Potential Free Agent/Trade/Sign Tracker, '25-'26 Season

twslam07

twslam07

All-Star
I could see MEM being willing to part ways with Jaren Jackson Jr (especially if DAL knocks them out of the playoffs completely). They have a lot of money tied up in Morant and Bane long term and have some productive bigs in Aldama and Edey who can help replace Jackson. Not to mention, they got some promising young guys like Wells, Pippen, GG, V. Williams, etc. who will likely get a pay raise. That makes me wonder if they’d be open to a pick heavy package for him.

I also still think we ideally need a PG next to LaVine who can defend both guard spots, shoot the 3 (at least a bit), and run the offense. I think guys like Lonzo Ball or Marcus Smart could help in that department while at the same time not sucking up major minutes (allowing guys like Carter and Ellis to still get plenty of burn).

Lastly, I wasn’t a big fan of the Valanciunas trade at the time and I still feel that way. I really would like to have a great defensive/rebounding C behind Sabonis. Valanciunas doesn’t really fit that description. He’s just sort of okay at a lot of things. I’d really like to get someone like Gafford to fill that backup C spot. With Davis now on the roster, they now have Davis and Lively who can log minutes at C and they have Davis, Washington, and Marshall who can log minutes at PF. He seems like the odd man out.

To bring those 3 guys aboard, we’d have to send out DeRozan, Monk, Valanciunas, & picks, but that would leave us with a rotation of…

PG - Ball or Smart / Carter
SG - LaVine / Ellis
SF - Murray / LaRavia (Resigned)
PF - Jackson Jr. / Lyles (Resigned)
C - Sabonis / Gafford

That team has a TON of defense and would be interesting to watch since THAT much defense would be quite the pivot from some of these past Kings teams we have watched. Now I don’t think this roster is a contender or anything, but then the following offseason, LaVine becomes a MASSIVE expiring contract. We’d be in a decent position to make a trade for a true #1 option that might become available as we could attach Murray, Ellis, Carter, and/or picks to LaVine (expiring) depending on who becomes available and what position they play.

That type of trade would set us up with a big 3 of…

True #1 option
Jaren Jackson Jr
Domantas Sabonis

…now that core might be able to do some damage depending on the supporting pieces we put around them.
 
serbiangoat said:
To get JJJ you have to gave up Keegan/Carter plus picks and I would do it.
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I’m not so sure.

JJJ will be an expiring going into next season and likely won’t accept an extension a team throws at him since the max he can be offered (if I’m not mistaken) is…
  • $192.3 mil over 5 years ($38.5 mil per year average)
Versus if he waited until the 2026 off-season, he could resign for a max of…
  • $272.1 mil over 5 years ($54.4 mil per year average)
  • $199.9 mil over 4 years ($50.0 mil per year average) if another team tries to steal him away
Obviously, he may not get the max, but accepting an extension and leaving up to $80 mil on the table seems unlikely.


To that point, JJJ’s trade value might not be as high as you think considering his contract and extension situation.

Having said that, I still think it would take around 3 1sts to pry him away considering he…
  1. Is relatively young (will be 26 at the start of next season)
  2. Is an elite defender/DPOY candidate
  3. Has a very unique/rare skillet
I’d love to utilize the 2027 SAS 1st and 2031 MIN 1sts for 2 of those picks since it still keeps the majority of our own 1sts in tact in case we do need/want to blow it up down the road, but I do think we’d have to surrender one of our own 1sts as well. Would just need to hash out which year we/they would want.
 
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luckytkp said:
I think OKC is a possibility for Domas. He's the perfect fix next to Chet.
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They have IHart if they make a move it’s because JDub crap the bed again and they need a scorer so they’ll just grab KD


serbiangoat said:
To get JJJ you have to gave up Keegan/Carter plus picks and I would do it.
Click to expand...

You’d give both up for JJJ? That’s wild he’s gonna be on a super max and can’t grab 6 rebounds and fouls a lot.
 

Ya I don’t see Memphis paying JJJ a super max Sabonis might fit there with. Sabonis, Carter, and picks is a viable offer we should keep Keegan out of the trade pairing JJJ with Keegan and Ellis would do wonders for the defense. Follow that up by trading Derozan for a big to pair with JJJ

Ellis/monk
Lavine
Keegan
JJJ/Jake
Center/Jonas
 
Joshyjosh31 said:
You’d give both up for JJJ? That’s wild he’s gonna be on a super max and can’t grab 6 rebounds and fouls a lot.
Click to expand...

You’re that confident that MEM would offer him the super max?

First off, he’ll only be eligible for a super max if he makes an All NBA team this year or wins DPOY this year (if I’m not mistaken). I don’t think he’s ever made an All NBA team before and don’t see how he wins it this year. He has won DPOY before but he seems to be fairly far down on the list in terms of betting odds.

Now he could take league by storm next year and make an All NBA team or win DPOY during the 2025-26 season (which means he could sign a super max during the 2026 off-season when he’s a UFA), but I feel rather confident in saying that’s less likely to happen than not going off his performance to date.

Setting that aside for a moment, the points above are all moot if we trade for him anyway. Only the team that drafted you can offer you the super max so if we trade for him, he’d now no longer be eligible for the super max (regardless of what accolades he accrues). This is what happened with Doncic. He would have been eligible for the super max if DAL kept him but now that he was traded, he’s no longer eligible.
 
Tetsujin said:
I didn’t realize blocks could ever be considered an empty stat until I watched JJJ play and that’s all I have to say about that lol
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I mean he does fairly well in many of the top advanced impact stats…

VPM = 22nd
EPM = 51st
DARKO = 22nd
LEBRON = 27th
MAMBA = 21st

I wouldn’t consider that empty by any means.
 
Joshyjosh31 said:
They have IHart if they make a move it’s because JDub crap the bed again and they need a scorer so they’ll just grab KD




You’d give both up for JJJ? That’s wild he’s gonna be on a super max and can’t grab 6 rebounds and fouls a lot.
Click to expand...

Yeah, there's only handful of players leaguewide the Kings should be making an all in move for and one of them rhymes with Giannis. And that ain't happening. Swapping the future for players on teams roughly in the same area you are doesn't get the Kings anywhere close to the real deal teams. Too far out and not enough time.
 
Joshyjosh31 said:

Ya I don’t see Memphis paying JJJ a super max Sabonis might fit there with. Sabonis, Carter, and picks is a viable offer we should keep Keegan out of the trade pairing JJJ with Keegan and Ellis would do wonders for the defense. Follow that up by trading Derozan for a big to pair with JJJ

Ellis/monk
Lavine
Keegan
JJJ/Jake
Center/Jonas
Click to expand...

The Kings would have literally no pick and roll game at that point. The only ball handler is Zach, lol.
 
Joshyjosh31 said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1912513371745698198

Ya I don’t see Memphis paying JJJ a super max Sabonis might fit there with. Sabonis, Carter, and picks is a viable offer we should keep Keegan out of the trade pairing JJJ with Keegan and Ellis would do wonders for the defense. Follow that up by trading Derozan for a big to pair with JJJ

Ellis/monk
Lavine
Keegan
JJJ/Jake
Center/Jonas
Click to expand...

Let's see what happens on Friday. If they get knocked out in the play-in that should cast some doubt on commiting strongly to Jaren and Ja as a contending core. Not that I necessarily want us to go out and get him if he does become available, but he could be a player that our new GM would want to kick the tires on as he tries to reshape the roster more to his preferences.
 
serbiangoat said:
Giddy is the only PG FA that "could help" the Kings he's worth a look but I would not be paying him much more than 20mil
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Maybe, but if he doesn't though, that just kicks any rebuild plans out the window. The Kings can't keep piling on the cap with non true guaranteed needle movers. This is the exact way the Kings have repeatedly gotten in trouble over the years trying to cut corners by overpaying other teams assets.
 
SacTownKid said:
Looking around the potential FA's at PG to get as a why not and the lone standout is Tyus Jones. He'd probably fit better at PG than Monk but he actually might make the Kings even worse on defense, lol.
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I'm looking at the list of unrestricted FA PGs and he seems to be the best one out there. He's been bad on defense the last two years but was a solid defender every year before that in MEM and MIN. I highly doubt he'd recapture his old defensive glory on our team but I can see him doing it if he goes to a solid defensive team.

The other guys on the list that could be options are Monte Morris, Kevin Porter Jr and the G Leaguer that just punked us, Brandon Williams.

Monte is not a good defender but he's a solid shooter, can run the offense a bit and doesn't turn the ball over. Overall winning player but might be more of a winning player off the bench, rather than as a starter at this point.

KPJ is a wild card. Best defender of the bunch, good size, played great on the Bucks but he can be wild out there. Also punked us when we played him this year.

Williams would be a swing for the fences type play. He played some solid ball to end the year. Can he straight up run an offense? I don't know but you don't really need to do that full time with Sabonis out there. Not sure if he's just a guy who put up numbers on a Dallas team that had half the roster hurt or if he's turning into the real deal.
 
ESP47 said:
I'm looking at the list of unrestricted FA PGs and he seems to be the best one out there. He's been bad on defense the last two years but was a solid defender every year before that in MEM and MIN. I highly doubt he'd recapture his old defensive glory on our team but I can see him doing it if he goes to a solid defensive team.

The other guys on the list that could be options are Monte Morris, Kevin Porter Jr and the G Leaguer that just punked us, Brandon Williams.

Monte is not a good defender but he's a solid shooter, can run the offense a bit and doesn't turn the ball over. Overall winning player but might be more of a winning player off the bench, rather than as a starter at this point. Regardless, Tyus Jones ain't the guy to convince anyone not to rebuild this thing. If the Kings are going to rise, they can get 90% the way there with this roster and this coach. If they do? Then make the finishing touches.

KPJ is a wild card. Best defender of the bunch, good size, played great on the Bucks but he can be wild out there. Also punked us when we played him this year.

Williams would be a swing for the fences type play. He played some solid ball to end the year. Can he straight up run an offense? I don't know but you don't really need to do that full time with Sabonis out there. Not sure if he's just a guy who put up numbers on a Dallas team that had half the roster hurt or if he's turning into the real deal.
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing but I started digging and reading some fans opinions, it might have been the fact that he had a great defensive team around him. With the Grizz they were like 1.5 points worse on defense with Tyus in there or something and fans pretty much said he was the weak point.

Again, that list of guys like Monte Morris, they aren't any more PG than Monk is. They really aren't. Domas is just reading forums and probably throwing some dirt on the Fox trade at this point. Wonder why he doesn't realize he's kind of throwing Monk under the bus too though. lol. My take is still that your best player, regardless of position has to be your "PG". Or at least start and end your offense most nights. If they aren't up to the level of a Tatum, Jokic, Giannis, etc. then you better have defense. If Domas can't be that guy, you simply don't build around him because you clearly can't. After watching his exit interview? He sure doesn't sound like a guy you build around. He didn't look like a guy you build around or consult on roster construction either during the play in. A pass first PG that can't play a lick of defense or score in the modern game is nonexistent for a reason. Honestly it has been for 30 years, or hasn't had much impact on teams.
 
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ESP47 said:
I'm looking at the list of unrestricted FA PGs and he seems to be the best one out there. He's been bad on defense the last two years but was a solid defender every year before that in MEM and MIN. I highly doubt he'd recapture his old defensive glory on our team but I can see him doing it if he goes to a solid defensive team.

The other guys on the list that could be options are Monte Morris, Kevin Porter Jr and the G Leaguer that just punked us, Brandon Williams.

Monte is not a good defender but he's a solid shooter, can run the offense a bit and doesn't turn the ball over. Overall winning player but might be more of a winning player off the bench, rather than as a starter at this point.

KPJ is a wild card. Best defender of the bunch, good size, played great on the Bucks but he can be wild out there. Also punked us when we played him this year.

Williams would be a swing for the fences type play. He played some solid ball to end the year. Can he straight up run an offense? I don't know but you don't really need to do that full time with Sabonis out there. Not sure if he's just a guy who put up numbers on a Dallas team that had half the roster hurt or if he's turning into the real deal.
Click to expand...
I’d throw Ty Jerome in that list as well.

He’s a 27 year old 6’5” PG who is averaging per 36 min…

.643 TS%
16.0 FGA
.516 FG%
6.5 3PA
.439 3P%
3.8 FTA
.872 FT%
22.7 PTS
4.6 REB
6.1 AST
2.0 STL
0.1 BLK
2.4 TO

He’s also killing it in advanced impact stats.
 
twslam07 said:
I’d throw Ty Jerome in that list as well.

He’s a 27 year old 6’5” PG who is averaging per 36 min…

.643 TS%
16.0 FGA
.516 FG%
6.5 3PA
.439 3P%
3.8 FTA
.872 FT%
22.7 PTS
4.6 REB
6.1 AST
2.0 STL
0.1 BLK
2.4 TO

He’s also killing it in advanced impact stats.
Click to expand...

is he a free agent? Dude is getting paid for sure.
 
twslam07 said:
I’d throw Ty Jerome in that list as well.

He’s a 27 year old 6’5” PG who is averaging per 36 min…

.643 TS%
16.0 FGA
.516 FG%
6.5 3PA
.439 3P%
3.8 FTA
.872 FT%
22.7 PTS
4.6 REB
6.1 AST
2.0 STL
0.1 BLK
2.4 TO

He’s also killing it in advanced impact stats.
Click to expand...

I'm always a little weary of the year 6, 27 year old breakout, but he's been an absolute monster this year for sure.
 
How do we feel about this direction/idea?

—————————————

BKN GETS: Jonas Valanciunas, Caleb Martin, 2027 SAS 1st (Unprotected), and 2031 MIN 1st (Unprotected)
BKN GIVES: Cam Johnson
WHY FOR BKN? They sell off their win now vet and get the two 1sts they reportedly wanted for Johnson so they can lean further into their rebuild.

PG -
SG - Thomas / Johnson
SF - Whitehead / Martin / Lewis / Martin
PF - Clowney / Wilson
C - Claxton / Valanciunas / Timme

—————————————

DAL GETS: DeMar DeRozan
DAL GIVES: Daniel Gafford & Caleb Martin
WHY FOR DAL? With Davis and Lively able to play C, Gafford isn’t needed as much. However, they could use a reliable 3rd scorer (DeRozan) from the wing to pair with Irving and Davis.

PG - Irving / Williams
SG - Thompson / Christie / Hardy
SF - Washington / DeRozan / Prosper
PF - Davis / Marshall
C - Lively / Powell

—————————————

SAC GETS: Cam Johnson & Daniel Gafford
SAC GIVES: DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas, 2027 SAS 1st (Unprotected), & 2031 MIN 1st (Unprotected)
WHY FOR SAC? Cam gives us another lethal shooter to spread the floor while also improving our size, length, and defense on the wing. He’s also been scoring at a high rate with some improved playmaking skills. Gafford gives us an upgrade at backup C and someone that can truly be a rim protector and a plus defender when Sabonis is resting.

—————————————


In FA, I’d look to sign Ben Simmons with our exception while letting him know that he’d start in SAC and be the teams PG to help convince him to come. I’d also look to bring back LaRavia & Lyles if they don’t get too expensive. That’d leave us with a roster of…

PG - Ellis / Monk
SG - LaVine / Carter
SF - Murray / Johnson
PF - Simmons / LaRavia / Lyles
C - Sabonis / Gafford / Jones

Having our “PG” come from the PF spot really helps address our guard rotation since we can get away with playing all 4 of them (Ellis, LaVine, Monk, & Carter) solid minutes while not having to worry about there being no PG on the floor. Simmons also is a terrific fit defensively next to Sabonis. He’s an excellent defender who has great size, length, and strength. He’s the type of guy you feel comfortable putting on guys like Zion, Giannis, Randle, LeBron, etc. There would also be a ton of shooting around Simmons and an excellent lob threat in Gafford to utilize. You could even get a bit creative and run Simmons at C for stretches with snipers like Ellis, LaVine, Johnson, and Murray next to him.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the following offseason LaVine will be an expiring and we can reassess again how this team did and if there is an opportunity to trade for a better star by sending out LaVine (expiring) and assets. That’s another step that we could take in a year’s time to elevate our ceiling further (depending on the star we trade for).
 
Just looked it up. They have his early bird rights. He only made 2 mil this year so they would have to use the 105% of league average to get him paid. Apparently that comes out to somewhere around 11-13 mil. That might be enough to get it done if he likes it there and apparently he is best friends with newly acquired Hunter.
 
twslam07 said:
How do we feel about this direction/idea?

—————————————

BKN GETS: Jonas Valanciunas, Caleb Martin, 2027 SAS 1st (Unprotected), and 2031 MIN 1st (Unprotected)
BKN GIVES: Cam Johnson
WHY FOR BKN? They sell off their win now vet and get the two 1sts they reportedly wanted for Johnson so they can lean further into their rebuild.

PG -
SG - Thomas / Johnson
SF - Whitehead / Martin / Lewis / Martin
PF - Clowney / Wilson
C - Claxton / Valanciunas / Timme

—————————————

DAL GETS: DeMar DeRozan
DAL GIVES: Daniel Gafford & Caleb Martin
WHY FOR DAL? With Davis and Lively able to play C, Gafford isn’t needed as much. However, they could use a reliable 3rd scorer (DeRozan) from the wing to pair with Irving and Davis.

PG - Irving / Williams
SG - Thompson / Christie / Hardy
SF - Washington / DeRozan / Prosper
PF - Davis / Marshall
C - Lively / Powell

—————————————

SAC GETS: Cam Johnson & Daniel Gafford
SAC GIVES: DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas, 2027 SAS 1st (Unprotected), & 2031 MIN 1st (Unprotected)
WHY FOR SAC? Cam gives us another lethal shooter to spread the floor while also improving our size, length, and defense on the wing. He’s also been scoring at a high rate with some improved playmaking skills. Gafford gives us an upgrade at backup C and someone that can truly be a rim protector and a plus defender when Sabonis is resting.

—————————————


In FA, I’d look to sign Ben Simmons with our exception while letting him know that he’d start in SAC and be the teams PG to help convince him to come. I’d also look to bring back LaRavia & Lyles if they don’t get too expensive. That’d leave us with a roster of…

PG - Ellis / Monk
SG - LaVine / Carter
SF - Murray / Johnson
PF - Simmons / LaRavia / Lyles
C - Sabonis / Gafford / Jones

Having our “PG” come from the PF spot really helps address our guard rotation since we can get away with playing all 4 of them (Ellis, LaVine, Monk, & Carter) solid minutes while not having to worry about there being no PG on the floor. Simmons also is a terrific fit defensively next to Sabonis. He’s an excellent defender who has great size, length, and strength. He’s the type of guy you feel comfortable putting on guys like Zion, Giannis, Randle, LeBron, etc. There would also be a ton of shooting around Simmons and an excellent lob threat in Gafford to utilize. You could even get a bit creative and run Simmons at C for stretches with snipers like Ellis, LaVine, Johnson, and Murray next to him.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the following offseason LaVine will be an expiring and we can reassess again how this team did and if there is an opportunity to trade for a better star by sending out LaVine (expiring) and assets. That’s another step that we could take in a year’s time to elevate our ceiling further (depending on the star we trade for).
Click to expand...

Solid ideas, but I'm not sending a valuable Jval and 2 FRP for Cam Johnson to come off the bench. Especially for Ben Simmons, as much as I like the dart throw idea.

Weirdly, I think he's become an even better target for us now after that Fox move, even though we've been looking at him for years. Keon/LaVine/Keegan/Cam is surreal shooting around Domas and would actually be a team built around his strengths. The proper build around Domas is to treat him like a Jokic-Lite; the ball needs to be in his hands, so you need guys around him that can take advantage and space the floor.
 
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