I feel like "so many" is doing a lot of work here when realistically it's one/both of "don't pick up DeRozan" or "stretch Zach".
[KINGS] Comments that don't warrant their own thread (2025-26)
- Thread starter Tetsujin
- Start date
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
And the likely selling of the 2nd round picks! Cash considerations, how we've missed you. lol.
iowamcnabb
Hall of Famer
Or they have trades they can make to get under by the end of the season.
That's actually worse for the salary cap because you can get those second round picks in their first year at a value under the typical league minimum!
I'm sure that Zach LaVine deciding on what his best course of action is for next season involves having his agent ask around to see what kind of contract would be on the table for him this summer if he opts out.
Opting in means he gets $49 million next season but he'll be on a last place time and may have his playing time cut dramatically if team culture and defense are going to become priorities in actual fact (not just talk). That means his counting stats would take a significant hit and he'll be a year older next summer so how much lower will that make his next contract? There is probably a number value which would average out to make sense for him if it's attached to enough guaranteed years and a role and team situation he thinks would benefit him. Will he be able to get anywhere close to that number amount this off-season? It seems unlikely, but that's what he and his agent are going to figure out.
Opting in means he gets $49 million next season but he'll be on a last place time and may have his playing time cut dramatically if team culture and defense are going to become priorities in actual fact (not just talk). That means his counting stats would take a significant hit and he'll be a year older next summer so how much lower will that make his next contract? There is probably a number value which would average out to make sense for him if it's attached to enough guaranteed years and a role and team situation he thinks would benefit him. Will he be able to get anywhere close to that number amount this off-season? It seems unlikely, but that's what he and his agent are going to figure out.
HndsmCelt
Hall of Famer
I couldn’t agree more. A good honest discussion with LeVine and his agent, letting them know where he stands in terms of playing future with the Kings should result in a heart-to-heart between his agent and him about his best course of action concerning his career. Sadly, I still can’t imagine the situation where they walk away from that kind of money unless they’ve got nice long-term contract lined up elsewhere, but that’s what I’m hoping for. And if I have to watch a year of basketball with Zach on the sidelines grumbling, all kids play the hearts out I’ll take it rather than watching Levine notching stats and taking up roster space
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Joshyjosh31
Starter
No question would be our biggest win since 2002 playoffs but I’ll be drunk by the time it lights up
Insomniacal Fan
Starter
If there were a Wembanyama level candidate, it would surely be cause for celebration. But I don't see that with this draft class.
Failing that, given that I generally distrust draft forecasts, I'm not particularly excited about this draft, or any other particular draft. I guess there's a hope that we get somebody who's immediately ready to be a franchise cornerstone, but I expect instead we'll spend a few years building a foundation
Joshyjosh31
Starter
Wemby prospect ain’t happening again… AJ is an elite prospect that can lead a team to a championship he looks like a 6’9 SGA with elite athleticism I will be celebrating for months if we get him. If he becomes an average three point shooter he could be the second best player in the league (Jokic done and Wemby one)
Also if we do get him I hope we build around and not to try for the play-ins trade Sabonis even if you’re getting a mid first rounder
MizzouKing
Starter
Absolutely. There's something to be said for "quality of life" as well, and finding that balance between thriving while you can or taking home the most dollars. He already has generational wealth, but his body's clock is ticking.
Not a Wemby candidate, but I think only LeBron as a prospect would match Wemby.
The top 3 (maybe Wilson too, although I still think he's a tier down) of Boozer, Peterson and AJ are right there with some of the best prospects we've seen over the last 20 years. Doesn't mean theyre all going to be franchise altering superstars, but it certainly doesn't get much better than them from a prospect angle.
sactowndog
Hall of Famer
Early first round picks are very valuable. It was one reason this last season made me so pissed.
It was so hard watching the Jazz tie us in the last 1/4 of the season with us have a significant lead. It was the difference between an org with no plan, alignment and clear direction versus an organization with all those things.
Insomniacal Fan
Starter
Maybe.
I think great, deep drafts are predicted much more often than they manifest. In the past 40 years, there's only been 1 or 2 drafts with three greats, and none with four greats.
Add to that, it usually takes a few years for a great player to start operating at their highest level, and I expect (and hope) that we will be in the high lottery for another couple of years as we build the foundation for the next competitive cycle. Which to me is a far more exciting prospect than competing for a play-in spot
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