Potential Free agent/trade/sign tracker
- Thread starter iowamcnabb
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His recent surge isn't realistic to sustain shooting wise but if you take the numbers he's had this year + last year with us and DET, you'll see a guy who is entering his prime and gives you many of the things you need from a guy off the bench. He's an average shooter but a smart player overall and gives you above average hustle while still having solid basketball skills. He's not great at any one thing but he's not a liability at anything either. He fits with any combo of players that we have.
Unless we can get a clear upgrade, I don't see why we wouldn't keep him.
1 for 1, a guy like Vandy is better than Lyles. Problem with Vandy is he can't shoot from deep and I'm not going to go all in on his 1 3PA per game @ 33% being a sign that he's ready to take the next step. You plug in Vandy next to Sabonis and the interior offense is going to be all out of whack. He works in Utah because he plays with Olynyk and Markkanen. He won't work with our starting unit. You don't move Sabonis out further away from the basket and use him to stretch the floor so you can accommodate Vandy's 8 PPG. He definitely wouldn't work next to Holmes or Metu either.
With him, I think you're left with backup center minutes only. I think he's too good to take a 12mpg role off our bench. We need defense bad but we're also winning a lot more than we're losing and the balance could easily be thrown off with the wrong acquisition.
Unless we can get a clear upgrade, I don't see why we wouldn't keep him.
1 for 1, a guy like Vandy is better than Lyles. Problem with Vandy is he can't shoot from deep and I'm not going to go all in on his 1 3PA per game @ 33% being a sign that he's ready to take the next step. You plug in Vandy next to Sabonis and the interior offense is going to be all out of whack. He works in Utah because he plays with Olynyk and Markkanen. He won't work with our starting unit. You don't move Sabonis out further away from the basket and use him to stretch the floor so you can accommodate Vandy's 8 PPG. He definitely wouldn't work next to Holmes or Metu either.
With him, I think you're left with backup center minutes only. I think he's too good to take a 12mpg role off our bench. We need defense bad but we're also winning a lot more than we're losing and the balance could easily be thrown off with the wrong acquisition.
Yeah I guess the question is do you punt some offensive cohesion to get an elite defender into the LU? Or do you just keep going all-in on us being a dominant offense and continue to expand that advantage with someone like McDermott off the bench?
I don't watch enough Utah, but I assume Vandy is in the dunker spot for them and they haven't been willing to play him and Kessler, 2 non-spacers, together. Sabonis obviously provides better spacing because you still have to play up on him so he doesn't get free looks at passing lanes from the elbow/high-post. And he's a decent enough shooter that he'll make you pay if he's wide-open. And I've totally give up the idea of putting a tradtional rim protector big next to Sabonis as he's proven he needs to be at the 5 full-time.
But Vandy is such a versatile defender that you should be able to find 10+ minutes a game where him and Sabonis can co-exist at the 4 or even in big-ball bully lineups where Vandy is taking on a wing at the 3 defensively. And you can pretty much make sure there's 2 elite shooters on the floor at all times with Monk (don't overly care about his results this season, still think he's an elite shooter), Huerter/Keegan/Barnes. In addition to roughly 14ish minutes at the back-up C that finds room of getting a super impactful defender that this team desperately needs
I don't think it'd have to be an either or situation with him and Lyles too. I think they'd actually compliment each other really well off the bench and Vandy's versatility would allow him to be fairly interchangeable with Keegan/Barnes/Lyles/Sabonis as the swiss-army knife forward/big.
I don't watch enough Utah, but I assume Vandy is in the dunker spot for them and they haven't been willing to play him and Kessler, 2 non-spacers, together. Sabonis obviously provides better spacing because you still have to play up on him so he doesn't get free looks at passing lanes from the elbow/high-post. And he's a decent enough shooter that he'll make you pay if he's wide-open. And I've totally give up the idea of putting a tradtional rim protector big next to Sabonis as he's proven he needs to be at the 5 full-time.
But Vandy is such a versatile defender that you should be able to find 10+ minutes a game where him and Sabonis can co-exist at the 4 or even in big-ball bully lineups where Vandy is taking on a wing at the 3 defensively. And you can pretty much make sure there's 2 elite shooters on the floor at all times with Monk (don't overly care about his results this season, still think he's an elite shooter), Huerter/Keegan/Barnes. In addition to roughly 14ish minutes at the back-up C that finds room of getting a super impactful defender that this team desperately needs
I don't think it'd have to be an either or situation with him and Lyles too. I think they'd actually compliment each other really well off the bench and Vandy's versatility would allow him to be fairly interchangeable with Keegan/Barnes/Lyles/Sabonis as the swiss-army knife forward/big.
Of course I'd like a better balance but not at the expense of really messing up the on court chemistry. I personally would rather have Richardson than McDermott but I would take either if all it cost was a 2nd round pick. Neither one is earth shattering but McDermott would be good in situations where you really need some 3s and Richardson is a decent all around player who can handle the ball and maybe find Monk some high percentage looks from deep.
I don't think Vandy works next to Sabonis because these days you really need 4 shooters minimum unless you've got some really elite defense going on. Adding one defensive specialist in with a group of poor defenders doesn't change a whole lot, as we've seen with Davion and KZ. They might make some individual plays here and there but it's not like a game changing event when those guys step on the court. Vandy is in the same mold because his offense has no real versatility to it. His man is just going to sag off him to double team Sabonis but Sabonis won't be able to kick it back to Vandy unless he's cutting to the rim, which might net him one bucket a game while in turn making multiple other possessions more difficult than need be.
Coming off the bench I'm fine with but I just don't see a path forward with him next to Sabonis. Obviously the defense would get better but the offense would get worse to the point where the addition is a net negative overall. Off the bench I think it's all positive but I don't see Ainge trading him for a backup C level package.
I don't think Vandy works next to Sabonis because these days you really need 4 shooters minimum unless you've got some really elite defense going on. Adding one defensive specialist in with a group of poor defenders doesn't change a whole lot, as we've seen with Davion and KZ. They might make some individual plays here and there but it's not like a game changing event when those guys step on the court. Vandy is in the same mold because his offense has no real versatility to it. His man is just going to sag off him to double team Sabonis but Sabonis won't be able to kick it back to Vandy unless he's cutting to the rim, which might net him one bucket a game while in turn making multiple other possessions more difficult than need be.
Coming off the bench I'm fine with but I just don't see a path forward with him next to Sabonis. Obviously the defense would get better but the offense would get worse to the point where the addition is a net negative overall. Off the bench I think it's all positive but I don't see Ainge trading him for a backup C level package.
Vandy's metrics are a bit better than Trey's but sometimes fit negates that.
I think Trey and Sabonis are a much better combo than Vandy and Sabonis. On the flip side, Trey next to Olynyk and Markannen is probably a lot worse than Vandy next to those guys because Trey isn't covering up their poor defense or rebounding like Vandy can.
Bamba and Vandy would be an interesting combo off the bench though. Rim protection and floor spacing. I just don't know about either of their bball IQs because I haven't watched enough of either to gauge. Right now the Kings have a lot of pretty high IQ players and the low IQ guys are reigned in enough by Brown to where the low IQ plays are held to a minimum.
I think Trey and Sabonis are a much better combo than Vandy and Sabonis. On the flip side, Trey next to Olynyk and Markannen is probably a lot worse than Vandy next to those guys because Trey isn't covering up their poor defense or rebounding like Vandy can.
Bamba and Vandy would be an interesting combo off the bench though. Rim protection and floor spacing. I just don't know about either of their bball IQs because I haven't watched enough of either to gauge. Right now the Kings have a lot of pretty high IQ players and the low IQ guys are reigned in enough by Brown to where the low IQ plays are held to a minimum.
If Monte learned anything from Coach Brown's rotations, if he makes a move, he better get someone with good BBIQ, or they will only be getting sporadic playing time.
Seeing this, not sure Monte would gamble on a Bamba or Cam Reddish type, he probably would be more likely to go after someone like McBuckets, J Rich or Ibaka, with a proven track record of solid smart play.
Seeing this, not sure Monte would gamble on a Bamba or Cam Reddish type, he probably would be more likely to go after someone like McBuckets, J Rich or Ibaka, with a proven track record of solid smart play.
How about Chuma Okeke? He is currently rehabbing after a knee surgery but should be back on the court soon. He seems like a real good option as backup for Small Forward at 6'7" 230lbs. Still only 24yo.
Anyway, he plays defense very well. His usage is low and he is a team oriented player, similar to Keegan Murray in some regards, who should work well playing off Sabonis and Fox. His future contracts will be reasonable as a role player. One weakness is his 3PT% but he is not a bad shooter and has a decent FT%. The Magic could be motivated to trade him too, with Jonathan Isaac back.
The problem is, what can the Kings send to the Magic to get him? Any ideas?
Richaun for Chuma and Mo Bamba works in the trade machine. The Magic are loaded in the Front Court though. If they would accept that or send Richaun in a three-team deal, the Kings probably have to add 2nds or cash.
Anyway, he plays defense very well. His usage is low and he is a team oriented player, similar to Keegan Murray in some regards, who should work well playing off Sabonis and Fox. His future contracts will be reasonable as a role player. One weakness is his 3PT% but he is not a bad shooter and has a decent FT%. The Magic could be motivated to trade him too, with Jonathan Isaac back.
The problem is, what can the Kings send to the Magic to get him? Any ideas?
Richaun for Chuma and Mo Bamba works in the trade machine. The Magic are loaded in the Front Court though. If they would accept that or send Richaun in a three-team deal, the Kings probably have to add 2nds or cash.
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Holmes lately has been solid. I think he’s been ultra aggressive on D and rebounding. But he can’t operate the offense like Domas at all. He’s a pnr guy. Also, defensively, he’s always been average at best.
A guy like Plumlee actually would be a better fit offensively. Just not sure it’s worth giving up what little we got to give for a backup center and instead if anything, go after a JRich who we absolutely can use as bench depth and then McBuckets is also another situational guy we can use…….can’t have enough shooting for those games where Monk is cold or Huerter is off, etc, etc
A guy like Plumlee actually would be a better fit offensively. Just not sure it’s worth giving up what little we got to give for a backup center and instead if anything, go after a JRich who we absolutely can use as bench depth and then McBuckets is also another situational guy we can use…….can’t have enough shooting for those games where Monk is cold or Huerter is off, etc, etc
I'm hoping and banking on the fact that Pop and Brown are great friends and loyal to each other.
If the Kings come to Pop with a similar trade offer of 2nd round picks and expiring contracts/players as other teams for McBuckets and/or J Rich, I think Pop would trade with Sacramento to help Mike Brown get into the playoffs! Just a gut feeling I have
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If the Kings come to Pop with a similar trade offer of 2nd round picks and expiring contracts/players as other teams for McBuckets and/or J Rich, I think Pop would trade with Sacramento to help Mike Brown get into the playoffs! Just a gut feeling I have
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Especially not one they didnt trade for but signed themselves.
I dont think Holmes moves anywhere. TBH i dont see any trades the kings could make that would enable them to be much improved than they are without risking chemistry issues. Holmes is paid too much to get much back unless he is packaged with a young buck on a cheap deal for a vet. Only people who fit that bill are davion and keegan. I cant see them trading either of those for a solid enough piece to justify it.
I think we may move smaller pieces like TD and Len. The guy id be interested in is possibly bringing in Dwight Howard for backup big role, waive len and not extend dozier another offer. I think in a playoff series he could be very useful to bring some attitude, toughness, and defensive chops and to actually have someone dominate the glass when domas is on the bench. Id love watching Monk toss lobs to dwight off the bench while lebron watches from home! Lol!
I dont think Holmes moves anywhere. TBH i dont see any trades the kings could make that would enable them to be much improved than they are without risking chemistry issues. Holmes is paid too much to get much back unless he is packaged with a young buck on a cheap deal for a vet. Only people who fit that bill are davion and keegan. I cant see them trading either of those for a solid enough piece to justify it.
I think we may move smaller pieces like TD and Len. The guy id be interested in is possibly bringing in Dwight Howard for backup big role, waive len and not extend dozier another offer. I think in a playoff series he could be very useful to bring some attitude, toughness, and defensive chops and to actually have someone dominate the glass when domas is on the bench. Id love watching Monk toss lobs to dwight off the bench while lebron watches from home! Lol!
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The unfortunate thing is the Kings have a very limited window before Domas gets a max and at the same time the fortunate thing is this team does have a little wiggle room in the next year or two. If this winning is real, that's a HUUUUGE thing most teams don't get. The time is sooner than later to make moves. This summer Monte has to be super aggressive. Monte doesn't want to become the next Mavs or Suns. It's very easy to bottom out and fade these days by holding onto your 3rd or 4th guys or letting one go in the path to finding more flexibility. There is a path where Monte can not only hold onto Barnes but potentially ALSO make that next big move that puts them over the top. Holmes is a key stumbling block in that path at the moment.