Building around a Fox/Sabonis core
- Thread starter funkykingston
- Start date
I was hoping we could get Christian Wood off of the Rockets this deadline or PJ Washington. I think Holmes plus our Pick plus our expiring contracts can net us a good front court partner for Sabonis. Barnes gives us so much in this regard.
Should be an interesting off-season (plus I’m now interested in the rest of this season).
Should be an interesting off-season (plus I’m now interested in the rest of this season).
My take is that he was hurt, could have been a long nagging thing going on there. I also think Hali and Fox liked each other. I always thought that we keep both and build around them but in the end, as others were saying, one had to go so we can get an elite guy at some other position.
I also think Fox as many others would do in his position, may have been disappointed in that he was going to have to become the SG after he kept increasing his stat line every year, while waiting for the GM to improve the other positions. Enter Hali who this year is now the main ball handler and Fox is relegated to the SG spot which is not what he is.
Exit Hali, enter Sabonis, and yeah, there is a rejuvenated Fox who has all along been a guy saying the right thing about wanting to turn it around here just like Haliburton. I,would take either Hali or Fox with Sabonis but preferred Fox and now wait for Monte’s next big move.
I also think Fox as many others would do in his position, may have been disappointed in that he was going to have to become the SG after he kept increasing his stat line every year, while waiting for the GM to improve the other positions. Enter Hali who this year is now the main ball handler and Fox is relegated to the SG spot which is not what he is.
Exit Hali, enter Sabonis, and yeah, there is a rejuvenated Fox who has all along been a guy saying the right thing about wanting to turn it around here just like Haliburton. I,would take either Hali or Fox with Sabonis but preferred Fox and now wait for Monte’s next big move.
With the speed of Fox\Mitchell , Domas being able to push the offense right after getting a rebound and Barnes\Holiday\DDV being very good off ball players Kings will almost definitely will be a run and gun team.That will lead to way higher than average number of possessions per game and naturally high points scored and allowed.If everyone buys into the idea that team needs to simply outscore the other team and fit the remaining pieces together based on that Kings could become a super fun to watch low seed playoff team.Kind of like Byron Davis led Warriors years back.They managed to win one playoff series but they sure were exiting to watch.
Jonathan Isaac would be a great fit next to Sabonis at PF with his defense, rim protection, and shooting. Also, at 24 years old, he fits our timeline with Sabonis, Fox, Mitchell, & DiVincenzo.
He's obviously coming off an ACL tear and it's not like he's been an iron man the rest of his career so there is reason to be hesitant. But he is only making $17.4 mil so the risk is mitigated a bit vs. if he was making the max. I'd be interested to see what ORL fans would want for him (or if they even would want to move him).
He's obviously coming off an ACL tear and it's not like he's been an iron man the rest of his career so there is reason to be hesitant. But he is only making $17.4 mil so the risk is mitigated a bit vs. if he was making the max. I'd be interested to see what ORL fans would want for him (or if they even would want to move him).
Holmgren is fascinating as a prospect. He look like he has the build to ever add much muscle so I can't see him being a full time C, but I think if you play him at the 4 you risk him getting torched on the perimeter, especially when teams go small. But his shotblocking will translate, he'll continue to improve as an outside shooter, and plays smart, tough basketball despite his lack of weight/strength.
Would I take him at 3 or 4 and see if he and Sabonis can figure it out? Probably. Chet is finding ways to contribute with Timme and Sabonis is world's better as a playmaker and more effective stepping away from the hoop than him. Is it an ideal pairing? Probably not. The range of outcomes in pairing Holmgren and Sabonis is pretty vast.
Would I take him at 3 or 4 and see if he and Sabonis can figure it out? Probably. Chet is finding ways to contribute with Timme and Sabonis is world's better as a playmaker and more effective stepping away from the hoop than him. Is it an ideal pairing? Probably not. The range of outcomes in pairing Holmgren and Sabonis is pretty vast.
Pokusevski is fun, but I'm not sure he'll ever become a significant NBA player. He is still really young and a weird player type so he certainly could, but I think it's probably as likely that he's out of the NBA after his rookie contract. As long as Holmgren stays healthy I think his rim protection/defense will keep him in the league for a decade.
I think a lot of the "winning core" is pretty well intact tbh. Fox/Davion/DDV is a perfect 3-man rotation that covers all the basis you need out your guard rotation. And there's absolutely room to play all 3 together with DDV being able to slide down and defend 3's.
We saw it in game 1, but I think Sabonis can truly unlock another level to Barnes game by letting him get some easy looks off-ball with his passing. Offensively, i think they compliment each other super well with Barnes spacing and intelligence to make use of the Sabonis high post looks.
I actually think the Holiday/Lamb/Harkless archetype is perfect for that 5th starter slot; you just need to somehow find it in one player. OG Anunoby would of course be perfect. I think PJ would have been pretty damn close too. But another 3/4 flex wing that you can interchangeably weave with Barnes would be my ideal target.
Kendall Brown is a guy super high on my radar now that's projecting to go in the 9-15 range. He's got a great frame at 6'8 with a 6'10 wingspan and is a ridiculous athlete. I like that he understands how to use his athleticism too and it's just not there for show like a Ben McLemore. He's probably the best defensive player on the best defense in the country which is an excellent baseline to start from and I think has a case of being the best defender in the draft. He's switchable 1-4 and moves his feet incredibly well for 6'8.
Offensively, his biggest strength is his off-ball movement and cuts *ahem, Mr. Sabonis* and is a #nerd dream with a majority of his shot attempts coming at the rim or the 3pt line. His biggest concern is the offensive aggressiveness though; he just doesn't look for his shot at all to the point of it being detrimental to the team at times. He's very unselfish and a pretty good passer/ball-handler, but he far too often just looks to continue to move the ball. Only 21 3pt attempts too, but is shooting 38%. And I don't think his shot is broken at all; he just doesn't pull. So you're taking a leap of faith that he gets confidence in his shot and starts to pull.
Overall though, he has a lot of rare/exciting tools that are hard to find in the NBA. I'll roll the dice he can bump up a bit with his scoring/shooting to get the 3/4 flex that's a superb defender with upper-tier athleticism.
We saw it in game 1, but I think Sabonis can truly unlock another level to Barnes game by letting him get some easy looks off-ball with his passing. Offensively, i think they compliment each other super well with Barnes spacing and intelligence to make use of the Sabonis high post looks.
I actually think the Holiday/Lamb/Harkless archetype is perfect for that 5th starter slot; you just need to somehow find it in one player. OG Anunoby would of course be perfect. I think PJ would have been pretty damn close too. But another 3/4 flex wing that you can interchangeably weave with Barnes would be my ideal target.
Kendall Brown is a guy super high on my radar now that's projecting to go in the 9-15 range. He's got a great frame at 6'8 with a 6'10 wingspan and is a ridiculous athlete. I like that he understands how to use his athleticism too and it's just not there for show like a Ben McLemore. He's probably the best defensive player on the best defense in the country which is an excellent baseline to start from and I think has a case of being the best defender in the draft. He's switchable 1-4 and moves his feet incredibly well for 6'8.
Offensively, his biggest strength is his off-ball movement and cuts *ahem, Mr. Sabonis* and is a #nerd dream with a majority of his shot attempts coming at the rim or the 3pt line. His biggest concern is the offensive aggressiveness though; he just doesn't look for his shot at all to the point of it being detrimental to the team at times. He's very unselfish and a pretty good passer/ball-handler, but he far too often just looks to continue to move the ball. Only 21 3pt attempts too, but is shooting 38%. And I don't think his shot is broken at all; he just doesn't pull. So you're taking a leap of faith that he gets confidence in his shot and starts to pull.
Overall though, he has a lot of rare/exciting tools that are hard to find in the NBA. I'll roll the dice he can bump up a bit with his scoring/shooting to get the 3/4 flex that's a superb defender with upper-tier athleticism.
The guy in the draft closest to PJ Washington is probably Keegan Murray. I'm not super high on him, but he is a pretty similar player who has a consistent outside shot, can bang inside, rebound, block some shots etc all while not being a great athlete or with ideal size for the PF spot.
Kendall Brown is probably my top choice for the Kings if they don't jump into the top four. Good defender, good in transition, potential to be a very good defender. HIs passing and cutting are great fits with Fox/Sabonis and to me indicate a good BBIQ. He doesn't have much creativity on offense with the ball in his hands which could limit his upside but also makes him an attractive low usage option for the revamped Kings.
Tari Eason is another guy I love. High motor, very switchable/stout on defense, uses his athleticism on both ends. He always seems to make an impact. He's not a good passer and is on the older side for a 1st round prospect, but I am a fan. Both he and Brown have 3pt shooting as a swing skill. If either of them became a consistent outside threat on reasonable volume it would open up their games.
AJ Griffin would seem to be another good Kings pick based on his game and measurables but every time I've watched him I've come away unimpressed. Could just be the Duke games I've seen.
Kendall Brown is probably my top choice for the Kings if they don't jump into the top four. Good defender, good in transition, potential to be a very good defender. HIs passing and cutting are great fits with Fox/Sabonis and to me indicate a good BBIQ. He doesn't have much creativity on offense with the ball in his hands which could limit his upside but also makes him an attractive low usage option for the revamped Kings.
Tari Eason is another guy I love. High motor, very switchable/stout on defense, uses his athleticism on both ends. He always seems to make an impact. He's not a good passer and is on the older side for a 1st round prospect, but I am a fan. Both he and Brown have 3pt shooting as a swing skill. If either of them became a consistent outside threat on reasonable volume it would open up their games.
AJ Griffin would seem to be another good Kings pick based on his game and measurables but every time I've watched him I've come away unimpressed. Could just be the Duke games I've seen.
since Fox and Sabonis aren't defenders, ideally you want the other three positions in the starting unit to at least be acceptable to possibly borderline elite and then let them two get their shots and points while the others chip in depending on the roles played. I still see Davion starting, maybe not right now with the addition with Holiday but he will get his opportunity full time. Holmes I would keep to remain a solid back up center, that is his best role I think. I'll be anticipating what direction Monte goes in the draft.
The most difficult position to fill will be Sabonis' frontcourt partner. Ideally you would want a shot blocker, defender with some height that can spread the floor on offended. JJJ is just about an ideal side kick to Sabonis' in the frontcourt. Or a younger version of Rasheed Wallace.
SG and SF are easier spots to fill. Barnes fits nicely but it would be good if you had a younger version of Barnes. A bunch of 3 and D guys would be good. DDV would be a pretty nice addition if he can come back from his injury and continue to grow as a player.
There is no superstar on the team but you would want to have genuine quality and depth at every position.
You can build a good, solid play off (ala Portland of the last few years) team around them but not sure you are a championship contender with Fox and Sabonis as your best players.
SG and SF are easier spots to fill. Barnes fits nicely but it would be good if you had a younger version of Barnes. A bunch of 3 and D guys would be good. DDV would be a pretty nice addition if he can come back from his injury and continue to grow as a player.
There is no superstar on the team but you would want to have genuine quality and depth at every position.
You can build a good, solid play off (ala Portland of the last few years) team around them but not sure you are a championship contender with Fox and Sabonis as your best players.
I'd go for Covington in the off-season. I wish he was a better finisher at the rim, but he is a mobile, lengthy defender that can block shots and get steals, can help spread the floor, and knows he is a role pkayer. The type of contract he can get should fit with the Kings cap situation... Just not sure how interested he'd be in coming to Sacramento.