Point Guard

[roasthawg]

So now that we've shored up the shooting guard spot I figured I'd take a look at our options at the point. Stauskas gives us a lot of flexibility in that unlike Ben he can handle the ball and initiate the offense or run the pick and roll. Unfortunately, similar to Ben he can't most likely won't be able to guard anyone just yet. So, I'd guess that pg wise we will focus a little more on defense than offense now that we have Nik as opposed to if we had drafted someone else.

I think drafting Nik makes it a little less likely we bring back IT. Still a 50/50 proposition imo but just makes it a little less of a loss if we don't resign him.

Here are some UFA's at guard:
Augustin
Blake
Chalmers
Collison
Livingston
Lowry
Mills

Livingston definitely makes more sense now imo than he did before the draft. Mills is a decent possibility of being someone we'd target too, although IT probably makes just as much sense.

Collison seems like a pretty good fit. A bit of a dropoff offensively from IT but a defensive upgrade. Can still shoot a bit and run the offense. Not gonna break the bank and might welcome a chance to start. He's probably my best guess at a guy we're targeting at this point.

 

[CurseOfTheSalmons]

it would be very silly to replace isaiah thomas with any of these guys.

 

[upinsmoke]

it would be very silly to replace isaiah thomas with any of these guys.

Arguably with the exception of Lowry but he's going to command big money on the open market but besides that. "LIKE"

 

[roasthawg]

Might be able to sign Collison and then sign and trade IT and walk away with two players rather than one? Collison isn't that much of a drop off from IT I don't think... although IT is still improving and may make us regret letting him get away.

Still, Collison just might be a better fit now that we have Stauskas on the team. He and IT are actually pretty similar players... similar percentages from the field and the line. IT scores a little more, Collison plays a little better defense.

 

[VF21]

I don't think IT is going anywhere. The very thing that bothers us about him will in all likelihood keep him from getting an offer we can't/won't match. Could I be wrong? Oh sure but I just cannot recall a time when small guards got big paychecks.

 

[dude12]

I think he best shot we have is trading Ben straight up for one or a Ben/IT deal for one.....I'll say this right now, we might as well think about Schroeder from ATL for Ben or a combination of players there.

 

[Albatros]

There's no point making a deal just to make one, the shroeder deal would be one of those in my opinion (just like the Landry deal was) we need a PG who makes the team better.

 

[sdballer]

it would be very silly to replace isaiah thomas with any of these guys.

True. Unless you value balance and defense.

 

[dude12]

There's no point making a deal just to make one, the shroeder deal would be one of those in my opinion (just like the Landry deal was) we need a PG who makes the team better.

I'm pretty sure at this point Schroeder would help us....I'd put him and Ray Mac there and go with it....I have no faith that we can get better with the assets we have.

 

[Mike]

it would be very silly to replace isaiah thomas with any of these guys.

Kyle Lowry would be an upgrade on IT. The issue would be how much it would cost to get him. If re-signing IT can make us a tax paying team, then can we afford to sign Lowry?

The other player I wouldn't rule out is Chalmers. His stats don't stick out, but he was always the fourth guy on that starting line up, so at another team he could get a larger role. Plus, he's played well on the big stage with Miami [with exception to the finals defeat this year]. He could be cheaper to bring back than IT, he'd improve our defense, and maybe he could increase those stats a bit here as potentially the third guy in the line up.

 

[peacelate]

Looks like Lowry possibly headed to Heat in sign-and-trade.

Raptors get Cole and draft picks.

 

[sdballer]

Looks like Lowry possibly headed to Heat in sign-and-trade.

Raptors get Cole and draft picks.

We'll see. This is all based on 100% fact gathering from Rick Bucher, otherwise known as Lord of the @$$hats.

 

[Padrino]

Looks like Lowry possibly headed to Heat in sign-and-trade.

Raptors get Cole and draft picks.

color me confused; lowry's coming off his best season yet. why would they be trading him for norris freaking cole and future draft picks that figure to be in the bottom of the first round? aren't the raptors attempting to "win now" in a weak eastern conference?

edit: aaaaaaand bucher walks it back on twitter:

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 7m
My deepest and sincere apologies. My report on Lowry and a S&T between the Raptors-Heat is wrong. I should've known better. I could not...

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 2m
...be more embarrassed. I can't explain why someone would go the lengths "my source" did to set me up, but that's irrelevant. I allowed...

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 1m
my zeal to break a story take too much for granted. I'd like to think I'm better than that. Yesterday and today I was not.

 

[Chupacabra]

color me confused; lowry's coming off his best season yet. why would they be trading him for norris freaking cole and future draft picks that figure to be in the bottom of the first round? aren't the raptors attempting to "win now" in a weak eastern conference?

edit: aaaaaaand bucher walks it back on twitter:

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 7m
My deepest and sincere apologies. My report on Lowry and a S&T between the Raptors-Heat is wrong. I should've known better. I could not...

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 2m
...be more embarrassed. I can't explain why someone would go the lengths "my source" did to set me up, but that's irrelevant. I allowed...

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 1m
my zeal to break a story take too much for granted. I'd like to think I'm better than that. Yesterday and today I was not.

I hope he is fired immediately.

 

[VF21]

This really made my day. I couldn't remember where I saw it, so I gave it its own thread in the NBA forum. I'll close it and refer people here.

 

[randymoss1881]

I'll take a flyer on Collison he brings energy and defense to the position.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

color me confused; lowry's coming off his best season yet. why would they be trading him for norris freaking cole and future draft picks that figure to be in the bottom of the first round? aren't the raptors attempting to "win now" in a weak eastern conference?

The only thing I thought when I saw this was, "This can't be right. You can't negotiate anything, sign and trade or otherwise, before July 1." Didn't even occur to me that the "vector" was Ric Bucher, which explains...well, just about everything.

edit: aaaaaaand bucher walks it back on twitter:

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 7m
My deepest and sincere apologies. My report on Lowry and a S&T between the Raptors-Heat is wrong. I should've known better. I could not...

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 2m
...be more embarrassed. I can't explain why someone would go the lengths "my source" did to set me up, but that's irrelevant. I allowed...

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 1m
my zeal to break a story take too much for granted. I'd like to think I'm better than that. Yesterday and today I was not.

I don't really have anything to say in response to this, I'm just quoting it for beauty.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I hope he is fired immediately.

Doubt it. He's got some serious blackmail on somebody. There's no other explanation for how somebody could be this bad at their job, this consistently, for this long, and still hold said job.

 

[dude12]

color me confused; lowry's coming off his best season yet. why would they be trading him for norris freaking cole and future draft picks that figure to be in the bottom of the first round? aren't the raptors attempting to "win now" in a weak eastern conference?

edit: aaaaaaand bucher walks it back on twitter:

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 7m
My deepest and sincere apologies. My report on Lowry and a S&T between the Raptors-Heat is wrong. I should've known better. I could not...

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 2m
...be more embarrassed. I can't explain why someone would go the lengths "my source" did to set me up, but that's irrelevant. I allowed...

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 1m
my zeal to break a story take too much for granted. I'd like to think I'm better than that. Yesterday and today I was not.

He got Bucher'ed....this may become a new meaning much like being Maloofed.

 

[Nikolizzle]

I read that we're looking at Livingston as an option - That's one that I don't hate. Maybe I just have a soft spot for the guy.

Also - And i'm not saying this WILL happen, it's just a feeling I get - Maybe with Stauskas being drafted, they're going to let McLemore do the ball-handling in the backcourt more this year? I just get that vibe from the way the FO is talking about it.

 

[Merdiesel]

Lowry is the only one on that list that is an upgrade over IT. With that said, I would rather our money go elsewhere.

 

[roasthawg]

Collison and sign and trade IT ftw.

 

[Hoovtrain]

color me confused; lowry's coming off his best season yet. why would they be trading him for norris freaking cole and future draft picks that figure to be in the bottom of the first round? aren't the raptors attempting to "win now" in a weak eastern conference?

edit: aaaaaaand bucher walks it back on twitter:

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 7m
My deepest and sincere apologies. My report on Lowry and a S&T between the Raptors-Heat is wrong. I should've known better. I could not...

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 2m
...be more embarrassed. I can't explain why someone would go the lengths "my source" did to set me up, but that's irrelevant. I allowed...

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 1m
my zeal to break a story take too much for granted. I'd like to think I'm better than that. Yesterday and today I was not.

LOL! Classic douche bag Bucher. Now he's actually throwing his sources under the bus. What a loser. Maybe he should issue an apology on every other wrong "report" he broke, but that would essentially be a novel.

 

[ockingsfan]

I have to think that the Point guard will be either IT or Darren Collison.

We can't afford Lowry and I don't think Livingston can log starter minutes.

A dark horse is still Grevis Vasquez. I still think PDA likes his game and if he is willing to sign a one or two year contract to prove himself, I think PDA may bring him back.

Grevis did much better with Toronto once he was healthy.

I think he can get back to a 10-11pts/game and 7-8assist/game starter, when healthy.

 

[bajaden]

color me confused; lowry's coming off his best season yet. why would they be trading him for norris freaking cole and future draft picks that figure to be in the bottom of the first round? aren't the raptors attempting to "win now" in a weak eastern conference?

edit: aaaaaaand bucher walks it back on twitter:

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 7m
My deepest and sincere apologies. My report on Lowry and a S&T between the Raptors-Heat is wrong. I should've known better. I could not...

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 2m
...be more embarrassed. I can't explain why someone would go the lengths "my source" did to set me up, but that's irrelevant. I allowed...

Ric Bucher @RicBucher · 1m
my zeal to break a story take too much for granted. I'd like to think I'm better than that. Yesterday and today I was not.

Big shock, Ric Bucher has it wrong again. A little over a year ago. Ric Bucher: "The Maloof's will never sell the Kings to the group led by Vivek." . The very next day! Ric Bucher: "The Maloofs have sold the Sacramento Kings to Vivek".

 

[bajaden]

If I had to guess, I'd say that the player the Kings would be interested in would be Livingston. He's a pass first PG. He has great size for the position. He hardly ever turns the ball over, and he a pretty good defender. And, he would probably come fairly cheap. He's not a good 3 pt shooter, but then he hardly ever takes a 3 pt shot. Other than that, he averages around 46 to 47% overall.

 

[ParniValjak]

If I had to guess, I'd say that the player the Kings would be interested in would be Livingston. He's a pass first PG. He has great size for the position. He hardly ever turns the ball over, and he a pretty good defender. And, he would probably come fairly cheap. He's not a good 3 pt shooter, but then he hardly ever takes a 3 pt shot. Other than that, he averages around 46 to 47% overall.

I was just about to post this. My personal preference is to get a pass first PG that is a good defender and won't be taking up shots!

If we could keep IT as a scoring dynamite off the bench, the intrigue of Livingston is that he is a very good defender (guarded 1-3 in Brooklyn), ball hander and creator. On paper he should be a good fit with Stauskas and IT and even Ben. He improves the perimeter defence and if we could get a shotblocker at PF, it goes a long way to improving a defence. Ideally it would be great if he could shoot spot up 3s but its not a huge issue with me. I like the versatility Livingstong would bring to this team and they way he fits the backcourt. Versatile defender with size and atleticims to guard multiple positions.

The more I think about it, the more I would like to get this kid especially if we are keeping IT. Just ticks a lot of boxes for us and should come at a rasonable price.

 

[dude12]

Sign and trade possibilities, just hypothetical

Indiana- George Hill makes 8 mill. IT gives them offense, CJ Watson 2.1 mill expiring, Soloman Hill rookie contract potential defensive SF.....would want a next years 1st rounder with Watson and/or Hill...Lance Stephenson RFA...they say they want him so could be a priority

Boston already documented with Rondo, Bradley or Smart.....Ben for Smart, IT for Smart, IT and Ben for Rondo

Bucks if they don't want Knight as the PG, then there is a potential there but it's complicated

I just don't see anyone else wanting to give him a big contract.....then again, I believe Orlando, unless they are going to turn it over to Payton right away could use a PG....Oladipo is not a PG

 

[Sac.Kings]

I read that we're looking at Livingston as an option - That's one that I don't hate. Maybe I just have a soft spot for the guy.

Also - And i'm not saying this WILL happen, it's just a feeling I get - Maybe with Stauskas being drafted, they're going to let McLemore do the ball-handling in the backcourt more this year? I just get that vibe from the way the FO is talking about it.

No offense to Ben, but I certainly hope not. We may not even get the ball over half court in this scenario. I think we will essentially have the same lineup as last year (with or without IT remains to be seen) with Nik off the bench as possibly the sixth man, as others can feed off of him. Ben needs to be in either 1) the starting unit to receive the ball from players better than him or 2) if we sign a vet SG and Ben plays with Nik off the bench and receives passes from him. In either scenario, Nik will be the primary instigator of the offense.

 

[ockingsfan]

If I had to guess, I'd say that the player the Kings would be interested in would be Livingston. He's a pass first PG. He has great size for the position. He hardly ever turns the ball over, and he a pretty good defender. And, he would probably come fairly cheap. He's not a good 3 pt shooter, but then he hardly ever takes a 3 pt shot. Other than that, he averages around 46 to 47% overall.

Do you think Livingston's knees can keep up with starter minutes? I'm not so sure.

Someone on the trade block is jarrett jack. He was rumored in a trade for our very own Marcus Thornton, so he would come cheap. He would improve the defense, but not much of a facilitator.