Monk is back!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter iowamcnabb
- Start date
Actually yes.
Despite the sentiment around here, Kevin Huerter is a quality NBA starter. It's not surprising to hear he's getting a ton of interest around the league; his shooting and off-ball movement is utterly unique and the fact he DOES have some level of an on-ball comfort with passing is just an added bonus.
Us trading Huerter is not an indictment of his talent. It's just he got usurped by Keegan and Monk. And it's on us to find a better use for Huerter's talent/money rather than delegating him to being a 4th option and someone who sits the final 15 minutes of the game.
I'm the "BPA/talent" guy more than anything, but I think Huerter is a great case of how we need to find a way to rebalance his spot with someone who can fit our core and needs better.
Despite the sentiment around here, Kevin Huerter is a quality NBA starter. It's not surprising to hear he's getting a ton of interest around the league; his shooting and off-ball movement is utterly unique and the fact he DOES have some level of an on-ball comfort with passing is just an added bonus.
Us trading Huerter is not an indictment of his talent. It's just he got usurped by Keegan and Monk. And it's on us to find a better use for Huerter's talent/money rather than delegating him to being a 4th option and someone who sits the final 15 minutes of the game.
I'm the "BPA/talent" guy more than anything, but I think Huerter is a great case of how we need to find a way to rebalance his spot with someone who can fit our core and needs better.
I watched Keon Ellis pass him. To my eye he was about to lose his starting spot, before getting injured....even if Brown couldn't have got himself to pull the trigger on it.
It was a better team with Ellis on the floor, than it was with Huerter...and firmly believe they would have won 50+ games had he been the starter for most of the season
It was a better team with Ellis on the floor, than it was with Huerter...and firmly believe they would have won 50+ games had he been the starter for most of the season
Keon played in a whopping 22 consecutive games at the end of last season. His point production during the last 22 games was anywhere from zero to 26 per game (in one), with 13 of those games being single-digit performances. So in over half the games he played in this season-ending stretch he scored in single digits. His longest stretch of playing prior to the 22 games was 12 consecutive games. The rest of the season was scattered with DNPs. Keon looks to be a good player and had a good mini-run for at season end, but am I willing to award him a starting job at SG? Not just yet.
It's strange to bring up his offense, like it wasn't good?
21 starts
26.5 MPG
8.8 PPG
3.5 RPG
2.3 APG
1.04 TOPG
40.4% from 3 (4.4 3PA/game)
63.1% TS
Like what are we doing here? This is literally a perfect stat line for what you want from a support player that's a phenomenal defender. He was a knock-down shooter, that didn't turn the ball over, provided secondary playmaking and sparked a Kings defense that was one of the best in the NBA from basically March 8, on (when he fully joined the rotation).
Now, the actual correct argument is sample size of games. 21 starts is not huge, by any means. But to say his play wasn't good enough to start? Absolutely not.
21 starts
26.5 MPG
8.8 PPG
3.5 RPG
2.3 APG
1.04 TOPG
40.4% from 3 (4.4 3PA/game)
63.1% TS
Like what are we doing here? This is literally a perfect stat line for what you want from a support player that's a phenomenal defender. He was a knock-down shooter, that didn't turn the ball over, provided secondary playmaking and sparked a Kings defense that was one of the best in the NBA from basically March 8, on (when he fully joined the rotation).
Now, the actual correct argument is sample size of games. 21 starts is not huge, by any means. But to say his play wasn't good enough to start? Absolutely not.
Then it'll be a huge failure on Monte's part. At least one has to go and there needs to be at least one major shakeup to the rotation.
Last off-season, running it back was the right call and smart for the context of that year. You were a game off the 2nd round and I think had a great shot to beat the Lakers too, if we got past GS. For a variety of reasons, even though we got better defensively, the team stagnated. And with Keon/Monk's emergence on offense, the shooting/scoring that Huerter and HB bring, just isn't needed at the same level. The 34 mil (roughly) committed to them needs to be repurposed into something else.
Just can't head into next season with pick 13, maybe like Jalen Smith on the MLE as a back-up big upgrade and call it a day. I think the Kings pretty well have 5 core spots locked in. Have to really fine tune 6-8 and that money currently being spent on those spots (or future money with a Davion extension looming)
Last off-season, running it back was the right call and smart for the context of that year. You were a game off the 2nd round and I think had a great shot to beat the Lakers too, if we got past GS. For a variety of reasons, even though we got better defensively, the team stagnated. And with Keon/Monk's emergence on offense, the shooting/scoring that Huerter and HB bring, just isn't needed at the same level. The 34 mil (roughly) committed to them needs to be repurposed into something else.
Just can't head into next season with pick 13, maybe like Jalen Smith on the MLE as a back-up big upgrade and call it a day. I think the Kings pretty well have 5 core spots locked in. Have to really fine tune 6-8 and that money currently being spent on those spots (or future money with a Davion extension looming)
He could have gotten a few million more, but he seems to have a different set of priorities. I believe those priorities will pay off for him in cash down the road, but even if he makes a few million less over the course of his career, he will be far wealthier in invisible ways. Legacy and legend are the opportunity in Sacramento. Priceless.
The max from the Kings is mostly a gesture for Monk's goodwill. A huge win for both parties.
The max from the Kings is mostly a gesture for Monk's goodwill. A huge win for both parties.
Of course you should care. McNair and Brown certainly care. Ask yourself: Why did they trade for Heurter in the first place? What were they trying to accomplish? Was it his magnificent defense? No. His role, more than anything, was to take pressure off of Fox in his shooting (presumably
) and his ability to make plays for others. So do you think that those concerns have been tossed overboard because of Keon? Not in the least. Yes, Keon is a very good defender. But as you know, the game is played on both offense and defense. They either need a guy like Heurter who can shoot and play D or a guy like Keon who can consistently be in double figures, make shots off the catch, and make plays for others. That is, if they want a championship. Keep in mind, that's what we're talking about here - a championship team. Not a good team, or even a very good team that might get a top four playoff berth - a championship team. So yeah, if we're talking about a championship team my standards are a little higher than starting Keon at SG at this moment in time.
) and his ability to make plays for others. So do you think that those concerns have been tossed overboard because of Keon? Not in the least. Yes, Keon is a very good defender. But as you know, the game is played on both offense and defense. They either need a guy like Heurter who can shoot and play D or a guy like Keon who can consistently be in double figures, make shots off the catch, and make plays for others. That is, if they want a championship. Keep in mind, that's what we're talking about here - a championship team. Not a good team, or even a very good team that might get a top four playoff berth - a championship team. So yeah, if we're talking about a championship team my standards are a little higher than starting Keon at SG at this moment in time.
In the end it wasn't a terrible idea, clearly a failure by expectations, however, pushing both Huerter and Barnes back in the pack while keeping them on the block basically was the mistake. It hurt their value, there was enough chatter to know that was true. I'm not a big fan of extreme pivoting (lost out on option A so lets run it back) and Monte has been close to that although he's not signed any truly horrendous contracts at least. This is going to be the make or break offseason for Monte. Things either rise or start falling apart now. He's so close to all in he pretty much has no choice but to go there now.
If both Huerter and Barnes are on the roster next season I think it's not a good thing on many levels as well. If they are, Brown has to choose between what the roster needs, and not cratering their value by pushing them back more.
If both Huerter and Barnes are on the roster next season I think it's not a good thing on many levels as well. If they are, Brown has to choose between what the roster needs, and not cratering their value by pushing them back more.
I mean coming off the 7 game series with GS, where we honestly felt like we had so many chances and a Fox injury rob us of that series win, I understand how just rolling with continuity was the attractive choice. And again, there were a few FA deals I liked last year, but outside of Grant Williams, there was nothing I was jumping out of my seat for us to be in on.
Kings just took a different identity over the course of this season. Keegan and Monk took an offensive leap and Keon made himself indispensable on the defensive end for a bad defensive team. Here's where I would feel comfortable heading into next year:
Fox || ???
Keon || Monk
Keegan || ???
??? || Lyles
Domas || ???
I think you could include Davion at back-up point, but I also think there's a real risk we get priced out on him next off-season, especially if he has a strong year. We just can't afford a 4/40 type deal for him that a bad/guard needy team might throw at him.
So that gives you 13 || Heurter || HB || Davion || Sasha as your moveable pieces to find the right role guys around the top 6. And hell, maybe Colby Jones is a guy you slot in at the back-up 2/3 flex if you spend a lot to find a starting 4 upgrade.
I don't think it's a dire situation, or even an all-in type situation. But there's a clear direction that Monte needs to execute on here with repurposing the 40+ mil being spent on Huerter/HB/Sasha into better fits for this core.
Kings just took a different identity over the course of this season. Keegan and Monk took an offensive leap and Keon made himself indispensable on the defensive end for a bad defensive team. Here's where I would feel comfortable heading into next year:
Fox || ???
Keon || Monk
Keegan || ???
??? || Lyles
Domas || ???
I think you could include Davion at back-up point, but I also think there's a real risk we get priced out on him next off-season, especially if he has a strong year. We just can't afford a 4/40 type deal for him that a bad/guard needy team might throw at him.
So that gives you 13 || Heurter || HB || Davion || Sasha as your moveable pieces to find the right role guys around the top 6. And hell, maybe Colby Jones is a guy you slot in at the back-up 2/3 flex if you spend a lot to find a starting 4 upgrade.
I don't think it's a dire situation, or even an all-in type situation. But there's a clear direction that Monte needs to execute on here with repurposing the 40+ mil being spent on Huerter/HB/Sasha into better fits for this core.
I don't totally begrudge Monte for it, but again, who were those Warriors? Basically at the same level as the Kings at that point. Both teams got pushed right into the same zone of play in status last year as teams around them started to see payoffs with the moves they made starting at the deadline prior. These two teams aren't contenders from the looks of it. The difference being the Warriors have the pedigree so they probably still would get the edge in most peoples eyes.
It is all in in the sense that Monte signed deals that would exclude any opportunities in FA and he's now staring at being a team inching to apron status. As is Monte can't even use his MLE more than likely. I finally saw someone in the media mention this, I can't remember who it was, but they also pretty much said that once you get up there with your cap you kind of have to blow on through because it's going to get invariably impossible to make additions later once you get into those apron areas. Blow through it and make your big deals now like these other teams are doing and get as stacked talent wise as you can unless you have a clear cap coming up at some point. The Kings don't. Re-signing Monk to 4 years pretty much puts an end to the idea of workable space within the context of being a team built around Fox and Domas. This isn't like the Thunder. Their timing was so much better because they didn't just waste all their rookies contract time like the Kings did with Fox. When Monte chose Fox and added Domas he chose a path that has to be aggressive because history shows how hard it is to build once you have 2 max level contracts on your books. Now with the aprons it's even tougher unless you are already to roll.
The Kings have some youth that could certainly payoff, I agree. It's the same thing though, they aren't signed forever. If Keon keeps going how much do you think his next contract will be? The time to add is now. While you have guys like that on bargain contracts. Not when you look at your cap and now Keegan is making 30 million, Monk is making 22, and Keon is expecting at least MLE type money. The Kings are heading towards being stuck. Get stuck now, not later because then you can do like the Suns and at least bring your guys back like they did with Allen. If they didn't have Allen already they would never be able to add someone even at that level.
It is all in in the sense that Monte signed deals that would exclude any opportunities in FA and he's now staring at being a team inching to apron status. As is Monte can't even use his MLE more than likely. I finally saw someone in the media mention this, I can't remember who it was, but they also pretty much said that once you get up there with your cap you kind of have to blow on through because it's going to get invariably impossible to make additions later once you get into those apron areas. Blow through it and make your big deals now like these other teams are doing and get as stacked talent wise as you can unless you have a clear cap coming up at some point. The Kings don't. Re-signing Monk to 4 years pretty much puts an end to the idea of workable space within the context of being a team built around Fox and Domas. This isn't like the Thunder. Their timing was so much better because they didn't just waste all their rookies contract time like the Kings did with Fox. When Monte chose Fox and added Domas he chose a path that has to be aggressive because history shows how hard it is to build once you have 2 max level contracts on your books. Now with the aprons it's even tougher unless you are already to roll.
The Kings have some youth that could certainly payoff, I agree. It's the same thing though, they aren't signed forever. If Keon keeps going how much do you think his next contract will be? The time to add is now. While you have guys like that on bargain contracts. Not when you look at your cap and now Keegan is making 30 million, Monk is making 22, and Keon is expecting at least MLE type money. The Kings are heading towards being stuck. Get stuck now, not later because then you can do like the Suns and at least bring your guys back like they did with Allen. If they didn't have Allen already they would never be able to add someone even at that level.
Now you're just moving goalposts. There are essentially six or seven teams with enough caproom to offer Monk a deal bigger than the Kings. If reports are to be believed, at least two of them planned to do that.
And given that no one seems to know what San Antonio will do in free agency and the rumors of Orlando going hard after Klay seem overblown, it's reasonable to think here might have been others.
At the very least, it dispels the notion that he couldn't have gotten more elsewhere.
The fact that those offers could have come from crappy teams does nothing to change that Monk presumably took less money to stay in Sacramento vs cashing in.
And given that no one seems to know what San Antonio will do in free agency and the rumors of Orlando going hard after Klay seem overblown, it's reasonable to think here might have been others.
At the very least, it dispels the notion that he couldn't have gotten more elsewhere.
The fact that those offers could have come from crappy teams does nothing to change that Monk presumably took less money to stay in Sacramento vs cashing in.