Few Kings players were probably more excited about the prospect of Mike Brown coaching Sacramento than Chimezie Metu. Metu was the only incumbent Kings player to have had a previous relationship with Brown as he had been on the Nigerian National Team under Brown. That familiarity would hopefully lead to more opportunity for Metu, who was entering the last year of his deal.
Metu likely did not have the type of year he was expecting. While he did end up receiving the most opportunity to solidify the backup center role (he played almost double the minutes of Richaun Holmes, and six times as much as Alex Len), it was still the least amount of playing time he received in his three years in Sacramento. Most of that was due to Domantas Sabonis’ dominance and Sacramento’s unwillingness to put another big man on the floor with Sabonis who couldn’t stretch the floor. But some also was the inconsistencies in Metu’s performances as Brown tried to find a reliable backup option.
Metu’s role under Brown changed drastically. The last two seasons, Metu acted more as a stretch 4 or 5, with most of his shots coming from three point range. In the 2021-22 season, he shot 186 total three pointers, 41.4% of his total field goal attempts. This season, he only shot 38, or just 17.4% of his total attempts. Whereas Walton and Gentry encouraged Metu to let it fly, that wasn’t his job this season, and for good reason: Metu is not a good shooter. For his career he is a 29.8% three point shooter, a terrible percentage for someone who attempts as many threes as he has. A Metu three pointer was usually a win for the opposing team.
Metu did however attack the rim more than ever. His 64 dunks were 2nd on the team to Domantas Sabonis 81 despite almost 2,100 fewer minutes played. Metu’s athleticism made him one of Sacramento’s few lob threats in the pick and roll, a role that Richaun Holmes had played in previous seasons.
But offense was not the reason Metu was on the floor. The Kings had plenty of weapons last season on that end; Where they needed help was on defense, and on that end, Metu was just ok. Metu isn’t a particularly good shotblocker, and is a bit undersized at 6’9, but his athleticism and verticality allow him to compete on that end. Per NBA.com, opponents shot 5.6% worse than league average on shots less than 6 feet away when Metu was guarding them. He also didn’t foul as much as Holmes or Len, who had some problems in that regard. Metu was also a decent rebounder, with a 24.9% defensive rebounding rate. By comparison, Domantas Sabonis (who led the league in total rebounds) had a 30.0% defensive rebounding rate.
But Sacramento still needed more from their backup center, and it’s a big reason that Brown kept experimenting as the season went along. By the time the playoffs came around, Metu had been largely supplanted in the rotation by Alex Len, who offered far better rim protection and was also an excellent offensive rebounder. Metu ended up playing just 6 total minutes against the Warriors in the first round.
The issue with Metu is that he didn’t particularly excel in any one area. His lack of shooting made him an awkward fit with Sabonis, and the Kings had Trey Lyles who was a far more proven floor spacer. He also couldn’t handle the same kind of playmaking role that Sabonis had in the offense, although to be fair, no other Kings big man could either. Defensively, he was ok but wasn’t impacting the game enough to deter teams from attacking the paint constantly, and struggled a bit guarding perimeter defenders.
Metu will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and it’s hard to see the Kings bringing him back. While he’s an ok role player, Sacramento will likely be looking to upgrade that position, either through the draft or free agency. While re-signing Metu won’t break the bank, neither would Alex Len, who seemed to gain Mike Brown’s trust more as the season went along. Richaun Holmes is still under contract for two more seasons as well and theoretically is a better version of Metu if he can regain his form.
It’s hard to see the Kings bringing back Metu and him having an increased role next season. While this roster has flaws, Metu doesn’t really solve any of them. The Kings will likely choose to go another direction this summer, but Metu has enough talent and is young enough that he should still be able to find a role on another team, hopefully where he’s a better fit.
He might return. Showed what the Kings look like with a switchable, quick, athletic 5 who is a lob threat. Most of the winning in the regular season was with Metu as the backup. If the Kings don’t land a bigger name in free agency, their backup center could be by committee again, each on cheap deals but none being the perfect Swiss army knife.
onto draft notes: Bobi Klintman withdrew at the last minute. So did Ousmane N’Diaye. Tristan Vukcevic and James Nnaji remained.
I’m guessing you can land a more dependable and productive big for what Metu would cost. The Association is littered with decent backup bigs who can be had for cheap. I just don’t see any reason to bring Metu back unless the coaching staff wants him back for continuity or locker room presence (if he happens to be a locker room glue guy).
how about Paul Reed?
I really like him.
Please don’t glue
(Am I doing this right?)
I had heard that Klintman has a “promise” but apparently not. and he lost his college eligibility for withdrawing late. N’Diaye needed to go back.
While I (what a joke that is, like my opinion means anything) would not draft either, they do take up space on the draft ladder and help a good player drop.
This draft pivots at about #20. Is there anyone at 24 who would contribute more than Metu? Have to take into account age and salary. TJD???
Clowney ? No.
I do think the Kings will have to make a decision on Kris. Draft or not. Could come down to some combination of Clowney, Sensabaugh, Rupert, Whitehead, Jackson, Lewis, Nanji and Podz.
I would go with (and again, my opinion is a joke), Podz, then Lewis.
However, the pick here precludes picking TJD who will probably go before 38.
Gets much thinner at 38- but maybe TJD drops or Jaquez or C, Jones or Sidy Cissoko, or O-Max Prosper.
I am afraid I will be disappointed.
and Monte tends to trade a lot.
I have seen Colby Jones mocked anywhere between 19 and 40, same with TJD. If they could land both of them, that would be great.
Trayce is a possibility at 24. His floor might be similar to Metu.
In free agency, Paul Reed is a name that has not been discussed. His production as a small-ball 5 was similar to Metu but with better rebounding. He shot 44% from three in the G League in 24 games over two seasons, taking 4 per game. In college, he shot 33% over three seasons, taking one per game.
Well, it is our firm fan feeling that the Kings frontcourt needs an upgrade – to both bulk up the 4/5 and to backup The Ox. If they pick up a FA that we have mentioned previously – Vucevic, Naz Reid, Collins, Porzingas, Plumlee, Olynyk, etc. at the 4/5 than Metu’s minutes get cut further.
If the Kings go for a PF/C in the draft, that also takes away from Metu’s minutes – if it’s a first rounder, they can G-League a bit, but why draft them? If it’s a second rounder than they can Queta them as a TWC (either 38 or 54) in which case Metu perhaps stays. I don’t see where his playing time increases.
CountDown: 9 days to Draft Day, FA opens on 30 June.
Here is my take on Metu:
He’s a guy who gives you “valuable” minutes on a 30 win team. He really isn’t a guy who should be given any minutes on a playoff team.
I had tied having Chimezie Metu with the inclusion of KZ Okpala and Chime Moneke as all were associated with Nigerian National Team coached by Mike Brown and Jordi Fernandez. who led the squad in the Tokyo Olympics (2020).
Other notable names associated with the National team include Josh Okogi, Precious Achiuwa, Gabe Vincent, Jahill Okafor, Epke Udoh, Ike Diogu and Miye Oni.
This year’s draft class has James Nnaji who is a chiseled big man playing at FC Barcelona.
As the Nigerian team is now out of international play for the next two years, I expect this may alter Coaches Brown and Fernandez view of these prospects, including Chimezie, but that is only a wild guess on my part.
Certainly, of the players on the King’s roster who have had opportunity, I was hoping that Metu would have enough production to keep him aboard. Unfortunately, he seems to be on the list of players that seem ultimately replaceable. His lack of PT during the playoffs is testimony to that. (Chimezie Metu 6 min, PJ Dozier 6 min, Kessler Edwards 7 min).
This team is finally transitioning from a home for subpar talent to team of real NBA players.
No longer required to blindly support G league players because there is nothing else to hope for.
Yep, time to move on from Metu.
Metu had ample opportunities to show what he could do and establish himself as a regular 4/5 and IMO he just never did. Inconsistency is not something you want in a role player. I doubt MM brings him back, if he does I’m guessing it’d be on a minimum contract to be the 5th big on the roster who rarely if ever sees the floor.
At one point Metu seemed like he had completely won the backup center role by playing within his limitations. Then he fell off again. Hard to know if it’s a lack of focus, or if he was following instructions and not able to execute what the coaching staff needed, but it’s telling that despite his good stretches I wasn’t shocked or unhappy when Brown went away from Metu.
I think the coaches are looking for something in a back up big that does not exist in the players on the roster.
Also think Metu has peaked.
Just not consistent enough of a player for a team looking at deeper playoff runs. Happy trails, you seemed like a fun dude to have in the locker room.
I can’t really think of anything to say about Metu , other than; he should have punched Valenciunas, not that other guy.
Not in your 4 vs 5 starting line up with Davion?
Badge Legend