Getting Another Pick?

[Section 101]

How are you guranteeing we won't extend Evans?

What would you have us do if you think Evans and Cousins are just going to accept the qualifying offer and then leave? That roster would make us a competitive team next year, but for some reason it is not good enough for Evans and Cousins to stay. What do you suggest we do in order to keep them?

I will 100% gurantee we will not extend Evans. The last day to extend his contract was Oct 31st. He will be a restricted FA next year. There is a difference between extending and RFA.

 

[bajaden]

I will 100% gurantee we will not extend Evans. The last day to extend his contract was Oct 31st. He will be a restricted FA next year. There is a difference between extending and RFA.

Bingo!

 

[bajaden]

Marcus Smart doesn't know what the bad shot is and likes to shoot a lot. Wanna go for PG? Might as well go for Carter-Williams. But if you go for any of these guys, it means Tyreke is on its way out. They just can't exist together - too ball-dominant. Same with Gobert - he and Cousins just won't co-exist well. Once again that's why Drummond pick was so obvious. The only big man in projected top-10 of 2013 Draft that can work is Noel. And Kentucky may suck just enough for him to be available even if Kings don't get top-3 pick. Same with Shabazz - UCLA may be bad enough, though he looks very good so far offensively, so he's projected #1 right now. He likes to shoot a lot but he's actually not a ball-dominant guard. 'Bazz-Tyreke would be a great guard combo.
Poythress looks great as roleplayer - scores super-efficiently, really knowing what he can and cannot do. His problem is when he doesn't like his scoring opportunity and wants to give up the ball, he can't do it wwithout turning it over. He's an excellent defender, will be able to defend everybody from SGs to most PFs. Would be a fantastic fit next to Reke and Boogie as a guy who doesn't need the ball but can score from everywhere if left open. And he moves a lot so he's open very often.

I certainly hope you don't think I'm suggesting we draft Marcus Smart. Someone asked who he was, and I responded. If we were going to draft another PG it should have been Lillard. No PG in the current class excites me that much. At least not right now. The closest would be Williams, who so far is having a terrific year. I'd love to get Noel. He'd be a nice fit next to Cousins, but there are other shotblockers I like as well, like Withey or Tony Mitchell. I haven't made up my mind on Poythress yet, but so far, he looks good. Very smart player, who as you mention is a little turnover prone, but its correctable. I also like his running mate Goodwin, who would really move up my list if he can improve his outside shot.

I don't know if you've seen Anthony Bennett the PF for UNLV play, but he's been very impressive. Even at his listed 6'8", if he's truely that tall. Very skilled player. He could end up being the best PF in the entire draft. Still a lot of time left though!

 

[Hadlowe]

I certainly hope you don't think I'm suggesting we draft Marcus Smart. Someone asked who he was, and I responded. If we were going to draft another PG it should have been Lillard. No PG in the current class excites me that much. At least not right now. The closest would be Williams, who so far is having a terrific year. I'd love to get Noel. He'd be a nice fit next to Cousins, but there are other shotblockers I like as well, like Withey or Tony Mitchell. I haven't made up my mind on Poythress yet, but so far, he looks good. Very smart player, who as you mention is a little turnover prone, but its correctable. I also like his running mate Goodwin, who would really move up my list if he can improve his outside shot.

I don't know if you've seen Anthony Bennett the PF for UNLV play, but he's been very impressive. Even at his listed 6'8", if he's truely that tall. Very skilled player. He could end up being the best PF in the entire draft. Still a lot of time left though!

I would be very down with a Noel/Cousins frontcourt. Of course, that means that the team would have to deal one of Thompson/Robinson/Hayes, or move Robinson to SF which could work if he truly models his game on Milsap and starts knocking down threes.

 

[Gilles]

Unlike kindergarten run by Smart good teams play their starting bigs for 36 minutes, which means there are only 36 minutes left every day for other frontcourt players. While JT is not a good starter, he makes solid 3rd big and can play both big positions so in theory he should take most of bench minutes if moved there, so if Kings take another big, Hayes should be moved. He's by far the worst rebounder among true frontcourt players - Outlaw or JJ don't count though Smart sees them as viable options.
Withey is an interesting option but I don't think he's good enough to be a starter and while I understand ithis rebounding numbers are low in part due to Kansas' defensive system he's not a good rebounder. If I have to guess, on playoff team he would be fourth big, although a very good one. Mitchell drifted to the perimeter this season and went from his strong points - maybe he just wants to expand his game, maybe he doesn't like contact and is soft.
Bennett was measured 6'7" last spring. He shoot well, so he has something to fall back offensively if inside scoring is taken away in the pros. But he's not special as a defender or rebounder.

 

[Section 101]

Unlike kindergarten run by Smart good teams play their starting bigs for 36 minutes, which means there are only 36 minutes left every day for other frontcourt players.

Wrong. Go look at the stats.

 

[Gilles]

Yes, there's a typo - you should read "good teams play their starting bigs for 30 minutes".

 

[bajaden]

Unlike kindergarten run by Smart good teams play their starting bigs for 36 minutes, which means there are only 36 minutes left every day for other frontcourt players. While JT is not a good starter, he makes solid 3rd big and can play both big positions so in theory he should take most of bench minutes if moved there, so if Kings take another big, Hayes should be moved. He's by far the worst rebounder among true frontcourt players - Outlaw or JJ don't count though Smart sees them as viable options.
Withey is an interesting option but I don't think he's good enough to be a starter and while I understand ithis rebounding numbers are low in part due to Kansas' defensive system he's not a good rebounder. If I have to guess, on playoff team he would be fourth big, although a very good one. Mitchell drifted to the perimeter this season and went from his strong points - maybe he just wants to expand his game, maybe he doesn't like contact and is soft.
Bennett was measured 6'7" last spring. He shoot well, so he has something to fall back offensively if inside scoring is taken away in the pros. But he's not special as a defender or rebounder.

I look at Withey as a backup center, and I think he would be excellent in that role. He wouldn't hurt you offensively, because he seems to know what his role is, but he can defend the basket, and I think is rebounding is a little better than his numbers show. However, he's not an out of positon rebounder. Mitchell is interesting, and the question is, what is his position. Perhaps he's trying to define that this season. He's a little undersized for the PF position, but he wouldn't be the first. Hell, if we can get enough of those guys into the league, he won't be undersized anymore.

Noel appears to be the perfect choice at the moment. However I think no matter what, he'll be a top 3 choice, so he may be out of reach unless we get lucky. I'm aware of Bennett's measurements from the Lebron James skills academy, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until the combine proves otherwise. In his case, it doesn't really matter, I think he'll be able to score on anyone. I've been very impressed with him. He's very skilled. However, defensively I agree with you.

I would like to say this though. While defense should be considered, it shouldn't be the entire focus either. Unless folks haven't noticed, there are teams out there making the playoffs, or at worse contending for the playoffs, that have players contributing that aren't noticed for their defense. David Lee isn't looked at as good defensive player, but he certainly brings enough to the table to overlook his defensive liabilities. Ditto Zack Randolph, and there are many others. So while defense should be looked at and taken into consideration, a great offensive player shouldn't be ignored because of it.

 

[panda]

This will sound bad.

Maybe they should trade away the picks instead of getting more, at least if the current GM and coach are staying. The recent draft history and nurturing of talent has been pretty bad. True Tyreke was rookie of the year but hasn't developed well (not his fault) Cousins led the league in fouls and has suspension/anger issues. Biyombo, Caspi, Fredette and IT, not a great few years.

Just trade the picks for a couple veterans and work on the talent we already have for a season. Between the potential lottery pick, Tyreke RFA status & Brooks player option, there are pieces to move for a good return.

 

[twslam07]

I certainly hope you don't think I'm suggesting we draft Marcus Smart. Someone asked who he was, and I responded. If we were going to draft another PG it should have been Lillard. No PG in the current class excites me that much. At least not right now. The closest would be Williams, who so far is having a terrific year. I'd love to get Noel. He'd be a nice fit next to Cousins, but there are other shotblockers I like as well, like Withey or Tony Mitchell. I haven't made up my mind on Poythress yet, but so far, he looks good. Very smart player, who as you mention is a little turnover prone, but its correctable. I also like his running mate Goodwin, who would really move up my list if he can improve his outside shot.

I don't know if you've seen Anthony Bennett the PF for UNLV play, but he's been very impressive. Even at his listed 6'8", if he's truely that tall. Very skilled player. He could end up being the best PF in the entire draft. Still a lot of time left though!

Why is that? Just because we didn't draft Lillard we shouldn't draft Smart? Why would Lillard be a better fit here than Smart? They seem to be on the same "ball dominant" level. Both are great passers, both are great shooters, both are good defenders, and both have great size for PG.

I would like to here your opinion on why Smart would not be a good fit here and Lillard would (if that was what you were implying with your post).