2022 Everything Free Agency/Trades Thread
- Thread starter The_Jamal
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I assume we'll probably stand pat until we sit down with Vezenkov. We seem to be serious about bringing him over (talks in Vegas aren't nothing), and given his current contract, the BAE will easily beat it (plus his portion of the buyout) in terms of dollars and match it in terms of duration. The only questions, I would think, would be whether he is willing to come to the U.S. and whether he thinks a potentially smaller role with the Kings could impact his future earnings. I'd say at this point I lean towards Vezenkov signing (but I'm a dude behind a keyboard making guesses).
If Vezenkov does sign, at that point we'll have two open roster spots and basically just vet min contracts to give out. Barring anything else on the trade market we'd probably be looking for a 3rd string PG and a deep bench 3+D wing. But I'm not sure Kessler Edwards comes quite that cheaply - perhaps he can be had for the BAE if Vezenkov talks don't work out.
If Vezenkov does sign, at that point we'll have two open roster spots and basically just vet min contracts to give out. Barring anything else on the trade market we'd probably be looking for a 3rd string PG and a deep bench 3+D wing. But I'm not sure Kessler Edwards comes quite that cheaply - perhaps he can be had for the BAE if Vezenkov talks don't work out.
That’s what my gut says as well, I’d just like to see us take a chance on someone younger with upside. Like give me Moses Brown and Kessler Edwards every day of the week before Vezenkov. Vezenkov doesn’t look bad by any means but we’ve addressed the shooting aspect of our team already with Monk, Murray and Huerter. I’d like to see some developmental pieces with defensive upside get added now since we keep punting on 2nd round pieces.
I could see where maybe Barnes is an upgrade to some teams with more depth with a more traditional roleplaying pure 3 and then we get a second piece back or maybe a late pick in the 20s and that becomes a win win deal for all, especially if Barnes wants to play for a team that is locked into a playoff spot while we are likely looking at the play-in.
I'm not really sure if the BAE is enough to lure him over this year. BAE is 2 years $8.3million. After hefty taxes, you're looking at 2 years for $4million.
I believe his current contract has 2 years left for $1.8million (European teams release their figures after taxes)
It'd only be a bit over a $2million raise if he makes the jump this year. His current team is less than 2hr plane ride away from his hometown.
It would make a lot more sense for him to come over next year when we'll presumably have more cap space. He's not as good as Bogdan was, but we gave Bogdan 3 years $36million. I have a hard time seeing Vezenkov being content with 2 years $8.2million.
I believe his current contract has 2 years left for $1.8million (European teams release their figures after taxes)
It'd only be a bit over a $2million raise if he makes the jump this year. His current team is less than 2hr plane ride away from his hometown.
It would make a lot more sense for him to come over next year when we'll presumably have more cap space. He's not as good as Bogdan was, but we gave Bogdan 3 years $36million. I have a hard time seeing Vezenkov being content with 2 years $8.2million.
What I have read Sasha is eager to come to nba he was happy when Kings traded for his rights . When you use the BAE at 4.1 mil per year you don’t look at after tax net salary , players pay hefty taxes everywhere. Sasha will get more money and get his chance in the NBA I thing we have a good chance to sign him. I think Capt Factorial looked at the BAE, buyout numbers and he thinks it will work right Capt?
Well, 206Fan does have a point in that European salaries are reported after tax, not before tax like NBA salaries, so there's a bit less of an advantage for Vezenkov to come over given that. Still, he doesn't have any bargaining power because we are restricted by the salary cap rules as to what we can offer (BAE). He can absolutely hold out until next year, but that's kind of risky as he would make less this year, and would have no guarantee of us signing him next year. Assuming we put the max BAE on the table, he has basically three options:
Stay in Europe for 2 years (<$2M total), NBA rights unchanged
Come for full BAE for 2 years (>$4M total after tax), then Early Bird rights
Stay in Europe for 1 year and try again (<$1M + ??/$??M)
For the third option it would seem he'd have to get an offer of at least 1/$6M next summer to come out ahead after tax - and keep in mind we would have to use the MLE for that unless we manage to have cap space. If it were me, I'd say the most prudent financial move is to take the full BAE (again, if it's on the table). That guarantees him about $2M+ in-pocket more, and opens him up to an MLE-level NBA contract (or more, if he blows up). Staying next year and trying to negotiate again could backfire the $2M+, or could leave him waiting longer for the "real" NBA money (if he can get there). Taking the BAE just seems like the ultimate combo of betting on oneself and taking the safe money.
Stay in Europe for 2 years (<$2M total), NBA rights unchanged
Come for full BAE for 2 years (>$4M total after tax), then Early Bird rights
Stay in Europe for 1 year and try again (<$1M + ??/$??M)
For the third option it would seem he'd have to get an offer of at least 1/$6M next summer to come out ahead after tax - and keep in mind we would have to use the MLE for that unless we manage to have cap space. If it were me, I'd say the most prudent financial move is to take the full BAE (again, if it's on the table). That guarantees him about $2M+ in-pocket more, and opens him up to an MLE-level NBA contract (or more, if he blows up). Staying next year and trying to negotiate again could backfire the $2M+, or could leave him waiting longer for the "real" NBA money (if he can get there). Taking the BAE just seems like the ultimate combo of betting on oneself and taking the safe money.
They are interested because they have Westbrook that they want to rid themselves of. Sadly, they might succeed.
Kyrie is a head case, but there is no denying his talent, and as a BB player, he is miles ahead of Westbrook at this point. Brook was not helping the Lakers. Kyrie might. I doubt he cares much for his image or money at this stage (he didn't when the Nets weren't paying him), but he is still a competitor. A healthy Laker team with him and even an ageing Bron would be a threat to most teams in the West.
Kyrie is a head case, but there is no denying his talent, and as a BB player, he is miles ahead of Westbrook at this point. Brook was not helping the Lakers. Kyrie might. I doubt he cares much for his image or money at this stage (he didn't when the Nets weren't paying him), but he is still a competitor. A healthy Laker team with him and even an ageing Bron would be a threat to most teams in the West.
I think it’s a stretch to call Kyrie a competitor at this point in his career. I think he values himself and his beliefs over all others, including the NBA. That may bother some, but it’s within his rights. From a basketball perspective though, this minimizes his impact. He has played less games and has seemingly rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. Westbrook has many faults, but he is a competitor all the way through, just has poor execution most of the time. I really don’t understand why the Nets would do this trade unless they are just done with KD and Kyrie and want out asap. I wouldn’t blame them. One is calling himself a god publicly and the other changes moods on the flip of a switch.
Kyrie has a lot of talent and a lot of skills to offer any team, but his issues off the court are now beginning to creep into his “work” life. At the end of the day Kyrie is an employee and his employer pays him a lot of money to do 1 thing. If Kyrie isn’t doing that one thing as well he could or doesn’t want to, then the employer reserves the right to be upset. How long would any of us have stayed employed if we just straight up vanished without anyone knowing your whereabouts? Or talking to fans/customers the way he does? Playing when he wants to/feels like it? Most teams can’t afford that type of headache. The Lakers are maybe one of a very few select teams willing to deal with that baggage and the sole reason is because of Lebron. Could it work? I would say it would work better than with Westbrook as Kyrie is a superior player, but what Kyrie are you getting? Can he be dialed in? Who knows honestly.
Kyrie has a lot of talent and a lot of skills to offer any team, but his issues off the court are now beginning to creep into his “work” life. At the end of the day Kyrie is an employee and his employer pays him a lot of money to do 1 thing. If Kyrie isn’t doing that one thing as well he could or doesn’t want to, then the employer reserves the right to be upset. How long would any of us have stayed employed if we just straight up vanished without anyone knowing your whereabouts? Or talking to fans/customers the way he does? Playing when he wants to/feels like it? Most teams can’t afford that type of headache. The Lakers are maybe one of a very few select teams willing to deal with that baggage and the sole reason is because of Lebron. Could it work? I would say it would work better than with Westbrook as Kyrie is a superior player, but what Kyrie are you getting? Can he be dialed in? Who knows honestly.
Even if what you’re saying is true, how is it any different than most any other player in today’s personal/politically infused sports world?
Only real difference as far as I can tell is players like Kyrie and Jonathan Isaac actually put their money where their mouth is. And that’s why they are labeled as ‘problems’.
Remember, it was Kyrie that was lobbying the players union to actually sit out the bubble and/or the 2020/2021 season in the wake of the highly publicized police shootings, while most of the other so called star players were content virtue signaling versus sacrificing paydays and chances for another ring plus more career statisitcs.
I don’t agree with Kyrie on a lot of things. But I don’t have to agree with someone to still respect their willingness to put their morals and beliefs ahead of their career, money and critical reception. Very few are willing to do it. Most talk a big game, but don’t follow through.
Only real difference as far as I can tell is players like Kyrie and Jonathan Isaac actually put their money where their mouth is. And that’s why they are labeled as ‘problems’.
Remember, it was Kyrie that was lobbying the players union to actually sit out the bubble and/or the 2020/2021 season in the wake of the highly publicized police shootings, while most of the other so called star players were content virtue signaling versus sacrificing paydays and chances for another ring plus more career statisitcs.
I don’t agree with Kyrie on a lot of things. But I don’t have to agree with someone to still respect their willingness to put their morals and beliefs ahead of their career, money and critical reception. Very few are willing to do it. Most talk a big game, but don’t follow through.
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