I'm not talking about the trade. I'm talking about the franchise letting talent go period. I don't care how good Sabonis is because he will never be a top 10 player and TH already is. I don't care. I don't care if they thought Bagley would have been the Stoudamire to our Nash/Fox. I care that LD is this generation's Larry Bird and a top 5 talent in the entire league. This isn't about nitpicking who won a trade and more about the problem of talent that is elite not staying here and you thinking it's ok because the talent we have currently is very good.It's not that everyone should think the way I do, it's that the trade has been discussed to death and the VAST majority (in retrospect) agree that it worked out for both teams. There really isn't an argument to say it hasn't given both team's improvements after the trade.
Generational talent?You are getting WAY ahead of yourself there. He's very good, but you are throwing that term out with no data to back it up. Last year with Hali the Pacers won 43% of their games. This year they have the exact same record as the Kings. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say.
Fox and Domas are also very good in their own right. You keep conveniently ignoring that for some reason. At this point I value Domas more than Hali for the Kings. You may disagree, but "Everyone should think the way I do and if not ignore it", right? Or does that only apply to me and not you?
Well, we'll just agree to disagree then. I think roster construction can be more important than any individual piece. Obviously you disagree. You have a much higher opinion of some players than I or some others do. And that's fine. But that doesn't mean you are right. Doesn't mean I am. But I think the combination of player talent and roster construction can be more important than any one individual player talent. Otherwise, the 2012-2013 Lakers should have won it all. Or the 2021-2022 Nets. We'll just let it go at that.I'm not talking about the trade. I'm talking about the franchise letting talent go period. I don't care how good Sabonis is because he will never be a top 10 player and TH already is. I don't care. I don't care if they thought Bagley would have been the Stoudamire to our Nash/Fox. I care that LD is this generation's Larry Bird and a top 5 talent in the entire league. This isn't about nitpicking who won a trade and more about the problem of talent that is elite not staying here and you thinking it's ok because the talent we have currently is very good.
Is there a certain thread about stats? I couldn't find one... so from the "Sacktown Giraffe" on twitter (or X) @TimMaxwell22 there are some stats regarding clutch time this season.
De’Aaron Fox in the clutch this season: 0/13 3P 19/47 FG (39%) 12/20 FT (60%)
Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox, and Harrison Barnes have combined to shoot 6 of 37 (16%) from three-point range in the clutch this season.
Domantas Sabonis is shooting 71% from the field in clutch situations, but he has only attempted 17 field goals, compared to 48 for Fox and 34 for Monk. The Kings seem to completely forget about Sabonis in tight game situations.
Usage rates in regular season vs clutch Fox: 30.7% | 38.2% Monk: 23.8% | 26.2% Sabonis 22.3% | 15.8% Murray 18.7% | 12.1% Huerter 17.5% | 15.7% Barnes 13.3% | 9.9% Every rotational player but Monk and Fox sees their usage decline.
From 16 matches this season that the final score margin was less than 10 points, Sacramento won 11 of those, losing only 5 (among them the last 2... painful ones). So it doesn't make so much sense that Kings are usually effective winning close matches but having not so great efficiency by their star "clutch" player.
Look at his seTyrese went down, and Pacers still beat Celtics. Then they dealt with Wizards and handily defeated Hawks in away game. Yes, they lost in Denver - who wouldn't? And it was a tight game. Jazz blew them away but they are the hottest team since mid-December and it was 3rd game in 4 nights, all away with a lot of movement, including up and down.
Indiana has a lot of talent so people should really stop with TH is top10 player.
They are getting blown out way more. Look at the point difference. Look at the drop in FT shooting. Record is assuming everything else is equal but this team is going from the #1 offense to mediocre offense and poor defense and taking steps backward despite the same record.
Look at his se
They are getting blown out way more. Look at the point difference. Look at the drop in FT shooting. Record is assuming everything else is equal but this team is going from the #1 offense to mediocre offense and poor defense and taking steps backward despite the same record.
Look at his se
They are getting blown out way more. Look at the point difference. Look at the drop in FT shooting. Record is assuming everything else is equal but this team is going from the #1 offense to mediocre offense and poor defense and taking steps backward despite the same record.
last year they had a draft pick and lots of cap space to use. This year we will likely lose our pick and we have only the mid-level exemption.
Who would you have signed with the cap space though? Draymond wanted to stay in Golden state, Grant wanted 5 years only the Blazers could give him, Kuzma wanted to be option 1 or 2. The only other forward would be Brooks. He has had a pretty good season but he was a big risk. A team who has put up with Ja Morant wanted to replace him. He’s also the third option on the Rockets, not interested in being a 3 and D guy ( he has said this himself).
if the kings don’t make a move at the deadline it’s fine imo. That pick likely will convey and then we have 26’ 28’ 30 and swaps free and clear to trade if we find what we want. There is a good chance that many of the forwards I mentioned earlier will be available this off season.
Monte has to be smart here. If a move is made this deadline it has to be the right one. 16 years of stink have been removed from our franchise, no reason to start panicking if we take a step back this year. He has said this himself, things are not always linear.
Go Kings!
Who would you have signed with the cap space though? Draymond wanted to stay in Golden state, Grant wanted 5 years only the Blazers could give him, Kuzma wanted to be option 1 or 2. The only other forward would be Brooks. He has had a pretty good season but he was a big risk. A team who has put up with Ja Morant wanted to replace him. He’s also the third option on the Rockets, not interested in being a 3 and D guy ( he has said this himself).
if the kings don’t make a move at the deadline it’s fine imo. That pick likely will convey and then we have 26’ 28’ 30 and swaps free and clear to trade if we find what we want. There is a good chance that many of the forwards I mentioned earlier will be available this off season.
Monte has to be smart here. If a move is made this deadline it has to be the right one. 16 years of stink have been removed from our franchise, no reason to start panicking if we take a step back this year. He has said this himself, things are not always linear.
Go Kings!
And the ability to add talent doesn't last forever. Monte clearly knows this. His timeline was jumped forward about 4 years ahead of schedule when he picked Fox. The summer was what it was, he clearly tried to clear space for Beal but Beal chose the Suns. Monte just has to keep being aggressive. Being picky with where his team is at might not be an option unfortunately.
I just don’t see it that way. Fox is 26. Domas has 4-7 years of prime left. We are not working with a two year window here. He has time to build around this core for several years before pivoting off it if needed.
At this point I don’t really expect a major trade. The Lavine thing was at least worth thinking about if it could be done without first round picks but it appears that is dead. He’s also injured again which is a concern. Don’t get what Portland is doing but it appears they are likely holding on to Grant. As I said in my response to ‘Dog, a lot of these guys might be available for trade in the off season and who knows who else pops up. Another bonus, maybe Huerter continues his strong play and either cements his spot on this team or increases his value. The version of KVon we got in the last couple days is worth a solid first rounder. 2 weeks ago it felt we were in sell super low territory. Barnes will be on a really nice 2 year deal that’s easy to move.
I'm not talking about age, I'm talking about the ability to add serious talent without stripping core pieces to do it due to lack of availability or cap restrictions. The Kings went through it with Petrie. It just happens at a certain point. If there is no trade available it is what it is but best bet Monte needs to be looking under every rock he can and with Monte, just like Petrie in the mid-2000's he has to probably look at damaged goods. Petrie would never have been able to add a talent like Artest at the time he did unless it was at the dented and damaged sale like he found him. Monte is going to probably have to look for the same risk/reward type of deal.
Miles Bridges?
Miles Bridges?
I'm not talking about age, I'm talking about the ability to add serious talent without stripping core pieces to do it due to lack of availability or cap restrictions. The Kings went through it with Petrie. It just happens at a certain point. If there is no trade available it is what it is but best bet Monte needs to be looking under every rock he can and with Monte, just like Petrie in the mid-2000's he has to probably look at damaged goods. Petrie would never have been able to add a talent like Artest at the time he did unless it was at the dented and damaged sale like he found him. Monte is going to probably have to look for the same risk/reward type of deal.
I think the biggest risk/reward guys that also fit our team somewhat (meaning I’m not going to put someone like Ben Simmons on this list) are:I'm not talking about age, I'm talking about the ability to add serious talent without stripping core pieces to do it due to lack of availability or cap restrictions. The Kings went through it with Petrie. It just happens at a certain point. If there is no trade available it is what it is but best bet Monte needs to be looking under every rock he can and with Monte, just like Petrie in the mid-2000's he has to probably look at damaged goods. Petrie would never have been able to add a talent like Artest at the time he did unless it was at the dented and damaged sale like he found him. Monte is going to probably have to look for the same risk/reward type of deal.
the problem with this crop of damaged players is they are on max deals (Lavine Beal) if our pick conveys, we have 3 first round picks to trade, that landed the Bucks Jrue Holiday. Monte could have a swing like that at his disposal potentially. Maybe he swings for Marcus Smart or that type of guy and then uses the mid level we will likely have this summer to find our version of Dean Wade or A Deanthony melton. In my opinion he has options
Them being on max deals is part of the damage though which in terms of acquisition is much better for a team like Sacramento considering there isn't a reduction in actual ability. I guess the question is whether or not the Kings are a few role players away from competing for a ring and what those mean in terms of value trade wise. I still think adding as much talent at your top end and then filling out needs with things like your MLE, draft picks, or trades is typically more realistic. Let’s put it this way, look at Keon Ellis, you can find guys like that in the 2nd round or even the G-league. Those are much better to have as your finishing touch pieces than finding another all star.
I think the biggest risk/reward guys that also fit our team somewhat (meaning I’m not going to put someone like Ben Simmons on this list) are:
- Andrew Wiggins
- John Collins
- Jonathan Isaac
- Lonzo Ball
- Miles Bridges
- Zach LaVine
I don’t think any of those guys cost us assets/1sts but you have to ask yourself…is the risk worth it for any of those guys? Just because that’s the list of the available risk/reward players today, it doesn’t mean we have to make that type of move today.
Monte has to decide if adding a 40 mill dollar guy that plays one side of the ball is the best decision. Would the Suns be better with Beal or 2 twenty million dollar wings? I don’t have the answer but imo the time to do a deal has likely sailed. My best guess is they stand pat or do a fairly minor deal. If something goes down, I’ll trust that Monte saw it as the right time or value
Hellllllllllllll nah
**** that guy. Shouldn't even be in the league.