What do the Kings need to do this summer to make the playoffs next year?

What do the Kings need to do this summer to make the playoffs next year?

  • Nothing! Keep the core intact and we will make the playoffs!

    Votes: 7 12.1%
  • Just hit the weight room and mature, we good!

    Votes: 34 58.6%
  • Start Marvin Bagley!

    Votes: 30 51.7%
  • Upgrade the starting Power Forward, with whom?

    Votes: 2 3.4%
  • Upgrade the starting Small Forward, with whom?

    Votes: 4 6.9%
  • Upgrade the starting Center, with whom?

    Votes: 33 56.9%
  • Upgrade starting Shooting Guard, with whom?

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Upgrade starting Point Guard, with whom?

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Upgrade the Bench Player, with whom?

    Votes: 13 22.4%
  • Upgrade the Coach and/or GM, with whom?

    Votes: 2 3.4%

  • Total voters
    58
#32
Kevin Durant = chip
What kind of chip? A dorito? A tostito? A Lays?


Damn I hate the term "chip". I hate it almost as much as "ship" which is a bit more accurate but still so millenial and weak.


It's a CHAMPIONSHIP. There is no 'cute' way to say it. It's a man's accomplishment so give it it's due. It ain't cute. You cant shorten it.
 
#33
And my take after my rant is stay pat. Develop from within. Look for a free agent that can help. An all star would be lovely but dont sell the farm in a trade.

Fox and Bagley will both get better because they want to. So will Giles. Barnes will be steady, after he opts in. Buddy is Buckets. Bogi should take the summer off and just work on his game. Let Willie explore and see if it's worth it to pay for him. Explore Randle but not too seriously. Maybe Oubre and Middleton. Sign an up and coming back up pg coming off a rookie deal who has upside not yet realized. And use your thousand second rounders for either a trade or project.
 
#34
What kind of chip? A dorito? A tostito? A Lays?


Damn I hate the term "chip". I hate it almost as much as "ship" which is a bit more accurate but still so millenial and weak.


It's a CHAMPIONSHIP. There is no 'cute' way to say it. It's a man's accomplishment so give it it's due. It ain't cute. You cant shorten it.
thank you for your masculine contribution. your post is magnificent.
 
#35
thank you for your masculine contribution. your post is magnificent.
Sorry. Didnt mean to single you out. I just hate the term "chip". What is that really a derivative of? The first 2 and last 2 letters from the word Championship? The term was popularized by Laker fans during their 3 peatt so my bad if it brings a negative connotation to me.
 

Tetsujin

The Game Thread Dude
#37
The virtually untouchable core, and the starting five for next year:
Fox, Hield, Barnes, Bagley and Giles.

Neither Ferrell or Burks looks ready to be the prime PG backup for a playoff team. So that may be a position we need to fill or solidify this summer.

Up until a month ago, I would have included Bogi in the core/untouchable group. Now I don't know. He's been slumping for most of the season. He has some playmaking skills, but also tends to channel John Salmons at times. His 3-pt shooting seems off this year. He's a mix of good and bad on defense, although his long arms are disruptive. I think we keep him and hope he works things out next season.

A defensive specialist like Brewer who can guard 1-4 is a must. So keep Brewer or find someone else like him.

Beli is so slow, it hurts to watch him. But he has skills. I'd keep him as our stretch 4.

Koufos never fit in when we became a running team. So I think it's time to let him find a better fit someplace else.

Willie - I could go either way with. Either he signs a reasonable contract to be our 3rd big, or he's gone. Is there a way to structure contracts these days so they reward blocks and rebounds? Regardless, there's no way he would be my starting center next season. We need a back up center who can defend the rim and rebound as his first priorities.

Oh my god. I think you finally found the perfect comparison for Bogi this season.

The Stanky Fish had a nice start to his Sacramento career then went on to become virtually unplayable for the next 57 years of his Kings tenure but still got playing time out of some sense of obligation on the part of the coaching staff.

Which is why I propose we offer a max contract to Johnny elfin' Salmons this summer.
 
#38
Is it just me, or does it feel like the Kings have a very complete roster?

PG: Fox, good starter
SG: Buddy, good starter
SF: Barnes, good starter
PF: Bjelica, decent starter (for our team fit)
C: WCS, decent starter
--------------------------------------------
PG: Bogdan, great backup
SG: Yogi, decent backup
SF: Brewer, decent backup
PF: Bagley, great backup
C: Giles, good backup


I think we just need more improvements from Fox, Bagley, and Giles. It just feels like we have a very complete team, but our best players are just too inexperienced in the NBA. Talking mostly Fox, Buddy, and Bagley. The only thing I worry about is maybe our players hitting walls.... which I really hope don't happen next season.

-8th in points per game
-9th in assists per game
-9th in tos per game

-13th in FG% per game
-4th in 3pt % per game
-15th in 3pt made per game
-27th in FT %
-16th in FTA
-----------------------------------------------------
-26th in opponents points per game
-18th in opponents FG%
-7th in opponent 3pt %
-14th in rebounds per game
-24th in blocks per game
-7th in steals per game

https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/team-stats/

We aren't too shabby from a basic stats review compared to the other 29 teams. We're good on offense except for FT shooting. On defense we allow a ton of points, but we hold our opponents to a near average fg% and a very good 3pt %. We are an average rebounding team, but we don't protect the rim enough. However, we are very good in the passing lanes at 7th in steals.

Contrary to popular opinions, I don't think we need Nikola Vucevic's offensive production. I do think we need a legitimate go-to option, but I believe that could come from Fox or even Bagley in the future. We should try to develop the players we have within. Buddy and Barnes aren't #1 options, but we're one of the most efficient offenses this year with an offense that heavily features Buddy.

I think it's unlikely a star comes here in FA, but we could go after good defensive players such as Patrick Beverly, Malcom Brogdon, DeAndre Jordan, Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, Taj Gibson, and JaValee McGee.
 
#39
Is it just me, or does it feel like the Kings have a very complete roster?

PG: Fox, good starter
SG: Buddy, good starter
SF: Barnes, good starter
PF: Bjelica, decent starter (for our team fit)
C: WCS, decent starter
--------------------------------------------
PG: Bogdan, great backup
SG: Yogi, decent backup
SF: Brewer, decent backup
PF: Bagley, great backup
C: Giles, good backup


I think we just need more improvements from Fox, Bagley, and Giles. It just feels like we have a very complete team, but our best players are just too inexperienced in the NBA. Talking mostly Fox, Buddy, and Bagley. The only thing I worry about is maybe our players hitting walls.... which I really hope don't happen next season.

-8th in points per game
-9th in assists per game
-9th in tos per game

-13th in FG% per game
-4th in 3pt % per game
-15th in 3pt made per game
-27th in FT %
-16th in FTA
-----------------------------------------------------
-26th in opponents points per game
-18th in opponents FG%
-7th in opponent 3pt %
-14th in rebounds per game
-24th in blocks per game
-7th in steals per game

https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/team-stats/

We aren't too shabby from a basic stats review compared to the other 29 teams. We're good on offense except for FT shooting. On defense we allow a ton of points, but we hold our opponents to a near average fg% and a very good 3pt %. We are an average rebounding team, but we don't protect the rim enough. However, we are very good in the passing lanes at 7th in steals.

Contrary to popular opinions, I don't think we need Nikola Vucevic's offensive production. I do think we need a legitimate go-to option, but I believe that could come from Fox or even Bagley in the future. We should try to develop the players we have within. Buddy and Barnes aren't #1 options, but we're one of the most efficient offenses this year with an offense that heavily features Buddy.

I think it's unlikely a star comes here in FA, but we could go after good defensive players such as Patrick Beverly, Malcom Brogdon, DeAndre Jordan, Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, Taj Gibson, and JaValee McGee.
The roster is currently balanced the way it is. In reality, the progression this team is going make is on the back of the development of Fox, Bagley, Hield, and Giles. Good teams become good/great because their home grown, drafted talent develop into All NBA level players and they add complementary pieces around them. A couple more rangy, switchable wings that can hit an occasional three (younger Brewers) would probably complete this roster in addition to a decent backup PG to take away some of the ball handling duties away from Bogi so he can be more of a spot up shooter. If WCS could accept a backup, 20 min a game role, it would be ideal.
 
#40
Need to upgrade C with a player who can stretch the floor with Bagley taking ownership of starting PF next year. Having a legit stretch PF off the bench would be great also
 
#41
In related news. I was just watching Shumpert get a lot of minutes with Houston against Minnesotta. His attitude is one of things that is currently missing with the Kings. He was the kind of guy that calms people down in the huddle at the end of games and makes them believe. The Kings can't seem to win any of the close games that they were able to win in the first half of the season. The Kings miss having a guy like Shumpert. I would like to get him back.

I cannot see Bagley or Giles at the 5, at least not yet. The allure of a player like Vucevic is strong. Otherwise I see a lot of good players that will continue to get better. The Kings need to work on their leadership. A really good strength and conditioning coach is important to an emerging team of young guys like the Kings. There are other intangibles that need more development. Now is not the time for a bunch of trades.
 
#42
In related news. I was just watching Shumpert get a lot of minutes with Houston against Minnesotta. His attitude is one of things that is currently missing with the Kings. He was the kind of guy that calms people down in the huddle at the end of games and makes them believe. The Kings can't seem to win any of the close games that they were able to win in the first half of the season. The Kings miss having a guy like Shumpert. I would like to get him back.

I cannot see Bagley or Giles at the 5, at least not yet. The allure of a player like Vucevic is strong. Otherwise I see a lot of good players that will continue to get better. The Kings need to work on their leadership. A really good strength and conditioning coach is important to an emerging team of young guys like the Kings. There are other intangibles that need more development. Now is not the time for a bunch of trades.
I think the Dukies will be serviceable at center next season, as both should be stronger and will have a year of NBA experience under their belts, er, elastic waistbands. By the time they start their 3rd years, I expect they’ll both be more than capable of playing center against most opponents. That said, we’re going to need a quality big man next year to stop the layup drill that many of our opponents run against us.
 
#44
Vucevic would fit nicely if he can be signed. Bagley and Giles at the 4 and rotating at the 5 would be a fantastic big man rotation with him. The offense would never get bogged down because those guys will always give a 50% chance at a bucket or better. Puts the gravity of defensive awareness on them allows our perimeter guys to get better looks and more open drives. Buddy will be insane with that lineup.

Bench guys I want are the defensive minded scrappy guys. Would LOVE to have Beverly as the backup pg. If shump doesn't get much interest he wouldn't be too bad to bring in on a team friendly deal. Brewer would be good for 1 more year if a similar player upgrade isnt available to fill the role. Still not convinced troy Williams isnt perfect for 10 mins a game of intense scrappy defense.

Jordan Bell is another guy I'd love to have on our bench.

Beverly is exactly the kind of mentor I'd want for Fox too. If some of Beverly could run off on Fox holy smokes will opponents hate playing the kings
 
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#45
I love Brewer and Yogi, but think they're more spark plug end of rotation 10th/11th guys.

When Bogi was playing like Manu lite, I was comfortable with him as the injury failsafe, and Yogi as the backup PG. But now I think Bogi should be a secondary ball handler off the bench, unless he's really been hurt.

The next backup PG should be good and big enough to push for minutes at the 2. Not necessarily take time from Bogi, but nip at his heels if he doesn't step up. Yogi is awesome but he won't put any pressure on Bogi. On a contending team, the overall talent level needs to bump up.

Same idea with Brewer. Maybe they can get a young SF to develop and squeeze another year out of Brewer, but I'm not satisfied with him as the bench combo forward.
 
#46
I love Brewer and Yogi, but think they're more spark plug end of rotation 10th/11th guys.

When Bogi was playing like Manu lite, I was comfortable with him as the injury failsafe, and Yogi as the backup PG. But now I think Bogi should be a secondary ball handler off the bench, unless he's really been hurt.

The next backup PG should be good and big enough to push for minutes at the 2. Not necessarily take time from Bogi, but nip at his heels if he doesn't step up. Yogi is awesome but he won't put any pressure on Bogi. On a contending team, the overall talent level needs to bump up.

Same idea with Brewer. Maybe they can get a young SF to develop and squeeze another year out of Brewer, but I'm not satisfied with him as the bench combo forward.
Just like you, I like Yogi and Brewer but they are not the answer off the bench.

Yogi is solid, but he has physical limitations and would better serve as, how do I say this - first reserve off the bench? 10th guy?

Brewer is ok, good defense, but he'll be 34 next year and isn't going to provide any offense. He's fine for a 14th/15th guy.

Bogi used to be the answer off the bench, or at least part of the answer, but he has regressed. Will he be better? Who knows.

Burks... wtf happened with this guy? He's supposed to be an offensive threat but for whatever strange reason he has not panned out thus far. I thought he might develop into a go-to guy...primary or secondary scorer off the bench, but he's done nothing.

Bottom line is we need a better bench. A player capable of putting up points, and depending on how this WCS thing shakes out, probably another capable big.
 
#47
We need to be prepared to outbid all and market the hell out of our team if we are to land Vucevic.

His Agent also represents Luka and Dallas will be chasing him. Cuban rarely misses out on his targets and Dallas markets itself to a Euro prospect with Luka, Porzingis and Dirk talking about going one more year to be apart of the ride and mentor.

Will take some significant doing if we are to pull it off
 
#48
Growth.

Vucevic is nice, but I wouldn't get into a bidding war for him. Kings young bigs are on pace to be easy standouts. Get a cheaper, WCS and add him with Bags and Giles and I think the Kings will be fine there.

Need another 6'8 legit NBA player. Doesn't need to be a starter. Brewer, Ariza type is fine.

Sign a better back up 1 guard. Preferably a bigger bodied 1 guard. Someone like Brogdon, who can swing between the 1 and 2.

Draft lotto tickets in the second round.

Growth. The Kings core players are barbelled. Bogi, Buddy, and Barnes are 26ish. Fox, Giles, and Bags are 20ish. The first set is close to their celings. The second set is a long way from reaching their celings. The star power of the younger set is greater than the star power of the older set. That's a great thing for us, barring injury.
 
#49
A route that the Kings may need to consider, to get Bagley into the starting line up, is to sign a legitimate starting Stretch 4, instead of bringing back WCS.

If the Kings could sign someone like Nikola Mirotic or Brook Lopez to a decent contract, (i.e. 2 years and $28 million) to fill in as a stretch 4 or 5, until Giles is ready to start, the Kings would be able to open up the offense with Mirotic's 3 point shooting. Bagley would start at Center for the Kings, if we nab a legit stretch 4.
 
#50
A route that the Kings may need to consider, to get Bagley into the starting line up, is to sign a legitimate starting Stretch 4, instead of bringing back WCS.

If the Kings could sign someone like Nikola Mirotic or Brook Lopez to a decent contract, (i.e. 2 years and $28 million) to fill in as a stretch 4 or 5, until Giles is ready to start, the Kings would be able to open up the offense with Mirotic's 3 point shooting. Bagley would start at Center for the Kings, if we nab a legit stretch 4.
Almost 100% certain that Bags is being groomed to be more of a 3 than a 5.
 

dude12

Hall of Famer
#51
We need to be prepared to outbid all and market the hell out of our team if we are to land Vucevic.

His Agent also represents Luka and Dallas will be chasing him. Cuban rarely misses out on his targets and Dallas markets itself to a Euro prospect with Luka, Porzingis and Dirk talking about going one more year to be apart of the ride and mentor.

Will take some significant doing if we are to pull it off
You are not wrong but we have a connection here as well and quite frankly, the Kings are more enticing than the Mavs from a playe4 point of view.
 
#52
Almost 100% certain that Bags is being groomed to be more of a 3 than a 5.
Really? I don’t think Bagley has the 3 point shooting, passing or ball handling to be a full time 3. Maybe he can play the 3 part time, especially on defense, but his offensive game would really need to evolve to play the 3 full time.

Also, I think if the Kings had intended him to become a 3, he would had started and played a lot there when we had a black hole at the 3 until the Harrison Barnes trade.
 
#56
Is it just me, or does it feel like the Kings have a very complete roster?

PG: Fox, good starter
SG: Buddy, good starter
SF: Barnes, good starter
PF: Bjelica, decent starter (for our team fit)
C: WCS, decent starter
--------------------------------------------
PG: Bogdan, great backup
SG: Yogi, decent backup
SF: Brewer, decent backup
PF: Bagley, great backup
C: Giles, good backup


I think we just need more improvements from Fox, Bagley, and Giles. It just feels like we have a very complete team, but our best players are just too inexperienced in the NBA. Talking mostly Fox, Buddy, and Bagley. The only thing I worry about is maybe our players hitting walls.... which I really hope don't happen next season.

-8th in points per game
-9th in assists per game
-9th in tos per game

-13th in FG% per game
-4th in 3pt % per game
-15th in 3pt made per game
-27th in FT %
-16th in FTA
-----------------------------------------------------
-26th in opponents points per game
-18th in opponents FG%
-7th in opponent 3pt %
-14th in rebounds per game
-24th in blocks per game
-7th in steals per game

https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/team-stats/

We aren't too shabby from a basic stats review compared to the other 29 teams. We're good on offense except for FT shooting. On defense we allow a ton of points, but we hold our opponents to a near average fg% and a very good 3pt %. We are an average rebounding team, but we don't protect the rim enough. However, we are very good in the passing lanes at 7th in steals.

Contrary to popular opinions, I don't think we need Nikola Vucevic's offensive production. I do think we need a legitimate go-to option, but I believe that could come from Fox or even Bagley in the future. We should try to develop the players we have within. Buddy and Barnes aren't #1 options, but we're one of the most efficient offenses this year with an offense that heavily features Buddy.

I think it's unlikely a star comes here in FA, but we could go after good defensive players such as Patrick Beverly, Malcom Brogdon, DeAndre Jordan, Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, Taj Gibson, and JaValee McGee.
Don’t mean to diminish the effort or even the conclusions of this post, but do those stats control for pace?
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#57
I was a big supporter of DMC when he was here, but I think that ship has sailed.

The culture of the team has changed and I don't see Vlade wanting to revert back to the bad old days.

I don't see anyway that Vlade or DMC would have a reunion in Sacramento.
Everyone knows (I think) how much I liked Boogie. I was heart-broken when he was unceremoniously dumped by the Kings. But, as ockingsfan has said above, that ship has sailed.

The team we have now has me feeling good to be a Kings fan again. I will remember Boogie fondly but I have no desire to renew the relationship.