The Kings aren't going to go after a guy in free agency next season...

[Showtime]

I really don't understand where this assumption that sac is going to spend this off season originated. I remember a few years ago when discussing dumping Bibby and Miller's deals, and how the last big contract of that era was KT's, which comes off the books after this season, and how everybody was assuming a big FA acquisition would occur.

I'm looking at the core of this team, it's ages, the salary, the current financial situation, and the cap, and I'm thinking it's a foregone conclusion that the kings pursue a free agent.

First, let's take a look at the salary of the team. They are currently ranked 25th with a payroll of a little over $61 million. Now, assuming they extend Brockman, and make the qualifying offer to Sergio, that leaves 11 players on the roster under contract:

Evans/Beno/Sergio
Martin/Garcia
Casspit/Donte/Noc
JT/Brockman
Hawes

This is the team with a payroll of only $41 million. Now, the cap this season is almost $58 million (lux tax is near $70 mil). Since the cap is a % of the league's revenue, and the economy has impacted the league's revenue, it means that the cap figure will be reduced next season.

...projects a steeper drop than previously predicted, ranging anywhere from $50.4 million to $53.6 million.

So what does this mean?

It means the Kings will have less cap room to work with. Now, we all know the Maloofs have said they are willing to splurge IF circumstances were leaning towards a championship. This team isn't going to be on the cusp of winning a championship. That situation is more likely to happen with a team good enough to already make the playoffs, but needs that guy to put them over the top. This team is still a lottery team.

Not to mention, the community still has economic issues, and is just now getting around to games despite the massive deals the team is handing out. I think attendance will steadily rise, but it will take time. We know the Kings have already borrowed money from the league, and with no sell out streaks in the future, I think it's safe to say that spending is not a priority for this team. It seems they are heading in a direction that focuses on smart team building instead of buying talent.

Another factor is that the Kings will have to overpay any coveted free agent to come to Sacramento. Say anything you want about Evans, the future, etc, it doesn't matter. Established players who go into free agency mainly consider three things: money, championships, and location. We know Sac is shot as far as location. If they chase money, they go to the highest bidder. If they chase championships, they don't go to rebuilding teams, they go to teams already in position to win. If they can get money on a winning team, all the better. Which means the Kings will have to dig deep in their pockets IF they want to go after a top FA.

List of FA's for next season

I could see a sign-and-trade scenario for some of these players, but I don't see one which will help the team enough to justify overpaying for a star. GP has said that just because they have the money (cap room), doesn't mean they spend it. They could add another solid player, and still have a competitive and entertaining team at one of the lowest payrolls in the league, which is good for the team.

So overall, the current situation tells me the smart move would be to try to acquire a player in trade this season or a sign-and-trade scenario instead of going after a free agent next season. The Kings have KT's notable 9 mil expiring deal and players to package with him if they really want something done. But in my opinion, I don't see them making a splash in free agency.

 

[bajaden]

I really don't understand where this assumption that sac is going to spend this off season originated. I remember a few years ago when discussing dumping Bibby and Miller's deals, and how the last big contract of that era was KT's, which comes off the books after this season, and how everybody was assuming a big FA acquisition would occur.

I'm looking at the core of this team, it's ages, the salary, the current financial situation, and the cap, and I'm thinking it's a foregone conclusion that the kings pursue a free agent.

First, let's take a look at the salary of the team. They are currently ranked 25th with a payroll of a little over $61 million. Now, assuming they extend Brockman, and make the qualifying offer to Sergio, that leaves 11 players on the roster under contract:

Evans/Beno/Sergio
Martin/Garcia
Casspit/Donte/Noc
JT/Brockman
Hawes

This is the team with a payroll of only $41 million. Now, the cap this season is almost $58 million (lux tax is near $70 mil). Since the cap is a % of the league's revenue, and the economy has impacted the league's revenue, it means that the cap figure will be reduced next season.



So what does this mean?

It means the Kings will have less cap room to work with. Now, we all know the Maloofs have said they are willing to splurge IF circumstances were leaning towards a championship. This team isn't going to be on the cusp of winning a championship. That situation is more likely to happen with a team good enough to already make the playoffs, but needs that guy to put them over the top. This team is still a lottery team.

Not to mention, the community still has economic issues, and is just now getting around to games despite the massive deals the team is handing out. I think attendance will steadily rise, but it will take time. We know the Kings have already borrowed money from the league, and with no sell out streaks in the future, I think it's safe to say that spending is not a priority for this team. It seems they are heading in a direction that focuses on smart team building instead of buying talent.

Another factor is that the Kings will have to overpay any coveted free agent to come to Sacramento. Say anything you want about Evans, the future, etc, it doesn't matter. Established players who go into free agency mainly consider three things: money, championships, and location. We know Sac is shot as far as location. If they chase money, they go to the highest bidder. If they chase championships, they don't go to rebuilding teams, they go to teams already in position to win. If they can get money on a winning team, all the better. Which means the Kings will have to dig deep in their pockets IF they want to go after a top FA.

List of FA's for next season

I could see a sign-and-trade scenario for some of these players, but I don't see one which will help the team enough to justify overpaying for a star. GP has said that just because they have the money (cap room), doesn't mean they spend it. They could add another solid player, and still have a competitive and entertaining team at one of the lowest payrolls in the league, which is good for the team.

So overall, the current situation tells me the smart move would be to try to acquire a player in trade this season or a sign-and-trade scenario instead of going after a free agent next season. The Kings have KT's notable 9 mil expiring deal and players to package with him if they really want something done. But in my opinion, I don't see them making a splash in free agency.

All depends what you mean by making a splash. If you mean were not going to sign Wade or LeBron, yeah, your probably right. But they definitely should be able to aquire a good player. It just depends on who is available after the dust clears and whether that player is someone that we think could make a difference.

Instead of just looking at the players and our current record and stats. Step back and look at the big picture. Think of the team as a racing engine thats just not quite putting out the horsepower to win the race on a regular basis. You don't need to pull out the whole engine and replace it. Sometimes you just need to tweek it here and there. Example. The team picked up Udoka for a couple of doughnuts and a cup of coffee. And yet, he's made a difference, and one could say that he's contributed to some of the victorys.

This is a very young team. Much different than the Vlade, Webber team. That team was a mix of young with prime and old. It ended up being a perfect blend that came together very quickly. Thats not going to happen with this team. Its going to be smaller steps, but, with that comes longevity. So, I don't think this team needs to make a superstar splash in this next offseason. It needs one more good draft, and it needs to fill a couple of holes. Hey, I won't turn down LeBron if he decides he likes the climate here. But I think the team is in good position to make a couple of good moves.

And by the way. You took that Petrie quote out of context. He did say that just because you have the money doesn't mean you have to spend it. But he said that in the context of waiting for the right deal. He also mentioned that he knew what the needs of the team were, and that they were looking to address those needs. he mentioned the coming trade deadline as well as the draft, and then the offseason, all as possible times that those needs could be addressed.

 

[apollo916]

I agree with the fact the kings organization will try to build a talented team on the lowest payroll possible. I disagree with your opinion that we are a definent lottery team you haven't been disproven due to this is our first year of a turn around. I assume we will get 8TH place, but that's just hope vs opinion now. I believe the only piece the kings are worried about is getting an all-star center. By any means necessary. We are completly deep at every other position. We are missing 1 piece just to even consider making it out of the first round in 2011.

 

[ParniValjak]

The plan all along by the Kings was to draft and sign a FA to round things up in 2010. This team is promising and has a great deal of talent but it also has some major weaknesses that will have to be addressed. Now are we going to land LeBron, Wade et al... most likely not BUT we will be looking to add a major player. That player would have to fit in somehow.

What the Kings hierarchy has said in the past that they are planning to have cap space in 2010 but if something comes along that they like, they will make the move to take on salary. Thats why there was interest in Amare and Chandler around trade deadline last year and in Okafor and Dalembert earlier this season.

I do think that Petrie is a massive Noah fan and that has been evidenced by him wanting to draft him and then subsequently trying to trade for him every year since then. I think he will still keep asking that question but IMHO won't get too far with that one.

We need some inside presence defensively and Noah would be a perfect fit for this team but just about impossible to aquire without giving something we really don't want to give.

Cap space doesn't necessarily mean signing a FA straight out but it means that we have a lot more trade flexibility to make big moves.

 

[Fear the Putin]

The plan all along by the Kings was to draft and sign a FA to round things up in 2010. This team is promising and has a great deal of talent but it also has some major weaknesses that will have to be addressed. Now are we going to land LeBron, Wade et al... most likely not BUT we will be looking to add a major player. That player would have to fit in somehow.

What the Kings hierarchy has said in the past that they are planning to have cap space in 2010 but if something comes along that they like, they will make the move to take on salary. Thats why there was interest in Amare and Chandler around trade deadline last year and in Okafor and Dalembert earlier this season.

I do think that Petrie is a massive Noah fan and that has been evidenced by him wanting to draft him and then subsequently trying to trade for him every year since then. I think he will still keep asking that question but IMHO won't get too far with that one.

We need some inside presence defensively and Noah would be a perfect fit for this team but just about impossible to aquire without giving something we really don't want to give.

Cap space doesn't necessarily mean signing a FA straight out but it means that we have a lot more trade flexibility to make big moves.

give em hawes

 

[CaminoChaos]

After looking at 2011 free agency, it sure would be nice to sign Kendrick Perkins, Carmelo Anthony or Tony Parker.

 

[AriesMar27]

i dont see the kings going after anyone in freeagency, i had mentioned that earlier in the offseason. but the fact that there wont be as much cash is part of the reason why i think trading for mcgrady is a good idea. we get rid of martin and nocioni we will have more room to make a move that can put us over the top without putting us severely over the cap.

 

[LoungeLizard]

Who needs a max $ FA when Geoff can work his MLE magic?

 

[Heuge]

Who needs a max $ FA when Geoff can work his MLE magic?

Oh crap we are screwed then. The man has failed miserably at MLE contracts.

 

[Uncia03]

I think that the team's actions in Free-Agency are going to be completely dependent on the moves this team makes before the trade-deadline.
For instance if we end up trading any combination of Nocioni/Beno/Martin for expiring contracts while keeping KT's expiring contract then the assumption would be that's we'd be looking to make a big splash in free-agency.

I agree with most that it will be very difficult to get an elite player in Free-Agency, so I'd rather make moves via trades.

So an Okafor/KT combined with a Martin/Bosh trade seems more feasible to me than picking up James/Wade/Bosh/Amare in free-agency. (I do think that if we traded for Okafor/Bosh and gave them half a season to play together we'd have a very good shot of resigning Bosh as he should have a good idea of the potential championship talent the team would have.

If we trade KT's expiring and don't pick up any additional expirings then it's clear that we'd not be looking at 2010 to make any Free-Agency deals.

 

[swisshh]

I've been eyeing Joe Johnson as a FA, mainly because he seemed to be in the second tier of FAs the Kings *might* be able to afford. Unfortantely, he may have played himself up a tier in FA and I don't see why he'd leave a winning team like the Hawks.

People seem confused that I'd target another swingman, but the thing about Johnson is he's the ideal sort of swingman to go with Tyreke. He'd be a great #2 guy, he can handle the ball a little, pass, rebound and spot up off the ball for threes. He can do a lot of things to balance out a team. The idea would be to ship off some of the excess swingmen the team has.

 

[vistacruza_kings]

id say if the rockets terminate Yao Ming's contract early, we throw all the money we have at him.

 

[Kingster]

I agree. I think it's likely they don't get a big name FA. They probably would like to make trades to unload their redundant wing position and KT to get another big to rotate with Hawes and Thompson, while at the same time keeping their overall team salary pretty much what it is. Since the summer all the signs have been pointing to the Kings wanting to husband cash. They might strategize to have major FA dollars for next year. No need to rush.

 

[Bricklayer]

SOMETHING big will happen wiht this team in the next nine months. Its too obvious what has hapopened here and how close the thig is to turning. So one wya or the other there will be a major move made to send us on an upward path. But whetehr its via free agency or not is questionable. Does not really mater in the end how its done, jsut that its done. If we make a trade that blows our capspace, that's fine. If we keep the capspace and sing a free agent, that's fine too. Just so long as we find a way to make that move that solidifes things and makes us a legit playoff team for next season, the hows and whys aren't importnat (as long, of course, as we keep the young core together, and its hard to see any scenario where we would not at this point).

 

[Uncia03]

I've been eyeing Joe Johnson as a FA, mainly because he seemed to be in the second tier of FAs the Kings *might* be able to afford. Unfortantely, he may have played himself up a tier in FA and I don't see why he'd leave a winning team like the Hawks.

People seem confused that I'd target another swingman, but the thing about Johnson is he's the ideal sort of swingman to go with Tyreke. He'd be a great #2 guy, he can handle the ball a little, pass, rebound and spot up off the ball for threes. He can do a lot of things to balance out a team. The idea would be to ship off some of the excess swingmen the team has.

I've been saying that I think that Garcia is the ideal player at the 2 spot next to Tyreke.
In one of my earlier threads where I was looking to trade Martin, Nocioni, & Beno in two separate trades for Noah and capspace, the guy I mentioned targetting was Joe Johnson in free-agency.

As long as we get a defensive big first to grow along with this team I agree with you 100% that Joe Johnson would be the perfect fit alongside Tyreke. He has all the qualities that Garcia has in making Garcia the ideal fit next to Tyreke, but he's just a much higher tiered player.

With that said I also know that Bajaden is high on some full-sized SGs who are coming up in this draft (such as Turner who most likely won't fall to us), so maybe we pick up a 'cheap' defensive big, spend a lot of money going after Bosh, and look to get an upgrade over Garcia in the draft.

I agree with Bricklayer that some changes have to be coming. It's obvious that Geoff will want to make some moves and I'd imagine that all these close losses to elite teams are ripping the hearts out of the Maloofs, so I'd imagine that they'll be on board to spending some money to get us over this hump.

I thought that Joe Johnson would be a guy who would really fit and who was a more attainable free-agent, but whether he is still available, and if we have him targeted is anyone's guess at this point. I will say that if we do end up getting Joe Johnson but don't address our defensive big man needs I will not be happy, regardless of how good of a fit I think he will be with this team.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

i dont see the kings going after anyone in freeagency, i had mentioned that earlier in the offseason. but the fact that there wont be as much cash is part of the reason why i think trading for mcgrady is a good idea. we get rid of martin and nocioni we will have more room to make a move that can put us over the top without putting us severely over the cap.

you dont trade your best scorer for a washed up mcgrady(expiring or not)..? whats the point of that? kevin has alot of value and we could at the very least get first round picks out of any deal hes in.
We dont neccisarily have to use our capspace on a F/A. We can use it to make a trade and the salaries dont even have to match .. kind like that camby to clips deal for a 2nd round pick lol.. and camby was making like 12 mil or somethin rediculous.

 

[hammystyle]

I don't really see a plausible fit in this free agent class either. But there's Kendrick Perkins and Marc Gasol available in 2011.

 

[NoBonus]

I think, looking at the 2010 Free Agents, I do not know that the Kings can (or will) sign a new starter at any position (unless a young star can be acquired), however, they will certainly upgrade the bench as the current sub par bench bigs will be gone (K9 and May) There are a lot of veteran bigs that can be had to put in some minutes off the bench that, though not perfect, would likely be more effective than the current combo of bench bigs (K9, May) Why not look at Jermaine O'Neal or Marcus Camby or Ben Wallace or Chris Wilcox or Brad Miller (these are just examples of guys that you wouldn't want as starters, but would improve the bench). Clearly some would require more cash than others, but I look at the Kings next year as only improved from today.

Bottom line, the Kings gain cap space but lose no players worth resigning to 2010 free agency, but most teams lose 5 to 10 players, many of them all-stars; this puts the Kings in the driver's seat this summer to get some depth; some real depth. All pluses from my seat.