Building around a Fox/Sabonis core

[funkykingston]

Despite being crushed that Haliburton was traded, the last game was the first time I've been excited about this Kings team in a long time. That said, it was just one game. Lots of teams see elevated play for a game or two following a big roster change and time will tell if this really is the sea change this franchise has needed for years. But regardless of how the rest of this season plays out, McNair has to be banking on Fox and Sabonis as his cornerstones. Sabonis because he made the huge deal for him and Fox because his contract and currently lowered value means hoping he has a resurgence is the best option for now.

So what's the path forward now?

The following players are under contract for next season:

C Sabonis/Holmes/Len
PF Barnes/Metu/Lyles (team option)
SF Harkless/Holiday
SG Davis
PG Fox/Mitchell

Lamb, Jackson, and Jones are unrestricted free agents. DiVincenzo, King, and Queta will be restricted free agents.

I think they'll make a strong effort to re-sign DDV if he rounds back into form. I could also see them signing King and Queta to small deals with team options. Queta especially if Jones isn't resigned, Holmes is traded and they don't use their FRP on a center.

The only players under contract beyond next season are Fox, Sabonis, Holmes, and Mitchell.

The Kings have $106.5M in committed salary for next season and the 2022-2023 cap is estimated to be somewhere between $119M and $121M
The Kings have $69.1M in committed salary for next season and the 2023-20234 cap will likely be somewhere between $125M and $127M

As far as draft capital, the Kings own their own 1st round pick (probably in the 9-15 range) and I believe they have their own 2nd round pick and will likely get Chicago's 2nd round pick
I believe in 2023 they currently have their own 1st & 2nd round picks plus Indiana's 2nd rounder.

As trade pieces go, they really just have Richaun Holmes, unless they decide to part with Barnes or Mitchell. If they don't trade Barnes this offseason, they'll be forced to either re-sign him next offseason, or find his replacement.

Given all that, how do you see the Kings front office approaching the task of building a winner around Fox and Sabonis?

 

[kb02]

Despite being crushed that Haliburton was traded, the last game was the first time I've been excited about this Kings team in a long time. That said, it was just one game. Lots of teams see elevated play for a game or two following a big roster change and time will tell if this really is the sea change this franchise has needed for years. But regardless of how the rest of this season plays out, McNair has to be banking on Fox and Sabonis as his cornerstones. Sabonis because he made the huge deal for him and Fox because his contract and currently lowered value means hoping he has a resurgence is the best option for now.

So what's the path forward now?

The following players are under contract for next season:

C Sabonis/Holmes/Len
PF Barnes/Metu/Lyles (team option)
SF Harkless/Holiday
SG Davis
PG Fox/Mitchell

Lamb, Jackson, and Jones are unrestricted free agents. DiVincenzo, King, and Queta will be restricted free agents.

I think they'll make a strong effort to re-sign DDV if he rounds back into form. I could also see them signing King and Queta to small deals with team options. Queta especially if Jones isn't resigned, Holmes is traded and they don't use their FRP on a center.

The only players under contract beyond next season are Fox, Sabonis, Holmes, and Mitchell.

The Kings have $106.5M in committed salary for next season and the 2022-2023 cap is estimated to be somewhere between $119M and $121M
The Kings have $69.1M in committed salary for next season and the 2023-20234 cap will likely be somewhere between $125M and $127M

As far as draft capital, the Kings own their own 1st round pick (probably in the 9-15 range) and I believe they have their own 2nd round pick and will likely get Chicago's 2nd round pick
I believe in 2023 they currently have their own 1st & 2nd round picks plus Indiana's 2nd rounder.

As trade pieces go, they really just have Richaun Holmes, unless they decide to part with Barnes or Mitchell. If they don't trade Barnes this offseason, they'll be forced to either re-sign him next offseason, or find his replacement.

Given all that, how do you see the Kings front office approaching the task of building a winner around Fox and Sabonis?

I think they'll re-sign DDV and Queta. Trade Holmes in the off season. And then use the rest of the season to see if Fox can indeed play with Sabonis. The last game was exciting, but it'll be interesting to see how the team plays as the rest of the league adjusts to an offense that is essentially built around Sabonis at the high post and a fast transition game whenever there is an opp to run.

Also think the 4 spot is up for grabs. Pretty obvious Monte is looking for a healthy MPJ type in that spot. Right now it's manned by Metu and Lyles and the only player in the draft, who has that profile is Patrick Baldwin Jr., but dude is shooting 26.6% from 3! So they may need to find that player via trade. And beyond KD and MPJ, the players who might kinda fit that profile are Kuzma and Deni though neither quite have the length to be a consistent help side rim protector (need lots of length next to Sabonis). Where's Robert Horry or Rashard Lewis when you need them?

Edit: Maybe this dude in the second round: https://tankathon.com/players/matthew-mayer
He has the length and athleticism. Needs to work on that shot though. Intriguing.

 

[twslam07]

I think they'll re-sign DDV and Queta. Trade Holmes in the off season. And then use the rest of the season to see if Fox can indeed play with Sabonis. The last game was exciting, but it'll be interesting to see how the team plays as the rest of the league adjusts to an offense that is essentially built around Sabonis at the high post and a fast transition game whenever there is an opp to run.

Also think the 4 spot is up for grabs. Pretty obvious Monte is looking for a healthy MPJ type in that spot. Right now it's manned by Metu and Lyles and the only player in the draft, who has that profile is Patrick Baldwin Jr., but dude is shooting 26.6% from 3! So they may need to find that player via trade. And beyond KD and MPJ, the players who might kinda fit that profile are Kuzma and Deni though neither quite have the length to be a consistent help side rim protector (need lots of length next to Sabonis). Where's Robert Horry or Rashard Lewis when you need them?

Edit: Maybe this dude in the second round: https://tankathon.com/players/matthew-mayer
He has the length and athleticism. Needs to work on that shot though. Intriguing.

MPJ would be a pretty horrible fit next to Sabonis. He's a pretty awful defender.

Are you not a fan of Keegan Murray? Seems like he'd check all/most of the boxes at PF next to Sabonis.

 

[EIM86]

I think Gentry should stay out of the way mostly and just be an overseer. Tweak the offense up to keep the instinctual play of Sabonis to blossom.

I’m guessing we gonna move up in the draft by trading our pick and Holmes. We can draft for for fit rather then BPA. This team isn’t far from being at the very least a play off team, on paper

 

[macadocious]

We need a shooter around them and another playmaker. That would really put us over the top. Preferable a playmaker who can also shoot.

 

[kb02]

MPJ would be a pretty horrible fit next to Sabonis. He's a pretty awful defender.

Are you not a fan of Keegan Murray? Seems like he'd check all/most of the boxes at PF next to Sabonis.

I haven't watched Keegan Murray, but dude stands 6'7?. For me, whoever mans that 4 spot, you need someone with length. 6'10+ preferably. The main issue with Sabonis on defense is he's not an elite shot deterer.

 

[twslam07]

We need a shooter around them and another playmaker. That would really put us over the top. Preferable a playmaker who can also shoot.

At PF, you really need someone who is good at...

• Protecting the rim / being a weakside shot-blocker
• Rotating on defense
• On-ball defense
• Defending multiple positions
• Spacing the floor from 3
• Moving without the ball

Being good at rebounding, passing, & scoring are nice to haves from our PF spot (from my perspective).

 

[funkykingston]

I've tried to gauge McNair's tendencies from the players he's tried to trade for or sign but there's not a definite pattern beyond liking length and athleticism at the wing positions. He tried to pry Bey away from Detroit, and nearly dealt for Kuzma and Harrell (as a Holmes replacement most likely). So I think MPJ types make sense as he likes longer, athletic forwards who can shoot. Sabonis is a completely different center than any others he's signed or tried to trade for.

If the Kings were to jump up to the top 4 in the lottery, Jabari Smith and Jayden Ivey make the most sense. I don't think Sharpe will declare and that's too high a pick to gamble on someone who hasn't played a minute since HS. Holmgren is likely worth the gamble but such an odd prospect in terms of both strengths and weaknesses. I'm not big on Banchero and I think his fit with Fox and Sabonis could be awkward, but hard to pass him up at 4 if Smith, Ivey and Holmgren are off the board.

But in all likelihood the Kings wind up at the end of the lottery this year since several teams are tanking and others (like the Lakers and Hornets) are in a freefall while the Kings will push for the play in game. Guys I like in that range are Kendall Brown, Tari Eason, and AJ Griffin. Guys with some positive traits but who concern me a fair amount are Keegan Murray, Patrick Baldwin Jr, and Nikola Jovic. I don't have a sense of where Trevor Keels will go. I like him, but I'm not sure he's worth taking in the lottery.

One guy I'd take in the 2nd round (especially if he's there for the Kings later pick) woudl be Jordan Hall. With Hali gone, to have another big wing/PG that can run the offense (likely as part of the 2nd unit) and be another facilitator would be great. He's no where near Tyrese as an overall prospect, but he brings back some of that playmaking and pick & roll wizardry.

I'll be curious to see what McNair can get for Holmes. Going back to the bench will lower his value, but if he wasn't in demand at the trade deadline, I don't think we can hope for a big haul. I think the hope is that DDV improves as he gets further from injury and can start with Fox, Barnes, and Sabonis. That gives you a reserve guard unit of Mitchell and Davis. Holiday, Metu, Harkless, and Lyles are decent reserves but I don't think any of them are ideal as your fifth starter. So who does McNair want in that spot? A scoring wing that keeps Barnes as a stretch 4? An athletic, shotblocking PF to help cover for Sabonis?

This should be an interesting offseason.

 

[twslam07]

I haven't watched Keegan Murray, but dude stands 6'7?. For me, whoever mans that 4 spot, you need someone with length. 6'10+ preferably. The main issue with Sabonis on defense is he's not an elite shot deterer.

Where did you get 6'7" from?

Everywhere I see has him listed at either 6'8" or 6'9" with a 6'11" or 7'0" wingspan and weighing in at 225 lbs. I don't think his size is an issue at PF at all, but we'll see how he measures at the combine.

As for rim protection, he's averaging 2.4 blocks per 36 min. That's pretty good for a PF.

 

[Chupacabra]

I think the ceiling for the combo is high. The ceiling is only limited by rim protection, as I see it. That and perhaps a lack of superstar calls. The difficulty will be pairing Sabonis with a shot blocking, spot up shooting 4. Not many of those around.

Fox shifts the defense off the dribble and is willing to pass to take advantage of it. Sabonis seems to be a flow of offense type of guy, from the limited play of him that I have watched. You can do a lot with the qualities that the combo possesses. I expect us to be a strong playoff team next year. I don't think we're battling for a play-in spot or the 8 seed next year.

 

[kb02]

Where did you get 6'7" from?

Everywhere I see has him listed at either 6'8" or 6'9" with a 6'11" or 7'0" wingspan and weighing in at 225 lbs. I don't think his size is an issue at PF at all, but we'll see how he measures at the combine.

As for rim protection, he's averaging 2.4 blocks per 36 min. That's pretty good for a PF.

I've seen him once and he looks closer to Robert Woodard/Jaylen Brown than MPJ/KD. If you look at my first post, I said Kuzma and Deni kinda fit the long, MPJ/KD mold. Kinda in that they're not quite as long as preferred. That's where Murray would fall into. The archetype that Monte is obviously looking for in that 4 spot is someone with length. Hence why we're likely going to see Lyles and Metu trying out for that role the rest of the year.

Baldwin has that profile. Mathew Mayer has that profile. I don't know of anyone else in this draft that quite has the length, mobility, and three point shooting that Monte will be looking for. We'll see.

 

[Dongoodboy]

At PF, you really need someone who is good at...

• Protecting the rim / being a weakside shot-blocker
• Rotating on defense
• On-ball defense
• Defending multiple positions
• Spacing the floor from 3
• Moving without the ball

Being good at rebounding, passing, & scoring are nice to haves from our PF spot (from my perspective).

If only we drafted JJJ

 

[Spike]

Man, I would like Ivey, but I don't really think he's a priority right now. I think he would want the ball in his hands more than he would get it between Fox and Sabonis. That said, if he's available when the Kings pick, it's hard for me to see them passing up on him. (This requires some lottery ball luck, of course.) We have to assume that DDV is coming back next year, though, or else we are a little thin in the backcourt. If we get a healthy DDV, then that solidifies things in the backcourt a little better moving forward. Man, what a difference a week makes. It'll be interesting for sure because I'm not sure we're necessarily going to draft BPA. But I also thought that last year before we picked up Mitchell.

I think we're asking a lot from a potential front-court partner for Sabonis if we're looking for someone more than a rim protector with an outside shot. We can't have that person clog the lanes, because that will limit the slicing and dicing that can be done in the half-court. I would value length and athleticism at that position. I think Barnes is likely viewed as a long-term solution; not everyone has to be 24, and I value his professionalism as well as what that brings to a younger team. But I'm not sure where his best fit is with this team. He offers the spacing that you want at the 4, but not the defense that you would need.

Ultimately, I think there's a vision, and yeah, it does seem to be transition offense into half-court, but that doesn't have to mean predictable. If everyone is moving and the ball is flying around, this team will look plenty fast on offense. I think a coach who can effectively implement that while maintaining a solid point differential (read: good defense even though teams are scoring more points) is paramount to success here. For example, I don't mind if the defense gives up 119 if we're scoring 130. I'm more excited to see what coach is brought in vs. the players. For this year, I just want to see the players get to know each other a little better on the court - I don't think there's enough time to gel and make noise in the playoffs, but I'm hopeful to see a lot more ball movement and purposeful speed.

 

[twslam07]

I've seen him once and he looks closer to Robert Woodard/Jaylen Brown than MPJ/KD. If you look at my first post, I said Kuzma and Deni kinda fit the long, MPJ/KD mold. Kinda in that they're not quite as long as preferred. That's where Murray would fall into. The archetype that Monte is obviously looking for in that 4 spot is someone with length. Hence why we're likely going to see Lyles and Metu trying out for that role the rest of the year.

Baldwin has that profile. Mathew Mayer has that profile. I don't know of anyone else in this draft that quite has the length, mobility, and three point shooting that Monte will be looking for. We'll see.

At DME Academy (2 years ago), these were his measurements:

• Height = 6'8"
• Wingspan = 6'11"
• Standing Reach = 8'7"
• Weight = 208 lbs
• Max Vertical = 36"
• 3/4 Court Sprint = 3.08 sec
• Lane Agility = 10.4 sec
• Shuttle Run = 3.52 sec

Again, I think his size is just fine for the PF spot (especially with more recent reports coming out with him being a bit taller, longer, and weighing more). Plus he gives you that rim protection component and shooting that is needed next to Sabonis. MPJ next to Sabonis would be a pretty horrible fit.

 

[sactowndog]

At DME Academy (2 years ago), these were his measurements:

• Height = 6'8"
• Wingspan = 6'11"
• Standing Reach = 8'7"
• Weight = 208 lbs
• Max Vertical = 36"
• 3/4 Court Sprint = 3.08 sec
• Lane Agility = 10.4 sec
• Shuttle Run = 3.52 sec

Again, I think his size is just fine for the PF spot (especially with more recent reports coming out with him being a bit taller, longer, and weighing more). Plus he gives you that rim protection component and shooting that is needed next to Sabonis. MPJ next to Sabonis would be a pretty horrible fit.

I’m thinking he is gone by the time we trade. But a dark horse 4 would be Orlando Robinson from Fresno.

 

[EIM86]

I’m thinking he is gone by the time we trade. But a dark horse 4 would be Orlando Robinson from Fresno.

I was thinking the same thing. Wouldn’t hurt to overload on offense

 

[Entity]

Herb Jones would be good to get from the pelicans. he isn't gonna put up scoring numbers but gives you good defense that can switch and guard multiple positions. he also has some play making abilities. He is a descent enough shooter to space the floor.

 

[kb02]

At DME Academy (2 years ago), these were his measurements:

• Height = 6'8"
• Wingspan = 6'11"
• Standing Reach = 8'7"
• Weight = 208 lbs
• Max Vertical = 36"
• 3/4 Court Sprint = 3.08 sec
• Lane Agility = 10.4 sec
• Shuttle Run = 3.52 sec

Again, I think his size is just fine for the PF spot (especially with more recent reports coming out with him being a bit taller, longer, and weighing more). Plus he gives you that rim protection component and shooting that is needed next to Sabonis. MPJ next to Sabonis would be a pretty horrible fit.

Likely his measurements in shoes, because he doesn’t look taller than Woodard. We’ll see if he shrinks at the combine.

I’ve watched him once and he didn’t pop. And you need to stop harping about MPJ’s fit next to Sabonis and focus on the archetype. It’s obvious Monte is looking for a dude with length next to Sabonis. Not so much an elite one on one defender, but a dude that can come from the weakside and help deter shots. Murray doesn’t have that kind of length though i wouldn’t be adversed to him if he’s bpa.

 

[Tetsujin]

Likely his measurements in shoes, because he doesn’t look taller than Woodard. We’ll see if he shrinks at the combine.

I’ve watched him once and he didn’t pop. And you need to stop harping about MPJ’s fit next to Sabonis and focus on the archetype. It’s obvious Monte is looking for a dude with length next to Sabonis. Not so much an elite one on one defender, but a dude that can come from the weakside and help deter shots. Murray doesn’t have that kind of length though i wouldn’t be adversed to him if he’s bpa.

A weak side blocker, eh?

Sounds like we need Chet Holmgren!

In all seriousness though, this is probably why Metu’s starting.

 

[kb02]

Herb Jones would be good to get from the pelicans. he isn't gonna put up scoring numbers but gives you good defense that can switch and guard multiple positions. he also has some play making abilities. He is a descent enough shooter to space the floor.

Sigh. If only…

 

[twslam07]

Likely his measurements in shoes, because he doesn’t look taller than Woodard. We’ll see if he shrinks at the combine.

I’ve watched him once and he didn’t pop. And you need to stop harping about MPJ’s fit next to Sabonis and focus on the archetype. It’s obvious Monte is looking for a dude with length next to Sabonis. Not so much an elite one on one defender, but a dude that can come from the weakside and help deter shots. Murray doesn’t have that kind of length though i wouldn’t be adversed to him if he’s bpa.

MPJ is not a good archetype though. He’s a poor defender. If you want to say “someone with MPJs build & length” then that’s fine.

 

[kb02]

MPJ is not a good archetype though. He’s a poor defender. If you want to say “someone with MPJs build & length” then that’s fine.

Just because he’s not a good defender now, dude has the physical skill to play that role.

 

[twslam07]

Just because he’s not a good defender now, dude has the physical skill to play that role.

Plenty of players have the physical skill to play defense. Doesn’t mean they end up being good defenders.

 

[kb02]

Plenty of players have the physical skill to play defense. Doesn’t mean they end up being good defenders.

Better to have a player that has the physical skills to play a certain role than to get a player, who may be a good defender, but doesn’t have the physical tools to play the role. Otherwise, the Kings should just move Davion to the 4 spot. Problem solved!!

 

[TaxMan]

I've been thinking about the fact that Fox had been sitting with his ankle "injury" prior to the trade deadline, and then magically started after the trade. I'm sure he probably had an ankle tweak of some sort, but it seems so fishy and so I would guess that Monte and Fox had a discussion at some point on overall team strategy. This was likely when we got the report that the team told Fox he was staying and they were committed to building around him. I don't remember the timing exactly, but feels like that was about when Fox started to sit out games.

So... why did they want Fox to sit out games if they were committed to keeping him? My totally unsubstantiated guess is that Monte really really wanted Sabonis. Indiana would not take Fox (which led to the conversation between Monte and Fox about his future). Indiana was on the fence about taking a deal centered around Haliburton (even though the twitter analytics analysts LOVE Haliburton, it's not like he is actually a sure fire superstar), but Monte wanted to give him an extended period of time to convince the Pacers that he's a centerpiece to a trade. So, they have Fox sit and tell him they are working to rebalance the team by the trade deadline.

Which all leads me to my main point.... by sitting fox for so many games, they really put themselves behind the eight ball for the play-in this year. If they make the play-in this year, I'm sure the front office will be happy (probably some more than others), but I think Monte is secretly praying he gets one more shot to see if the lottery gods bless us with a top 4 pick (a low key tank job....), and that is hopefully the other main piece to the core moving forward. I'm no draft expert, but seems like this years draft is much more top heavy than most if you want someone that can come in and be that core piece. Obviously, Monte also didn't trade our FRP this year at the deadline, so he was careful enough to make changes, but the main strategy is to set up next year's squad.

 

[twslam07]

Better to have a player that has the physical skills to play a certain role than to get a player, who may be a good defender, but doesn’t have the physical tools to play the role. Otherwise, the Kings should just move Davion to the 4 spot. Problem solved!!

Much higher chance that Murray could fill that role vs. MPJ. Have to play the odds my friend.

 

[funkykingston]

I've been thinking about the fact that Fox had been sitting with his ankle "injury" prior to the trade deadline, and then magically started after the trade. I'm sure he probably had an ankle tweak of some sort, but it seems so fishy and so I would guess that Monte and Fox had a discussion at some point on overall team strategy. This was likely when we got the report that the team told Fox he was staying and they were committed to building around him. I don't remember the timing exactly, but feels like that was about when Fox started to sit out games.

So... why did they want Fox to sit out games if they were committed to keeping him? My totally unsubstantiated guess is that Monte really really wanted Sabonis. Indiana would not take Fox (which led to the conversation between Monte and Fox about his future). Indiana was on the fence about taking a deal centered around Haliburton (even though the twitter analytics analysts LOVE Haliburton, it's not like he is actually a sure fire superstar), but Monte wanted to give him an extended period of time to convince the Pacers that he's a centerpiece to a trade. So, they have Fox sit and tell him they are working to rebalance the team by the trade deadline.

Which all leads me to my main point.... by sitting fox for so many games, they really put themselves behind the eight ball for the play-in this year. If they make the play-in this year, I'm sure the front office will be happy (probably some more than others), but I think Monte is secretly praying he gets one more shot to see if the lottery gods bless us with a top 4 pick (a low key tank job....), and that is hopefully the other main piece to the core moving forward. I'm no draft expert, but seems like this years draft is much more top heavy than most if you want someone that can come in and be that core piece. Obviously, Monte also didn't trade our FRP this year at the deadline, so he was careful enough to make changes, but the main strategy is to set up next year's squad.

I have a hard time seeing a GM working with a player that way. McNair publicly said he was going to build around Fox AND Haliburton before later trading Tyrese, who was legitimately shocked and upset by the trade. I'm guessing he was shopping Fox as well and just didn't see the same type of potential offers for him.

I mean, it's all possible that it went down as you've described, but I think the simplest answer is just that Fox's ankle was bothering him. I mean, we had Hali saying before the trade went down that De'Aaron looked like himself in practice and he thought he'd be good to go the next game.

As a side note, I don't think this draft is especially top heavy. If anything, it's just a relatively weak draft overall. I like Jabari Smith Jr and I think he'll be good, but I don't see him as a generational talent. Not unless he dramatically improves his individual creation and playmaking. Holmgren is far from a sure thing and even at his peak, he's probably never a go to scorer. To me there is a top 4 of those guys plus Ivey and Banchero, but I would have put all four in a second tier behind Mobley and Cunningham in last year's draft. I'm sure I'll warm up to more guys as I watch them play, but this draft seems very meh to me so far.

 

[Fantazija]

Herb Jones would be good to get from the pelicans. he isn't gonna put up scoring numbers but gives you good defense that can switch and guard multiple positions. he also has some play making abilities. He is a descent enough shooter to space the floor.

Pels are super high on him as they should be.Tremendous defender in his first year.No way to get him i think

 

[funkykingston]

Much higher chance that Murray could fill that role vs. MPJ. Have to play the odds my friend.

I think people who like PJ Washington would also like Murray. He's a good outside shooter but not a completely natural one. Slightly wide base and not the quickest release. But it's a consistent shot that goes in. Not a great athlete, but strong and more of a momentum leaper. He's not quite the passer Washington is, but he isn't a black hole.

The biggest issue for me with Murray is that he's often at his best as a bully ball scorer inside. He even often uses his face up just to dribble toward the paint and either attack directly or turn his back so he can post up inside. One, I'm not sure that translates in the NBA against bigger, stronger defenders and two, I don't think it's a great fit with Sabonis & Fox. He (like Washington) is a good cutter, but I think guys that do a lot of their damage getting tough buckets in the paint will clog things up for Domantas and De'Aaron.

I don't see any real ideal fits next to those two in this draft other than maybe Jabari Smith Jr, who provides size, shooting, perimeter defense etc. Of course, the fact that they traded Hali and Buddy and the only SG under contract for next year (I think they re-sign DDV though) is Davis, it opens things up to draft a SG, SF, or PF. I'm just not super thrilled with most of the options in this class.

 

[Kingster]

I've been thinking about the fact that Fox had been sitting with his ankle "injury" prior to the trade deadline, and then magically started after the trade. I'm sure he probably had an ankle tweak of some sort, but it seems so fishy and so I would guess that Monte and Fox had a discussion at some point on overall team strategy. This was likely when we got the report that the team told Fox he was staying and they were committed to building around him. I don't remember the timing exactly, but feels like that was about when Fox started to sit out games.

So... why did they want Fox to sit out games if they were committed to keeping him? My totally unsubstantiated guess is that Monte really really wanted Sabonis. Indiana would not take Fox (which led to the conversation between Monte and Fox about his future). Indiana was on the fence about taking a deal centered around Haliburton (even though the twitter analytics analysts LOVE Haliburton, it's not like he is actually a sure fire superstar), but Monte wanted to give him an extended period of time to convince the Pacers that he's a centerpiece to a trade. So, they have Fox sit and tell him they are working to rebalance the team by the trade deadline.

Which all leads me to my main point.... by sitting fox for so many games, they really put themselves behind the eight ball for the play-in this year. If they make the play-in this year, I'm sure the front office will be happy (probably some more than others), but I think Monte is secretly praying he gets one more shot to see if the lottery gods bless us with a top 4 pick (a low key tank job....), and that is hopefully the other main piece to the core moving forward. I'm no draft expert, but seems like this years draft is much more top heavy than most if you want someone that can come in and be that core piece. Obviously, Monte also didn't trade our FRP this year at the deadline, so he was careful enough to make changes, but the main strategy is to set up next year's squad.

I'd love to know the back story. My speculation is that Fox was putting pressure on McNair to do a deal - either to trade him or get some talent like a Sabonis he could play with so that he could finally win with the Kings. After seeing Fox's gleeful reaction to playing with Sabonis it is very clear that he was depressed playing with the pre-Sabonis group and now appears confident and optimistic going forward.