a lot but our goal is to win in the playoffs and win a championship. Saving that Beam energy for the playoffs could be a new, special tradition. Unleash the Beam come playoff time. Won’t be upset at all if we keep Beamin’ during the regular season, though.
I think a Purple Beam for the Regular Season, And even Purpler Beam for the Playoffs and a Black Beam for the regular season losses and Jim Beam for the playoff losses.
This is a human with a plan!
I just Beamed my pants.
It hasn’t even technically been a month yet, and it feels like forever since the Kings played their last postseason game. Crazy how long it seems we’ve gone without watching Kings basketball when we were so used to them playing meaningless games by January/February for 16 straight years.
Thanks for some Hoop talk . Liked the idea of selected fans lighting the Beam in seasons to come .
Great episode, covered a lot of ground about pretty much all of the current topics of discussion, and agree with Jerry about Bob McAdoo. He’d be a really nice fit, and we should make it happen since he’s a free agent.
New York Knick, Detroit Piston or LA Laker Bob McAdoo or Buffalo Brave Bob McAdoo (drafted in 1972 #2 by Buffalo and then MVP in 75′ with the Braves before they headed to San Diego). Best bit of trivia that is sure to make TGJR (The Great Jerry Reynolds) COL (chuckle out loud, if not laugh) is that the #1 pick of the 72′ draft was by Portland and considered to be the worst first pick of all time (that’s your hint).
That would be Loyola-Chicago’s LaRue Martin. Some other 72′ draft gems: Paul Westphal, Boston (#10, USC) followed by #12 Julius Erving by Milwaukee (UMass – of course never played there, heading straight to the Virginia Squires) with some tickle your memory names like Brian Taylor from Princeton, Dave Twardzik, Jim Price, Steve Hawes, Don Buse and some guys who rose to fame mostly through coaching – Chris Ford and Henry (yup, that one) Bibby. The draft went 18 rounds (!) though most lost interest after 8 and stopped drafting.
If you want a scorer like McAdoo – why not throw Bernard King in the mix? Personally, I’d rather have Kevin McHale even though he would clog the lane a bit as he would be the best defender of this group.
The Beam was a cool gimmick, could care less if it goes away (it won’t, it was likely expensive and won’t be going anywhere for a couple of years.)
I’m here to talk about draft prospects and to say how wonderful it is not to even care about prospects until about half way through the playoffs for the first time in forever!
So. I see some sites predicting us getting Kobe Bufkin from UofM. This could be a nice swing for the fences, as he’s still a bit raw but an excellent 3 level scorer. Needs a lot of seasoning on the defensive end, still, but idolizes Mr. Bean Bryant and has talked about his need to become a more balanced player to get where he wants to be. Very self aware and a ton of potential IMO. I wouldn’t hate seeing this pick.
That being said, I watched a lot of Wolverines basketball this year, which included having to be painfully aware of Ohio State and their super skilled big Trayce Jackson-Davis. If there is a player who is slated to be available this late in the draft who could fit in the front court almost perfectly with Sabonis, TJD might be that guy. Solid all around athlete who can score, pass (maybe as well as Sabonis!) finish around the rim, and shoot the mid range. Knows how to move in the middle, and can play some decent defense already. Fits this current Monte mode of drafting older, more NBA ready players being a senior, I really don’t see any down side to this, especially if we’re moving on from Barnes at this point. He’s a little more of a banger than Lyles, less of a shooter, but could easily plug and play one for the other, IMO, and I’d probably like TJD better than Sasha based on age and fit alone.
As for Sasha, I wouldn’t mind bringing him on but don’t really see us getting better at the 4 with him over Barnes, honestly. If he scores better that may be something we can use, but like Jerry said I don’t think that’s how Coach Brown wants to do business. Defense matters and was definitely an area of concern moving forward. TJD has the potential to help our rotations a ton. And I’d take him over Draymond. Fk Draymond.
Anyways, Luck the Fakers, and Boston… what happened. Great playoffs this year, hoping Coach Malone and the Nugs can go all the way.
Can’t wait for the draft. Go Kings!
Trayce is not bad. The first way I’m considering him is as a backup playing next to someone like Trey Lyles. Can he perform as good or better than Metu? If yes, he is a bargain at #24. The shooting is only theoretical at this point, but yeah, if he can spot up for three, he’d be a steal at #24.
I just watched some video on Bufkin. Reminded me of Fox in so many ways. That could be a real steal as the 5th guard next year, and development would push him in to a larger role.
a lot of people are high on him. Current projections are he gets drafted before 24.
My thoughts on various targets this offseason:
Bobby Portis – Excellent fit, not the best possible player for the starting 4 spot. Worry about the short-term thinking. I wouldn’t trade a long-term asset like Huerter or picks to get a rental. That probably makes him ungettable *shrugs*.
Brook Lopez – Good fit, really worry about who plays perimeter defense between him and Sabonis. Aging guy who might be more expensive than he’s worth at this point.
Naz Reid – Same concerns as Brook, but at least he fits the timeline. If you’re going to get one or the other, I’d say get Naz who can maaaaybe play on the perimeter with Sabonis in the middle. Still question marks on defense as well as the caliber of player we’d be committing assets towards.
OG Anunoby – Injury history makes him likely too expensive to be worth getting. However, I’d trade Keegan for him if the price was right. I ardently believe Keegan is a 3, and idk if Keegan will ever be as good as OG is right now (and along the same-ish timeline). I don’t want to play an undersized 4 like Keegan or Barnes next to Sabonis long term. So pick one or the other is my stance. He’d immediately be a huge boon to our defense, with similar offensive production.
Jaylen Brown – Same thing with Keegan – one or the other. I’d trade Keegan + stuff for JB in a heartbeat. Idk if Keegan ever gets to be as good as JB on either side of the ball. A legit star, a grade higher than OG and without the injuries. Plus, he fits the timeline. If he’s available, go at him HARD.
Pascal Siakam – THE fit next to Sabonis at the 4 imo. Rebounds, defends inside and outside, shoots, passes, and can get a bucket as the 2nd option next to Fox. I’d trade quite a bit for him, and I think he’d come at a discount due to his age/contract situation. An All-NBA guy that’s rarely unavailable and fits the roster and timeline well. My favorite target in terms of value compared to what I think we’d have to trade.
Josh Hart – Please sign Josh Hart! Great rebounder and defender and can do just enough in terms of shooting and ball movement on offense. Pretty much love everything about his fit and he can play 2-4 in various lineups.
Sidy Cissoko – Haven’t done a lot of draft analysis yet but if you don’t want to pay for Josh Hart, then draft this guy if you can. He’ll be an elite role player for a long time and fits this roster perfectly.
I agree with a lot of these sentiments in relation to targets and ultimately why a lot maybe arent ideal factoring opportunity costs.
If the team is going to make a big swing, I second Siakam having the best rationale. He is an All NBA talent in the middle of his prime, thats strengths seamlessly overlap with most of our glaring weaknesses. He simply seems additive as well to the current schemes and shot counts, not a guarantee when you are talking about a player of his level.
I like Josh Hart as well. The other name I think that comes to mind is Dorian Finney Smith. Is our first this year and maybe a 2nd and Holmes of interest to the Nets? I doubt it but it would be a smart hedge.
The other name I cant get rid of is the very poor mans Siakam in Jonathan Isaac. Yes the injury history is what it is but the hypothetical fit and expense given his track record maybe makes it ground worth considering. I dont expect ACL issues in the future. Maybe the hamstrings and knee problems persist but at 25 there is a version his injury laden career is behind him. On 17.5 over two years non guaranteed, you could do worse. Especially if Holmes is outbound. I think it could be a justifiable bet. When right this is an all NBA level defender who is a capable offensive threat in areas the team would welcome. Similar to Pascal albeit again to much lower impact but he checks most of our flaws. Id argue its at least not foolish to speculate.
I’m a big thumbs up on Jonathan Isaac depending on the price. If you could kick the tires on a young, long, athletic 6’11” forward that can protect the rim, switch on the perimeter, and knock down a corner 3 , it might be the best value on the market right now. Unfortunately, I think the Magic would rather test him out themselves this season rather than sell this low on him.
DFS is also terrific, but I have the same concerns about playing him as an undersized 4, and I’d rather play Keegan at the 3 since Keegan may very well end up a better player than him. Just probably not good enough of a talent nor fit to merit the cost, but he’s an excellent defender.
I’ll take Vez over any of our ’23 picks when it comes to who has the best chance of being a solid core rotation player next season.
Following up on your comments about draft needs. (Jerry said shooting, Will said rebounding) It would be a fun exercise to rank the shooters who might be available at #24. There are a lot of them, mostly one-dimensional, but by ranking them all, we might find a couple who are being undervalued. It would also be a fun exercise to rank the rebounders in the role of backing up Sabonis. (Coach Brown made it public before the trade deadline what he was looking for)
Brandin Podziemski? That dude averaged 8 rpg which I didn’t saw coming.
he’s a shooter. Not sure about the D. The exact time when I focused on it while watching a video of a combine scrimmage, Ben Sheppard blew by him, leaving him in the dust.
I think with the proper schemes he’ll be fine in a team defense. Definitely has a strong BBIQ, good shooter and rebounder.. But I see him more of a guard than a wing though.
plus, we’re due for another remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
At 24, who MIGHT be available: (I eliminated 20 who I think all will be gone. This includes Clowney and Sensabaugh.
Ranked:
Shooters: L. Miller, Whitehead, Lewis, Jones, Podz, Jacquez
Defenders: Bilal, Sissoko, Prosper
Big guys: Lively, Trayce Jackson/Davis, Nanji, Vukevic
There are some spelling errors here.
In addition, I left off Kris Murray. He is not in my top 20 but I think the Kings should pass. Too redundant and I left out GG Jackson – can shoot but no court sense. I left off Bobi Klintman- he can shoot but I heard he has a promise and I like many of these others over him.
Some of these guys- like Prosper- could be also available at 38.
It is possible that L. Miller, Bilal, and Whitehead go 21-23. That’s the worst-case scenario.
In my view, there is a drop off for my preferences right at 24.
Leaves Kris, TJD and Lively. And Lewis who plays no defense.
I do believe Kris is good, not as good as Keegan. But he is redundant- too similar to Keegan. In that case, I would go TJD- or Lively- I know tall Duke guy with lots of hair. He does block shots and he is young. Or, more likely, Sidy Cissoko- a tall defender.
If Kris, Lively, TJD, Lewis, Klintman, Cissoko go in top 23, someone pretty good will drop.
From there it is 14 picks to 38. I have 12 listed here past 24. If any of the listed fall to 38- pick that one. If not, I am not sure. ? Package with Holmes to just the Holmes contract?
I’d guess someone will take Kris before twenty-four, but I agree with you that Sacramento shouldn’t select him if he’s available. He’s a less-athletic version who doesn’t shoot as well as Keegan. And the bottom line is that if Keegan can’t be used to shore up weaknesses related to rebounding and rim protection, then it’s impossible to envision Kris being able to pull it off.
It’s cold to put it this way, but Kris Murray would be the most redundant player in basketball history if he plays for the Kings.
Maybe the Von Arsdales.
Throughout the playoffs, I am impressed by the value of diversity. Good coaches change things up game by game. Brown was slightly slow on that, I think. Give a “new look.”
and with the Murray twins, there is no new look.
Hope that Rupert and Clowney are gone- would not like to have to make that decision and Kris as well.
Looks like Jordi is a finalist with the Suns head coaching search:
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1661198244020469761
He’s got a cap – now it’s got feathers.
Rewarding the good ones is the rising tide that raises all boats.
But I hope Sac gets to keep Coach Jordi. Who else is not going to give 5 fucks as good as him?
Badge Legend