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

[Gguod]

For making the playoffs this team only needs couple of depth signings and internal developement from Fox to take another step as a primary creator and from Bagley and Giles to improving from being exciting rookies to being able to utilize their talents fully and actually contribute to winning. Thats basically it.

For me, I want this team to become a force to be reckoned with. I want this team to become a contender, a team that is an obivous playoff team for the next 4-5+ years and hopefully even longer. I dont want our peak to be a team that might make playoffs or a team that is expected to lose immediately if it makes it to the playoffs.

For becoming that, we need a lot of things but its not impossible. First of all we need an all star level ball handling creator. Its very rare to even get to the playoffs without having one and most succesfull teams have two or three. We dont have a 1st round pick this year so drafting one is unlikely. Getting one from free agency is also unlikely. That leaves one option, internal developement and to me Fox seems to be the only one you can expect this from. A lot of it depends on his jumper. If he can hit threes in the pick n roll off the dribble when defender goes under, he can become an all star level creator. Its not absolutely neccecary but it would help.

One thing we would also need is versatile wings. We currently have one in our roster, Barnes and it would be beneficial to have multiple. Versatile wings are incredibly valuable because they can stretch the floor, can hopefully attack close outs and they can defend multiple positions aka switch on defense. When in playoffs, the more you can switch the better especially if you dont have one or two absolute defensive stoppers. In playoffs your weakest defenders will get constantly attacked in pick n roll. If you have a good wing defender at 3 and 4, its harder to gameplan against you, and it also makes you better offensively since you have multiple guys that can stretch the floor and attack from the perimeter. These guys are so valuable that they are harder to get but thats also why we should put a lot of recources on this in free agency.

What we could also use is a rim protecting big man. Since Bagley and Giles would benefit from playing center, this dude doesnt have to be a big name signing. In center market you will always find cheap contributions so we should look for a guy that can possibly even start but play 18-28 minutes depending on matchups and thats it.

We could also use a ball handling creator for our second unit so that Bogdan wasnt asked to do more than he is capable of. This guy could be a straight up offensive specialist, basically an upgrade from Yogi.

I've not looked at free agents too much so I've not figured out the amounts what I'd be wanting to spend on these guys but as I'm scrolling through the list I'm gonna list some names I'd be interested in (obviously I'm not even going to list guys like KD or Kawhi because its so unlikely):

Tobias Harris
-Very unlikely that we get him but as a good versatile wing he would be worth an offer. I havent considered the price much but Sixers will probably be willing to pay him a lot since they paid a lot to get him so probably not worth speculating

Khris Middleton
-Again, unlikely but very valuable player, we should at least make a pretty big offer for him

Nikola Mirotic
-The first realistic target. Basically a Bjleica 2.0, better than him in everything. We all know how valuable that type of player can be since Bjelica has great RPM numbers, floor stretching at the 4 is very valuable. Mirotic can also do other things, attack the rim a bit, switch a bit ect. Would fit well in the rotation of him, Bagley, Giles and a FA center.

Bojan Bogdanovic
-A versatile wing to start next to Barnes. Elite level floor stretcher, can switch to bigger players and did relatively well against Lebron last year in the playoffs. Worth a hard look

Thaddeus Young
-A good modern starting 4. Provides some spacing but is good at switching on D and finnishing around the rim.

Danny Green
-Great 3&D 2/3. Not much else to say about him. A very valuable player

Marcus Morris
-a versatile wing to start at 4. Spaces the floor and does a lot of other things

Aminu
-Great defender, some spacing, a valuable player.

Trevor Ariza
-for one year a good solutuion as a 3&D wing with legit size. Can switch and space the floor.

Tomas Satoransky
-Seems to be doing a lot of smart decisions with the ball, would take some load off from Bogi

Marvin Williams
-as a cap space creating trade would be fine. A 2nd and Marvin for our cap could be decent, he should be able to contribute still. Can switch some and shoot

Austin Rivers
-only if its for cheap. For the second unit mostly to get some load off from Bogdan. Austin also brings some type of defense if he chooses to do so.

Kenneth Faried
-since hes added a 3point shot, could be a value signing if he could be signes for close to vet min.

Javale Mcgee
-for cheap a good option. If he costs something significant, then no.

Jeff Green
-possible cheap wing depth at 4

Robin Lopez
-hes a center so only if hes cheap

Thats just a quick look at some names, I have not gone in depth with these names (advanced metrics ect) so as I said its just a quick look.

 

[Showtime]

A theme with this team is getting out-rebounded and out-muscled inside. Many people think MB3 and Giles can play Center, and I laugh. If the goal is to compete in the playoffs, you will face the best bigs in the game that this team has proven not to be able to stop. It just so happens that a Center rich free agent crop is coming onto the marketplace and the Kings are one of the few teams with a lot of space to make a splash, and that means that you can get quality players that might not be coming here otherwise. The team could literally pick up an all-star level big man and let Willie try to find his way elsewhere. We need a tough guy who can rebound, and he's neither of those things.

We also need to re-think the small ball lineup. Things just aren't working. I'm not a fan of Barnes and I hope they don't extend him. The bench needs depth and Bogi should be able to provide that. Make the switch Dave!

 

[Showtime]

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.

This! We need a Wes Unseld who can secure the possession and get the ball down the court quickly. How many times has Willie finished as a trailer on the break? Not many. What his athleticism does provide is a lob opportunity off the pick and roll. But, that ability isn't worth sacrificing the defense and reboudning IMO. The team has offensive weapons, but they need a guy who can rebound and defend down low.

 

[Kingster]

This! We need a Wes Unseld who can secure the possession and get the ball down the court quickly. How many times has Willie finished as a trailer on the break? Not many. What his athleticism does provide is a lob opportunity off the pick and roll. But, that ability isn't worth sacrificing the defense and reboudning IMO. The team has offensive weapons, but they need a guy who can rebound and defend down low.

It seems to be a lost art. Goergios P. could do it, but not much else. I miss the days of bigs like Unseld and Walton doing outlet passes soooo much. There's nothing like a a big making a rebound, outletting a bullet pass to the wing at half court and then have the wing immediately pass to a streaking guard or wing for a layup or an open 3. Giles could certainly do it if he was just coached to do it. Probably Bagley also. I hope our next center has that skill, or at the least is coached to develop it from his existing passing skill set.

Regarding WCS, every time I've seen him streak down the court on offense, I can't help thinking why in the entire season we've only seen him streak down the court on defense once to block a shot. I'm just shaking my head.

 

[bajaden]

OK, my two cents. I think the Kings are in terrific shape going forward without doing anything. However, if they can improve the team without giving up any of our core players I'm on board. We have a potential, and in my opinion, eventual all star in Fox at the PG position. But we need an upgrade at the backup PG position. A 3 and D backup PG is preferable. My first choice would be Patrick Beverley who is 30 years old, and only made 5 mil last season. My second choice would C. J. McConnell, who is 26 years old, has a toughness about him.

At SG we again have a possible future all star, although I'm not as sure about Buddy as I'am Fox. If Buddy can stop making those little bonehead mistakes, especially at the wrong time, then I can see stardom for him, but in any event, were solid at that position. I think were solid with Bog's as the backup for that position. I know some are down on Bog's, but he's too skilled to discard. He can play three positions and defend two. Personally, I think he's been playing with some sort of nagging injury because he's not moving as well as he did last season.

I think resigning Barnes to a four year deal is imperative for the Kings. Especially if it can be a bit more user friendly. Barnes has made a huge difference in our defense when he's on the floor. He's a smart player that understands rotations and different coverages. Plus, he's been a consistent contributor on offense since he's arrived, something we were missing at the SF position. We could use a full sized backup at the position, and perhaps we can find one in the draft. If not a few unrestricted free agents that might fill the bill are, DeMarre Carrol (32 years old), Rodney Hood (26 years old), James Ennis (28 years old), Darius Miller (28 years old). I didn't mention either Middleton or Bojan Bogdanovic because both would want to start.

We can debate whether Bagley is a PF or a SF, or perhaps eventually a center. But for right now, I see him as a PF and a definite future all star, barring a career ending injury. He's been absolutely amazing. His little 14 to 16 foot jumper has almost become automatic, and if he can extend that out to the three point line, then he's basically unguardable. He needs to tighten his handle a bit more and certainly needs to get stronger, but my goodness, what a player he's going to be. By the way, does anyone remember what Antetokoumpo looked like when he came into the league? Or Anthony Davis? They both looked a lot like Bagley does now. Tall and skinny.

That brings me to Giles. Is he a center, or a PF. Maybe if he can put on about 15 to 20 pounds of muscle, he can play center in the league, but my gut tells me that he's better at the PF position, which leaves us with two potential all stars at the same position. I feel that both Giles and Bagley need to start, or at minimum, get at least 30 plus minutes a game. Very possible if Bagley can spend some time at the SF position and Giles can spend some time at both PF and Center.

Which brings me to Center and the unflappable whipping boy Willie. Can Willie be the starting center on a championship team? My first instinct is to say no. But then I watched the Warriors win a championship with pick a number centers. So it's possible I guess, but an upgrade would be preferable. To that end my first choice would be Vucevic who is 28 years old, a rebounding machine and a 20 pt's a game scorer. He's also a good passer who you could run the ball through. After him the pickings get a little slim. I think DeAndre Jordan still has a few years left in him at 30 years of age. He can defend, and rebound, and he runs the floor well. There's Dedmon, but I don't see him as much of an overall upgrade. Dedmon is more of a backup center.

I have mixed emotions about Cousins. Most of you know that I was a big Cousins supporter, although I did have some problems with his continued arguing with the ref's, especially when the ball was still live. That said, it would be interesting and fun to see how it works out. The old saying is, "You can never go back". And that's probably true. It's human nature to remember the good times and forget the bad one's. I don't see Cousins returning to the Kings, but I'm not against it for the right price, and who knows, maybe a one year, lets see how it works contract.

One thing is for sure, the future looks a lot brighter than it did a few years ago, and this team is fun to watch again. For the first time in a very long time I find myself in agony with the losses and exhilarated by the win's. Not good for someone who has recovered from a heart attack, but I wouldn't have it any other way...

 

[hrdboild]

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.

I think these are all good big-picture goals for next season and I would even say that these are more important than roster additions. I'm totally fine with them pushing the pace early and often as that seems to be a strategy which compliments our best players but if we want to be an elite offensive team (and I hope that we do!) than we also need to be able to score against a set defense. We have shooters, we have guys who can get to the basket, we have bigs who can create shots. All the pieces are there it's just a matter of executing better.

I think we just need more improvements from Fox, Bagley, and Giles. It just feels like we have a very complete team, but our best players are just too inexperienced in the NBA. Talking mostly Fox, Buddy, and Bagley. The only thing I worry about is maybe our players hitting walls.... which I really hope don't happen next season.

-8th in points per game
-9th in assists per game
-9th in tos per game
-13th in FG% per game
-4th in 3pt % per game
-15th in 3pt made per game
-27th in FT %
-16th in FTA
-----------------------------------------------------
-26th in opponents points per game
-18th in opponents FG%
-7th in opponent 3pt %
-14th in rebounds per game
-24th in blocks per game
-7th in steals per game

https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/team-stats/

These rankings match pretty well with the eye test. We're very good at moving the ball, finding high-percentage shots, knocking down threes (though we should probably shoot more of them) and limiting our own turnovers. We're especially good in these areas when you factor in our relative inexperience. On the downside, we're giving up way too many points defensively though we are good at forcing turnovers and surprisingly good at defending the perimeter. Our free throw shooting is sub-par but some of these guys are young enough and good enough elsewhere on the floor (Fox, Bagley Giles) that we can expect some improvement to come as a natural part of their growth curve.

If you add up all the areas where we're comparatively poor this season (FT%, opponent points per game, blocks) it points pretty strongly toward not re-signing Willie but that decision would also mean replacing him with someone better and that player isn't going to be easy to find, or cheap. Sliding Bagley into one of those starting front-court spots for next season seems like a good bet given his explosive scoring outbursts this season and I think he would be equally effective at either spot so we have some flexibility. Bjelica and Giles off the bench seem to compliment each other as a unit. Maybe Giles is ultimately the other front-court starter but it would be nice to keep some scoring in that second unit. Big guys who can enforce the paint and step out and shoot a three don't grow on trees. If Nikola Vucevic is obtainable, he checks the most boxes. Fox/Hield/Barnes/Bagley/Vucevic is a playoff caliber lineup in the Wester Conference and we'd still have some firepower left on the bench.

After that though, I don't see a lot of attractive options for filling that starting C spot. If we figure Bagley continues to improve as an outside shooter and just look for an interior thug to block shots and clean up the defensive boards we might have more luck. Effective defensive bigs don't grow on trees either but they're easier to find than what we're now calling "unicorn" bigs. Bobby Portis fits as a stretch big I suppose but that makes Bagley a bit miscast as enforcer. Also we might as well just roll with Bjelica as the stretch big at that point so I'm not sure Portis upgrades us in any way. Why is free agency always so depressing?

 

[Kings_of_California]

Someone mentioned Bojan Bogdanovich. He's a pretty good player. I've watched him play some this year... he looks like the type of guy you'd see standing at the 3pt line waiting for a catch and shoot but he's actually got a pretty versatile offensive game. He can go inside or get crafty around the paint. He's really taken the reigns on offense ever since Oladipo went down.

He is a little too ball dominant though at times. He gets the same kind of tunnel vision that Marvin sometimes gets when driving into the lane. If he puts the ball on the hardwood and goes for it, it's all or bust.

 

[burekijogurt]

I think these are all good big-picture goals for next season and I would even say that these are more important than roster additions. I'm totally fine with them pushing the pace early and often as that seems to be a strategy which compliments our best players but if we want to be an elite offensive team (and I hope that we do!) than we also need to be able to score against a set defense. We have shooters, we have guys who can get to the basket, we have bigs who can create shots. All the pieces are there it's just a matter of executing better.



These rankings match pretty well with the eye test. We're very good at moving the ball, finding high-percentage shots, knocking down threes (though we should probably shoot more of them) and limiting our own turnovers. We're especially good in these areas when you factor in our relative inexperience. On the downside, we're giving up way too many points defensively though we are good at forcing turnovers and surprisingly good at defending the perimeter. Our free throw shooting is sub-par but some of these guys are young enough and good enough elsewhere on the floor (Fox, Bagley Giles) that we can expect some improvement to come as a natural part of their growth curve.

If you add up all the areas where we're comparatively poor this season (FT%, opponent points per game, blocks) it points pretty strongly toward not re-signing Willie but that decision would also mean replacing him with someone better and that player isn't going to be easy to find, or cheap. Sliding Bagley into one of those starting front-court spots for next season seems like a good bet given his explosive scoring outbursts this season and I think he would be equally effective at either spot so we have some flexibility. Bjelica and Giles off the bench seem to compliment each other as a unit. Maybe Giles is ultimately the other front-court starter but it would be nice to keep some scoring in that second unit. Big guys who can enforce the paint and step out and shoot a three don't grow on trees. If Nikola Vucevic is obtainable, he checks the most boxes. Fox/Hield/Barnes/Bagley/Vucevic is a playoff caliber lineup in the Wester Conference and we'd still have some firepower left on the bench.

After that though, I don't see a lot of attractive options for filling that starting C spot. If we figure Bagley continues to improve as an outside shooter and just look for an interior thug to block shots and clean up the defensive boards we might have more luck. Effective defensive bigs don't grow on trees either but they're easier to find than what we're now calling "unicorn" bigs. Bobby Portis fits as a stretch big I suppose but that makes Bagley a bit miscast as enforcer. Also we might as well just roll with Bjelica as the stretch big at that point so I'm not sure Portis upgrades us in any way. Why is free agency always so depressing?

re: half court offense.

Bagley's rapid development and teams actually starting to double him in the low post point to one possible improvement/option we can add to our half court offense next year. We did not have a double team threat this year, but if Bagley truly becomes one, we will have that as one option. Obviously Bagley and the rest of the team have to learn execute when the double comes.

The second improvement should come from Fox getting increasingly better at running the PNR. PNR is a play with a lot of nuance and there is nothing like experience and running it over and over again to incrementally improve at it. The whole team, as they gain experience with each other, should become better at running it.

Now, I am hoping that Giles will eventually become an option in the high post. Maybe not next year, but the year after that we should have this in our arsenal as well. He has the passing instincts/ability, he just needs to solidify that elbow jumper and gain some experience.

This is all without any changes to the roster. Obviously there could be some roster changes which would give us further options. And I just realized that I forgot Barnes as well. We have already started ISO-ing him in certain situations against smaller lineups. All this points to us having more tools in our toolkit next year to deal with disciplined defensive teams that minimize the transition opportunities

 

[ockingsfan]

I think the primary need for the Kings to make the playoffs next year is to get a legitimate Stretch 4 or 5 to start alongside Bagley.

I think WCS will be gone this summer. Replace WCS with Brook Lopez or Nikola Mirotic and I think the the Kings make the playoffs next year.

I don't think the Bucks try to retain Mirotic this summer. If we give Brook Lopez a sweetheart deal (i.e. 3 years $54 mil?), the Bucks will have a hard time matching, considering they need to re-sign Middleton and Bledsoe. Brooke Lopez is a good 3 point shooter and also a good rim protector.

If we can sign Patrick Beverly or Jeremy Lin as backup point guard, we would be pretty deep and set. Re-sign the cheaper of Brewer or Shump as bench defensive SF.

The Kings line up would be pretty high octane and balanced.

PF Bagley / Bjelicia
SF Barnes / Brewer or Shump
C Lopez / Giles
SG Buddy/ Bogdan
PG Fox / Beverly (or Lin)

 

[dude12]

Not eff up the hiring of the new coach

 

[SLAB]

Not eff up the hiring of the new coach

This.

Also a legit backup PG and reinforcement at the Center. If Shump wants to come back, please do.

 

[dude12]

A backup PG/combo guard is a must. Go shock the world and convinceDurant to come here.

 

[ppine]

The answer to this question completely changed today. They need to find a coach . They need to especially find one that can work with young players and bring them along and give them confidence. Giles and Bagley made huge strides this year. Most coaches probably would have started Marvin by the end of the season. It is one of the only things that gives me pause about Joerger as a coach. He is old school in that he thinks rooks have to earn it. Not a bad way to coach.

 

[ppine]

Call me crazy but I like Yogi. Mason is fine playing third in line.
I think it will boil down to the 5 and the new coaching staff.
Durant ain't happening.