What do the Kings need to do this summer to make the playoffs next year?

[ockingsfan]

Well, the playoffs seem out of reach with only 12 games left and being effectively 6 games out of the playoffs.

Let's take a look at what the Kings need to do this summer to get into the playoffs next year.

What do you think the Kings need to do, to make a big leap next year?

We can make up to 3 choices.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

A defensive center, a young SG/SF with good potential and a better backup PG - someone with a bit more size, defense and playmaking.

I wouldn't mind keeping Brewer for another year.

If we could get a good starter level player for any combination of (WCS, Bogi, Yogi, Frank, Swan, 2nd rounders) I wouldn't be opposed to it.

Maybe try and trade up in the draft?

 

[SLAB]

Replace/upgrade WCS and B0gdan. The center may very well just be Giles hitting the weight room and getting a year older, better, mature, etc. But if you can get Vucevic or Cousins (yes, srs) go for it.

Start Bagley.

 

[FoxRocketFan]

Giles and Bagley need to hit the weights room and they need another SF that can play PF for a few minutes a night

A rotation that looks something like

Giles
Bagley Bjelica
Barnes ????
Hield Bogdanovic
Fox Ferrell

Would be pretty interesting next season.


Note this is to get into the playoffs

To really make a jump it's about signing Durant or Leonard.

 

[Sac.Kings]

WCS has to go. His inconsistent play and inability to hit free throws is problematic and he is not an offensive threat at all unless he’s running the floor or getting spoon fed. The biggest concern with Willie though is none of the above. It’s that the he views himself as a much better player than he actually is.

I would go all out for Vucevic. Throw big money at him for a 2 maybe 3 year contract and see if he bites. Unless of course Durant stops by and then all problems are solved. Durant at the 4 and Bagley at 5 and you let WCS walk.

 

[SLAB]

Also, a good backup point guard. Yogi doesn’t cut it when he’s not scorching hot.

 

[Bosnian Diehard]

Start Bagley at PF and sign Vučević at C.

 

[sactowndog]

Start Bagley at PF and sign Vučević at C.

Everyone talks about Vucevic but is he athletic enough to run with Fox?

 

[gunks]

We need help in the front court. A lot of that could come organically from Bagley and Giles improving/getting bigger this summer. Both those guys are workhorses, so I don't think it is a long shot to expect them to be heavy in the rotation next season.

As far as the rest of our bigs? I'm still down to re-sign WCS if the price is right. He's solid and does a lot of things that mesh well with this team. If he could just find it within himself to TRY to play interior defense more than 1 quarter ever two games or so he'd be getting a lot more money this summer. Ah well. I still like his fit with both Bagley and Giles as they develop a shot, but I see Willie as a bench big on a playoff squad. Bjeli is terrible 3 out of 5 games, and then randomly great. I hate that inconsistency! When his shot isn't on he seems to sulk and play like garbage, when he's hitting 3s, he is rebounding, playing defense, and passing the ball like a wizard. If he could just do that when his shot ISNT on, it would be wonderful. Kosta is trash this year. Sorry Kosta.

We also need bench scoring (assuming Bagley and Giles start next year). I'm hoping Bogi remembers how to play basketball next season. Otherwise, there are always 10-14ppg players floating around in free agency that Vlade can snatch up for that role.

 

[Heuge]

Offensive center who can stretch the floor and allow MB3 to start would cause problems for other teams.

 

[The_Jamal]

Everyone talks about Vucevic but is he athletic enough to run with Fox?

No, but he can secure the rebound, throw strong outlet passes and be a trailer target for an open jumper after Fox collapses the defense in transition.

 

[burekijogurt]

Stop running for the sake of running.

Develop a good half court offense.

Improve team defense and communication.

Solidify rotations so that synergies can form and familiarity can build.

 

[King Baller]

I voted upgrade at Center. I want a Big Center who can defend and hit the 3. Brook Lopez, Dewayne Dedmon, Nikola Vucevic are all guys I would like, two of them would be better

A Stud defender would be nice as well, 6' 5" to 6' 8".

 

[Hoovtrain]

Mature, improve their rebounding and learn to protect leads and close out games

 

[John Galt]

Kevin Durant = chip

 

[kingsboi]

not re-sign Willie, go after Vucevic. Let Bagley & Giles loose. Acquire another defensive wing.

 

[jcassio]

The virtually untouchable core, and the starting five for next year:
Fox, Hield, Barnes, Bagley and Giles.

Neither Ferrell or Burks looks ready to be the prime PG backup for a playoff team. So that may be a position we need to fill or solidify this summer.

Up until a month ago, I would have included Bogi in the core/untouchable group. Now I don't know. He's been slumping for most of the season. He has some playmaking skills, but also tends to channel John Salmons at times. His 3-pt shooting seems off this year. He's a mix of good and bad on defense, although his long arms are disruptive. I think we keep him and hope he works things out next season.

A defensive specialist like Brewer who can guard 1-4 is a must. So keep Brewer or find someone else like him.

Beli is so slow, it hurts to watch him. But he has skills. I'd keep him as our stretch 4.

Koufos never fit in when we became a running team. So I think it's time to let him find a better fit someplace else.

Willie - I could go either way with. Either he signs a reasonable contract to be our 3rd big, or he's gone. Is there a way to structure contracts these days so they reward blocks and rebounds? Regardless, there's no way he would be my starting center next season. We need a back up center who can defend the rim and rebound as his first priorities.

 

[Ozymandias]

Upgrade the bench and Start Marvin!!

 

[Reverend]

Bring back Brewer

 

[White_Chocolate]

I would love a defensive minded center who can pass well. We get bullied on the glass and inside. Someone like al horford would be wonderful. I also think Patrick Beverly would be a perfect defensive 6th man to give our team a much needed edge and winning mentality. We can let Willie, burks, and yogi go if those transactions or something similar occur. Finally I would like to extend Barnes on a slightly more reasonable contract if at all possible.

 

[ppine]

Get stronger, age by a year.
The Kings have a lot of really good parts.
I think the weak link is the 5. I would love to see a new player that can defend the bucket and shoot from 15 feet and rebound for real.
I like Barnes at the 3 at least some of the time, with Bagley at the 4. Bogdan needs to come off the bench.

 

[Kings_of_California]

I voted for 3 things:

1) Hit the weights and mature. That's the most obvious one with such a young core, especially with Marvin and Giles hitting the weights. They are thin.

2) Upgrade the C position. I don't dislike Willie, but he has no touch around the rim, has mental lapses and his D is questionable. We need a stronger presence in the paint both on D and O.

3) Upgrade the bench. This wouldn't be a problem for me if not for Bogi seemingly forgetting how to play basketball. If he can't get it together next season then we basically have no bench scoring.

 

[Kingster]

Hit the weights. In particular, Bagley, Giles and Fox need to get stronger. Fox also needs to work on his endurance so he doesn't have lulls during the season and he can have more minutes of maximum defense on the floor.

Everybody needs to work on their game hard in the summer. Both Fox and Bagley need to work on their right hand, as well as other stuff like outside shooting. Giles needs to be money from 18 feet.

New starting center. I'm not opposed to keeping WCS on the cheap for a back-up, but I doubt that's going to happen. Sign and trade? Hopefully, the Kings get something in return if WCS goes.

I really like Yogi, but it would be nice to have pg backing up Fox who is fast and also can run a team a little better than Yogi. I love Yogi's competitiveness and his shooting though.

A better model of Bjelica. He's far too inconsistent to be relied upon as a consistent bench player.

A better model of Bogs. He is by far the biggest disappointment because unlike Bjelica he came with much higher expectations. Of all the personnel issues on this team, this one is the stickiest messiest one for Divac to figure out. What exactly is going on here? The "lulls" in Bogs' game have become the norm over the last two years; the "good times" have become rare. He has been anointed as being one of the core on this team. Is that ancient history? If I'm just looking at Bogs on the court over the last year and I have blinders on as to why he had his lulls (because I don't know why), then I cannot include him in the core going forward. I sure as heck would try to add a player on the roster that can take his place if need be. Who can really count on him for next year?

 

[joemama]

Team dynamic is a serious concept. This team can be a few moves away from being good. Inconsistent play from Willie-lazy stein, bogi, and yogi, seem to put us in need of at least these three positions to significantly improve.

Under contract next year as of rn
Bagley, Swanigan
Bjelica, Giles,
Barnes,
Buddy, Bogi
Fox, Yogi

Potentially Available Guards
Brogdan, Corey Joseph, jamal crawford (looked like crap this year tho), pat beverly, avery bradley (TO), derrick rose, ray felton, terrance ross, cameron payne

Frank Mason is gone, and with Yogi, the kings are first in need of a solid PG.
Option A: Derrick Rose. He has been solid this year and already played on a make-it right contract this year. Option B: Pat Beverly. He will pick up full court and wear down opposing point guards so Fox can run by them easier or if Avery Bradley opts out, he would be another option. Option C: Seth Curry, at least we can get some threes knocked down. There are many other good options, such as corey joseph too.

Potentially Available Forwards
Bojan Bogdanovich, Tobias Harris, Mirotic, Middleton (of course he opts outof 13), Jordan Bell, kelly oubre, furkman korkmaz

With the way Bogi is playing (worse every day, that is), we are in need of at least one, if not two viable wing players.
Option A: Kelly Oubre. I hate him, but he is solid. Long wing span, knocks down threes, crafty. Need to get the good players off the teams that can come up as quick if not quicker than us. Once Phoenix has Zion it will be a different ball game. Option B: Jordan Bell. Solid defender big enough to play the 3 or the 4, and it's not like GS doesn't have free agents to worry about losing or money to throw around. Option C: Korkmaz, young, talented, plays right, knocks down shots, and he gets out and runs. I just don't see Middleton leaving Milwaukee. Bojan can ball, that would make us dramatically better and a home run would be Harris, but these options seem unlikely.

Potentially Available Bigs
Bobby Portis, Dedmon, vucevic, faried, Julius Randle (PO/9), Jamychel Green

Bagley should be starting. Willie Cauley-Swine gotsta go. I just don't see Giles as a center and as much as I am a fan of his game and love that he has embodied the enforcer role, I don't think he has proven himself capable of staying out of foul trouble and on the floor long enough to be considered a starter. Option A: Faried. He grabs rebounds, period, thus instantly upgrading us, and it's not like Houston has money to sign him long term. Faried is the player you don't have to run plays for, he cleans the glass and could easily be inserted into the starting line up. Option B: Bobby Portis, kid is big, grabs rebounds and has potential. Option C: Jamychel Green see description from option B.
Vucevic seems to be who everyone wants, but at what cost 20 million a year? 25?

With affordable Option A signed from each of the three categories: Derrick Rose, Kelly Oubre, Kenneth Faried, then Korkmaz or Cameron Payne.

Bagley, Giles, Swanigan
Faried, Bjelica, 2nd Rounder
Barnes, Oubre, Brewer
Buddy, Bogi, Korkmaz
Fox, Rose, Yogi

Fox, Bagley, and Buddy will be key in keeping financial flexibility to sign long-term.
Rebounding and bench production improve

 

[ockingsfan]

I wonder if there is a chance Marc Gasol opts out of the remaining year of his contract to sign a longer contract this summer (i.e. 2 or 3 year).

Gasol is still a premier defender and rebounder and has developed a reliable 3 point shot. Not sure Gasol can keep pace though, we would have to slow it down for him.

A reunion with Joeger maybe something Gasol would like? Maybe a 2 year $44 mil contract to buy time until Giles is ready to move into the starting role?

After that, maybe we sign a more accomplished back up point guard like Jeremy Lin or Patrick Beverly.

Sign Shump or Brewer to back up swingman.

The new Kings line up:

PF Bagley / Beli
SF Barnes / Brewer or Shump
C Gasol / Giles
SG Buddy / Bogdan
PG Fox / Beverly or Lin

 

[Kings_of_California]

Team dynamic is a serious concept. This team can be a few moves away from being good. Inconsistent play from Willie-lazy stein, bogi, and yogi, seem to put us in need of at least these three positions to significantly improve.

Under contract next year as of rn
Bagley, Swanigan
Bjelica, Giles,
Barnes,
Buddy, Bogi
Fox, Yogi

Potentially Available Guards
Brogdan, Corey Joseph, jamal crawford (looked like crap this year tho), pat beverly, avery bradley (TO), derrick rose, ray felton, terrance ross, cameron payne

Frank Mason is gone, and with Yogi, the kings are first in need of a solid PG.
Option A: Derrick Rose. He has been solid this year and already played on a make-it right contract this year. Option B: Pat Beverly. He will pick up full court and wear down opposing point guards so Fox can run by them easier or if Avery Bradley opts out, he would be another option. Option C: Seth Curry, at least we can get some threes knocked down. There are many other good options, such as corey joseph too.

Potentially Available Forwards
Bojan Bogdanovich, Tobias Harris, Mirotic, Middleton (of course he opts outof 13), Jordan Bell, kelly oubre, furkman korkmaz

With the way Bogi is playing (worse every day, that is), we are in need of at least one, if not two viable wing players.
Option A: Kelly Oubre. I hate him, but he is solid. Long wing span, knocks down threes, crafty. Need to get the good players off the teams that can come up as quick if not quicker than us. Once Phoenix has Zion it will be a different ball game. Option B: Jordan Bell. Solid defender big enough to play the 3 or the 4, and it's not like GS doesn't have free agents to worry about losing or money to throw around. Option C: Korkmaz, young, talented, plays right, knocks down shots, and he gets out and runs. I just don't see Middleton leaving Milwaukee. Bojan can ball, that would make us dramatically better and a home run would be Harris, but these options seem unlikely.

Potentially Available Bigs
Bobby Portis, Dedmon, vucevic, faried, Julius Randle (PO/9), Jamychel Green

Bagley should be starting. Willie Cauley-Swine gotsta go. I just don't see Giles as a center and as much as I am a fan of his game and love that he has embodied the enforcer role, I don't think he has proven himself capable of staying out of foul trouble and on the floor long enough to be considered a starter. Option A: Faried. He grabs rebounds, period, thus instantly upgrading us, and it's not like Houston has money to sign him long term. Faried is the player you don't have to run plays for, he cleans the glass and could easily be inserted into the starting line up. Option B: Bobby Portis, kid is big, grabs rebounds and has potential. Option C: Jamychel Green see description from option B.
Vucevic seems to be who everyone wants, but at what cost 20 million a year? 25?

With affordable Option A signed from each of the three categories: Derrick Rose, Kelly Oubre, Kenneth Faried, then Korkmaz or Cameron Payne.

Bagley, Giles, Swanigan
Faried, Bjelica, 2nd Rounder
Barnes, Oubre, Brewer
Buddy, Bogi, Korkmaz
Fox, Rose, Yogi

Fox, Bagley, and Buddy will be key in keeping financial flexibility to sign long-term.
Rebounding and bench production improve

I would actually prefer Cory Joseph as the backup PG. he plays great defense and is a solid all-around player. I also love the idea of Oubre, he fits the athletic model of this team. Vucevic is an obvious priority but not sure how likely we are to get him.

 

[Iced Espresso]

I don't expect much to happen, that said.

I think we have to have Barnes around, opt in or new contract. He has to play most of those minutes at the 3 as well. Please Joerger.

Keeping WCS at market value is fine for me too. Think he is good enough.

Draft wisely in the second round, get lucky.

I'd try to look for a great college pg facilitator in the second round, just an average shooter or better, but someone who can run the offense and move the ball.

Also, Swanigan may or may not work out. Think we should target a big bruiser for the deep bench, ideally Swanigan or the pick replace Kosta on the cheap.

Then finally draft the most athletically gifted & good defender as a full sized SF.

Hope some of those prospects work out.

I wouldn't spend much, I'd hold cap just like we did this season and look for opportunities to trade.

 

[Sactown ExPat]

I would like to upgrade the C position by starting Bagley. He will get a little pushed around on defense by some heftier centers, but he’s going to annihilate those guys on the other end next year so I don’t really care. The Nurkics of the world are going to be in constant foul trouble going up against Bagley next year.

Please do add Beverley. We need that type of guy. And solid minutes from the backup PG.

I would like to get creative with our cap space and look to trade for a starting PF-type who can stretch the floor for Bagley and Fox. Maybe take on Gordon Hayward in a salary dump, or try to acquire Aaron Gordon (very team friendly deal). Blake Griffin’s contract is bad, but not crippling for us, and I’m curious what the analytics have to say on inserting him at PF next to Bagley. Probably too many cooks there and not enough defense, but those are the kind of deals I would want to explore.

Voted to upgrade/change coaching staff. Just a feeling I have—just don’t like the post deadline play and don’t think an extension would be prudent at this time—please don’t @ me.

 

[reptilexcq2]

If Kings decided to use Bagley at the 4, then they need to sign someone like Vucevic because I am not confident with Willie starting. IF they decided to have Bagley start at the 5, then they can throw the money to upgrade other positions like Beverley, Middleton, Mirotic, Tobias Harris. Either way, it's fine with me. BUT DEFINITELY DO NOT WANT WILLIE TO START AGAIN. You can't have a player that have absolutely no offense threat unless spoon fed, can't dribble and pass, lacking offensive and defensive awareness, doesn't play help defense, can't see the floor well, passing skills is non-existent because again he doesn't see if someone is open and when he did and passed, the ball got intercepted. The biggest problem with Willie and that can never be solved: LOW BASKETBALL IQ! So like I say, if the team want to start Bagley at the 4, then they need to sign Vucevic who is going to be a threat all the way out to the 3 pt line. In today's NBA, if you have center that can shoot, that is going to be very tough for any team. But Vucevic does a lot more than just shooting outside.

 

[Kingster]

Everyone talks about Vucevic but is he athletic enough to run with Fox?

He doesn't need to run with Fox. He needs to defensive rebound and outlet to start the break. In the set up offense he would be wholly better than WCS because of his ability to spread the floor and be a legitimate offensive threat. He can also physically bang with the big boys and take pressure off of Bagley and Giles, just like Brook Lopez does for the Greek Freek and the Bucks.