Kings free agency, part 3
- Thread starter Darth Divac
- Start date
I don't see Smith starting. I could see Rondo (or DC), Ben/Marco, Casspi, Gay, Boogie or Rondo/DC, Ben/Marco, Rudy, Boogie, Koufos depending on matchups and there's a chance WCS could even start alongside DMC later in the year. Smith would solely be a versatile bench piece who adds rebounding, shotblocking, transition offense and especially passing from the PF spot.
Collison, Bellinelli, Casspi, Smoove, & Cauley-Stein is a heck of a 2nd unit. And then the deep bench would be Anderson, Moreland, Miller (presumably) and another player or two to be signed. That's some serious depth and versatility.
Collison, Bellinelli, Casspi, Smoove, & Cauley-Stein is a heck of a 2nd unit. And then the deep bench would be Anderson, Moreland, Miller (presumably) and another player or two to be signed. That's some serious depth and versatility.
The Kings will either sign Smith with the caproom left or not sign him at all. I don't see any possibility of them trading away a player currently on the roster just to add him, especially not a starter and the second most talented player on the team in Gay.
I believe McCallum was dealt because the Kings will be adding Andre Miller on a veterans minimum contract and trading Ray gives them slightly more caproom to sign free agents. Whether that's Josh Smith or someone else I don't know.
I'd like to see a lot of Cauley-Stein too - he's the guy I've wanted next to Cousin for a couple years now. But while he's coming in as a junior and with some immediately translatable skills - defense in general, P&R defense and shotblocking in particular - he's still a rookie and will need time to adjust. The Kings can't afford to lean on him too heavily early on as they try to have a hot start and be in playoff contention.
I believe McCallum was dealt because the Kings will be adding Andre Miller on a veterans minimum contract and trading Ray gives them slightly more caproom to sign free agents. Whether that's Josh Smith or someone else I don't know.
I'd like to see a lot of Cauley-Stein too - he's the guy I've wanted next to Cousin for a couple years now. But while he's coming in as a junior and with some immediately translatable skills - defense in general, P&R defense and shotblocking in particular - he's still a rookie and will need time to adjust. The Kings can't afford to lean on him too heavily early on as they try to have a hot start and be in playoff contention.
devin kharpertian@uuords
The Nets have rescinded Mirza Teletovic’s qualifying offer.
The Nets have rescinded Mirza Teletovic’s qualifying offer.
Teletovic and Mbah a Moute with the remaining cap room and then Cole Aldrich and Andre Miller on vet minimum deals would really round out this roster.
or Dorell Wright and Jordan Hill along with Andre Miller. I think I'd take either combo over Smith.
I'm resigning myself to the notion that Josh Smith will be a King and how it could possibly be a good thing but a couple solid roleplayers who aren't as high usage and don't have Smoove's drawbacks (mainly poor shooting and terrible shot selection) would probably be a better course of action.
or Dorell Wright and Jordan Hill along with Andre Miller. I think I'd take either combo over Smith.
I'm resigning myself to the notion that Josh Smith will be a King and how it could possibly be a good thing but a couple solid roleplayers who aren't as high usage and don't have Smoove's drawbacks (mainly poor shooting and terrible shot selection) would probably be a better course of action.
All it tells me is that after resigning Brook Lopez ($18M) and Thaddeus Young ($11M) the Nets have almost $95M in guaranteed salaries and while they might like Teletivic at his $4M QO they don't like him at the $8M or more he'll really cost due to the luxury tax.
When you are already paying Joe Johnson and Deron Williams a combined $45M for this season it really is time to start dialing back spending a bit.
But as available role players go Teletovic is one I really like. He's the shooter, then a defensive wing (SF ideally) and a 3rd PG and the team is set.
When you are already paying Joe Johnson and Deron Williams a combined $45M for this season it really is time to start dialing back spending a bit.
But as available role players go Teletovic is one I really like. He's the shooter, then a defensive wing (SF ideally) and a 3rd PG and the team is set.
Hrmm. Is that a coaching issue? Kidd played him at the four primarily with free rein to jack up any open look. I watched about two Nets games total this last year, so I really don't know what the difference would be.
If he is available for 4 million per, he is a decent pickup that rounds out the bigs, that's still a guy who can space the floor and draw away a shot blocker to give Cousins/Gay room to operate inside.
If he is available for 4 million per, he is a decent pickup that rounds out the bigs, that's still a guy who can space the floor and draw away a shot blocker to give Cousins/Gay room to operate inside.
Josh Smith brings way more to the table than Teletovic. With Teletovic you get a guy who can maybe shoot the 3. In his 3 years in the league he has 1 good year and 2 bad years. Which Teletovic are you going to get? The one who can shoot 38% from beyond the arc or the one who shoots in the low 30's and is worthless the rest of the time he's out there?
Josh Smith isn't ideal but as you've seen with the Rockets, his efficiency goes up when he's playing less and not the first option. Even if his shot is off the guy is an excellent playmaker and can still block shots. We saw him do that to us in our first game against Detroit last year. On defense he is still a menace when his head is into the game and he tries. We will just have to live with the fact that he may jack up a couple bad shots a game, but we must also remember that he brings a lot of positives to the game when he's not shooting. Our bench isn't going to have a ton of playmaking abilities so he would help immensely in that area.
Plus it would be pretty cool to have 5 guys on the roster who are all able to get over a block a game. A couple years ago we didn't even have a single player on the roster average 1 block a game.
Josh Smith isn't ideal but as you've seen with the Rockets, his efficiency goes up when he's playing less and not the first option. Even if his shot is off the guy is an excellent playmaker and can still block shots. We saw him do that to us in our first game against Detroit last year. On defense he is still a menace when his head is into the game and he tries. We will just have to live with the fact that he may jack up a couple bad shots a game, but we must also remember that he brings a lot of positives to the game when he's not shooting. Our bench isn't going to have a ton of playmaking abilities so he would help immensely in that area.
Plus it would be pretty cool to have 5 guys on the roster who are all able to get over a block a game. A couple years ago we didn't even have a single player on the roster average 1 block a game.
Yes, he had blood clots on his lungs and missed most of last season though he was cleared to resume basketball activities in April. Obviously the physical would take on extra importance if the Kings made him an offer.
It was in part the coaching change. Kidd's Nets improved when they went small and emphasized the 3. Lionel Hollins is almost anti-3. Karl's offense would give Teletovic a lot more open looks from long range. Hollins also tended to play him bigger minutes and ask more of him on the defensive side than Kidd which likely hurt his rhythm on the other end to some extent. Of course it was also the health issue to some extent as he said he admitted being short of breath for a chunk of the season.
It was in part the coaching change. Kidd's Nets improved when they went small and emphasized the 3. Lionel Hollins is almost anti-3. Karl's offense would give Teletovic a lot more open looks from long range. Hollins also tended to play him bigger minutes and ask more of him on the defensive side than Kidd which likely hurt his rhythm on the other end to some extent. Of course it was also the health issue to some extent as he said he admitted being short of breath for a chunk of the season.
It's a moot point now but Teletovic shot 34% from three his first year and 38% his second. For a SF/PF who other teams key on as being solely a shooter and not really having any creativity with the ball those aren't bad numbers at all. His third year was also the year he missed most of the season with blood clots on his lungs. Who knows how badly that was affecting him, not to mention Hollins' very different offensive scheme.
Josh Smith is absolutely the most talented free agent left on the market. He's also one of the worst 3 point shooters in NBA history which doesn't help a Kings team that is already subpar with its outside shooting. I'm also uncertain about his personality being added to Rondo/Gay/Cousins/Karl. Grabbing a couple role players that fill small niches and team needs is the safe bet. Josh Smith is the bigger gamble and he could pay off big or really hurt the Kings who absolutely need one more veteran PF or C right now.
I think it was hrdboild who said that he'd be disappointed but somewhat relieved if the Kings didn't sign Smith and excited but apprehensive if they did. That about sums it up for me.
Josh Smith is absolutely the most talented free agent left on the market. He's also one of the worst 3 point shooters in NBA history which doesn't help a Kings team that is already subpar with its outside shooting. I'm also uncertain about his personality being added to Rondo/Gay/Cousins/Karl. Grabbing a couple role players that fill small niches and team needs is the safe bet. Josh Smith is the bigger gamble and he could pay off big or really hurt the Kings who absolutely need one more veteran PF or C right now.
I think it was hrdboild who said that he'd be disappointed but somewhat relieved if the Kings didn't sign Smith and excited but apprehensive if they did. That about sums it up for me.
Teletović started off poorly last yearly and just as he was starting to heat up, he went out for the season due to blood clots in his lungs. Plus, first year was his rookie year/given no chance from Avery Johnson. Brings more than standstill shooting, but doesn't matter anymore since Phoenix nabbed him.
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Time to update my list
Available Bigs
Available Wings
Guys on our Summer League Team
As for bigs we're down to the Reggie Evans & Quincy Acys of the world. Bargnani is about it for stretch 4's but I'm not all that keen on him. I think Hedo would give most of what Bargnani would do and be a better story anyway. I still like Aldrich, Withey, and Holling (in that order) if the Kings want an emergency C.
Josh Smith is the only really splashy option left.
Available Bigs
- Josh Smith - I'm not sure he fits, but then I'm not sure Rondo fits. The most talent of anyone left on the market though.
- Jordan Hill - a bit redundant with Cauley-Stein and Moreland but obviously he has a lot more experience. Headed to the Pacers
- Mirza Teletovic - Signed by the Suns
- Kevin Seraphin - similar to Hill but younger with more potential and cheaper. Might be a good idea. A likely Mavs target now that DJ reneged on them.
- Darrell Arthur - Athletic but inconsistent. Offense consists primarily of long 2's that he hits at an only decent clip something that may not fly with George Karl.
- Glen Davis - Championship Experience and familiarity with Rondo but definitely on the decline and inconsistent
- Tyler Hansbrough - Not very skilled but a good energy guy for 12-15 mpg
- Reggie Evans - Terrible offensive player and poor defender but a great rebounder who Boogie likes. Could do worse for the minimum
- Quincy Acy - Not all that effective in Sacramento but tons of fun to watch. Could be somewhat better in Karl's offense.
- Andrea Bargnani - Was vastly overpaid on his last deal but not a bad player on a cheap contract. Shooting and skill, not much defense or toughness
- Cole Aldrich - A guy I'd really like as a minimum contract third C
- Amare Stoudamire - A veteran presence who can still play a bit. I'm not sure he'd come and I'm not sure we'd want him to
- Luis Scola - Signed by the Raptors. Bummer
- Drew Gooden - Learned to shoot the three. Forgot how to score inside the arc. Wouldn't be awful as a stopgap for the vet minimum. Signed with the Wizards.
- Carlos Boozer - Better than most people believe. Another stopgap vet but I don't know if he's suited for a George Karl team
- Ryan Hollins - Meh. Not terrible as an emergency C
- Chuck Hayes - NO MORE TWIN DUPLEXES
- Charlie Villanueva - Signed a minimum deal with Dallas
- Matt Bonner - Also doesn't do much else but shoot 3's. But he's done it on championship teams
- Ekpe Udoh - I really liked him coming out of college. But he's redundant with this roster. Might not even beat out Moreland for PT
- Jeff Withey - Another guy I like if Vlade/Karl want an emergency 3rd C for the minimum.
- Joel Anthony - A guy I liked before Cuz became a good defender and before Koufos, WCS and Moreland - Resigned with Detroit
Available Wings
- Dorell Wright - A guy I've wanted for a while. Really solid shooter that got lost in Portland
- K.J. McDaniels - Really like him as a bench defender but Rockets say they'll match all offers
- Luc Richard Mbah a Moute - James Ham put him on blast as not wanting to play but he looked good in a Kings uni to me. I think we need a wing defender
- James Jones - For the minimum I think he'd be a great signing. Career 40% 3Pt shooter. Championship experience.
- Gerald Green - Signed with the Heat
- Jeff Taylor - Liked him as a 3&D wing coming out but offcourt stuff tells me to pass. Plus he's restricted
- Richard Jefferson - Resigned with the Mavs
- Chase Budinger - Decent shooter and energy guy but terrible defender. Meh
- Rasual Butler - Is he going to play another season? 20 mpg in WAS last year was too much but a decent emergency option
- Gigi Datome - One dimensional shooter who hasn't shown he can shoot consistently
- Landry Fields - Welcome to the land of meh. Not excited by Fields or anybody below him on this list
- Wesley Johnson - Doesn't really do anything well but Cuz could razz him incessantly about the draft. Signed with the Clippers
- Alonzo Gee - Meh. I think Wesley Johnson is a better option and that's saying something.
- Hedo Turkoglu - Would be a nostalgia signing only at this point.
Guys on our Summer League Team
- DeAndre Liggins - Could be a very good wing defender and not much else. Offcourt allegations trouble me.
- Sim Bhullar - I'm not sure he'll ever be an NBA quality big, but you can't teach size
- Corey Hawkins - Could be a poor man's Eddie House in time - will likely need seasoning.
- David Wear - Not bad in SL/training camp but if he didn't crack last year's roster why would he this year?
- Julyan Stone - Karl coached him before so there's that.
As for bigs we're down to the Reggie Evans & Quincy Acys of the world. Bargnani is about it for stretch 4's but I'm not all that keen on him. I think Hedo would give most of what Bargnani would do and be a better story anyway. I still like Aldrich, Withey, and Holling (in that order) if the Kings want an emergency C.
Josh Smith is the only really splashy option left.
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Josh Smith could work in the starting lineup because he's still a capable defender, but I don't know if that's the best way to use him. We don't want him taking shots away from better options, but perhaps as a decoy who defenders have to respect if he accepts that he's a third or fourth option at best he'd be effective. He'll have more scoring opportunities with the second unit though where he could draw some attention in the post and help to create open looks for all those shooters. This may have gone unnoticed, but our bench unit now is loaded with three point shooters (what a change that is!) with Collison, Belinelli, and Casspi all being above average to elite in that area. I don't know who we'll end up putting in that starting PF spot, that's a big question mark. Cauley-Stein and Moreland seem like poor fits only because they're so young but Koufos doesn't look ideal there either because that forces Cousins to chase smaller PFs around the perimeter. I'm guessing that particular spot will be a work in progress until somebody seizes it mid-season. Regardless, we're already two deep at all three perimeter positions so there'll be no reason for Josh Smith to ever play SF on this team which is a very good thing.
PS - Remember we can also use that cap space to absorb contracts for other teams so we don't need to be exclusively looking at free agents here.
PS - Remember we can also use that cap space to absorb contracts for other teams so we don't need to be exclusively looking at free agents here.