Pre-draft workout schedules (merged)

[Dime Dropper]

I've kept quiet about Adams til this point because I haven't seen him play at all in college. I've been skeptical because even though he has great size/athleticism, it's unusual (not unheard of, but unusual) for a player who wasn't very productive in college to go on to be good NBA players. These late risers are in every draft and I'm always weary of them. HOWEVER! He really is a fantastic athlete and has excellent size. And he defends and does the dirty work, and blocks shots. He showed improvement throughout the season (based on what I'm reading from Baja and others). He's clearly a smart enough kid and has a good personality. As a fit next to Cuz, he looks pretty ideal if he works out. That's a very big frontcourt. He won't take shots from anyone, and he'll bring exactly what we need. I really hope we get him in for a workout, he could be worth a serious look, even at 7.

 

[Glenn]

This draft is all about potential rather than filling needs. There really aren't any players at 7 that we should take to fill a need. As for Evans , if we were to draft MCW we would need shooters at the 2 and 3, and Evans does not fill that role. If we planned on getting a big, or a SF in the draft then we probably keep Evans. MCW is a more traditional PG which goes against Evans skillset, so I am just assuming that the front office would know that they clash and probably would elect to let Evans sign somewhere else and go in a different direction. Just my opinion.

So you'd rather have MCW than Tyreke? Is that an accurate condensation of your thoughts?

 

[Glenn]

I've kept quiet about Adams til this point because I haven't seen him play at all in college. I've been skeptical because even though he has great size/athleticism, it's unusual (not unheard of, but unusual) for a player who wasn't very productive in college to go on to be good NBA players. These late risers are in every draft and I'm always weary of them. HOWEVER! He really is a fantastic athlete and has excellent size. And he defends and does the dirty work, and blocks shots. He showed improvement throughout the season (based on what I'm reading from Baja and others). He's clearly a smart enough kid and has a good personality. As a fit next to Cuz, he looks pretty ideal if he works out. That's a very big frontcourt. He won't take shots from anyone, and he'll bring exactly what we need. I really hope we get him in for a workout, he could be worth a serious look, even at 7.

So this is what it takes to get you to post more?

 

[funkykingston]

I know - let's just invest heavily in the futures market. Trade down and use the #7 (possibly with another asset thrown in) to grab a pair of 1st rounders. Grab Adetokunbo and either Schroeder or Nogueira and then Livio Jean-Charles in the second round and let them all play overseas for a season or two.

Give Malone a chance to see what he can do with the roster as it stands while letting some talent develop elsewhere. At the very least it means we'd probably not have to give the Cavs our first rounder next year.

I'm only half joking.

 

[bajaden]

Actually, in this case I think that would be OK. The specifics of the rule say that you can't make any trades that leave you (or might leave you) with no first round picks in two consecutive future years. It's not necessarily about trading away your own picks, you just have to have a pick when all is said and done. If we were to do as proposed and trade #7 in 2013 for an unprotected pick in 2014, then we would guaranteed have a 2014 first rounder regardless of the outstanding Cleveland trade, and we would be OK.

I will bow to your expertise in this area. What you say makes sense. On the surface it appears that rule was put in place to protect teams from themselves. So if what your say is true, which I don't doubt, then the spirit of the rule would still be inforced.

 

[Gary]

So you'd rather have MCW than Tyreke? Is that an accurate condensation of your thoughts?

I said that if we were to draft MCW the front office would probably not offer Evans a contract. I don't think either would do well together (MCW/Evans).

I also said that the team probably wouldn't get any worse than it is now if Evans was not signed. Evans is a better basketball player than MCW by far, but we all know that players with individual talent isn't all you need to make the playoffs. There are players that could be better for teams but have less individual talent than the people they replace. Happens all the time in the NBA.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I don't think we can technically trade the pick, but we can trade it draft night and after because you'd be trading the rights of that player at that point.

 

[Glenn]

I said that if we were to draft MCW the front office would probably not offer Evans a contract. I don't think either would do well together (MCW/Evans).

I also said that the team probably wouldn't get any worse than it is now if Evans was not signed. Evans is a better basketball player than MCW by far, but we all know that players with individual talent isn't all you need to make the playoffs. There are players that could be better for the team but have less individual talent. Happens all the time in the NBA.

People who can play defense are helpful in the playoffs and as we are in the real world, I doubt very much that a defensive minded coach would want to have a player who hasn't played one on one defense over a player that HAS played one on one basketball and does it very well.

I certainly agree MCW and Evans wouldn't fit well so that's why I am paying little attention to MCW.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

So Cody Zeller is coming here for a solo workout, huh?

That's bad news. Why couldn't we bring anyone here to workout with him? Adams? Zeller is going to kill it in a solo workout.

 

[bajaden]

What limits what we can spend on Cuz? I thought Bird rights let us spend what we wished. This assumes an ownership with unlimited money. I didn't think there was anything we could do now that would put the resigning of Cuz at risk.

Its not so much that it puts us in a situation where we can't resign Cousins, it puts us in a situation where we won't be able to put any quality players around him. Atlanta did precisely what your recommending a few years ago. They overpaid for almost everyone, and yes, it got them into the playoffs almost every year, and they exited in the first round almost every year. They were right up against the cap, and over the luxury cap. They couldn't get any better, except through the draft, which they started to ignore, and it was costing them a ton of money at the same time.

Were all very emotional when it comes to the Kings, and because of the Maloofs, our patience is thin. But now is not the time to make emotional decisions. The new CBA is extremely restictive, and some of the ways of getting around the cap have been limited, or removed all together. Teams over the luxury tax threshold better have a championship team in place, because they have little or no chance to improve the team. Even the sign and trade rules have been changed for teams over the luxury tax threshold. Just about everything is punitive when your over the threshold. The Kings need to clean house, and make some serious moves. But they have to be well thought out with the future in mind. Our new GM, whomever he is, has to be thinking 4 or 5 years down the road.

 

[jalfa]

So Cody Zeller is coming here for a solo workout, huh?

That's bad news. Why couldn't we bring anyone here to workout with him? Adams? Zeller is going to kill it in a solo workout.

agreed! we should get a hold of Muscala, too, while we're at it.

 

[Glenn]

Its not so much that it puts us in a situation where we can't resign Cousins, it puts us in a situation where we won't be able to put any quality players around him. Atlanta did precisely what your recommending a few years ago. They overpaid for almost everyone, and yes, it got them into the playoffs almost every year, and they exited in the first round almost every year. They were right up against the cap, and over the luxury cap. They couldn't get any better, except through the draft, which they started to ignore, and it was costing them a ton of money at the same time.

Were all very emotional when it comes to the Kings, and because of the Maloofs, our patience is thin. But now is not the time to make emotional decisions. The new CBA is extremely restictive, and some of the ways of getting around the cap have been limited, or removed all together. Teams over the luxury tax threshold better have a championship team in place, because they have little or no chance to improve the team. Even the sign and trade rules have been changed for teams over the luxury tax threshold. Just about everything is punitive when your over the threshold. The Kings need to clean house, and make some serious moves. But they have to be well thought out with the future in mind. Our new GM, whomever he is, has to be thinking 4 or 5 years down the road.

I didn't say to overpay for everyone but I would do it for one player. That's all I said. Oh, wait, I said to do it about a GM. Don't distort what I say although I welcome the chance to clarify. I take it there's a point where you'd let Tyreke go. Of course there is a limit but I think we have pretty much destroyed his true value so I'm not worried about an outrageous offer. You HAVE mentioned your business background. I'd love to know how a business with a bad reputation digs its way out of that hole.

Continuing the losing tradition just isn't going to do it and I think losing Tyreke who would now have a legitimate coach would continue us on the losing path.

 

[bajaden]

This draft is all about potential rather than filling needs. There really aren't any players at 7 that we should take to fill a need. As for Evans , if we were to draft MCW we would need shooters at the 2 and 3, and Evans does not fill that role. If we planned on getting a big, or a SF in the draft then we probably keep Evans. MCW is a more traditional PG which goes against Evans skillset, so I am just assuming that the front office would know that they clash and probably would elect to let Evans sign somewhere else and go in a different direction. Just my opinion.

If your not going to resign Evans, that decision will be made because either Evans costs too much, or you just don't think he fits on this team, or both. But it certainly won't be because you drafted Williams. At the moment, Williams can't tie Tyreke's shoes. He's not even in the same ballpark, and in a game of one on one basketball, Tyreke would eat him for lunch. To be honest, I seriously doubt that Williams will be as good a PG as Evans is or was, when he held the position. Sorry, but I just don't see it.

But thats neither here nor there. The decision about Evans is a separate one, and I'll trust the powers that be to make the right decision. I'm personally still befuddled as to why were having all this discussion about another PG. If I had to choose one it would be Burke. Why? Because he can shoot, he can handle, he can pass, he has great court vision, and high BBIQ. I can only find one area where Williams has an advantage, and thats in height. Height isn't a skill. Williams is a big risk in my opinion, and if I'm going to take a risk, then I'll take it on a big man.

 

[bajaden]

I've kept quiet about Adams til this point because I haven't seen him play at all in college. I've been skeptical because even though he has great size/athleticism, it's unusual (not unheard of, but unusual) for a player who wasn't very productive in college to go on to be good NBA players. These late risers are in every draft and I'm always weary of them. HOWEVER! He really is a fantastic athlete and has excellent size. And he defends and does the dirty work, and blocks shots. He showed improvement throughout the season (based on what I'm reading from Baja and others). He's clearly a smart enough kid and has a good personality. As a fit next to Cuz, he looks pretty ideal if he works out. That's a very big frontcourt. He won't take shots from anyone, and he'll bring exactly what we need. I really hope we get him in for a workout, he could be worth a serious look, even at 7.

I second this opinion!

 

[bajaden]

So this is what it takes to get you to post more?

He posts a lot on the prospects fourm. Not enough, but more!

 

[Glenn]

But thats neither here nor there. The decision about Evans is a separate one, and I'll trust the powers that be to make the right decision. I'm personally still befuddled as to why were having all this discussion about another PG. If I had to choose one it would be Burke. Why? Because he can shoot, he can handle, he can pass, he has great court vision, and high BBIQ. I can only find one area where Williams has an advantage, and thats in height. Height isn't a skill. Williams is a big risk in my opinion, and if I'm going to take a risk, then I'll take it on a big man.

Same here. We don't need another imperfect PG as it creates yet a more difficult mess for whatever GM we hire to straighten out.



^^^ Oddly structured sentence.

 

[bajaden]

So Cody Zeller is coming here for a solo workout, huh?

That's bad news. Why couldn't we bring anyone here to workout with him? Adams? Zeller is going to kill it in a solo workout.

I would guess that with all the players bouncing around the country for workouts, and the Kings coming to the party late, its not that easy to just get players in when you want. It might come down to finding a group thats working out in LA, and they have a couple of days before another workout, so you intice them to come in on a day off. I'm sure the Kings would love to work out a lot of the top players in the draft. Its just a matter of getting your schedule to fit with their schedule.

I would guess that players that currently slotted by most scouts or mocks to go somewhere between 9 and 20, would love to come in and prove that they should be considered for the 7th pick. We are running out of time though. Only 14 days till the draft.

 

[bajaden]

I didn't say to overpay for everyone but I would do it for one player. That's all I said. Oh, wait, I said to do it about a GM. Don't distort what I say although I welcome the chance to clarify. I take it there's a point where you'd let Tyreke go. Of course there is a limit but I think we have pretty much destroyed his true value so I'm not worried about an outrageous offer. You HAVE mentioned your business background. I'd love to know how a business with a bad reputation digs its way out of that hole.

Continuing the losing tradition just isn't going to do it and I think losing Tyreke who would now have a legitimate coach would continue us on the losing path.

I never meant to imply that you said to overpay. I was just responding to what you asked about having enough money to pay Cousins. I just wanted to show how a team can get into trouble financially by not considering the future consequences. But enough about that. How do you restore your reputation as a business. Funny you should ask. When I started my business, I broke off from another business because I could see the handwriting on the wall. Although I was the manager, I could see that the owners son was being groomed to take my place. So instead of waiting, I made a proavtive move and started my own version of his business.

What I didn't know, while preparing, is that he sent letters to all my prespective customers telling them that I had stolen for him. That I had taken secret patterns from him. That I used his vechicles for my own benefit at times. I could go on, but needless to say, that when I walked into my first shop to do some sales, I wasn't recieved very well. Of course none of it was true, but it was he said/he said. So how did I overcome that. By enduring! By not giving up. But going out week after week and seeing the same customers over and over again until one of them got sick of seeing me and bought some of my products. Then another and another. Soon, word spread that I was a good guy and I delivered what I promised, and I did it quicker and better than the person that spread all the false rumors about me.

All that time, I never said one bad word about him. I didn't whine, or moan. I just kept doing what I knew how to do. I knew sooner or later, they would see the light. They would see how determined I was. You can't change it overnight! It takes time, but once you tip the leverage in your favor, you'd be surprised how quickly things can turn around. My rules are, don't sit around and ***** about it, and never, never say it can't be done. And never say I'm going to try! People that say their going to try, are losers, and they've lost the minute they say that. You don't try, you do it! Period!!!

 

[Hallama]

I'm a fan of the Kings picking Cody Zeller @7. That said, I think this is where the draft can get interesting for the Kings and a team looking to move up.

Rumors are the Jazz really like Zeller, so the groundwork for a deal could start there. Another team might want to swoop in a take a player who is "dropping", like Burke. A team likes MCW but thinks the Pistons will take him, let's talk.

Anyway, you can see where I'm going here...I think this is the pick that teams will want to move up for in the draft. I like a couple of the draft and stash guys like Gobert, Bebe, and the Greek kid with a lot of letters in his name! that you can move back for. Or, if the Kings can move back into the 10-15 range, I'd love for them to draft a player like Franklin.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I don't think we can technically trade the pick, but we can trade it draft night and after because you'd be trading the rights of that player at that point.

We can certainly trade the #7 pick on draft night, because by rule on draft day picks can't be traded until after the selection is made, and at that point it is no longer a "pick in a future year" so the Stepien Rule no longer applies.

As I said above, we can trade the #7 pick before draft day, but only under a limited set of circumstances:
1) We receive a 2013 first rounder in return (or in a prior trade). That would mean we still have a 2013 pick whether or not we end up losing the 2014 pick = legal.
2) We receive a 2014 unprotected first rounder in return (or in a prior trade). That would mean that we have zero 2013 picks but at least one 2014 pick = legal.
3) Arrangements are made (probably through a trade...I guess there could be an agreement) such that the pick owed to Cleveland is either returned to us or the protection is changed so that it is 100% protected in 2014. This would be extremely unusual but I don't believe it is disallowed. That would mean that we would have zero 2013 picks but still have our own 2014 pick = legal.

 

[rainmaker]

Still don't understand why so many are focusing on drafting and adding yet another guard, as if guard play is our biggest weakness.

I'd package our pick with Thornton for a defensive 4 or starting SF without hesitation, and that's what I would be concentrating on, not adding yet another guard to a backcourt which hasn't been cleared out.

 

[roasthawg]

Still don't understand why so many are focusing on drafting and adding yet another guard, as if guard play is our biggest weakness.

I'd package our pick with Thornton for a defensive 4 or starting SF without hesitation, and that's what I would be concentrating on, not adding yet another guard to a backcourt which hasn't been cleared out.

It's about the players available to us in this draft. Imo bpa will probably be a guard... McCollum or maybe Burke.

 

[roasthawg]

I'm a fan of the Kings picking Cody Zeller @7. That said, I think this is where the draft can get interesting for the Kings and a team looking to move up.

Rumors are the Jazz really like Zeller, so the groundwork for a deal could start there. Another team might want to swoop in a take a player who is "dropping", like Burke. A team likes MCW but thinks the Pistons will take him, let's talk.

Anyway, you can see where I'm going here...I think this is the pick that teams will want to move up for in the draft. I like a couple of the draft and stash guys like Gobert, Bebe, and the Greek kid with a lot of letters in his name! that you can move back for. Or, if the Kings can move back into the 10-15 range, I'd love for them to draft a player like Franklin.

I like Zeller too. Last year I felt kinda alone in liking Barnes and Waiters. Sort of feel the same way this year when it comes to Zeller. I get that he's not an ideal fit next to Cousins but the guy is an athletic 7 footer with an nba offensive game... and he shoots over 75% from the line. I keep saying he's potentially a young bosh... getting a young Bosh at pick 7 in a weak draft would be a freaking steal regardless of fit.

 

[Glenn]

I like Zeller too. Last year I felt kinda alone in liking Barnes and Waiters. Sort of feel the same way this year when it comes to Zeller. I get that he's not an ideal fit next to Cousins but the guy is an athletic 7 footer with an nba offensive game... and he shoots over 75% from the line. I keep saying he's potentially a young bosh... getting a young Bosh at pick 7 in a weak draft would be a freaking steal regardless of fit.

Goes to prove there is more than a guard available at #7. Several mock drafts have him going to us. I doubt if anyone can clearly say who BPA is at #7. He isn't what we need but unlike a few other people I have read about, I doubt if he will hurt us. I have no strong feelings about him except I wish he was a shot blocker. I'd be curious about what other people think. Hey, he's not a guard.

 

[Fear the Putin]

I'm a fan of the Kings picking Cody Zeller @7. That said, I think this is where the draft can get interesting for the Kings and a team looking to move up.

Rumors are the Jazz really like Zeller, so the groundwork for a deal could start there. Another team might want to swoop in a take a player who is "dropping", like Burke. A team likes MCW but thinks the Pistons will take him, let's talk.

Anyway, you can see where I'm going here...I think this is the pick that teams will want to move up for in the draft. I like a couple of the draft and stash guys like Gobert, Bebe, and the Greek kid with a lot of letters in his name! that you can move back for. Or, if the Kings can move back into the 10-15 range, I'd love for them to draft a player like Franklin.

if we can pry Favors from them then I'm all for trading that #7.
Now if they really want Jimmer, I'll take Hayward in return : )

 

[Gilles]

Goes to prove there is more than a guard available at #7. Several mock drafts have him going to us. I doubt if anyone can clearly say who BPA is at #7. He isn't what we need but unlike a few other people I have read about, I doubt if he will hurt us. I have no strong feelings about him except I wish he was a shot blocker. I'd be curious about what other people think. Hey, he's not a guard.

That's the them of this draft. No one has draft range less than say 5 picks. Porter might be top-3, but Washington was sure about him when Noel wasn't a slight possibility at #3. At the same time I think I know what Cleveland is doing: they don't know who they like the most, so they are trying to scare teams who want certain guys in to trading for #1.

 

[Bricklayer]

The Jazz have already been squishing Favors and Kanter for years, and now they really like yet another big man to bury? They'd better entirely let BiG Al and Milsap go if that is the way they are thinking and go with the all kiddie corps frontcourt and a true rebuild.

 

[KingsCitizen]

I like Zeller too. Last year I felt kinda alone in liking Barnes and Waiters. Sort of feel the same way this year when it comes to Zeller. I get that he's not an ideal fit next to Cousins but the guy is an athletic 7 footer with an nba offensive game... and he shoots over 75% from the line. I keep saying he's potentially a young bosh... getting a young Bosh at pick 7 in a weak draft would be a freaking steal regardless of fit.

I like Zeller too at number 7. Because I don't thing we have another big that can really score aside from DMC.
The kid itself was projected number 1 pick in most boards before a somewhat subpar season.
Well that happened to Drummond too. And now, we can only wish we didn't let the Drummond fall further.

Everyone in Detroit wanted DMC and Monroe pairing. And I think Zeller-DMC pair would be around that grid.
If we keep a guy like Cole and to some extent even Chuck Hayes, I don't think we'll have the worst defending front court with the addition of Zeller.

We're too loaded with guards so we should take a big in this draft.

And if Malone can convince CP3 ( ) to come over to play with Reke and DMC.....

 

[Gilles]

No one has seen Zeller scoring on the drives in competitive situations, because he never moved a couple of feet away from the paint in college. What we have seen in college is him getting stuffed spectacularly trying to finish inside where he never got as high as his Combine numbers suggest - he's not an explosive leaper. So him scoring by driving to the basket is a pretty far away project that may never come true, so what you have and can project relatively safe is shooting in catch&shoot or P&P situations. Kings already have Patterson and to a lesser extent JT for that. Zeller might be better than Patterson and JT, but he's in the similar mold.

 

[Mass]

I'm not against drafting Zeller at 7. I think it could be one of those cases where we could regret not drafting him, in a couple of years.

If we end up getting him, I believe it means one of our bigs (Patterson or Thompson) is gone. If we could get a SF or a true PG trading one of these guys, plus Thornton eventually, it could be a good idea getting Zeller. A frontline of DMC, JT or Patterson, Zeller, Hayes and maybe Aldrich doesn't look too bad to me.