Sacramento Free Agency <crickets chirping>

[bajaden]

The more I think about our situation, the more I am convinced there will be a trade of sorts. We just have not addressed single need in the off-season so far.

I would like us to keep T-Will but if we do, he needs to be a rotation guy for us and get his 20 odd minutes on nightly basis. Our biggest mess by far is the backcourt and the SF position and we need to clean that mess up.

Having said that, outside of Reke, MT and possibly IT, there is a whole bunch of "meh" meaning limited trade opportunities. We also can't trade our 1st round pick for the time being so opportunities to shed a bad contract and clear up that log jam is further minimized.

We really only have 3 bad contracts on the team even though Garcia's deal is an expiring but still these contracts seem to limit us significantly (Hayes and Salmons). If we somehow manage to move one of these contracts for a productive player or an expiring deal and we are in great shape again in terms of salary cap flexibility.

With T-Rob's signing and JT's re-signing I think we are already at or close to the 85% of salary cap which probably means out job is done for this year.

After JT signs, and including the salary of Robinson, we'll have around 6 mil left under the cap. Which is enough to sign a good, but not great player. If we can sign someone else, and still manage to stay under the cap, then we could use the 2.5 million exception to sign T. Will. Which would be a reasonable pay increase from what he was making. Other than that, I agree, whatever happens might be through trades.

 

[ParniValjak]

After JT signs, and including the salary of Robinson, we'll have around 6 mil left under the cap. Which is enough to sign a good, but not great player. If we can sign someone else, and still manage to stay under the cap, then we could use the 2.5 million exception to sign T. Will. Which would be a reasonable pay increase from what he was making. Other than that, I agree, whatever happens might be through trades.

Yeah but you are assuming that we will use all the cap space. We all know that is not going to happen. We will spend the minimum which is 85% of the salary cap and with JT and T-Rob signings I think we reach that limit, hence why we won't spend more unless we can get a bargain somewhere (eg T-Will)

 

[IfAt1st]

I don't get why many fans think this team just needs a few role players.

And there are players between stars and inexpensive role players. There are also good starters and borderline all stars. This team badly needs a veteran SF that's in the top 10-17 in the league. A real owner would get that done. The team also needs a vet boardline starter at point.

The Maloofs have put Petrie on a tight budget, and he waits and slowly sifts through the bargain bin. There is a reason those players are in that bin.

Allright!
Someone who gets it.

This team is going NOWHERE this year with what they have on the team currently.
I can say this absolutely definitively, because we already saw this team (other than a rookie) last year, and they were pathetic.

We're not talking almost-there - they were pathetic - a competitive embarrassment.

I guarantee that without a big shake-up in the Kings, within 3 weeks of the beginning of the season, KF's will be howling bloody murder and demanding heads.

 

[ParniValjak]

Allright!
Someone who gets it.

This team is going NOWHERE this year with what they have on the team currently.
I can say this absolutely definitively, because we already saw this team (other than a rookie) last year, and they were pathetic.

We're not talking almost-there - they were pathetic - a competitive embarrassment.

I guarantee that without a big shake-up in the Kings, within 3 weeks of the beginning of the season, KF's will be howling bloody murder and demanding heads.

Of course the team needs pieces. Which team doesn't. Even Miami are adding pieces to get better.

With us, I don't think we can take our young CORE players at their production level from last year and say that is it, there is no way they are ever going to get better. They will just by getting older and more experienced. That is where our improvement will come from.

Now no one here disagrees that our SF has been a mess ever since we traded Artest and it is a clear area of concern. As identified by Petrie we also need a rim protector if we are going anywhere long term.

Many have said that veteran PG who is effective on and off the ball and can defend would be a great addition. That is why a lot of people were keen for us to trade for Lowry. Unfortunately, we have owners that are broke and have limited spending capacity so the list of needs gets prioritized and budgetary restrains come into play and that is why we will look to get that SF position sorted as a number one priority but once again, it comes down to the money and whether or not we can afford it.

No one is in denial about where we stand and many have rightly pointed out that we have gone through the draft, apparently re-signed JT (or agreed to terms) and we still have not addressed a single area that our front office identified as needs at the end of last season.

The team will get a bit better with the improvement from Cousins and Evans (remember it is his contract year and he WILL work on his game this summer) but it is a long way away from what needs to happen for us to be where we want to be.

 

[Glenn]

Allright!
Someone who gets it.

This team is going NOWHERE this year with what they have on the team currently.
I can say this absolutely definitively, because we already saw this team (other than a rookie) last year, and they were pathetic.

We're not talking almost-there - they were pathetic - a competitive embarrassment.

I guarantee that without a big shake-up in the Kings, within 3 weeks of the beginning of the season, KF's will be howling bloody murder and demanding heads.

I like the way you try to shake things up. To predict that KFs will howl bloody murder is to predict the obvious. There is always someone howling bloody murder about someone or something. I doubt if anyone will want a shakeup within 3 weeks. We have a major addition to our regular rotation if such exists. We have TRob. We also may have our standard mess at guard. We have Smart. I will argue that the shakeup needs to be taken care of before the season to straighten out our mess at coach, guard, and SF. If it isn't taken care of, there will be good reason to scream bloody murder. I can't imagine howling bloody murder with a straightened out line up (fat chance) and TRob's intro to the team. Smart's head might be demanded. That would be an embarrassment to the FO but they deserve it.

 

[Glenn]

Yeah but you are assuming that we will use all the cap space. We all know that is not going to happen. We will spend the minimum which is 85% of the salary cap and with JT and T-Rob signings I think we reach that limit, hence why we won't spend more unless we can get a bargain somewhere (eg T-Will)

Probably. It depends a lot on what Petrie thinks of TWill in the few games he played. I see Cousins is already lobbying for him. I think a short and relatively smalll contract should be offered with the hope that he becomes a Bobby Jackson and I suspect he will. Then we can move forward with another contract or not.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Probably. It depends a lot on what Petrie thinks of TWill in the few games he played. I see Cousins is already lobbying for him. I think a short and relatively smalll contract should be offered with the hope that he becomes a Bobby Jackson and I suspect he will. Then we can move forward with another contract or not.

Maloofs wont spend more than the minimum, so I guess we're stuck with Salmons at SF for the next 3 seasons.

 

[Uncia03]

Maloofs wont spend more than the minimum, so I guess we're stuck with Salmons at SF for the next 3 seasons.

The good news (if it is good news) is that the last year on Salmon's contract is a team option, so if we don't trade him, you can be sure that we won't pick it up, so we only have 2 years left with Salmons on the books.

The reason there is a potential downside to the team option on the 3rd year is because if you amnesty him it automatically means that you accept his team option, so that is probably one of the reasons why the Maloofs are not exercising the amnesty clause on Salmons.

 

[macadocious]

I find it moderately amusing that we have 4 to 5 posts of great ideas on what we can do to get better, then inevitably either the person with the idea or another poster says "but, none of this matters because ownership won't pay to do whatever it is that would make the team better"

 

[Glenn]

I find it moderately amusing that we have 4 to 5 posts of great ideas on what we can do to get better, then inevitably either the person with the idea or another poster says "but, none of this matters because ownership won't pay to do whatever it is that would make the team better"

Moderately? Check my sig.

 

[bajaden]

Allright!
Someone who gets it.

This team is going NOWHERE this year with what they have on the team currently.
I can say this absolutely definitively, because we already saw this team (other than a rookie) last year, and they were pathetic.

We're not talking almost-there - they were pathetic - a competitive embarrassment.

I guarantee that without a big shake-up in the Kings, within 3 weeks of the beginning of the season, KF's will be howling bloody murder and demanding heads.

Blah blah blah blah blah blah! Same one note samba every time. Why don't you try posting something intellingent just once. Instead of the same blather every time.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

crickets still chirping. wow we resigned a guy we already had, cool. this team is going nowhere fast. as long as the Maloofs own this franchise i will continue to have very low expectations

 

[bajaden]

Maloofs wont spend more than the minimum, so I guess we're stuck with Salmons at SF for the next 3 seasons.

As was mentioned in another thread. Stern sort of warned the Maloofs and the rest of owners recieving revenues by being under the cap, that the money needs to be spent improving the team and not their bank account. I believe he stated that those revenues could be withdrawn if the BOG's thinks a team isn't doing what it should with the money.

 

[Glenn]

As was mentioned in another thread. Stern sort of warned the Maloofs and the rest of owners recieving revenues by being under the cap, that the money needs to be spent improving the team and not their bank account. I believe he stated that those revenues could be withdrawn if the BOG's thinks a team isn't doing what it should with the money.

I think it is stronger than "sort of" as it would be foolish to ignore what he says. He is the ultimate politician and isn't the type to loudly rattle his sabres but if he mentions something, you darn well better take it seriously. Maybe I am being silly but I think we have a powerful friend on our side and I also think we have earned it. It's nice when things work out that way.

 

[kennadog]

I think it is stronger than "sort of" as it would be foolish to ignore what he says. He is the ultimate politician and isn't the type to loudly rattle his sabres but if he mentions something, you darn well better take it seriously. Maybe I am being silly but I think we have a powerful friend on our side and I also think we have earned it. It's nice when things work out that way.

That's why you will not hear a bad word about Stern from this Kings fan. He has truly stepped up in major ways on the side of Sacramento.

 

[kennadog]

crickets still chirping. wow we resigned a guy we already had, cool. this team is going nowhere fast. as long as the Maloofs own this franchise i will continue to have very low expectations

I had the feeling, before free agency even started, that the Kings were more likely to look at trades than free agent signings. Considering some of the ridiculous contracts that have been given out ro free agents this year, that may very well be the smarter way to go, anyway.

 

[Fresno King]

It's ironic that the guy we had (Artest) is the same guy we need. The Lakers are dangling him out there too. Unfortunate that he's such a nutjob.

 

[Mal]

Blazers aren't going to match....they are just trying to get as much as possible for him... They want draft picks.

 

[ParniValjak]

The good news (if it is good news) is that the last year on Salmon's contract is a team option, so if we don't trade him, you can be sure that we won't pick it up, so we only have 2 years left with Salmons on the books.

The reason there is a potential downside to the team option on the 3rd year is because if you amnesty him it automatically means that you accept his team option, so that is probably one of the reasons why the Maloofs are not exercising the amnesty clause on Salmons.

His last year is not so much a team option as the final year is partly guaranteed. If Kings drop Salmons by a certain date them only $1.5 million of that final year is guaranteed which pretty much means that Maloofs would rather pay Salmons $1.5 million not to play than $7 million to play. That is a saving of $5.5 million so they can go out and spend $2.5 million on average player and pocked the other $3 million.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

His last year is not so much a team option as the final year is partly guaranteed. If Kings drop Salmons by a certain date them only $1.5 million of that final year is guaranteed which pretty much means that Maloofs would rather pay Salmons $1.5 million not to play than $7 million to play. That is a saving of $5.5 million so they can go out and spend $2.5 million on average player and pocked the other $3 million.

ShamSports lists the partial guarantee as $1M rather than $1.5M (even better!)

 

[steelevt]

seems like just our luck that in a year we resign JT and draft trob, all these good pf are becoming available. ryan anderson, ilyasova, kris humphreys, elton brand, scola. most arent the defensive bigs we need but some are probably an upgrade offensively

Adrian Wojnarowski: Houston has decided to use the amnesty provision on Luis Scola and will likely file with NBA on Friday, league sources tell Y! Sports. 1 hour ago

Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/media.html#ixzz20SBrwqYY

 

[upinsmoke]

seems like just our luck that in a year we resign JT and draft trob, all these good pf are becoming available. ryan anderson, ilyasova, kris humphreys, elton brand, scola. most arent the defensive bigs we need but some are probably an upgrade offensively

Adrian Wojnarowski: Houston has decided to use the amnesty provision on Luis Scola and will likely file with NBA on Friday, league sources tell Y! Sports. 1 hour ago

Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/media.html#ixzz20SBrwqYY

Whoa! if Scola finds his way down to use we better sign him he could find a nice roll here OR be perfect trade bait in a few months.

 

[Bricklayer]

Morey has just gone bonkers now.

Unfortunately we are about the last team in the league that has a use for Scola. Damn fine player to be amnestied though. Maybe if nothing else will use up soebody's cap money to give us a clear shot at the big centers and whatnot out there.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Whoa! if Scola finds his way down to use we better sign him he could find a nice roll here OR be perfect trade bait in a few months.

Couldn't trade him until next offseason - but he'd be incredible trade bait. He'd have either one or two years left on the contract (depending on how that unguaranteed year is treated) and if we could manage to hold onto that for something like the $3M we paid for Outlaw (and that may be a bid too low to win) he'd be such a bargain it would be stupid to pass on it.

 

[steelevt]

Couldn't trade him until next offseason - but he'd be incredible trade bait. He'd have either one or two years left on the contract (depending on how that unguaranteed year is treated) and if we could manage to hold onto that for something like the $3M we paid for Outlaw (and that may be a bid too low to win) he'd be such a bargain it would be stupid to pass on it.

at this point in free agency, there really isnt a sf worth getting. so i would be fine putting a bid of maybe 4-5 million and invest in scola. either he somehow works out with us with our frontline being C cousins/JT, PF scola/trob, or like you said a valuable trade piece a year down the road.

 

[SacKings7]

at this point in free agency, there really isnt a sf worth getting. so i would be fine putting a bid of maybe 4-5 million and invest in scola. either he somehow works out with us with our frontline being C cousins/JT, PF scola/trob, or like you said a valuable trade piece a year down the road.

I'm not gonna hold my breath given who our owners are. They'll probably feel compelled to put in a bid, so they'll roll out a whopping $500K for him. And then breathe a sigh of relief when they find out someone bid higher.

 

[Section 101]

Morey has just gone bonkers now.

Unfortunately we are about the last team in the league that has a use for Scola. Damn fine player to be amnestied though. Maybe if nothing else will use up soebody's cap money to give us a clear shot at the big centers and whatnot out there.

You get him on the cheap, play him this year and he becomes a great asset next year.

 

[mac]

You get him on the cheap, play him this year and he becomes a great asset next year.

Poor Hassan. No minutes for him this year then.

 

[thedofd]

Poor Hassan. No minutes for him this year then.

This is where I wish there was such a thing as a sarcasm font. Not sure if you really mean "poor Hassan" or are being facetious. I'm all for continuing to develop Whiteside, but the Kings really lack enough NBA-caliber talent. Scola certainly isn't exactly what the Kings need, but you could argue that he's a top-10 talent at either center or power forward. Barring something that hasn't become public, I think the Rockets are nuts.

That being said, two questions:

1) What is the rule for picking up an amnesty (ied) player? Does he go to the high bidder regardless? In other words, Scola might prefer to go to a contender but he'd have to report to the Kings?

2) If the Kings had Cousins, Scola and Thompson (yes, and Whiteside), would they have to consider trading T-Rob at some point to fill the need at small forward? Not saying that's what they ought to do -- I was as happy as anyone when he fell to them -- but if they're suddenly flush at 4-5 and can parlay Robinson into a good small forward, isn't that a legitimate strategy for getting where they want to be?

 

[Tetsujin]

2) If the Kings had Cousins, Scola and Thompson (yes, and Whiteside), would they have to consider trading T-Rob at some point to fill the need at small forward? Not saying that's what they ought to do -- I was as happy as anyone when he fell to them -- but if they're suddenly flush at 4-5 and can parlay Robinson into a good small forward, isn't that a legitimate strategy for getting where they want to be?

No, because where as Scola is a known commodity, Robinson was nearly the consensus number two pick in one of the "deepest" drafts in years. To get rid of a younger player with all the physical tools to become a major player for the team down the line because you claimed another team's European smallish PF isn't going to go down as one of the better moves in the NBA. Unless you're getting back a major star in return (see Favors/D-Will trade), the general rule is that you don't trade a top five pick in their first year. So unless you're sending TRob away in a trade that nets us Lebron or KD, no.