QWERTYLICIOUS
Starter
We need to replace this so-called "superfan" with THE SLABster.
[Game] 51/82: Kings @ Wizards 01 FEB 2026, 3pm PT/6pm ET
- Thread starter Mr. S£im Citrus
- Start date
Different? Sure. "Much" different?
I mean, in the sense that the 10th seed is "much different" from the 15rh seed. At full strength, this roster probably peaks at 40 wins, maybe 46-48, if they can pull this trade off in December, and don't wait that long to pull the trigger on Cardwell.
Yes that what I meant. Different in the sense that we’re likely in that 8-10 range with GS, Portland and LAC vs now we’re talking about top 5 odds in the lottery.Different? Sure. "Much" different?
I mean, in the sense that the 10th seed is "much different" from the 15rh seed. At full strength, this roster probably peaks at 40 wins, maybe 46-48, if they can pull this trade off in December, and don't wait that long to pull the trigger on Cardwell.
Plenty of players have done this recently to have more competitive teams or put themselves in better situations long term.
I'm not saying he will but there's precedent whether you acknowledge it or not.
There's just a huge difference between a person who is making <$100K per year, scraping by on their mortgage with not much to speak of in the bank giving up 40% of their salary, and a guy who has $250M in career earnings and even after taxes and agent fees is probably worth $150M (especially given that endorsements are not included in the $250M number) giving up something like $20M of guaranteed future income to be more satisfied in his job and personal life. $40K means a lot when it's the difference between floating and being underwater. $20M doesn't mean so much when you live on top of a mountain and can watch the flood waters from safely on high.
Zach might opt out. He probably won't, but it's not an unreasonable possibility just because it could cost him money that is unfathomable to most of us.
Jdbraver137
Starter
Not ones as overpaid as LaVine. But I’m done arguing. You will see.
ShastaKingsFan
Hall of Famer
It would have been a near worst case scenario for this "gap year". Just competitive enough to miss out on a good chance at any of the top players in this draft, while having no realistic chance to win a playoff series. Back to mortgaging the future for the Play-in.
The Sabonis injury was very fortunate, as at least we have an idea of Max and Cardwell's abilities on an NBA floor,.....which would have never happened with a healthy Sabonis.....and without Eubanks injury, he would have continued as the first 5 off the bench. Disaster again, with no true rebuild going on
I've said 20x that I expect him to play out his contract, but I also think that move is short-sighted on his end. He'll be a buyout candidate if he can't be traded, and once players are bought out they become minimum contract guys.
iowamcnabb
Hall of Famer
What I can’t figure out is where his next pay day is going to come from if he isn’t traded and just enters free agency after next year. Good teams rarely have cap space anymore so the best route to get paid is via trade/bird rights. If I was his agent I would be trying to find a team that could trade for him with the agreement he declines the player option in exchange for a 3 year deal at a much more reasonable rate. Otherwise he is a 32/33 year old one way free agent guard who might have to sign at the midlevel after a wasted season with the kings.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Well, in the end it was kind of a win right? Hunter is more capable than Barnes offensively if used right so the payoff as a swingable asset might be higher. If not, oh well, he walks in another year. If he and Keegan make the perfect pairing then the Kings are still in the drivers seat. If this is a sign of things to come in making more all in moves then that's bad. Perry can afford to make one talent grab replacing a paper clip for an eraser move. No more though. I mean unless is cuts salary off his books long term, even if only partially.
Exactly what I'm getting at - his future earning potential hinges on finding a team that has long term plans for him while he is still making a high salary, else he begins the MLE or minimum player cycle. Opting out into a S&T on a reasonable contract is his best hope for coming out ahead over the next 3 years. 3 years at 30 per = 90 million. 1 year at 50 + 2 years at 15 = 80.
If he's still here at next season's deadline buying him out is the easiest call in the world and he will not even see MLE money for the rest of his career.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
And players do it. They look at the guarantee of staying in the league longer over possibly having one last high year of earnings. Zach might see a pay cut as worth just getting out of basketball hell. Turn up the heat Perry. Time to make him the waterboy and get donuts every morning. That'll drive him out.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
And also while his durability has finally turned a corner he's not exactly had the most secure history with that. One more fairly major injury and he might not even be getting MLE looks at some point.
Yes, with the cap rules the way they are it's hard to see Zach getting real money as a free agent, a sign-and-trade is pretty much going to be the only way for him to stay in that $25M+ space. But the idea he won't get back to the MLE? I'd give Zach the MLE in a heartbeat. Heartbeat. All you need is the right defensive personnel to cover for his deficiencies and his shotmaking is worth way more than the MLE. Also, if he's making the MLE, you can bring him off the bench if you want. At that salary, you're not necessarily a starter anymore. You want that starting job? Beat out the other guy with your defensive effort. If not, hey, love to see you coming off the bench, still a great value proposition.
KingsFanSince85
All-Star
Did I miss something? I thought JV liked playing in SAC with Sabonis, and only threatened to play in Europe once he was dealt to Denver?
Historically once players get bought out and sign for a minimum to close a season they don't get MLE money again. I understand Zach may actually be a little younger than the average person this happens to so maybe true. Russ was bought out 3 or 4 years ago and has been a minimum player ever since. Kevin Love bought out in 2022 and minimum player ever since.
Reggie Jackson is maybe an example of a guy who has had been bought out a few times, signs minimum deals, revitalizes himself after 1 year minimum, signs a 2 year deal and gets bought out and becomes a minimum again lol.
History says he would behoove himself not to become a buyout candidate!
I admit I am kind of working to conclusions here but I feel like the whole reason it went down the way it did was because he told us he didn't want to play for the Kings. He already had a deal in place to go back to Europe when the deal was announced so I presumed it was being worked out before leaving.
KingsFanSince85
All-Star
My limited recollection is that he was offered a more prominent role in Europe and more money than he was making in the NBA. When the trade to Denver was in the works, he wasn’t sure he was going to play for them before eventually reconsidering and honoring his NBA contract.
I never once heard about it being a “not wanting to play for the KINGS” thing. If that was truly the case, then why did he show up to play after the KINGS traded for him at the deadline and why did he consider not playing for Denver once he was traded away from SAC?
I guess I don't know but feel like he had no intention of returning to play this season with this team. He probably saw the writing on the wall.
Why would he not want to play in Denver and actually have a shot at something? Which is why he changed his mind.
KingsFanSince85
All-Star
Why would he not want to play in Denver? .. for the same reasons I stated. Reports said he was offered more money and a more prominent role with his Euro team.
Point was, according to reports, he had the same reservations playing for Denver as he did Sac.