Race to the Bottom thread

Kingz19 said:
Jazz shamelessly trying to tank again. Now that Keyonte George has broke out he’ll have chronic Pretendonitis like Lauri now. Neither played tonight but still Kyle Anderson and Cody Williams made it a game. NBA needs to fine them already. They were the most blatant last season as well.

Kings are atleast legitimately terrible.

Good news is the Clippers have taken off and will be in the play in.

At this point, Kings would have to have a pretty good record over the last 48 games to fall out of the top 5.

25 wins is a long shot even before you consider the coming fire sale. So we’re in good shape.
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I wouldn’t consider 25 a long shot just yet. We have a potentially “easy” schedule after January (32 games) and Keegan/Domas haven’t played together yet. As much as the Kings would like to trade vets, it’s hard to do, won’t be surprised if only one or two finds their way to another team. Like Perry said, the deals have to make sense for the kings so he isn’t going to trade just to trade.
 
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iowamcnabb said:
I wouldn’t consider 25 a long shot just yet. We have a potentially “easy” schedule after January (32 games) and Keegan/Domas haven’t played together yet. As much as the Kings would like to trade vets, it’s hard to do, won’t be surprised if only one or two finds their way to another team. Like Perry said, the deals have to make sense for the kings so he isn’t going to trade just to trade.
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Yeah the Kings.need to be top 3 ideally and still have some work to do to get there. Pels taking off since they don’t own their pick would help as would some trades.
 
We have a lot of opportunities (18 games / 10 home) to either solidify our draft position or fall out of the top 3. The upcoming games against Dallas, Washington x2 and Portland will be big. I expect Dallas to sit Davis for out game and look to tank it like they did the last game which we won.

Top 3 2025 - 19 games
Top 3 2024 - 20 games
Top 3 2023 - 22 games

Assuming we sneak a win or two against mid-tier teams (say Golden State or the Clippers) we can only afford to win at best half of these games.

Games versus tanking/bad teams left
Dallas Jan 6 (looked horrible last game)
Washington Jan 16 (looking better)
Portland Jan 18 (sitting lots of players, Portland B2B)
@Washington Feb 1
Memphis Feb 4
@New Orleans Feb 9
@Utah Feb 11

All Star break trade deadline

@Memphis Feb 23
@Dallas Feb 26
New Orleans March 5
Indiana March 10
Charlotte March 11 (Kings B2B)
Utah March 15 (Kings B2B)
Brooklyn March 22
@Charlotte March 24 (Charlotte B2B)
@Brooklyn March 29 (Kings B2B)
New Orleans Apr 3 (New Orleans B2B)
@Portland April 12
 
est.1999 said:
The pacers are pissing me off. Like you were just in game 7 of the finals. I know you lost your best player but how does that make you the worst team in the league? We should not be having to compete with them for the top pick lol we need it way more.
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Don’t forget. They also lost Myles Turner.

When you takeaway your best player/#1 option/offensive engine and your defensive anchor (who is also no slouch offensively), I think it’s reasonable to expect a significant drop off.

Not to mention they’ve had some injuries to some of their other players (Nesmith, Toppin, Mathurin, McConnell, Sheppard, etc.). It’s been a bumpy season, that’s for sure.
 
twslam07 said:
Don’t forget. They also lost Myles Turner.

When you takeaway your best player/#1 option/offensive engine and your defensive anchor (who is also no slouch offensively), I think it’s reasonable to expect a significant drop off.

Not to mention they’ve had some injuries to some of their other players (Nesmith, Toppin, Mathurin, McConnell, Sheppard, etc.). It’s been a bumpy season, that’s for sure.
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Yep. The Pacers are just doing what makes the most sense for them given the systems that the league has put in place. They knew they were playing over their heads last season, and with Haliburton out all year, it just wouldn't have been prudent for Indiana to re-sign Turner to the kind of contract the Bucks ultimately gave him. Dunno what their plans are for Mathurin, but at the very least, they'll walk into next season with Hali, Nesmith, Toppin, and whoever they ultimately select in the upcoming draft. That's not a bad place to start figuring out "what's next" for their franchise's direction.

Kings fans needn't worry too much about the Pacers' place at the bottom of the standings. The flattened lottery odds mean there's less need to jockey within the bottom-four. The Kings just need to ensure they remain in that bottom-four, which should be achievable whether Scott Perry starts jettisoning veteran contracts or not.
 
The Pacers are pathetic. NO team that was in the finals should be allowed a top 5 pick the following season, that’s a joke. Jim Carrey was praised over and over for his coaching last year, what happened? I thought Pascal Siakam was a star? What about all those role players that were tough defenders and played as a unit? The Celtics lost Tatum, Jrue, Zinger, Kornet and Horford. The results? One of the best teams in the East. Pacers suck and are losers, better hope you land a top 3 pick or back to 43 win seasons you go. 👎
 
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sactowndog said:
We have a lot of opportunities (18 games / 10 home) to either solidify our draft position or fall out of the top 3. The upcoming games against Dallas, Washington x2 and Portland will be big. I expect Dallas to sit Davis for out game and look to tank it like they did the last game which we won.

Top 3 2025 - 19 games
Top 3 2024 - 20 games
Top 3 2023 - 22 games

Assuming we sneak a win or two against mid-tier teams (say Golden State or the Clippers) we can only afford to win at best half of these games.

Games versus tanking/bad teams left
Dallas Jan 6 (looked horrible last game)
Washington Jan 16 (looking better)
Portland Jan 18 (sitting lots of players, Portland B2B)
@Washington Feb 1
Memphis Feb 4
@New Orleans Feb 9
@Utah Feb 11

All Star break trade deadline

@Memphis Feb 23
@Dallas Feb 26
New Orleans March 5
Indiana March 10
Charlotte March 11 (Kings B2B)
Utah March 15 (Kings B2B)
Brooklyn March 22
@Charlotte March 24 (Charlotte B2B)
@Brooklyn March 29 (Kings B2B)
New Orleans Apr 3 (New Orleans B2B)
@Portland April 12
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Davis sat cause of injury came back and was payed 30 minutes doubt they sit him they need to play him to get assists and prove he’s not mf glass
 
iowamcnabb said:
The Pacers are pathetic. NO team that was in the finals should be allowed a top 5 pick the following season, that’s a joke. Jim Carrey was praised over and over for his coaching last year, what happened? I thought Pascal Siakam was a star? What about all those role players that were tough defenders and played as a unit? The Celtics lost Tatum, Jru, Zinger, Kornet and Horford. The results? One of the of best teams in the East. Pacers suck and are losers, better hope you land a top 3 pick or back to 43 win seasons you go. 👎
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Players are far too informed. They know what's up. This is an era where players dictate what comes back in trades for themselves, lol. The Pacers know this is their year to get the next piece to not be just another one and done wonder.
 
SacTownKid said:
Players are far too informed. They know what's up. This is an era where players dictate what comes back in trades for themselves, lol. The Pacers know this is their year to get the next piece to not be just another one and done wonder.
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To me it’s an easy fix. If you make the finals you are relegated to the the 14th best odds should you miss the playoffs the following year. (With your pick only, if you own someone else’s no problem)

The NBA wants to reduce tanking, you can’t have finals teams competing with the worst in the league for the first pick just because of an injury. It’s the worst type of tanking in my opinion and has no business being allowed.
 
iowamcnabb said:
To me it’s an easy fix. If you make the finals you are relegated to the the 14th best odds should you miss the playoffs the following year. (With your pick only, if you own someone else’s no problem)

The NBA wants to reduce tanking, you can’t have finals teams competing with the worst in the league for the first pick just because of an injury. It’s the worst type of tanking in my opinion and has no business being allowed.
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Granted the Pacers are without Haliburton and Turner but otherwise are they blatantly tanking?I don’t know, but can understand your sentiment if they are.
I remember the Spurs the year prior to the Duncan draft, 96 97 I believe, keeping David Robinson out all but a handful of games. Robinson did have some early season injuries but it seemed pretty obvious their motivation for keeping him out as long as they did. Pop was their GM at the time but then fired the coach and took over that position himself. Set himself up good.
 
jiimbob said:
Granted the Pacers are without Haliburton and Turner but otherwise are they blatantly tanking?I don’t know, but can understand your sentiment if they are.
I remember the Spurs the year prior to the Duncan draft, 96 97 I believe, keeping David Robinson out all but a handful of games. Robinson did have some early season injuries but it seemed pretty obvious their motivation for keeping him out as long as they did. Pop was their GM at the time but then fired the coach and took over that position himself. Set himself up good.
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It’s hard for believe they aren’t intentionally doing it. If they were 8 games under .500 maybe not, but worse than the Nets and Wizards?
 
iowamcnabb said:
It’s hard for believe they aren’t intentionally doing it. If they were 8 games under .500 maybe not, but worse than the Nets and Wizards?
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yeah, I haven’t really been following them but it is sus. Happens all the time unfortunately, some cases seem way more obvious than others.
My wish list is we acquire a promising young forward by the trade deadline. Then draft high and get our future floor general. Peterson or even Flemings should do. Then I won’t care as much about what the Pacers are up to.
 
twslam07 said:
Don’t forget. They also lost Myles Turner.

When you takeaway your best player/#1 option/offensive engine and your defensive anchor (who is also no slouch offensively), I think it’s reasonable to expect a significant drop off.

Not to mention they’ve had some injuries to some of their other players (Nesmith, Toppin, Mathurin, McConnell, Sheppard, etc.). It’s been a bumpy season, that’s for sure.
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Not even some of those injuries can explain why they're so awful this season. Maybe their roster construction just isn't as good as folks were gushing about just a few months ago lol it's funny to see folks just ignore how bad they are while consistently ripping the Kings when the Sabonis and Hali debate is brought up. One Cinderella run and they're back in the doldrums too *shrug*
 
iowamcnabb said:
The Pacers are pathetic. NO team that was in the finals should be allowed a top 5 pick the following season, that’s a joke. Jim Carrey was praised over and over for his coaching last year, what happened? I thought Pascal Siakam was a star? What about all those role players that were tough defenders and played as a unit? The Celtics lost Tatum, Jrue, Zinger, Kornet and Horford. The results? One of the best teams in the East. Pacers suck and are losers, better hope you land a top 3 pick or back to 43 win seasons you go. 👎
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You know for all my complaints about the league trying to over legislate the draft, I actually do agree with this idea.
 
Padrino said:
Yep. The Pacers are just doing what makes the most sense for them given the systems that the league has put in place. They knew they were playing over their heads last season, and with Haliburton out all year, it just wouldn't have been prudent for Indiana to re-sign Turner to the kind of contract the Bucks ultimately gave him. Dunno what their plans are for Mathurin, but at the very least, they'll walk into next season with Hali, Nesmith, Toppin, and whoever they ultimately select in the upcoming draft. That's not a bad place to start figuring out "what's next" for their franchise's direction.

Kings fans needn't worry too .much about the Pacers' place at the bottom of the standings. The flattened lottery odds mean there's less need to jockey with. in the bottom-four. The Kings just need to ensure they remain in that bottom-four, which should be achievable whether Scott Perry starts jettisoning veteran contracts or not
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A couple items. The bottom 3 have better odds. Also a scenario where 4 teams jump is highly possible so being bottom 2 or 3 matters. It means your worst case becomes 5 versus 6 and in this draft i think you have a tier at 6. Being 4 means you very well can be drafting 7 or 8 and that is a big issue.
 
sactowndog said:
A couple items. The bottom 3 have better odds. Also a scenario where 4 teams jump is highly possible so being bottom 2 or 3 matters. It means your worst case becomes 5 versus 6 and in this draft i think you have a tier at 6. Being 4 means you very well can be drafting 7 or 8 and that is a big issue.
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It matters, but to varyingly slight degrees of "possible". Yes, it would be best if the Kings possessed the worst record in the NBA at the end of the season, thus ensuring themselves the strongest odds of ending up in the top-4, but despite being a terribly-constructed team with the worst net rating in the NBA, it is impossible to create an environment in which every single game is a likely loss.

The Kings will run into teams that have suffered freak injuries to their best players, that go cold, that get lucky, etc. They'll run into poorly-refereed games, teams on the tail end of back-to-backs or on a run of four games in five nights. They'll get hot themselves every once in awhile, and still, the Kings will end up losing most of those games, because they're a terribly-constructed team with the worst net rating in the NBA. But they won't lose them all.

So, if you want to drive yourself crazy sweating literally every single win, by all means, do so. But let me remind you that the Kings are currently pulling a .229 win percentage, and if they finished the season at this pace, it would rank as the single most futile season in Sacramento Kings history. Asking for more than that is just... silly. At a certain point, it's just a roll of the dice. Such is the reality of a league in which the draft order is decided by lottery.
 
Padrino said:
It matters, but to varyingly slight degrees of "possible". Yes, it would be best if the Kings possessed the worst record in the NBA at the end of the season, thus ensuring themselves the strongest odds of ending up in the top-4, but despite being a terribly-constructed team with the worst net rating in the NBA, it is impossible to create an environment in which every single game is a likely loss.

The Kings will run into teams that have suffered freak injuries to their best players, that go cold, that get lucky, etc. They'll run into poorly-refereed games, teams on the tail end of back-to-backs or on a run of four games in five nights. They'll get hot themselves every once in awhile, and still, the Kings will end up losing most of those games, because they're a terribly-constructed team with the worst net rating in the NBA. But they won't lose them all.

So, if you want to drive yourself crazy sweating literally every single win, by all means, do so. But let me remind you that the Kings are currently pulling a .229 win percentage, and if they finished the season at this pace, it would rank as the single most futile season in Sacramento Kings history. Asking for more than that is just... silly. At a certain point, it's just a roll of the dice. Such is the reality of a league in which the draft order is decided by lottery.
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Everyone has a choice and no one is saying how people should feel. But we should agree on facts and the important facts are:

The top 3 have the best odds. 4 has slightly worse odds
This draft appears to have a tiers of

Tier 1: Peterson, Dybantsa and Boozer
Tier 2: Wilson, Ament and Flemings

Quaintance is recovering from an ACL tear so for me this drops him down an notch. I think ideally we do not want to be positioned below 6. If we are 2 going into the lottery than it is not possible. If we are 3 it is pretty unlikely as all top 3 teams have to be jumped. If you are 4 going into the lottery only three teams have to jump up to push you to 7 and 8 is still a possibility.
 
Padrino said:
It matters, but to varyingly slight degrees of "possible". Yes, it would be best if the Kings possessed the worst record in the NBA at the end of the season, thus ensuring themselves the strongest odds of ending up in the top-4, but despite being a terribly-constructed team with the worst net rating in the NBA, it is impossible to create an environment in which every single game is a likely loss.

The Kings will run into teams that have suffered freak injuries to their best players, that go cold, that get lucky, etc. They'll run into poorly-refereed games, teams on the tail end of back-to-backs or on a run of four games in five nights. They'll get hot themselves every once in awhile, and still, the Kings will end up losing most of those games, because they're a terribly-constructed team with the worst net rating in the NBA. But they won't lose them all.

So, if you want to drive yourself crazy sweating literally every single win, by all means, do so. But let me remind you that the Kings are currently pulling a .229 win percentage, and if they finished the season at this pace, it would rank as the single most futile season in Sacramento Kings history. Asking for more than that is just... silly. At a certain point, it's just a roll of the dice. Such is the reality of a league in which the draft order is decided by lottery.
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This is great and all, but did you know that Monte is hoping we win games to ruin our draft position? What a horrible GM!

-Sactowndog, probably

But yeah, in general, this season could really not be going any more poorly than it already is. Russ and DDR are unwatchable basketball at this point, but they're doing an excellent job tank-commandering this team into oblivion along with very sketchy decision making from Doug.
 
kingsboi said:
Pacers front office knew the moment Hali was out for the season what they were going to do this season. 3D chess
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Classic Kings, unable to contend, yet equally unable to tank properly when needed, fighting for the 11th seed, the worst place possible.
 
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