Monk feared to have sprained MCL (Update: out 4-6 weeks)

[pdxKingsFan]

Yeah, but the issue is then Monte is basically not only capped out but without trades or salary dumps is set roster wise for the next few seasons.

Well as nasty as it is, suddenly Monk is very tradeable. Huerter is also probably gone the minute Monk re-signs. I think he was kept as insurance.

HB showing he still has value. Sasha is probably tradeable if we wanted to.

the main thing is getting that stupid pick conveyed so we can move those around too. Or I guess trade for someone else's 2025 pick so we can move our 2026.

 

[sactowndog]

And that's kind of the thing here, if Monk finds a team willing to pay him more and give him a starting spot, nobody can begrudge him for making the smart choice for him. Now if the Kings were a guaranteed contender maybe it changes things, but it's not looking like it. With or without Monk there is a piece or two missing. Thankfully with Keon and Keegan filling two of the biggest holes this team has seemingly had forever on the defensive end the process of getting that piece is way more possible since now that piece might not have to be quite as prolific talent wise.

The Kings problem is that you can’t really find a starting spot for him. Keon is quickly becoming one of our better 2 way players. Monk isn’t going to replace Fox. And two 6’3” guards wasn’t successful for Portland.

It was why I wondered if you might be able to trade him but the acquiring team would only get early bird rights so it could well be impossible.

 

[SacTownKid]

Well as nasty as it is, suddenly Monk is very tradeable. Huerter is also probably gone the minute Monk re-signs. I think he was kept as insurance.

HB showing he still has value. Sasha is probably tradeable if we wanted to.

the main thing is getting that stupid pick conveyed so we can move those around too. Or I guess trade for someone else's 2025 pick so we can move our 2026.

Perhaps, but McNair's experience this last deadline with Barnes and Huerter might give Monte a different feeling about those "tradeable" contracts haha. Clearly option 1 hopefully is to get Monk back and move other guys like Monte was attempting to do at the deadline. Thankfully Monte didn't sign any truly bad deals this last summer but Mike Brown obviously started to phase out Huerter and Barnes as far as role a little early and teams saw tarnish as a result. The Kings probably don't have any untradeable contracts, or contracts that would need picks attached like Holmes, but you don't really want to just salary dump anyone either.

 

[sactowndog]

Well as nasty as it is, suddenly Monk is very tradeable. Huerter is also probably gone the minute Monk re-signs. I think he was kept as insurance.

HB showing he still has value. Sasha is probably tradeable if we wanted to.

the main thing is getting that stupid pick conveyed so we can move those around too. Or I guess trade for someone else's 2025 pick so we can move our 2026.

Not sure why we would trade picks. The one thing Monte has shown is a decent judge of talent. Getting a rotation player in the 2nd half of the draft is the best value you can find in today’s cap era.

Imagine if Monte had drafted GG Jackson you would have a rotation player for 4-5 years at max 4M a year.

 

[The_Jamal]

The Kings problem is that you can’t really find a starting spot for him. Keon is quickly becoming one of our better 2 way players. Monk isn’t going to replace Fox. And two 6’3” guards wasn’t successful for Portland.

It was why I wondered if you might be able to trade him but the acquiring team would only get early bird rights so it could well be impossible.

If we had a Jusuf Nurkic instead of a Domas Sabonis, I might agree with this point. It's all a moot point now though with Keon emerging as a core piece and huge infusion of defense with our starters.

Our depth getting blasted is just wearing on us though. I almost wonder if we try and tap Colby Jones to get a spark and see if we discover an initiator here in the stretch run. Otherwise, you're going to have damn well run Fox/Domas 40+ MPG the rest of the season; not ideal.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Not sure why we would trade picks. The one thing Monte has shown is a decent judge of talent. Getting a rotation player in the 2nd half of the draft is the best value you can find in today’s cap era.

Imagine if Monte had drafted GG Jackson you would have a rotation player for 4-5 years at max 4M a year.

You trade a pick if you need to to get a true needle mover not just on a whim. We don't really have 3-4 years to wait on a pick to pan out if we can get that lethal link between Keegs and Domas in the front court or if you get an alpha wing player.

I'm certainly not advocating it to shuffle deck chairs. But we have no flexibility while their is uncertainty with our pick. If it doesn't convey we absolutely should look to do something to get an extra 2025 immediately so we can wheel.

 

[SacTownKid]

The Kings problem is that you can’t really find a starting spot for him. Keon is quickly becoming one of our better 2 way players. Monk isn’t going to replace Fox. And two 6’3” guards wasn’t successful for Portland.

It was why I wondered if you might be able to trade him but the acquiring team would only get early bird rights so it could well be impossible.

Yeah, I agree. I think Brown having Monk as the 6th man has worked perfectly for this team but sometimes that's a luxury you can't hang onto long term and I still go back to the fact that Monk hasn't started a SINGLE GAME with the Kings. That's telling. The Kings are a depth team, they count the fact that they can swap guys 7-12 on any given night and not really decline as far as talent, in the end it's difference and need filling being swapped. The issue with teams like that is teams coming around snooping and poaching your guys in FA. Monks deal obviously puts the Kings in a similar position to the Lakers when they had him. The Kings have a better shot financially but a team if able can flat out offer more money. Like the Kings did to bring him here in the first place.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Yeah, I agree. I think Brown having Monk as the 6th man has worked perfectly for this team but sometimes that's a luxury you can't hang onto long term and I still go back to the fact that Monk hasn't started a SINGLE GAME with the Kings. That's telling. The Kings are a depth team, they count the fact that they can swap guys 7-12 on any given night and not really decline as far as talent, in the end it's difference and need filling being swapped. The issue with teams like that is teams coming around snooping and poaching your guys in FA. Monks deal obviously puts the Kings in a similar position to the Lakers when they had him. The Kings have a better shot financially but a team if able can flat out offer more money. Like the Kings did to bring him here in the first place.

That's why it's critical to re-sign him and then not make him untouchable, imho.

Like I said, it's cold AF especially if he takes a team friendly deal out of loyalty. But is what it is because if he takes a 17.4m base year deal he is a genuine flexible trade piece.

 

[sactowndog]

Is it just me or do Kings player seem to always take longer to come back from injuries this year? I mean, we’ve been hearing Sasha has been practicing for the past couple of weeks and we still haven’t seen him on the court.

We need Lyles back and an effective Sasha, if we have any chance to overcome the loss of Monk.

I think the other option is to play Kessler as your lead defensive 3 and let Keegan focus on offense. I would have Barnes come off the Bench as he can score 1 v 1 driving to the basket.

Do I think Brown would do it? No but it’s the approach I would take assuming Trey and Sasha are still out.

 

[The_Jamal]

Yeah, I agree. I think Brown having Monk as the 6th man has worked perfectly for this team but sometimes that's a luxury you can't hang onto long term and I still go back to the fact that Monk hasn't started a SINGLE GAME with the Kings. That's telling. The Kings are a depth team, they count the fact that they can swap guys 7-12 on any given night and not really decline as far as talent, in the end it's difference and need filling being swapped. The issue with teams like that is teams coming around snooping and poaching your guys in FA. Monks deal obviously puts the Kings in a similar position to the Lakers when they had him. The Kings have a better shot financially but a team if able can flat out offer more money. Like the Kings did to bring him here in the first place.

My point about Monk starting was before Keon's emergence. If the choice was him or Huerter... just play Monk in that starters role and figure out how to stagger minutes. Play the better offensive player and guy who can create for himself and others at a higher level.

Keon gives you that defensive bridge and he's flexible/good enough of a ball-handler to play with Fox or Monk, or even move down to the 3 and play with both. Archetype wise, it's a damn near perfect guard trio.

 

[sactowndog]

You trade a pick if you need to to get a true needle mover not just on a whim. We don't really have 3-4 years to wait on a pick to pan out if we can get that lethal link between Keegs and Domas in the front court or if you get an alpha wing player.

I'm certainly not advocating it to shuffle deck chairs. But we have no flexibility while their is uncertainty with our pick. If it doesn't convey we absolutely should look to do something to get an extra 2025 immediately so we can wheel.

We don’t have anyone to pair with it to get a needle mover. The position we need is among the hardest to trade for. Look what Toronto got for OG (a second half pick in the draft)

 

[SacTownKid]

That's why it's critical to re-sign him and then not make him untouchable, imho.

Like I said, it's cold AF especially if he takes a team friendly deal out of loyalty. But is what it is because if he takes a 17.4m base year deal he is a genuine flexible trade piece.

Yeah he would be easily if he maintains his level of play. His agent should be comping his guy to Jordan Poole in FA if teams want him and have the money. Somewhere around that number at least.

 

[sactowndog]

If we had a Jusuf Nurkic instead of a Domas Sabonis, I might agree with this point. It's all a moot point now though with Keon emerging as a core piece and huge infusion of defense with our starters.

Our depth getting blasted is just wearing on us though. I almost wonder if we try and tap Colby Jones to get a spark and see if we discover an initiator here in the stretch run. Otherwise, you're going to have damn well run Fox/Domas 40+ MPG the rest of the season; not ideal.

Not sure how having Domas who doesn’t protect the rim makes it somehow better?

But I agree it’s moot as we both agree Keon has emerged as a key piece and could well be one of the Kings better 2 way players next year. Having him in the contract we do is a big deal.

 

[The_Jamal]

Not sure how having Domas who doesn’t protect the rim makes it somehow better?

But I agree it’s moot as we both agree Keon has emerged as a key piece and could well be one of the Kings better 2 way players next year. Having him in the contract we do is a big deal.

Domas is a much better player than Jusuf Nurkic. Thus your comparison of Dame-CJ to Fox-Monk, is bad by saying it wouldn't work out because they're 6'3 guards. It's not the same team comp

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Monk is the 6th man where CJ and Dame were the centerpiece of that team when they made a run.

And I wouldn't even want Nurk backing up Domas.

 

[SacTownKid]

Domas is a much better player than Jusuf Nurkic. Thus your comparison of Dame-CJ to Fox-Monk, is bad by saying it wouldn't work out because they're 6'3 guards. It's not the same team comp

Yeah, it's a totally different type of team. However, and I preface this per usual, anything other than 5 man stats I think aren't relative to reality since the game isn't played 3 on 3, but... looking at Fox/Monk/Domas they average a -4.9 net rating this year as a trio. Last year they were a +4 but as a trio didn't even make the first page in minutes shared. CJ/Dame/Nurk as a trio were a +1 their last season together and a +9.6 the year before. What does it all mean? Not a dang thing, lol, but interesting nonetheless. I'm surprised to see that Kings trio in the negative though.

 

[Caccia]

Yeah, I agree. I think Brown having Monk as the 6th man has worked perfectly for this team but sometimes that's a luxury you can't hang onto long term and I still go back to the fact that Monk hasn't started a SINGLE GAME with the Kings.

I have said it before and will say it again: never starting Monk in two full seasons was asinine. Give the guy have a half dozen games to show what he can do when the team is going 5 for 10 for weeks at at time. You can say "It would never work, he is perfect as the sixth man," and so forth. But not really ever knowing, and never giving him the chance, means you could lose him for good. Because of course he wants to start.

 

[SacTownKid]

I have said it before and will say it again: never starting Monk in two full seasons was asinine. Give the guy have a half dozen games to show what he can do when the team is going 5 for 10 for weeks at at time. You can say "It would never work, he is perfect as the sixth man," and so forth. But not really ever knowing, and never giving him the chance, means you could lose him for good. Because of course he wants to start.

I agree to an extent but it's still a question of worth and value to the team with the role he has though and for Brown Malik has been the pull in case of emergency guy and so far it has definitely worked. Monk is a good player, but he is without question as up and down as they come. Streaky as they get. Fox gets blasted for having one month of decline, Monk has always been a by the month player. Look at his splits. One month he's shooting 41%, then 49%, then on and on. That said, Monk is doing that from the bench and that undoubtedly makes it harder to be consistent. Monk's best asset is his energy and his ability to be explosive in all facets. Historically that makes a great bench player, or a gamble for a team looking for someone that can put up star numbers even if the efficiency doesn't always match up. Brown seems like more of a "safe" coach. You can see him on the sidelines. He coaches like his life depends on every play haha. With every questionable shot it looks coach Brown is guiding the ball in from the sidelines while trying to remember to breathe.

 

[NewArena]

This is just so depressing

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I'll just caution that year 2 in 99-00 was a bit of a step back from the fantastic strike shortened 99 season. I am not sure what our options are this offseason (again because of the Huerter pick) but it might ultimately push us towards making the leap.

Minnesota seemed to peak a year early two seasons ago, pushed all their chips in and looked like a trainwreck last season.

No reason at all to think a setback this year is the deathblow.

 

[sactowndog]

Domas is a much better player than Jusuf Nurkic. Thus your comparison of Dame-CJ to Fox-Monk, is bad by saying it wouldn't work out because they're 6'3 guards. It's not the same team comp

Well if you want to get into a hypothetical argument I’m game ;-)

I would argue with 2 6’ 3” guards you require a rim protecting center to clean up their defensive challenges of people posting them up. Nurkic could at the time protect the rim and Domas can’t. So I would argue 2 6’3” guards would work more poorly for us than it did for Portland.

Hypothetically of course

 

[The_Jamal]

Well if you want to get into a hypothetical argument I’m game ;-)

I would argue with 2 6’ 3” guards you require a rim protecting center to clean up their defensive challenges of people posting them up. Nurkic could at the time protect the rim and Domas can’t. So I would argue 2 6’3” guards would work more poorly for us than it did for Portland.

Hypothetically of course

What is this, 2002?

Back this statement up. Are guards posting up small guards all the time in modern basketball? And at a frequency where you have to worry about it? I'd argue that even Luka, it's not all that common a play-type for him.

 

[kingsboi]

such an unfortunate ending to this season, Playoffs may be further out of reach now. Fox is going to have to average 30 shots a game, along with Murray and Barnes increasing their usage.

 

[Spike]

No worries. We have plenty of depth at the SG position...

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

He won‘t and shouldn’t start here but the interview I saw was that he was focused on 6MOY but didn’t see that as his permanent spot. But there is almost no universe on a Fox-Keegan-Domas centered team where he isn’t the 6th man.

He might feel like he's a more valuable player than Murray. We'll see how it goes

 

[pdxKingsFan]

He might feel like he's a more valuable player than Murray. We'll see how it goes

I'll buy his ticket if he thinks that.

 

[SacTownKid]

What is this, 2002?

Back this statement up. Are guards posting up small guards all the time in modern basketball? And at a frequency where you have to worry about it? I'd argue that even Luka, it's not all that common a play-type for him.

Guards doing it isn't the issue per se, and teams are posting up or pushing the defense to the basket on drives against the Kings. Teams lately have specifically been targeting the Kings switching and in particular hunting Davion in the side or low post when he's switched onto a bigger player when Brown has put out his 3 and sometimes even 4 guard lineups. Doncic used the post to collapse the Kings defense and force help in the last game they played in particular.

 

[NewArena]

We’re playing the Warriors in that 9/10 matchup, aren’t we? What a sick and cruel world they would be, all due to injury smh

 

[sactowndog]

What is this, 2002?

Back this statement up. Are guards posting up small guards all the time in modern basketball? And at a frequency where you have to worry about it? I'd argue that even Luka, it's not all that common a play-type for him.

People back people down all the time. Sure not a pure post in the 1980’s sense, but people look to shoot over the top of smaller players and back them down. Having some rim protection helps a little.

Just for fun look at Kings line-up +/- data for the season. The Fox/Monk/Keegan/Barnes/Sabonis line-up is a 0 for the season. Putting Huerter in for Monk raises it 78 points. Some of our worst plus minus line-ups are Fox Monk with Sabonis.

 

[Caccia]

You can see just how much the team is missing Monk even after two games. Against the Knicks, I saw maybe one pick-and-roll with Sabonis or Len. With so many guards on the team, surely one of them knows how to do it? It was not so long ago that pick-and-rolls were estimated to make up 60% of the plays in the NBA.

De'Aaron Fox is a brilliant player, but he lacks his friend's creativity as a point guard, that chaos factor that has defenses scrambling. He is too...calculating, perhaps.

Those 15.4 points per game from Monk, and 10.2 from Huerter, are proving hard to replace. At least Davion Mitchell and Keon Ellis are stepping up their games in his absence.