Big Cuz 15
All-Star
he is a thin version of toni kukoc
i wouldn't be surprised if the kings select Porzingis in the draft
- Thread starter Big Cuz 15
- Start date
I don't see that. Toni Kukoc was a great ballhandler and passer for his size. Porzingas reminds me more of a guy like Jonathan Bender. Like a thin, 7 ft shooting guard.
He absolutely has potential. His shot mechanics are really nice. His ceiling is Dirk with defense but his floor is a poor man's Channing Frye. Can he gain the strength he needs to be effective in the NBA with that slight frame? Can he learn to be more aware on both ends? Does he have the fight necessary to defend PFs and rebound on this level? All very important questions and one that scare me about him as a prospect.
Typed "Kukoc was a very good passer and ball handler very early", but forgot to click "Post Reply", so definitely agree on that, but there's some major disrespect to one of NBA greats going on.
Highlights are interesting, but watch him play the game (some Hezonja sighting as well).
I love JT but I will be really disapointed if he's still our starting PF next year. I'm all for him being the first big off the bench, I'm just ready for someone to better compliment Cousins. Someone who can finish around the rim as well as protect it.
Kingster
Hall of Famer
That's what our crack scouting staff is for - to determine whether he's Nowitsky or Bargnani. If you don't pick him and he's Nowitski you might as well just hit yourself with a hammer and be done with it.
Kingster
Hall of Famer
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/mario-hezonja
Hezonja is a guy I also could see the Kings taking. From what I see on film, I like.
Hezonja is a guy I also could see the Kings taking. From what I see on film, I like.
J
jdbraver
Guest
We need an immediate impact player w Cuz. Gotta trade the pick or pick Callie-stein if we r 6 or below
ockingsfan
Starter
If Vlade is making the calls, I can see him taking this kid.
Vlade had been a scouting for the Lakers in Europe, before coming home to be the Kings VP.
He has some nice potential, but good 2-3 years before he can contribute.
WCS would be a better fit now, but this kid may be the next Dirk and may be worth the wait.
IF the kings go with this kid, they will need to sign someone like Josh Smith as a stop gap PF until this kid develops.
Vlade had been a scouting for the Lakers in Europe, before coming home to be the Kings VP.
He has some nice potential, but good 2-3 years before he can contribute.
WCS would be a better fit now, but this kid may be the next Dirk and may be worth the wait.
IF the kings go with this kid, they will need to sign someone like Josh Smith as a stop gap PF until this kid develops.
J
jdbraver
Guest
I could have sworn Vlade wanted an impact now kinda player. We need improvement before the new building opens.
jcwkings
All-Star
If they want impact now players then they will trade the pick. Every rookie no matter how "NBA ready" we think they are going to struggle. Even a guy with elite level potential like Wiggins struggled early on and only recently has gotten some consitent play on a terrible team. WCS will struggle as well, offensively he is green as hell and he will probably be muscled around quite easily in his first few seasons. If you start WCS you are playing 4 on 5 and floor spacing is a mess.
Personally my favorites are Towns, Russell, Mudiaye, Winslow, Porzingis. I would really like us to get one of Russel, Mudiaye or Winslow we need perimeter creativity, someone that can get into the lane. Part of the reason we rely so much on Cousins and Gay iso's is that we have no one that can break down a defense from the perimeter.
Personally my favorites are Towns, Russell, Mudiaye, Winslow, Porzingis. I would really like us to get one of Russel, Mudiaye or Winslow we need perimeter creativity, someone that can get into the lane. Part of the reason we rely so much on Cousins and Gay iso's is that we have no one that can break down a defense from the perimeter.
I agree with the main point, though I don't think Wiggins is a very good example to make that point. He's already a top 5 SF as a rookie and he only played one year in college. You're not going to get much more immediate impact than that. Every once in awhile you get an elite prospect who surprises everyone and excels as a rookie, but that's relatively rare. And often the players that perform well right off the bat get passed up in year 3 or 4 by slower developers who nonetheless get it in a big way and turn into stars. I understand why people want an immediate impact veteran, but don't forget that the goal of the draft is to identify a prospect that you can turn into an elite player. If you can draft an MVP caliber player like a Harden or a Curry, I don't think you should worry too much that it might take them 3 or 4 years to reach that level of play. Drafting a future MVP is still the best move any team can make to improve their chances of winning a championship so let's not take that possibility entirely off the table.
I don't think so, based on what Vlade himself said in the interview I posted. I seriously doubt if the Kings are going to take on any more projects right now.
Big Cuz 15
All-Star
they're going to take him and stash him overseas for a few years. they'll have him on a meat and potatoes diet to help him bulk up so hes ready to rock when he comes over
Kingster
Hall of Famer
I'm in two-thirds agreement with you. Winslow isn't an offensively impactful player, imo. The other two guys would be fantastic.
Kingster
Hall of Famer
I think we've heard this story before. Trading a draft pick for an impactful vet never seems to be what the trading partner wants to do. I guess if we got into the top 4 we could get a top of the mediocre tier starter like another Collison, but it's pretty unlikely somebody is going to give you a top 10 player at a position for a draft pick. And if it's trading a potential All Star (top 4) for a Collison type, no thanks.
macadocious
Starter
Wait, what? You are saying a top pick would only net a player of Collisions status back?
This is all dependent on the team, a team like the 76ers (extreme example) would give way more than that in current value for a top pick because they are rebuilding. A team like OKC or San Antonio won't because they are in win now mode.
Kingster
Hall of Famer
The 76ers have plenty of picks and very little to offer. Actually, SA could be interested in dealing. If SA finally finally gets their comeuppance in the playoffs, they may then finally start the rebuilding process with a vengeance. That could entail dealing Parker, a good but on the downhill slide point guard. A desperate team like the Kings might offer a high #1 (and other stuff) to get him. (And no, I'm not advocating the deal, just pointing out it's not out of the question for a team that finally decides there is no more in the tank to deal whatever vets they have in order to rebuild).
bajaden
Hall of Famer
On this one we disagree. Towns does have a face up game. He just wasn't allowed to use it. He took maybe 8 shots all year long from beyond the arc and seldom shot anything midrange, although he was pretty consistent from midrange on the few he took. No one knew Cousins had a face up game either when he left Kentucky. You play the way Calapari wants or you sit on the bench.
J
jdbraver
Guest
Both DMC can post or hit midrange shots. Not sure what more u could want from bigs offensively. Id take towns #1 but that's a pipe dream.
KingsCitizen
Starter
Some interesting article from hoopshype on this kid: http://hoopshype.com/interviews/sierra/catching-up-with-future-lottery-pick-kristaps-porzingis
Looks like he got quick foot for his size and good handles as well
Looks like he got quick foot for his size and good handles as well
bajaden
Hall of Famer
I think were in agreement. I love Towns, and personally, I think he's going to be a star in the league.
IfAt1st
Starter
My memory is not clear, but I do recall many years where "the discussion is" that a Top 8 draft pick can be traded for good vets.
Here's some examples from our recent history:
* In 6/2011, Tony Parker was reported as being entertaining offers by the Spurs (seriously, they were down on Tony that off-season. I forget why). The Kings were in the mix to trade them high draft pick for Parker. The majority of this forum said no to the deal (if you can believe it!). Parker went on to cement his place on the Spurs with a dominant (amazing) year.
* 6/2012 Pao Gasol was on the trade block by the Lakers after being scapegoated for their non-success. We reportedly could get him for the #5 pick and taking on his big salary for those remaining years of his contract. Not only did most KingsFans not want to make the trade, but the Kings decided to keep the pick and select the most sure-bet in the lottery, the guy with the most easy-to-translate-to-the-NBA-game, Thomas Robinson.
How'd that work out, again?
* 7/2012, Kyle Lowry was traded for a future first-round draft pick + nobody.
These are just some examples that caught in my memory - I'm positive many other KF's could relate more examples of when a draft pick has been traded for an impactful vet.
LPKingsFan
All-Star
I remember the Parker rumors. I wonder how close the Spurs actually came to dealing him. You may recall, they eventually did trade a point guard, but it was George Hill
A more recent example might be Jrue Holiday. I'm not quite sure that has worked out well for the Pelicans.
Last season, the most oft rumored name to be available for a pick was Rondo. Don't think that would have panned out well.
Zach Lowe recently wrote about the possibility of the Jazz trading their pick to accelerate the rebuild, and many of the scenarios apply similarly to the Kings: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/pick-or-trade-what-should-the-jazz-do-to-make-the-leap/. In fact he says to keep an eye out for the Kings and Lawson. I'm not sure the other names he mentions are all that compelling.
This year there isn't a whole lot available. I remember I wanted the Kings to trade for Lowry, but many on Facebook were against it.
This year there's Ty Lawson and MAYBE Jrue Holiday. Not a bunch available. I'll pass on the first round pick for Lawson. If only he could play defense...
I'd trade our pick for Holiday. However, I'd want the Pelicans to take back salary, and we don't really have any salary to give. Landry+JT leaves us without any PFs.
We need a starting PF, SG, and PG. I think we should trade our pick for a PF or a PG. SG can be acquired through FA or if we dangle Ben around..
What are some realistic trading options that are out there for us? If Dragic wants to come here, I'd personally trade our pick and Landry just to move down slots in the draft to get more cap space for Dragic.
Holiday played less than half a season two years in a row now. He has value as a Rudy-type acquisition - very good player with questions about current level of productivity. You take on him, if you can do it for spare parts. Involve major assets, and regretting that in a year or two is a distinct possibility.
But main thing is Darren has much more value for Sacramento than other teams - Kings think he's good enough as a starting PG, while DC is still considered only a capable backup everywhere else. Plus it looks like GK thinks, he can get by with 'Dre and Ray manning backup PG minutes.
PF and SG are much more urgent problems. You don't fix that, and you need massive improvement at PG to make significant progress.
But main thing is Darren has much more value for Sacramento than other teams - Kings think he's good enough as a starting PG, while DC is still considered only a capable backup everywhere else. Plus it looks like GK thinks, he can get by with 'Dre and Ray manning backup PG minutes.
PF and SG are much more urgent problems. You don't fix that, and you need massive improvement at PG to make significant progress.
randymoss1881
Starter
The rockets were rumored to go after Lawson at the deadline. With Beverly a FA they could go for him again. Jones/Papanikolaou/18th pick/ and a future 1st is a very good offer.
randymoss1881
Starter
Lol
Kingster
Hall of Famer
The Parker deal didn't happen, the Gasol deal happened with the Lakers, who always seem to be an outlier, and the Lowry deal I'm not familiar with. Getting a quality vet for a pick may not never occur, but rarely occurs, and to my knowledge hasn't happened in the last 20 years of Kings history. I'm not banking on it.
bajaden
Hall of Famer
I think the key word there is "Quality". And whose definition of it? Travis Outlaw was a vet, but was he a quality vet? Maybe, on the right team. Evan Turner floundered in the NBA until he got to the Celtics, and now suddenly, he looks like a quality vet. Maybe not so on the Kings. Same could be true for any PG we might go after. My point is, that it can still be a crapshoot, and in many cases, newer looks better than older. More than ever in the NBA, its more about fit than anything else.
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