2015 Offseason To-Dos
- Thread starter twslam07
- Start date
In response to OP: I don't think we're going to be able to get Babbitt for the vet minimum. Why would he want to come sign with us for that amount when he's pretty much going to have the same role you described (3rd SF) in NO, a team he's familiar with and who might just make the playoffs this year? Either way they are certainly looking in far better shape than we are, and it's not like he's not wanted over there.
Ajinca from the Pels is going to be an UFA, and I do think he's going to get a lot of interest from several teams. He's shown that he's a pretty skilled big, and with his length he will always have the potential to be good defensively.
Ajinca from the Pels is going to be an UFA, and I do think he's going to get a lot of interest from several teams. He's shown that he's a pretty skilled big, and with his length he will always have the potential to be good defensively.
Guys i think we cant rely on a pick anymore. DMC wants to win and win now. Coach Karl also isnt here long term, he signed for 4 years and believed that this is this teams window.
Saying that, I think we trade the pick ong with DC and one of JT/Landry for Ty and a second rounder.
On the PF part, I think you guys missed a name could fit here.. Ryan Anderson.
I think he's tradeable since the Pels are playing without him. Ajinca and Cunningham have filled his void pretty well.
i mean Jrue, EG are tradeable too but I don't think the Jrue/AD experiment has been justified yet and they might give that another chance. Eric Gordon on the other hand is an expiring bext season but with him playing his role well, i think they still have a need for him. I saw on their forum that he is actually the best catch and shoot player at the moment. Ryan Anderson on the other hand I think is getting paid too much for a back up big for them. He also is out of contract after next year and I think sonce we're moving to the new arena in 2017, the local boy who wanted to come home 4 years ago will now be more enticed to do so.
Here is where we come and try to trade for him.
I'd say Nik and JT/Landry would do the job.
Then the rest of the season will be re-signing Andre (room exception), Omri, Reggie Evans (vet min), maybe D-Will coz hes starting to show a bit under Karl and maybe Ryan Hollins for insurance then use the cap space on a SG.
Thoughts?
Saying that, I think we trade the pick ong with DC and one of JT/Landry for Ty and a second rounder.
On the PF part, I think you guys missed a name could fit here.. Ryan Anderson.
I think he's tradeable since the Pels are playing without him. Ajinca and Cunningham have filled his void pretty well.
i mean Jrue, EG are tradeable too but I don't think the Jrue/AD experiment has been justified yet and they might give that another chance. Eric Gordon on the other hand is an expiring bext season but with him playing his role well, i think they still have a need for him. I saw on their forum that he is actually the best catch and shoot player at the moment. Ryan Anderson on the other hand I think is getting paid too much for a back up big for them. He also is out of contract after next year and I think sonce we're moving to the new arena in 2017, the local boy who wanted to come home 4 years ago will now be more enticed to do so.
Here is where we come and try to trade for him.
I'd say Nik and JT/Landry would do the job.
Then the rest of the season will be re-signing Andre (room exception), Omri, Reggie Evans (vet min), maybe D-Will coz hes starting to show a bit under Karl and maybe Ryan Hollins for insurance then use the cap space on a SG.
Thoughts?
I'm not a big fan of this idea. We need to start bringing in defensive players. Not sending them out (Collison, Thompson). Lawson would obviously be an upgrade offensively, but he would be a downgrade defensively in my opinion. With Cousins, Gay, an improving McLemore, and Collison who has been able to score 16 PPG at an efficient rate this year, do we really need more offense? We need it from the bench (along with defense), but our starting unit is fine offensively.
Anderson leaves much to be desired defensively and he's not a shotblocker. This will just lead to Cousins being exposed to more fouls resulting in less minutes per game. I want a guy next to Cousins who can make those defensive rotations and protect the rim to save our supreme, offensive talent from seeing less floor time. Not to mention Pelicans fans can't stand him due to him being a chucker.
If we're going to be upgrading our starting unit, they better be as good defensively as the player they are replacing. For instance, if we wanted to upgrade the SG spot, I hope we're looking at signing guys like Wes Matthews, Khris Middleton, Arron Afflalo, and Danny Green to take over for McLemore. If we wanted to upgrade the PF spot, I hope we're looking at guys like Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Nerlens Noel, Karl Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Myles Turner, Ed Davis, and Kyle O'Quinn.
It's possible that we could draft Cauley-Stein, sign one of those SGs to 4 years/$44 mil, and trade McLemore, Landry, McCallum, & remove the 2016 protection for Taj Gibson. That would be my ideal scenario, and I'm actually thinking of typing up another thread with that in mind. I know in this thread I mentioned that we don't need to make a trade unless the right trade comes along. I would still be very satisfied with using the pick, holding onto our guys, and signing 1 or 2 good free agents.
Anderson leaves much to be desired defensively and he's not a shotblocker. This will just lead to Cousins being exposed to more fouls resulting in less minutes per game. I want a guy next to Cousins who can make those defensive rotations and protect the rim to save our supreme, offensive talent from seeing less floor time. Not to mention Pelicans fans can't stand him due to him being a chucker.
If we're going to be upgrading our starting unit, they better be as good defensively as the player they are replacing. For instance, if we wanted to upgrade the SG spot, I hope we're looking at signing guys like Wes Matthews, Khris Middleton, Arron Afflalo, and Danny Green to take over for McLemore. If we wanted to upgrade the PF spot, I hope we're looking at guys like Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Nerlens Noel, Karl Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Myles Turner, Ed Davis, and Kyle O'Quinn.
It's possible that we could draft Cauley-Stein, sign one of those SGs to 4 years/$44 mil, and trade McLemore, Landry, McCallum, & remove the 2016 protection for Taj Gibson. That would be my ideal scenario, and I'm actually thinking of typing up another thread with that in mind. I know in this thread I mentioned that we don't need to make a trade unless the right trade comes along. I would still be very satisfied with using the pick, holding onto our guys, and signing 1 or 2 good free agents.
Thought I'd jump in here and adjust your original cap projections. While listening to a pod cast with Larry Coon, he projected the cap next year to be 67.4 mil, which is a tad higher than what your projected. Also, if you go to his website and see what the starting salary for the 6th pick in the draft for the 2015/16 year is, you'll see its $2,831,900.00, which is lower than what you had. Put together, it gives us more money to work with. After applying the draft pick money against the cap, we would have around 12.3 mil to play with.
That said, I like Middleton. I don't want to over pay for him though, and I also don't want to cause a log jam at any position. I personally think that Middleton is more effective at SF than he is at SG. I also don't see the point of drafting two SG's two years in a row, and then signing a player like Middleton to play that position which would mean little or no playing time for one of either Stauskas or McLemore. If the plan is to sign Middleton and play him at SG, then I think you have to trade one of the other SG's. If your signing him to play the SF position, how happy would Middleton be playing behind Gay, unless Karl decides he wants to play Gay at PF.
Not sure how I'd feel about that last part if it was the regular starting rotation. Off hand, I don't like the idea, especially if we get lucky enough to draft Cauley-Stein. On the whole, adding Middleton to the team is a good idea as long as we don't overpay.
That said, I like Middleton. I don't want to over pay for him though, and I also don't want to cause a log jam at any position. I personally think that Middleton is more effective at SF than he is at SG. I also don't see the point of drafting two SG's two years in a row, and then signing a player like Middleton to play that position which would mean little or no playing time for one of either Stauskas or McLemore. If the plan is to sign Middleton and play him at SG, then I think you have to trade one of the other SG's. If your signing him to play the SF position, how happy would Middleton be playing behind Gay, unless Karl decides he wants to play Gay at PF.
Not sure how I'd feel about that last part if it was the regular starting rotation. Off hand, I don't like the idea, especially if we get lucky enough to draft Cauley-Stein. On the whole, adding Middleton to the team is a good idea as long as we don't overpay.
I didn't realize I would get so much backlash on the 'unrealistic' move of signing Babbit. You know what I say to that? Who cares?
If that's so, sign somebody else for the veteran minimum. He's a third SF for christ's sake. I'm not going to lose sleep at night if Babbit doesn't want to sign with us.
He was just a veteran minimum talent that I continued to throw in my scenarios for the sake of throwing somebody in there. Perferably, we would want a good shooter which Babbit happens to be.
If that's so, sign somebody else for the veteran minimum. He's a third SF for christ's sake. I'm not going to lose sleep at night if Babbit doesn't want to sign with us.
He was just a veteran minimum talent that I continued to throw in my scenarios for the sake of throwing somebody in there. Perferably, we would want a good shooter which Babbit happens to be.
Thank you very much for the updated numbers, and that is excellent news!
I too would be worried if Karl had any plans to start Gay at PF, but I digress. Let's talk about the SG situation and Middleton...
As I have continued to think about it more, it's not really fair to the 7th or 8th pick to ride the pine after signing a guy like Middleton. Neither of these guys are at that point where you say "they're a lost cause." They do deserve to get playing time. Whether that be with us or a team that is not trying to compete right now.
I've mentioned this a couple times in this thread already, but I think if we were to land Middleton in FA, Chicago might just go for a McLemore, McCallum, Landry, 2016 unprotected 1st (protection removed) for Gibson trade. That immediately balances the team out. A 3 man wing rotation of Gay, Middleton, and Stauskas could be one of strongest in the league if Stauskas starts playing the way you and I both no he can. Not to mention a Cousins, Gibson, and Thompson froncourt would be very strong as well.
Now, you might say should you sign a player and purposely create a log jam? In this case, I would.
For starters, we're adding more talent to this roster. Too many times we have bled talent. It's about time we reverse that common theme. Now, I'm not saying that adding talent should be our only criteria for signing free agents. I'm not necessarily in favor of adding a guy like Rondo just because he has talent. Middleton has talent but he also happens to fit in perfectly with our core group of players (not sure a ball dominant PG who can't knock down jumpers fits with our core of Cousins and Gay). So if a log jam is the only price to find that 'perfect' guy that fits in our rotation, I'm all for it.
I too would be worried if Karl had any plans to start Gay at PF, but I digress. Let's talk about the SG situation and Middleton...
As I have continued to think about it more, it's not really fair to the 7th or 8th pick to ride the pine after signing a guy like Middleton. Neither of these guys are at that point where you say "they're a lost cause." They do deserve to get playing time. Whether that be with us or a team that is not trying to compete right now.
I've mentioned this a couple times in this thread already, but I think if we were to land Middleton in FA, Chicago might just go for a McLemore, McCallum, Landry, 2016 unprotected 1st (protection removed) for Gibson trade. That immediately balances the team out. A 3 man wing rotation of Gay, Middleton, and Stauskas could be one of strongest in the league if Stauskas starts playing the way you and I both no he can. Not to mention a Cousins, Gibson, and Thompson froncourt would be very strong as well.
Now, you might say should you sign a player and purposely create a log jam? In this case, I would.
For starters, we're adding more talent to this roster. Too many times we have bled talent. It's about time we reverse that common theme. Now, I'm not saying that adding talent should be our only criteria for signing free agents. I'm not necessarily in favor of adding a guy like Rondo just because he has talent. Middleton has talent but he also happens to fit in perfectly with our core group of players (not sure a ball dominant PG who can't knock down jumpers fits with our core of Cousins and Gay). So if a log jam is the only price to find that 'perfect' guy that fits in our rotation, I'm all for it.
Last edited:
I love Ben. I think he has amazing potential to be a great player in the NBA, HOWEVER I'm starting to wonder how long it'll take him to come around. We have Cousins, and he's looking to win NOW. I don't think Ben is ready to start in the NBA yet. This is the reason why they drafted Stauskas.. but Stauskas hasn't received much PT this year to show what he can do.
Here's a crazy trade I would do JT+McLemore+Collison+7th overall pick for Jordan Hill+Tarik Black+4th overall pick. Then draft D'Angelo Russell.
Trade Stauskas+Landry for Nerlens Noel. (Hopefully Philly agrees to this deal..considering they might draft Towns or Okafor..maybe a PG..but..)
Sign Wesley Matthews or Khris Middleton. Matthews for 4 years $40million or Middleton for 3 years $24million.
Sign Jared Dudley(convince him to opt out, I think he's a fan of Sacramento...) 1year $2million
Resign Casspi to a 2year $7million contract
Buy a random 2nd rounder and draft Taurean Prince
New team:
pg) D'Angelo Russell/ Andre Miller /
sg) Khris Middleton/Jared Dudley
sf) Rudy Gay/ Omri Casspi/ Taurean Prince
pf) Nerlens Noel/ Eric Moreland
c) Demarcus Cousins/ Jordan Hill/Tarik Black
Amazing starting 5! Bench on the other hand, ..it's alright.
Here's a crazy trade I would do JT+McLemore+Collison+7th overall pick for Jordan Hill+Tarik Black+4th overall pick. Then draft D'Angelo Russell.
Trade Stauskas+Landry for Nerlens Noel. (Hopefully Philly agrees to this deal..considering they might draft Towns or Okafor..maybe a PG..but..)
Sign Wesley Matthews or Khris Middleton. Matthews for 4 years $40million or Middleton for 3 years $24million.
Sign Jared Dudley(convince him to opt out, I think he's a fan of Sacramento...) 1year $2million
Resign Casspi to a 2year $7million contract
Buy a random 2nd rounder and draft Taurean Prince
New team:
pg) D'Angelo Russell/ Andre Miller /
sg) Khris Middleton/Jared Dudley
sf) Rudy Gay/ Omri Casspi/ Taurean Prince
pf) Nerlens Noel/ Eric Moreland
c) Demarcus Cousins/ Jordan Hill/Tarik Black
Amazing starting 5! Bench on the other hand, ..it's alright.
Last edited:
Ben was part of NBA leading defensive unit, while being an effective role player offensively 4 months AGO. Sure there might have been 20 0ther SGs, who would've been more or just as effective, but that doesn't mean Ben isn't ready. Another summer of working on his handles with on-court work in Summer League, and he'll be better equipped for the same role, at least.
Dudley is as big part of success of Milwaukee as Middleton is. In fact many Bucks fans name his minor injury and drop-off in production, rather than the trade as a reason for up and down level of play of their team recently. It means expecting him to excercise ETO for $4.25 million and then sign for $2 million is kinda unrealistic. Same with Casspi 2year $7million contract. Why? I like Omri a lot, but the only contract I'm welcoming him back on is minimum, since Kings need all the cap space money for starting PF.
Relying on rookie combo-guard to lead you to PO in the West? That's just illusion. Just as expecting Philly to swap Noel for Stauskas, while eating Landry's contract.
I'm no Captain, but here's cap eating numbers for next season:
Boogie $15.85 million
Rudy $12.4 million (assume $40 million over 3 year with 7.5% raises)
Landry $6.5 million
JT $6.43 million
DC $5 million
Ben $3.16 million
Nik $2.87 million
7th pick cap hold $2.85 million
Ray $0.95 million
Moreland $0.85 million
Ellington $0.93 million (stretch provision after waiving)
cap hold of $0.5 million for 11th roster spot
This adds up to $58.3 million, so if Coon is right with his speculation of $67.7 million, Kings may offer about $9.4 million in starting salary with 4.5% raises for up to 4 years ($40 million over 4 years), then fill the rest of the roster with Room Exception and minimum contracts. Previously speculated $66.5 million leads to $8.2 starting salary and $35 million over 4 years.
As for Room MLE I speculated, that it should be used on a guard to beef up back court rotation, and one realistic option is Stuckey, who is earning minimum of $915,000 for Indiana, so $2.8 million and potential to become a 6th man should look very attractive. After entering the League as a poor man's Tyreke (even though he was drafted before Evans
), Stuckey for years hovered around .800 in FT%, which is a solid indication of the ability to hit outside shot, and this year he finally expanded the range to become an effective 3pt shooter both off the dribble and on the catch. While he struggles with straight on shot, he's money from anywhere else, including elbows extended, so he can naturally fill as emergency back up PG with his solid handles and ability to drive, though he lost some of his speed over the years. He's still 26.
Dudley is as big part of success of Milwaukee as Middleton is. In fact many Bucks fans name his minor injury and drop-off in production, rather than the trade as a reason for up and down level of play of their team recently. It means expecting him to excercise ETO for $4.25 million and then sign for $2 million is kinda unrealistic. Same with Casspi 2year $7million contract. Why? I like Omri a lot, but the only contract I'm welcoming him back on is minimum, since Kings need all the cap space money for starting PF.
Relying on rookie combo-guard to lead you to PO in the West? That's just illusion. Just as expecting Philly to swap Noel for Stauskas, while eating Landry's contract.
I'm no Captain, but here's cap eating numbers for next season:
Boogie $15.85 million
Rudy $12.4 million (assume $40 million over 3 year with 7.5% raises)
Landry $6.5 million
JT $6.43 million
DC $5 million
Ben $3.16 million
Nik $2.87 million
7th pick cap hold $2.85 million
Ray $0.95 million
Moreland $0.85 million
Ellington $0.93 million (stretch provision after waiving)
cap hold of $0.5 million for 11th roster spot
This adds up to $58.3 million, so if Coon is right with his speculation of $67.7 million, Kings may offer about $9.4 million in starting salary with 4.5% raises for up to 4 years ($40 million over 4 years), then fill the rest of the roster with Room Exception and minimum contracts. Previously speculated $66.5 million leads to $8.2 starting salary and $35 million over 4 years.
As for Room MLE I speculated, that it should be used on a guard to beef up back court rotation, and one realistic option is Stuckey, who is earning minimum of $915,000 for Indiana, so $2.8 million and potential to become a 6th man should look very attractive. After entering the League as a poor man's Tyreke (even though he was drafted before Evans
), Stuckey for years hovered around .800 in FT%, which is a solid indication of the ability to hit outside shot, and this year he finally expanded the range to become an effective 3pt shooter both off the dribble and on the catch. While he struggles with straight on shot, he's money from anywhere else, including elbows extended, so he can naturally fill as emergency back up PG with his solid handles and ability to drive, though he lost some of his speed over the years. He's still 26.
Last edited:
So the luxury tax would be at 77/78 million this offseason?
I bet Vivek is willing to take 1 year of paying the tax for the right players, since weʻd be in the clear for 16/17. When the cap is 90-92 million the luxury tax will be in the 100ʻs. Iʻm sure the shiny new toy in downtown Sac would make up for having to pay the luxury tax.
I wouldnʻt trade Nik, Ben or Darren at this point. Too much potential and to much flexability in their contracts.
I bet Vivek is willing to take 1 year of paying the tax for the right players, since weʻd be in the clear for 16/17. When the cap is 90-92 million the luxury tax will be in the 100ʻs. Iʻm sure the shiny new toy in downtown Sac would make up for having to pay the luxury tax.
I wouldnʻt trade Nik, Ben or Darren at this point. Too much potential and to much flexability in their contracts.
Ben was part of NBA leading defensive unit, while being an effective role player offensively 4 months AGO. Sure there might have been 20 0ther SGs, who would've been more or just as effective, but that doesn't mean Ben isn't ready. Another summer of working on his handles with on-court work in Summer League, and he'll be better equipped for the same role, at least.
Dudley is as big part of success of Milwaukee as Middleton is. In fact many Bucks fans name his minor injury and drop-off in production, rather than the trade as a reason for up and down level of play of their team recently. It means expecting him to excercise ETO for $4.25 million and then sign for $2 million is kinda unrealistic. Same with Casspi 2year $7million contract. Why? I like Omri a lot, but the only contract I'm welcoming him back on is minimum, since Kings need all the cap space money for starting PF.
Relying on rookie combo-guard to lead you to PO in the West? That's just illusion. Just as expecting Philly to swap Noel for Stauskas, while eating Landry's contract.
I'm no Captain, but here's cap eating numbers for next season:
Boogie $15.85 million
Rudy $12.4 million (assume $40 million over 3 year with 7.5% raises)
Landry $6.5 million
JT $6.43 million
DC $5 million
Ben $3.16 million
Nik $2.87 million
7th pick cap hold $2.85 million
Ray $0.95 million
Moreland $0.85 million
Ellington $0.93 million (stretch provision after waiving)
cap hold of $0.5 million for 11th roster spot
This adds up to $58.3 million, so if Coon is right with his speculation of $67.7 million, Kings may offer about $9.4 million in starting salary with 4.5% raises for up to 4 years ($40 million over 4 years), then fill the rest of the roster with Room Exception and minimum contracts. Previously speculated $66.5 million leads to $8.2 starting salary and $35 million over 4 years.
As for Room MLE I speculated, that it should be used on a guard to beef up back court rotation, and one realistic option is Stuckey, who is earning minimum of $915,000 for Indiana, so $2.8 million and potential to become a 6th man should look very attractive. After entering the League as a poor man's Tyreke (even though he was drafted before Evans), Stuckey for years hovered around .800 in FT%, which is a solid indication of the ability to hit outside shot, and this year he finally expanded the range to become an effective 3pt shooter both off the dribble and on the catch. While he struggles with straight on shot, he's money from anywhere else, including elbows extended, so he can naturally fill as emergency back up PG with his solid handles and ability to drive, though he lost some of his speed over the years. He's still 26.
Dudley is as big part of success of Milwaukee as Middleton is. In fact many Bucks fans name his minor injury and drop-off in production, rather than the trade as a reason for up and down level of play of their team recently. It means expecting him to excercise ETO for $4.25 million and then sign for $2 million is kinda unrealistic. Same with Casspi 2year $7million contract. Why? I like Omri a lot, but the only contract I'm welcoming him back on is minimum, since Kings need all the cap space money for starting PF.
Relying on rookie combo-guard to lead you to PO in the West? That's just illusion. Just as expecting Philly to swap Noel for Stauskas, while eating Landry's contract.
I'm no Captain, but here's cap eating numbers for next season:
Boogie $15.85 million
Rudy $12.4 million (assume $40 million over 3 year with 7.5% raises)
Landry $6.5 million
JT $6.43 million
DC $5 million
Ben $3.16 million
Nik $2.87 million
7th pick cap hold $2.85 million
Ray $0.95 million
Moreland $0.85 million
Ellington $0.93 million (stretch provision after waiving)
cap hold of $0.5 million for 11th roster spot
This adds up to $58.3 million, so if Coon is right with his speculation of $67.7 million, Kings may offer about $9.4 million in starting salary with 4.5% raises for up to 4 years ($40 million over 4 years), then fill the rest of the roster with Room Exception and minimum contracts. Previously speculated $66.5 million leads to $8.2 starting salary and $35 million over 4 years.
As for Room MLE I speculated, that it should be used on a guard to beef up back court rotation, and one realistic option is Stuckey, who is earning minimum of $915,000 for Indiana, so $2.8 million and potential to become a 6th man should look very attractive. After entering the League as a poor man's Tyreke (even though he was drafted before Evans
), Stuckey for years hovered around .800 in FT%, which is a solid indication of the ability to hit outside shot, and this year he finally expanded the range to become an effective 3pt shooter both off the dribble and on the catch. While he struggles with straight on shot, he's money from anywhere else, including elbows extended, so he can naturally fill as emergency back up PG with his solid handles and ability to drive, though he lost some of his speed over the years. He's still 26.
I think this team needs an all star PG. Why can't a rookie PG be a force in his 1st year? I think the current NBA is filled up with star PGs and we have to keep up. Collison is not a real starter. Unless you can find an upgrade at PG without having to look at the draft..then sure. I think Collison's role in the NBA is best as a bench guard. He was amazing for the Clippers when he played behind CP3. I think he's just a nice PG to compliment a good PG.
I think the money being offered to Omri isn't too bad. He's a nice spark to have off the bench. I think if we want to retain him, it'll take a bit more than the vet min. I wouldn't mind if he left, but I think adding him to next year wouldn't be a bad thing.
I can't really see any fa PFs that are potential suitors for the Kings..
We basically need a low usage, shot blocking, rim protecting, and 3pt shooting big man next to Cuz. On the other hand, there's Paul Milsap, David old West, Tristan JT Thompson, Thad no defense Young, Brandon Bass, Amir Johnson, Ed raw Davis, Carlos Boozer, STAT, Jonas Jerekbo, Roy Hibbert, DeAndre, No space Asik, Robin Lopez, Brook Lopez, Enes Kanter, Brandan Wright, and Tyson Chandler.
Out of that lists, I like Milsap, A. Johnson, Ed Davis, Asik, Robin Lopez, Brook Lopez, Brandan Wright, and Tyson Chandler.
The most likely to sign here would be Amir Johnson, Ed Davis, Robin Lopez, and Brandan Wright.
Johnson is an average starting PF. He's fouls an at extremely alarming rate, and won't be able to guard a lot of bigs. He's more athletic than JT, but I don't know if what he brings is actually good enough to make JT the backup.
Ed Davis is a great young PF. To get him, I think we'll have to overpay by a lot.. maybe 6-7mpy? He's a great energy hustle shot blocking big.
For Robin Lopez, we'd need to overpay extremely for his services. I'm not sure how much, but he provides the defense at PF.
Brandan Wright is another decent PF who's never really started. It would be interesting to see how he'd play in a bigger role. Maybe the Kings can offer him a decent offer as a PF? I think if we offer starting PF job along with the contract, he'd take it.
I don't see guys like Enes Kanter and Paul Millsap coming here. They'd have to play next to a ball dominant Cuz, and I think they want their own solid role in the offense. They'd basically have to be a 14pt 10reb type of player here with the Kings.
Because no rookie/college freshman really had. Interestingly Kings will come with massive amounts of space into 2016 off-season, same as most teams, and it will be in the range of $25-30 million. Then you can actually make a run at "real starter" PG.
Brandan Wright can't do anything 5 feet away from the basket on offense, so he's a lousy PF, and he's average at best defender despite having decent block numbers. Davis has the same problems offensively, though he's a good defender. Same with Henson BTW. These guys are twigs, who forced to play center due to offensive ineptitude, and all three have another thing in common - they didn't really improved, since entering the League.
Of course, problem is there's no clear solution to getting starting PF:
There no easy solution to starting PF problem, so it will involve some kind of gamble one way or another.
Brandan Wright can't do anything 5 feet away from the basket on offense, so he's a lousy PF, and he's average at best defender despite having decent block numbers. Davis has the same problems offensively, though he's a good defender. Same with Henson BTW. These guys are twigs, who forced to play center due to offensive ineptitude, and all three have another thing in common - they didn't really improved, since entering the League.
Of course, problem is there's no clear solution to getting starting PF:
- Amir Johnson is a really good fit (he's often forced to guard centers, because Casey doesn't want Val in foul trouble, so AJ's defensive numbers are worse, than they should be), but despite only being 28 he's a 10-year veteran already, and recently his suspect ankles started to bother him.
- KOQ is too inconsistent and may have problems with motivation, plus you basically have to believe in a few months of impactful work - same arguments Brick has vs going with Mclemore into next season as a starter in another thread - work here as well, but at least in a perfect situation Ben actually produced for this team.
- Robin Lopez is a solid player, but he's a center. Don't think he can be effective next to Cuz as a starter, and burning all the available money on a backup C, while keeping JT in the starting lineup, just doesn't make sense.
- Gibson will be 30 by the start of next season, though he's only in his 6th season currently, his rebounding rate dropped every year of his career, plus this year Bulls play better defense with him on the bench, even though he spent most of his time next to one of Gasol/Noah and Butler, so it's not like he was forced to play alongside crappy bench. Plus unlike previously mentioned guys acquiring him will take assets, and Kings have few of those.
There no easy solution to starting PF problem, so it will involve some kind of gamble one way or another.
I think I'll wait till after the season, and after the draft to see what moves I'd suggest we make. We get lucky in the lottery, and come away with Karl Towns, that changes my entire outlook on what we might need to address. The same applies to drafting Cauley-Stein, but to a lesser degree. Both improve our interior defense, with Towns being an offensive threat as well as an excellent rim protector. I want to see if D. Will can continue to improve as a player under Karl. It might change my opinion about retaining him. I think its possible that the Kings will keep one of either Casspi, or Williams. Maybe neither. I know how people feel about Williams around here, and I've shared that opinion. But I have to admit that he's playing much better under Karl, and I don't think it has anything to do with it being a contract year. If that was the case, he would have done it all year long. Lest we forget, he's only around 23 years old. Maybe, just maybe, Karl has the key to unlocking his potential.
I wouldn't pay a lot to retain him, and the best I would do is a two year contract with a team option on the second year. Sort of a CYA contract. While we don't have an elite PG on our team, I don't think its a position of great concern. Collison will be back, and his abilities fit well with Karls system. I suspect we'll resign Miller, and he becomes the backup. McCallum is still under contract, and he becomes the emergency backup along with filling in at SG if needed. The following offseason, 2016/17 year, we'll have a lot of capspace to go after a top PG is we feel the need. But first I'd like to see how a Collison/Miller duo works out. Maybe by the time Miller retires, McCallum will be ready to step into a bigger role.
I wouldn't pay a lot to retain him, and the best I would do is a two year contract with a team option on the second year. Sort of a CYA contract. While we don't have an elite PG on our team, I don't think its a position of great concern. Collison will be back, and his abilities fit well with Karls system. I suspect we'll resign Miller, and he becomes the backup. McCallum is still under contract, and he becomes the emergency backup along with filling in at SG if needed. The following offseason, 2016/17 year, we'll have a lot of capspace to go after a top PG is we feel the need. But first I'd like to see how a Collison/Miller duo works out. Maybe by the time Miller retires, McCallum will be ready to step into a bigger role.
Anyone think Minnesota would be interested in giving up Kevin Martin for Nik and Carl Landry?
We could really use a good scoring option off the bench or even starting in place of Ben. Getting rid of Landrys contract would be a plus too.
Then in the off season you can also find a good PF/C too backup Cuz and JT
We could really use a good scoring option off the bench or even starting in place of Ben. Getting rid of Landrys contract would be a plus too.
Then in the off season you can also find a good PF/C too backup Cuz and JT
http://behindthebuckpass.com/2015/03/14/moneys-money-much-will-khris-middleton-make/
Keep the pipe dream of getting Middleton on the cheap though.
Keep the pipe dream of getting Middleton on the cheap though.