To be clear, I don't necessarily think the west will get substantially weaker, but I do think it will be marginally weaker. It will remain the stronger conference, but I expect some combination of the Clippers, Nuggets, Lakers, Warriors, and Suns to fall in the standings next season due to some combination of talent loss, age, injury, and/or inaction. And I'm curious to see if Danny Ainge decides to bottom out the Jazz to give himself the best shot at Cooper Flagg. Yes, there will be risers in the conference. OKC's already at the top of the west, but they'll be even better next season. Memphis will certainly be better. Houston could be better. San Antonio could be better. But if the big stars of yesterday belong to teams that are no longer particularly big threats, then I like the Kings chances of breaking above the play-in line. Lebron, Durant, Curry, Leonard, Harden, etc. are all a year older, and without considerable roster improvement around them, it's hard to imagine their teams achieving more than the mediocrity they achieved last season, and I imagine more than one of those teams will buckle beneath the weight of age, injury, and inaction.
Devin Carter to undergo shoulder surgery
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I think part of the Kings current plan is to feast on the weaker teams. That was the issue last season and it sure looked like the Kings were so erratic because when that DHO got snuffed or shots didn't fall out of it, the Kings went from top seed to tank team in a hurry and it didn't matter the ability of the opponent. DDR in theory should best help against beating these bad teams and help getting to the foul line at home. Also, lets see how the tank race plays out late in the year. We've probably all seen the hype on Cooper Flagg by now. If he looks the part at Duke, and they usually actually do pretty well showcasing players like him there where it's very hit and miss with their guards and bigs, this could be a race for the first pick like we rarely see.
The tank race should be very robust in the east, with up to five or six teams who have the potential to bottom out. Curious how tanking will look in the west, though. Portland is the only obvious shoe-in for a top-5 pick in the whole conference. Memphis obviously should be better. Houston theoretically should be better. San Antonio possibly could be better, though it would not surprise me in the least if they were strategic enough to keep themselves in the upper half of the lottery. And until Ainge trades Markkanen, the Jazz will be too competitive for true tank positioning. Injuries will be the thing to watch. Are there any western conference squads that suffer any major injury setbacks, which could potentially inform a pivot into tank mode?
I consider that 22-23 we overachieved by 3-6 games (I had us pegged at 45-50 but was in the highly optimistic camp).
I think we underachieved by 3-6 games last season. And we have gotten better this offseason. So I think any under .500 projection without a massive and major injury early in the season is beyond just pessimistic.
And as Padrino and others point out, there will be plenty of teams happy to punch their lotto ticket this year vs. last year when there really wasn't much difference between picking 8th and 20th when you look at projections vs. reality. Teams that know they are out of the running will sell and go all in at a shot for Flagg.
I think we underachieved by 3-6 games last season. And we have gotten better this offseason. So I think any under .500 projection without a massive and major injury early in the season is beyond just pessimistic.
And as Padrino and others point out, there will be plenty of teams happy to punch their lotto ticket this year vs. last year when there really wasn't much difference between picking 8th and 20th when you look at projections vs. reality. Teams that know they are out of the running will sell and go all in at a shot for Flagg.
You'd think Ainge would make that decision before the season starts, not by the near all-star break deadline which would likely be way too late.
So, with that in mind -- is it possible for the KINGS to still be a contender for Markkannen?
The rumors were that they had a viable offer on the table before an imposed deadline then pivoting to DDR.
HB and Duarte are now gone from any potential trade situation, but Huerter's salary is very similar to Markkannen's. The questions would be how many draft picks would it take (he is an expiring contract) on top of that salary swap AND could the KINGS get Lauri to agree to an extension AND can they manage it under the cap?
I would think with the cap expected to rise 10% or so going forward with the new digital rights deal -- they could be willing to hit the apron temporarily if need be. IDK.
Also, would Ainge possibly like Devin Carter (whom he could sit all season) as part of the deal, counting toward one of the FRP's? Would the KINGS be willing to make a deal with Carter in the mix?
All I know is, finding a way to add Lauri Markkanen after landing DDR all while not surrendering any of the major core would be NICE!
So, with that in mind -- is it possible for the KINGS to still be a contender for Markkannen?
The rumors were that they had a viable offer on the table before an imposed deadline then pivoting to DDR.
HB and Duarte are now gone from any potential trade situation, but Huerter's salary is very similar to Markkannen's. The questions would be how many draft picks would it take (he is an expiring contract) on top of that salary swap AND could the KINGS get Lauri to agree to an extension AND can they manage it under the cap?
I would think with the cap expected to rise 10% or so going forward with the new digital rights deal -- they could be willing to hit the apron temporarily if need be. IDK.
Also, would Ainge possibly like Devin Carter (whom he could sit all season) as part of the deal, counting toward one of the FRP's? Would the KINGS be willing to make a deal with Carter in the mix?
All I know is, finding a way to add Lauri Markkanen after landing DDR all while not surrendering any of the major core would be NICE!
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It sounded like the Jazz were looking at wanting like Bridges levels of picks more than anything. I don't think the Kings can even do that, especially now with the DDR trade involving another up in the air pick swap which could lower the value of that pick in a re-trade. This Lauri stuff has all the makings of having no actual realistic intentions of letting a player go.
Feels weird sitting on a 22-year-old prospect for an entire year. In his 2nd year, we’ll have to treat him like a rookie who goes through highs and lows. Going into his 3rd year, he’ll be 24/25 with only 1 year of playing experience. Then year 4 comes and he’ll already be in his contract year at 25/26.
I would understand taking the injury risk and red shirting if he was an 18-year-old skilled playmaker like Topic with star upside… but someone who most fans see as a potential high level role player? Sheeesh
edit: I haven’t been a fan of this draft pick, but I wish he could’ve shut me up this year. Waiting a whole year seems like an eternity
I would understand taking the injury risk and red shirting if he was an 18-year-old skilled playmaker like Topic with star upside… but someone who most fans see as a potential high level role player? Sheeesh
edit: I haven’t been a fan of this draft pick, but I wish he could’ve shut me up this year. Waiting a whole year seems like an eternity
