Signed with NODaniel Theis might be pretty hype
One issue we have to consider is how much can we pay for the PF position, and how many minutes will the said player get. It's not my money, so I don't mind Vivek shelling out a pretty amount to get us a nice shiny PF, but the second issue needs to be addressed.
We upgraded our roster by getting DDR over Barnes, but added to an already imbalanced roster. If Keon continues to start at 2, Keegan will likely move to 4, and DDR will play 3. Not ideal, but with the current roster, I think that scenario works out the best.
If we get a new PF, Keegan can continue to play at 3, and DDR starts at 2. Means Keon is back to the bench, and Kevin is almost certainly traded. This is the most desirable solution, though Keon showed his value when he started and doesn't need the ball to be effective. Moreover, unless the new PF is a decent outside shooter, the starting unit will have very little shooting (only Keegan), and we have also traded away an excellent outside shooter in Kevin.
No easy solutions unfortunately.
Thanks.DDR has not played the 2 since he got traded to the Spurs. He's played more of the 4 than he has the 2 in his recent seasons.
No question he's here to play the 3/4 wing spot. He's not going to play the 2.
One issue we have to consider is how much can we pay for the PF position, and how many minutes will the said player get. It's not my money, so I don't mind Vivek shelling out a pretty amount to get us a nice shiny PF, but the second issue needs to be addressed.
We upgraded our roster by getting DDR over Barnes, but added to an already imbalanced roster. If Keon continues to start at 2, Keegan will likely move to 4, and DDR will play 3. Not ideal, but with the current roster, I think that scenario works out the best.
If we get a new PF, Keegan can continue to play at 3, and DDR starts at 2. Means Keon is back to the bench, and Kevin is almost certainly traded. This is the most desirable solution, though Keon showed his value when he started and doesn't need the ball to be effective. Moreover, unless the new PF is a decent outside shooter, the starting unit will have very little shooting (only Keegan), and we have also traded away an excellent outside shooter in Kevin.
No easy solutions unfortunately.
Yah, with Keegan bulking up I suspect the Kings see him as a 4.
Not sure how smart middle class players who opt out under this new CBA will be, that’s close to full MLE and how many of those did we see this year?DFS is prob near the top of my list as well. One concern with him is he has a player option after next year. Will he opt out at 13 mil? At his age it’s hard to know if he would be able to make that on the open market. The other concern is he may or may not start for us and if he does you have too many guards on the bench (Monk, Keon, Carter, New guy I’m too lazy to look up the spelling of).
Poku for the minimum aside from #2 he fits all those and can play anything from SG/SF/PF/C meaning he can fill in for basically any injury that's not Fox (thats assuming he himself is not injured which has been a big if lately).We need a PF who...
- has above average size, length, & athleticism for his position (8'10"+ standing reach and 7'0"+ wingspan)
- is a good/great defender
- can help a bit with paint/rim protection (0.5+ BLK per 36 min)
- is a good floor spacer (37%+ 3P% with 4+ 3PA per 36 min)
- is at least a decent rebounder (5+ REB per 36 min)
- is a low usage player (around 15%)
- is going to be well below a max contract ($25 mil/year or less)
- ideally can flex down to guard SFs (allowing DeRozan to always take the worse SF or PF on defense)
- ideally is around the age of our core (28 years old or less)
Looking at who is realistically available, the only guys that somewhat fit that description are:
- Dorian Finney-Smith
- Grant Williams
- Isaiah Stewart
- Bobby Portis
- John Collins
Dorian Finney-Smith
I think he checks all of those boxes with the exception of #9 and somewhat #1. I think his standing reach is 8'9" so he just missed that threshold, but I know DFS also plays small-ball C for the Nets at time so I'm not overly worried about #1.
Grant Williams
He doesn't check off #1 (which is a big concern for me) but he seems to fit the rest of the criteria.
Isaiah Stewart
I have questions if Stewart is actually a good defender (#2) and I don't see him checking off #8 since he's more of a PF/C vs. a PF/SF.
Bobby Portis
He doesn't check off #6, #8, and #9, and I'm not sure I consider him a "good" defender but I'd put him as an above average defender.
John Collins
He doesn't check off #6, #8, and probably not #2 as I have him as average in that department.
I think I'd have DFS at the top of my list if we're trying to improve our roster as much as possible in the immediate, but wouldn't be overly upset if we did bring in someone like Williams or Stewart while we keep looking for a better fit/upgrade down the road. I have less interest in Portis and Collins at this point.
Eh if you add a guy like Finney-Smith and start….DDR has not played the 2 since he got traded to the Spurs. He's played more of the 4 than he has the 2 in his recent seasons.
No question he's here to play the 3/4 wing spot. He's not going to play the 2.
I’ve always like the idea of Poku but we need to bet on more of a sure thing. I’d be fine adding him on a min contract though.Poku for the minimum aside from #2 he fits all those and can play anything from SG/SF/PF/C meaning he can fill in for basically any injury that's not Fox (thats assuming he himself is not injured which has been a big if lately).
I don’t think that’s enough for HOU. I proposed a #13 & 2025 POR 2nd for Eason trade to HOU fans and they overwhelmingly said it’s not enough for Eason. They love him over there.A big need on this team is a defensive wing or PF who can space the floor. Going to bring up a fan favorite, what about Tari Eason in exchange for Huerter+Lyles, while also bringing in the Hawks to nab Larry Nance Jr?
Kings receive:
Rockets receive:
- Tari Eason
- Jeff Green
- Larry Nance Jr
Hawks receive:
- Kevin Huerter
- Trey Lyles
We're giving up 2 solid role players on the team in exchange for a potential long-term starter in Tari Eason. We also receive a Lyles replacement with Larry Nance Jr who can be an explosive rim runner with Monk off the bench. Jeff Green would be a solid 3rd/4th veteran wing on the team and in the locker room. We'd be filling a lot of holes with this trade that help us both in the immediate and long-term.
- Jae'Sean Tate
- Allow the Hawks to convey the 2025 1st round pick
- Kings 2026 1st round pick swap (top 8 protected) (not sure if pick swap protections are possible)
- Rockets 2026 2nd round pick via Miami
The Rockets get more shooting around Sengun with both Huerter and Lyles being able to play off of Sengun extremely well. The Rockets have a lot of wings on the team and will need to make tough choices when it comes to their future. Eason is the odd-man out with Smith Jr., Whitmore, and Thompson all under their rookie contracts. AJ Griffin was also added to the mix.
The Hawks are giving up Larry Nance Jr. for a salary dump in Tate while receiving a 2026 pick swap and a 2nd round pick. Allowing the Kings' 2025 1st round pick to finally convey will make room for more trade flexibility down the line. The pick swap would be a huge incentive, but I think it's necessary in order for the Hawks to agree to convey the pick.
You'd be going into next season with a rotation of:
Fox/Keon/McLaughlin
DeRozan/Monk
Keegan/Green
Eason/Nance Jr
Sabonis/Len
Lots of different rotation possibilities with these players. Keon can flex the 1-2. Monk can flex the 1-2. DeRozan can flex 2-4ish. Keegan can flex 2-4. Eason can flex 3-4. Nance Jr can be a tiny ball 5.
Eh if you add a guy like Finney-Smith and start….
Fox
DeRozan
Murray
DFS
Sabonis
…you just have Murray and Finney-Smith take the two best offensive players 2-4 and whoever is left, DeRozan takes defensively. If that player is a catch & shoot SG, I’m not overly worried about DeRozan’s ability to defend that type of player. The defensive versatility of Murray and DFS makes it work.
The debate can be had on who would start if DFS is added but I was more focusing on DeRozan playing the 2.I just don't think you need to do that though. You can still easily get DFS 22-25 MPG with him at the 3/4 flex wing off the bench and Keon is on an upswing defensively, where DFS might be on a downswing.
He's always been a 4 right? Coming out of school he was supposed to be a modern "big wing" at the 4 that maybe could step out and defend the perimeter. Shot was questioned if it could translate.
And hes just developed as this perimeter defensive stud and elite shooter. I'm not worried at all about him at the 4; that's where he was "supposed" to be.
I just don't think you need to do that though. You can still easily get DFS 22-25 MPG with him at the 3/4 flex wing off the bench and Keon is on an upswing defensively, where DFS might be on a downswing.
What about go big with this trade?
KINGS: John Collins ($26.6 M / 1+1 P.O.) + Walker Kessler ($2.9 M / 1+1 T.O.)
JAZZ: Kevin Huerter ($16.8 M / 2) + Trey Lyles ($8 M / 1) + Colby Jones ($2.1 M / 2+1 T.O.) + 2028 1st SAC + 2031 1st worst of SAC/SA
I'd still start with our actual first unit (Fox - Keon - DDR - Keeg - Domas) but it would improve our 2nd one with Carter/McLaughlin - Monk - McDaniels - Collins - Kessler.
Maybe we only play with a 9 players rotation without McDaniels to open the SF and PF minutes to 3 heavy minutes players as DeRozan, Murray and Collins.
It also open one roster spot for Mason Jones and let us sign Boogie Ellis with our 3rd 2-way.
PG: Fox 34, McLaughlin 8, Monk 6
SG: Ellis 26, Monk 22
SF: DeRozan 34, Murray 14
PF: Murray 18, Collins 26, Sabonis 4
C: Sabonis 30, Kessler 18
He's always been a 4 right? Coming out of school he was supposed to be a modern "big wing" at the 4 that maybe could step out and defend the perimeter. Shot was questioned if it could translate.
And hes just developed as this perimeter defensive stud and elite shooter. I'm not worried at all about him at the 4; that's where he was "supposed" to be.
The question is does the Jazz want to move Collins. We don't need the other pieces like Kessler. We can ask for Collins or Lauri.
At this point a Beef Stew for Huerter trade almost seems like a necessity for the Pistons