King Baller
All-Star
How about we wait and see what his game develops into?
Blind homerism, eh? I think anyone watching Jeffries who doesn't see the talent is another kind of blind.
We'll see, but I'm not putting my hopes on a two-way player with hardly any playing time suddenly becoming a "quality starter" over one off season.
he’s not a starter
Not currently but of course 22-year-olds normally tend to improve with time.he’s not a starter
Not currently but of course 22-year-olds normally tend to improve with time.
but that also applies to all the other 22 year olds which are currently ahead of him.![]()
To be fair, while the Kings are deep with wing depth at this point, no one in front of Jeffries on the depth chart is particularly young.
I meant more across the entire NBA as a pool of possible starters. I do like Jeffries, Kings don't have many players that have that "tank" build.
Not currently but of course 22-year-olds normally tend to improve with time.
In terms of univeral talent maybe not, but role players being starters or not usually depends on need. That's how you find players like Bazemore nailing down the contracts they do. For a small ball team needing that boost of athletic ability and power he is heading towards someone that you put where you need him. Whoever is helping in his development has the right idea and he needs to keep listening. Shooting for the middle is sometimes better than shooting for the moon.
should we assume every young player that puts together a couple of good games is a start? The kid looks good let’s hope he could keep it up and can be a good 6-7th man on the team, if he’s starting we’re a bottom 5 team.
He was also very very good in G-League action for whatever that's worth
I think if you take the time frame away, then the possibility of him becoming a starter sometime in the future looks promising, especially is he becomes consistent with his 3 pt shot. He's the kind of player every coach loves. He can play and defend multiple positions. He doesn't make mistakes, and he knows and accepts his role. So personally, I'd rather the discussion be about his potential rather than how soon he'll reach it.
I'm feeling more and more confident that Jeffries can be a quality starter for us - as soon as... next season. But Barnes is also a quality starter for us (although not all-star material). The only way they can both be quality starters on the same team is for Jeffries to be the small forward and Barnes to be the power forward. (Or use more flexible titles like "wing" and "forward.") Their ability to capably defend 3-4 positions makes them a great combination. I also like Justin James a lot. He overlaps with Jeffries a bit, but with some experience, I think he can also become a valuable contributor at both ends of the floor. And he can capably defend the 1-3 positions. A lot to like.
should we assume every young player that puts together a couple of good games is a start? The kid looks good let’s hope he could keep it up and can be a good 6-7th man on the team, if he’s starting we’re a bottom 5 team.
When you say every young player, your putting him into a group where you can generalize, use averages, etc. But were talking about an individual who has shown the ability to stand out in three games in a row against top NBA talent. One can assume many things. One can assume he's going to become a star, or one can assume that at best, he'll be the 7th or 8th man off the bench. I tend to agree with those that say fit is just as important as a players talent, and Tucker is a prime example of that.
It's also true that with many fans, and perhaps some organizations, where a player is drafted affects the perception of that players upside. I mean, an undrafted player couldn't possibly become a starter on an NBA team, could he? For heaven sake's, it's rare for a 2nd rd pick to break into a starting lineup, right?
Let me throw some names at you, all off of just one team. Duncan Robinson, Derrick Jones Jr., and Kendrick Nunn. All three players undrafted and all three have started for the Miami Heat, which I think we can agree is a good basketball team. In all, the Heat have 7 young players on their roster that were undrafted and one 2nd rd pick in KZ Okpala.
The trick of course, is that all those players fit the style that Pat Riley wants the team to play. I agree that this isn't the norm around the league, but it does show that if a player has the type of talent that fits into the teams style of play, that it's possible to build a competitive team out of lower draft picks and even some undrafted players. A common trait among'st these type of players is that they're hungry, and willing to work their butts off. They know nothing is going to be handed to them until they earn it. Doesn't mean they'll all make it, but you know they've let it all out on the floor.
None of this is to infer that Jeffries will eventually be a starter for us. I simply wonder why you feel the need to throw water on some of the enthusiasm surrounding Jeffries. Do you really think that we need a reminder of how bad the last 13 years have been? Don't you think it's nice to see a ray of sunshine every once in a while? Something to feel positive about? What's the harm in thinking that the Kings may have finally discovered a diamond in the rough? Or should our goal be to remain as miserable as possible until someone hands us a championship ring?
When you say every young player, your putting him into a group where you can generalize, use averages, etc. But were talking about an individual who has shown the ability to stand out in three games in a row against top NBA talent. One can assume many things. One can assume he's going to become a star, or one can assume that at best, he'll be the 7th or 8th man off the bench. I tend to agree with those that say fit is just as important as a players talent, and Tucker is a prime example of that.
It's also true that with many fans, and perhaps some organizations, where a player is drafted affects the perception of that players upside. I mean, an undrafted player couldn't possibly become a starter on an NBA team, could he? For heaven sake's, it's rare for a 2nd rd pick to break into a starting lineup, right?
Let me throw some names at you, all off of just one team. Duncan Robinson, Derrick Jones Jr., and Kendrick Nunn. All three players undrafted and all three have started for the Miami Heat, which I think we can agree is a good basketball team. In all, the Heat have 7 young players on their roster that were undrafted and one 2nd rd pick in KZ Okpala.
The trick of course, is that all those players fit the style that Pat Riley wants the team to play. I agree that this isn't the norm around the league, but it does show that if a player has the type of talent that fits into the teams style of play, that it's possible to build a competitive team out of lower draft picks and even some undrafted players. A common trait among'st these type of players is that they're hungry, and willing to work their butts off. They know nothing is going to be handed to them until they earn it. Doesn't mean they'll all make it, but you know they've let it all out on the floor.
None of this is to infer that Jeffries will eventually be a starter for us. I simply wonder why you feel the need to throw water on some of the enthusiasm surrounding Jeffries. Do you really think that we need a reminder of how bad the last 13 years have been? Don't you think it's nice to see a ray of sunshine every once in a while? Something to feel positive about? What's the harm in thinking that the Kings may have finally discovered a diamond in the rough? Or should our goal be to remain as miserable as possible until someone hands us a championship ring?
Totally agree with all of this. With Fox up for an extension soon, a decision on whether to extend Bogi, then Bagley will be a year from now, cheap role players are super important. Hope DaQuan sticksGuys like this becoming role players can be huge. Getting these players before their big contract, rather than overpaying after their best seasons. As much as I love Bazemore, if he commands anything other than a bargain salary, it's a him or Bogi situation.
Yeah, your not wrong but I just watched Portland use Wenyen Gabriel and Gary Trent to beat the Lakers. Obviously Lillard, CJ and Nurkic are the guys that make it go but these journeymen type guys as you label them can help......plus they are cheaper salary wise than signing guys like Cojo, Bazemore, etc to really big contracts. Developing these players like Jeffries will allow us to go get the high priced difference makers.Another journeyman player in the NBA. The Kings have lots of those.
What they are lack are outstanding players that can lead the team. Fox has the talent, but not much leadership so far.
They need two more guys with his kind of talent to be competitive.
Yeah, your not wrong but I just watched Portland use Wenyen Gabriel and Gary Trent to beat the Lakers. Obviously Lillard, CJ and Nurkic are the guys that make it go but these journeymen type guys as you label them can help......plus they are cheaper salary wise than signing guys like Cojo, Bazemore, etc to really big contracts. Developing these players like Jeffries will allow us to go get the high priced difference makers.
Another journeyman player in the NBA. The Kings have lots of those.
What they are lack are outstanding players that can lead the team. Fox has the talent, but not much leadership so far.
They need two more guys with his kind of talent to be competitive.
Yeah, your not wrong but I just watched Portland use Wenyen Gabriel and Gary Trent to beat the Lakers. Obviously Lillard, CJ and Nurkic are the guys that make it go but these journeymen type guys as you label them can help......plus they are cheaper salary wise than signing guys like Cojo, Bazemore, etc to really big contracts. Developing these players like Jeffries will allow us to go get the high priced difference makers.
Until Fox starts to look somewhat like Lillard (which ain’t happening) and Bagley looks like Nurkic (not happening). Than guys like Trent/Gabriel will always look bad with us, those guys are role player and when your stars ain’t stars they’ll look bad
Don't spend a bunch of money on supporting players. The Bazemores and Cojos of the world are useless on the current Kings squad. They're the difference in 11th place and 13th place. No need to tie up money on skill sets the Kings can't even utilize properly yet.
This merry go round of veteran role players has to stop. It's proved to be pointless until we get more firepower. Every team needs veterans so guys like Corey Brewer or whoever that come dirt cheap are fine. No need to pay a fat salary for "mentors" anymore. You can get that for cheaper than $8mil a year.
Agreed, it’s why I was and am so ticked at Walton at the end of the bubble. Already out of the play in game and he had several games to mix in James and Guy with meaningful minutes. Instead he played some of these vets huge minutes. And that’s just the bubble games. Let James rot on the bench after he got some early run.....AND he displayed an ability to play defense. This is the wrong coach for what Sac needs to do going forward.You guys are all right.
I think the plan is pretty straightforward moving ahead.
Take every chance possible to find another Fox level player. Whether that's in the draft or finding diamonds in the rough like the VanVleet's of the world. If there are players that can come relatively cheap that have the analytics saying there might be something there....then sign them. Quit letting the rich get richer.
Don't spend a bunch of money on supporting players. The Bazemores and Cojos of the world are useless on the current Kings squad. They're the difference in 11th place and 13th place. No need to tie up money on skill sets the Kings can't even utilize properly yet.
This merry go round of veteran role players has to stop. It's proved to be pointless until we get more firepower. Every team needs veterans so guys like Corey Brewer or whoever that come dirt cheap are fine. No need to pay a fat salary for "mentors" anymore. You can get that for cheaper than $8mil a year.
And for god's sake don't just play the cheap veterans to eek out 3 extra wins on the year. Look at how much better Jeffries looked when he was surrounded by better players? Guy and James don't have to be attached at the hip. If you take your young guys and only play them during blowouts, they're just going to play garbage basketball during garbage time when everyone just plays "it's my turn" instead of running a structured offense. Let James play with Fox, Barnes, Holmes etc. Let Guy play some with Bogie, Baze and Bjelly. Enough of the nonsense.
If the new GM goes into next year with the mindset of finding better veterans to surround Fox with to try and sniff the 8th seed, I don't know if I can handle much of this anymore.
Yeah, your not wrong but I just watched Portland use Wenyen Gabriel and Gary Trent to beat the Lakers. Obviously Lillard, CJ and Nurkic are the guys that make it go but these journeymen type guys as you label them can help......plus they are cheaper salary wise than signing guys like Cojo, Bazemore, etc to really big contracts. Developing these players like Jeffries will allow us to go get the high priced difference makers.
Yep. No more associating mega value and dollars at your 10-12 spots like Vlade did, although Joseph and Baze are worth their deals since they aren't that low in the pecking order. However, as we've seen, too much depth causes issues in your locker room. No more George Hills or Dedmons unless they fill a major need, fit with your core, and are given the opportunity to live up to their own expectations and contracts. I mean, it ain't hard to see the potential cracks when making moves like that. Don't have too many players at any position unless a majority of them are cheap/upside types. Those types accept the role. Max out your top 8-9 and run a real NBA rotation for once. This isn't rocket science. DaQuan Jeffries is that type and he showed his value on the team this year and in the end at times he was sat in favor of higher paid players that didn't fit nearly as well into the picture the team needs to be painting.
Well I think how we handle Bazemore vs Jeffries this off-season is going to be very telling. Baze likely costs at a minimum 5mil a year and I think Jeffries can give you his 90% of his impact on the court for a fraction of the cost.