The One Position That's Up in the Air..

[xrzn]

Small forward spot.

From everything we've been discussing, it's pretty much set in stone that between the Kings top 4 pick, 23rd pick, and 31st pick, a PG will get drafted that will either start or backup Beno. Some are wanting Rubio, others will be ok with any of the other PGs that will be available.

With the other pick, Kings will most likely go after Griffin or Thabeet with dealings and whatnot. I've seen discussions for giving up Thompson and pick for Amare or maybe getting Wizards pick to get Rubio and Griffin or Thabeet or whatever. Not to mention the kings also do have Thompson and Hawes.

However, the one spot that I believe is up in the air is the small forward position. Kings currently have Diogu, Green, and Nocioni. With all that was said, what do you want the Kings to do with the small forward spot?

Free agency? Draft? Trade? Work with what the Kings have?

I would ant to go after Wallace, Gay, or Granger. Kings need a "go to guy" in the clutch and Martin isn't that person.

 

[bigbadred00]

Small forward spot.

From everything we've been discussing, it's pretty much set in stone that between the Kings top 4 pick, 23rd pick, and 31st pick, a PG will get drafted that will either start or backup Beno. Some are wanting Rubio, others will be ok with any of the other PGs that will be available.

With the other pick, Kings will most likely go after Griffin or Thabeet with dealings and whatnot. I've seen discussions for giving up Thompson and pick for Amare or maybe getting Wizards pick to get Rubio and Griffin or Thabeet or whatever. Not to mention the kings also do have Thompson and Hawes.

However, the one spot that I believe is up in the air is the small forward position. Kings currently have Diogu, Green, and Nocioni. With all that was said, what do you want the Kings to do with the small forward spot?

Free agency? Draft? Trade? Work with what the Kings have?

Diogu is an option at the 3? Since when?

 

[Bricklayer]

Cisco and Noc are sufficent roleplying SFs for the time being. I would go so far as to say that those two could be roleplaying SFs on even a very good team. The difficulty with those two is not their ability as roleplayers, its that we have them signed to a combined $13-$14 million in contracts. While we remain young and full of rookie deals, that doesn't matter much and that position can effectively become the veteran leadership spot. Once we start to need that money to either resign our kids or acquire a true star, then we'll have to clear them. In any case, for the moment they are sufficient if we pick up young studs at the other spots.

I still like the idea of bringing in Hedo, but that's on the same theory -- turnign the position into the veteran glue guy position. Any of those guys can get you 13-16ppg a night, give you effort on defense, versatility in different ways. And then Green either comes along or he doesn't.

 

[Mad D]

Diogu is an option at the 3? Since when?

Since Ben Gordon was a 3 as well.

 

[Kingster]

Small forward spot.

From everything we've been discussing, it's pretty much set in stone that between the Kings top 4 pick, 23rd pick, and 31st pick, a PG will get drafted that will either start or backup Beno. Some are wanting Rubio, others will be ok with any of the other PGs that will be available.

With the other pick, Kings will most likely go after Griffin or Thabeet with dealings and whatnot. I've seen discussions for giving up Thompson and pick for Amare or maybe getting Wizards pick to get Rubio and Griffin or Thabeet or whatever. Not to mention the kings also do have Thompson and Hawes.

However, the one spot that I believe is up in the air is the small forward position. Kings currently have Diogu, Green, and Nocioni. With all that was said, what do you want the Kings to do with the small forward spot?

Free agency? Draft? Trade? Work with what the Kings have?

I would ant to go after Wallace, Gay, or Granger. Kings need a "go to guy" in the clutch and Martin isn't that person.

Until Greene shows that he can be an above average 3, it's a position that we need to look at. Noc is a mediocre stop-gap. If there was a very good 3 in this draft, I wouldn't hesitate to draft one if he could be special. Maybe next year, or maybe we pick one up in a trade. If NO doesn't like Julian Wright for some reason, I'd give him a try in Sacto, that's for sure.

 

[bajaden]

Cisco and Noc are sufficent roleplying SFs for the time being. I would go so far as to say that those two could be roleplaying SFs on even a very good team. The difficulty with those two is not their ability as roleplayers, its that we have them signed to a combined $13-$14 million in contracts. While we remain young and full of rookie deals, that doesn't matter much and that position can effectively become the veteran leadership spot. Once we start to need that money to either resign our kids or acquire a true star, then we'll have to clear them. In any case, for the moment they are sufficient if we pick up young studs at the other spots.

I still like the idea of bringing in Hedo, but that's on the same theory -- turnign the position into the veteran glue guy position. Any of those guys can get you 13-16ppg a night, give you effort on defense, versatility in different ways. And then Green either comes along or he doesn't.

I voted for signing Hedo, who I think is an upgrade over either Cisco or Noc. But then one of them would have to go. The easiest to unload would probably be Noc. I'm not counting Greene in the mix until I actually see him do something.

 

[bajaden]

Small forward spot.

From everything we've been discussing, it's pretty much set in stone that between the Kings top 4 pick, 23rd pick, and 31st pick, a PG will get drafted that will either start or backup Beno. Some are wanting Rubio, others will be ok with any of the other PGs that will be available.

With the other pick, Kings will most likely go after Griffin or Thabeet with dealings and whatnot. I've seen discussions for giving up Thompson and pick for Amare or maybe getting Wizards pick to get Rubio and Griffin or Thabeet or whatever. Not to mention the kings also do have Thompson and Hawes.

However, the one spot that I believe is up in the air is the small forward position. Kings currently have Diogu, Green, and Nocioni. With all that was said, what do you want the Kings to do with the small forward spot?

Free agency? Draft? Trade? Work with what the Kings have?

I would ant to go after Wallace, Gay, or Granger. Kings need a "go to guy" in the clutch and Martin isn't that person.

Your premise is fine, but you've really mixed apples and oranges. You've mixed in shooting guards and Powerforwards, and mentioned players in a trade that probably at the moment, are untouchable, without us giving up the bank. I'm not trying to be overly critical of you, just suggesting that you spend a little more time thinking the details through.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

Im not worried about SF just yet. Like people have already said, Noch and Cisco are perfect role playing / 6th man type players but neither of them are capable of starting at that spot on a contending roster.

The thing is, we arent a contender yet .. we have a long way to go and ' more important fish to fry' at the moment.

Im fine with them until we really need a playmaker there, which quite honestly might not be until one of there contracts expire anyways. I kind of always keep that spot in the back of my head as the 'last piece'. You figure we'll get a new point guard this year or next year in the draft and by the time your PG, SG, PF, and C all develope Nocioni's contract will be up and you can go sign that star SF whoever it may be.

As far as signing Hedo, I wouldnt do it. I like Hedo, I like his versatility and his ability to basically do anything. I just think he's too old for this team, and I dont think he is the right type of player to throw our money at. ( We cant sign him this offseason anyways unless we somehow shed some salary correct? I dont think we have the capspace .. we could do a sign and trade I suppose ) Our team is severely lacking defensive players right now, I'd prefer our SF be a athletic defensive type player .. like a more developed Gerald Wallace or Rudy Gay.. I give Greene about a 30% chance to turn into that guy, and if he does then I'll be one happy Kings fan.

 

[FakeInjury]

I disagree with that. I think the SF position is set)(developing the aformentioned), as is the PF and C, via Blake G. The SG and PG are still weak in my mind. Martin has yet to show he has the defensive tools that Artest proved, and his weight has been and always will be a problem. PGs that are worthy sometimes fall into the late first round(Chalmers). We have to draft a big, and that would solidify the front line for at least 3 years. Our backcourt has potential in Martin, but he is going to have to prove himself every year untill he finds his indentity on the court. Right now he is a scorer, but Von Wafer is a scorer and every other SG in the NBA. His go to move is to shoot, not very attractive. Like a taller Mo williams without the ball handling and passing. He is good and full of potential, but the SG spot needs to be shored up, by martin or someone better. I think that the SG position is up in the air, because martin as he is today, can't be effiective enough in areas other than scoring. Martin can either move to the SG/SF like this year. Or he can try to become a PG, which doesn't make sense, unless he makes it make sense. Good players find a way to be on the floor. We would love to start KM at the 1 if he could handle that effectively.

 

[bajaden]

Im not worried about SF just yet. Like people have already said, Noch and Cisco are perfect role playing / 6th man type players but neither of them are capable of starting at that spot on a contending roster.

The thing is, we arent a contender yet .. we have a long way to go and ' more important fish to fry' at the moment.

Im fine with them until we really need a playmaker there, which quite honestly might not be until one of there contracts expire anyways. I kind of always keep that spot in the back of my head as the 'last piece'. You figure we'll get a new point guard this year or next year in the draft and by the time your PG, SG, PF, and C all develope Nocioni's contract will be up and you can go sign that star SF whoever it may be.

As far as signing Hedo, I wouldnt do it. I like Hedo, I like his versatility and his ability to basically do anything. I just think he's too old for this team, and I dont think he is the right type of player to throw our money at. ( We cant sign him this offseason anyways unless we somehow shed some salary correct? I dont think we have the capspace .. we could do a sign and trade I suppose ) Our team is severely lacking defensive players right now, I'd prefer our SF be a athletic defensive type player .. like a more developed Gerald Wallace or Rudy Gay.. I give Greene about a 30% chance to turn into that guy, and if he does then I'll be one happy Kings fan.

Good points, and I could live with Noc and Cisco at the three for now. But if one could trade Noc for Hedo in a sign and trade, I think we would have a better all around player in Hedo. Very little age difference between the two, and we have about 7 mil under the cap to absorb any difference in salaries. The downside would be that we would probably have and extra year or two of salary with Hedo than we would with Noc.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Work with wat we got with Nocioni and Greene but if a talented SF falls to us in the draft I say we take a chance on him.

 

[Pangloss]

Good points, and I could live with Noc and Cisco at the three for now. But if one could trade Noc for Hedo in a sign and trade, I think we would have a better all around player in Hedo. Very little age difference between the two, and we have about 7 mil under the cap to absorb any difference in salaries. The downside would be that we would probably have and extra year or two of salary with Hedo than we would with Noc.

I don't see why Orlando would agree to such a deal. If the Magic are unwilling to pay Hedo, why would they be they be willing to take back a similiar contract in Noc?

 

[bajaden]

I don't see why Orlando would agree to such a deal. If the Magic are unwilling to pay Hedo, why would they be they be willing to take back a similiar contract in Noc?

I'm assuming that the contracts wouldn't be similar. I'm assuming that Hedo's contract would be larger than Noc's, thus the use of our cap space to absorb the extra salary. The only reason Orlando would do it is that they would at least retain a good player at a more reasonable salary than the one they would have had to pay to Hedo. And likely for fewer years.

 

[Pangloss]

I'm assuming that the contracts wouldn't be similar. I'm assuming that Hedo's contract would be larger than Noc's, thus the use of our cap space to absorb the extra salary. The only reason Orlando would do it is that they would at least retain a good player at a more reasonable salary than the one they would have had to pay to Hedo. And likely for fewer years.

If the contacts are not similar, then what would the Kings be paying for Hedo's services? $10 million per year? $11 million?

 

[kingsnation]

Gordon is not a 3. But I want Hedo.

And no on Diogu.

 

[Smills91]

SF is the LEAST of our concerns. Hell, Martin can do time at the 3 if needs be and we land Harden with the #4 pick.

 

[Smills91]

I don't see why Orlando would agree to such a deal. If the Magic are unwilling to pay Hedo, why would they be they be willing to take back a similiar contract in Noc?

It would be a LESSER contract. Hedo is looking to upwards to 9-10 million a year. Noc makes 7 and is shorter and declines to boot, along with a team option to terminate the deal his final season.

Not far off on production, but at a much more reasonable cost. PLUS he may fit better with his strong defensive tenacity.

 

[=LarryLegend=]

We need a point guard(s)

 

[Pangloss]

It would be a LESSER contract. Hedo is looking to upwards to 9-10 million a year. Noc makes 7 and is shorter and declines to boot, along with a team option to terminate the deal his final season.

Not far off on production, but at a much more reasonable cost. PLUS he may fit better with his strong defensive tenacity.

7.5 million next year for Noc

1) I still don't see where the line is drawn that Noc for 7.5 is reasonable, but Hedo for 9-10 would be cost prohibitive from the Magic perspective).

2) Trade still makes no sense for Orlando. They would be taking back an ugly contract (Bulls fans were thrilled when they cleared that albatross) that, declining or not, extends to 2011/2012.

3) Hedo has no leverage anyhow: the Magic can match anything we offer, and if a team is incompetent enough to offer Hedo 10 plus million per year, then the Magic's best move would be to let him walk.

4) The fact that some fans are willing to offer 10 million (or more?) per for a player who is "not far off on production" from Noc is flat out depressing to me.

 

[CruzDude]

Noce is the starting 3 now and near future. He brings defense and toughness which is major need for the Kings. And he can score from the 3, mid-range and slashing. Cisco backs up the 3 now and for awhile.

Cisco hopefully will be legitimate candidate for 6th man of the year for the improved Kings this coming year playing three positions (primarily the 3) as backup or starter when needed. He comes off the bench better than anybody other that BJax.

Greene is the Kings hopeful for the 3 spot but he needs at least 1-2 years to mature into that spot. He came out of college a year too early. He will get minutes IF, and a big IF, he improves his team game and defense (of which he showed none!). He can shoot and score, doesn't make good selections and does run like a deer. He just doesn't seem to know what he is doing much of the time.

Kevin's defense is not as bad as some make it out and not as good as most of us wish it to be. But this year he was hampered by an injury for the last 5 months of the year and did not or could not show any improvement or even 100%.

I think the need is for another Cisco type "tweener" that can play the 2-3, is really good defender and can score from anywhere.

BUT we all agree the Kings need a team leader! Hawes could grow into that but in another 1-2 years. So a PG who can step into a leadership role is the biggest and most glaring need now. And that may be better served with a trade for a starting PG with 2-3 years under his belt IMHO.

Drafting a "big" to backup Spence/Jason/Ike will be necessary just for the 4-5 slot.

 

[rainmaker]

A starting pg is our biggest need. We don't need a pg that will score 18-20ppg, but one that can distribute the ball to the right players at the right time, can penetrate, and can influence the tempo of a game in our favor. If we get a legitimate starting pg, Rubio or someone else, it will make everyone's job a lot easier.

I think Noc is fine as our starting 3. He is a very good spot up shooter. Noc will have more success when we have a pg penetrating the lane and looking to set up our shooters. Noc's strenght is not one on one ball, which is what he, and others on our team were forced to do because Beno can't run a team or set up others.

Garcia could me a 6th man of the year candidate if he improved his decision making. But I think it will improve if he doesn't have to run the point. He is one of our best spot up shooters, and I wish he could stick to that role. When he has to handle the ball he gets into trouble. With Noc starting, aand Garcia backing him up instead of backing up the pg position, our 3 spot is fine.

 

[Merdiesel]

It wouldn't make any sense to sign another small forward. We are stuck with Noc for the next couple years, and tbh, I think he brings a lot to this team in terms of intensity and team work. Plus, how the hell would Greene get anytime on the court if we're pick up another starter. More than anything, We NEED a point guard. Rubio, Sessions, Jennings... I will be very upset if Beno is our starting point guard next season.

 

[Gary]

Ugh lol.. NONE OF THE ABOVE..

You have a couple nice players up there but ruin it with crappy players.. I would take Hedo, but wouldn't touch Gordon..

I would like to keep Noc, and Greene, but wouldn't touch Digou with a 10ft pole.

Where is the none of the above answer?

 

[hrdboild]

I don't know why you list Ben Gordon as a possible free agent at the 3. And I wouldn't try to play Diogu there either. But other than those small quibbles, I'd say any of the above are in play. Cisco is a good player to have in the rotation but I don't think longterm you want him as your starter. Nocioni isn't a longterm solution either. Greene could be, but he has a long ways to go. In the meantime, I think you take someone there from the draft if they're available, but you can't count on it. I like Earl Clark but we'd have to trade up to grab him. I think Terrence Williams could possibly play there too, but he's pretty comparable to Cisco. More of a roleplayer than a starter. So anyway, I can't vote because I think any of those options could be good ones, and none of them stands out as the best option. I'd worry about the coach, top pick, and PG situation before I worried about who our 5th starter is going to be.

 

[AriesMar27]

id be down with trading for gay or wallace....

 

[Gary]

id be down with trading for gay or wallace....

Gay, yes maybe.. Wallace? No way.. The dude misses like half the season it seems like every year.

 

[D-Rock]

It would be a LESSER contract. Hedo is looking to upwards to 9-10 million a year. Noc makes 7 and is shorter and declines to boot, along with a team option to terminate the deal his final season.

Not far off on production, but at a much more reasonable cost. PLUS he may fit better with his strong defensive tenacity.

With some recent quotes from Hedo about the future of the NBA, opting out of his contract, and the declining salary cap, it sounds as if he's expecting to get an extension for a similar amount that he's making right now.