What has to happen to move forward next year

[sactowndog]

Thought might has well see what has to happen thread…..

Here are my thoughts…..

Most important: Domas must develop an outside shot so you can slide him to 4 against bigger centers.

Second: Keegan must develop into a strong number 2. I think Fox is an alpha but Keegan must take a step in his game where he can take a game over.

Third: we have to find a good 3 and D wing defender who can lock down wing defense and hit the open 3 at a reasonable percentage.

Fourth: We need to find that defensive center that can come in and play with Domas. Whether the guy is Nemi our someone else we need a rim protector.

to me those are the most important development/personnel priorities for next year.

 

[jiimbob]

Thought might has well see what has to happen thread…..

Here are my thoughts…..

Most important: Domas must develop an outside shot so you can slide him to 4 against bigger centers.

Second: Keegan must develop into a strong number 2. I think Fox is an alpha but Keegan must take a step in his game where he can take a game over.

Third: we have to find a good 3 and D wing defender who can lock down wing defense and hit the open 3 at a reasonable percentage.

Fourth: We need to find that defensive center that can come in and play with Domas. Whether the guy is Nemi our someone else we need a rim protector.

to me those are the most important development/personnel priorities for next year.

Sounds about right. Think it’s time I start focusing on the draft prospects that just might be there in the mid twenties.

 

[upinsmoke]

Agreed, Vivek is going to have to open his wallet.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Just don't see Sabonis being a stretch big type. It's not his style of game. He certainly needs to take a 14-18 foot shot when it's open, whether it was this series or any time in the future

 

[Jones2006]

It’s a tough challenge since the kings biggest needs/weaknesses (versatile forwards, rim protection) are tough to find while not sacrificing shooting.

Honestly an easy quick solution that would improve the defense next year is just play Len (or a similar defensive minded big) at the backup center spot all year … instead of toying with rotations all year. What’s encouraging I think is overall the kings defense was pretty strong against the Warriors especially when they didn’t go small. Keep that same mentality and that’ll help.

 

[SacTownKid]

Just don't see Sabonis being a stretch big type. It's not his style of game. He certainly needs to take a 14-18 foot shot when it's open, whether it was this series or any time in the future

Neither do I but that CWebb mid ranger is already there, we need to see more of it. Other than that so much of this is based on some game altering development of a multi time All Star. You usually do far more harm than good when it comes to that. Domas is what he is, and that's an All star. The Kings need another person that can reliably go get 20-25 ppg. Not for 2 games, then not. EVERY NIGHT the threat has to be there. How to get that or whether that someone is on the roster already, just undersutilized, is up to Monte and his staff and Mike Brown along with his staff to figure out.

 

[upinsmoke]

Just don't see Sabonis being a stretch big type. It's not his style of game. He certainly needs to take a 14-18 foot shot when it's open, whether it was this series or any time in the future

He doesn't need to be a "stretch 5" but he needs to take the 3 when it's there and not use any hesitation on his mid range. Actually he needs to be a 4 IMO.

 

[BenchMob]

What about Kessler Edwards? Interesting to see what he can do, is he part of moving forward?

 

[HndsmCelt]

What about Kessler Edwards? Interesting to see what he can do, is he part of moving forward?

I think his deal is cheap enough that it's sort of a no-brainer. I will say this though I also expect to see him in summer league

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Neither do I but that CWebb mid ranger is already there, we need to see more of it. Other than that so much of this is based on some game altering development of a multi time All Star. You usually do far more harm than good when it comes to that. Domas is what he is, and that's an All star. The Kings need another person that can reliably go get 20-25 ppg. Not for 2 games, then not. EVERY NIGHT the threat has to be there. How to get that or whether that someone is on the roster already, just undersutilized, is up to Monte and his staff and Mike Brown along with his staff to figure out.

One thing I'm sure of, is you can't have an All Star turning down shot after open shot in the playoffs.

 

[dude12]

Thought might has well see what has to happen thread…..

Here are my thoughts…..

Most important: Domas must develop an outside shot so you can slide him to 4 against bigger centers.

Second: Keegan must develop into a strong number 2. I think Fox is an alpha but Keegan must take a step in his game where he can take a game over.

Third: we have to find a good 3 and D wing defender who can lock down wing defense and hit the open 3 at a reasonable percentage.

Fourth: We need to find that defensive center that can come in and play with Domas. Whether the guy is Nemi our someone else we need a rim protector.

to me those are the most important development/personnel priorities for next year.

I think those are the correct things.
Kessler Edwards has a chance to be a bigger part. Full size wing who is just quick enough to guard a Devin Booker
I’d like to see a similar player to Edwards but who is already established and better.
Basically quick wings with length to compete against the Warriors, OKC, LAC…teams with multiple wings
Feels like HB had difficulty in this series due to being a bit slow.
I’d like More shooting….maybe Sasha can become a deadly weapon

 

[SLAB]

What about Kessler Edwards? Interesting to see what he can do, is he part of moving forward?

Just another in the line of Troy Williams, DeQuan Jeffries, Luis King, KZ Okpala, and every other wing we squint at and really really really want them to be good when in reality … they arent

 

[New Era]

Just another in the line of Troy Williams, DeQuan Jeffries, Luis King, KZ Okpala, and every other wing we squint at and really really really want them to be good when in reality … they arent

Don't agree with Kessler....I think he has a chance to be a decent rotational piece.

 

[NiNetNiNe]

Don't agree with Kessler....I think he has a chance to be a decent rotational piece.

his defense was really good and he can shoot he just needs more time hopefully.

 

[sactowndog]

One thing I'm sure of, is you can't have an All Star turning down shot after open shot in the playoffs.

yeah this take isn’t going to be popular but Domas got exposed in this series with the entire NBA watching ala Ben Simmons. If he can’t hit those shots the entire NBA is going to dare him to shoot. He has to be able to prove he can shoot effectively or the DHO offense is going to struggle.

 

[The_Jamal]

Thought might has well see what has to happen thread…..

Here are my thoughts…..

Most important: Domas must develop an outside shot so you can slide him to 4 against bigger centers.

Second: Keegan must develop into a strong number 2. I think Fox is an alpha but Keegan must take a step in his game where he can take a game over.

Third: we have to find a good 3 and D wing defender who can lock down wing defense and hit the open 3 at a reasonable percentage.

Fourth: We need to find that defensive center that can come in and play with Domas. Whether the guy is Nemi our someone else we need a rim protector.

to me those are the most important development/personnel priorities for next year.

My only contention with this list is that Domas WAS a willing shooter all season when it was open. And he hit it with good consistency.

Something was up. I'll die on that hill; a big part of his growth this season WAS that he became a capable outside shooter when left open. My internet doctor diagnosis is he had a set-back with his hand and he couldn't feel or grip the ball correctly. His form, even on post moves, just wasn't right all series. And his handle was as sloppy as it's been all year. Wasn't able to catch the ball cleanly a lot of the time, etc.

Now if he's healthy at the start of next season and still passing up open shots... then I'll have that conversation.

 

[Warhawk]

yeah this take isn’t going to be popular but Domas got exposed in this series with the entire NBA watching ala Ben Simmons. If he can’t hit those shots the entire NBA is going to dare him to shoot. He has to be able to prove he can shoot effectively or the DHO offense is going to struggle.

Without a broken hand, bruised sternum, and possible concussion/eye damage/irritation from the elbow, maybe he'll return back to form next year? Just a thought.

 

[The_Jamal]

Without a broken hand, bruised sternum, and possible concussion/eye damage irritation from the elbow, maybe he'll return back to form next year? Just a thought.

Good point. Forgot he probably couldn't see super well in the eye he got punched in and the fact he lost a contact in game 6 after that LOL. I've never been a contact person, but if you have a massive puffy/black eye, can you still put a contact in that eye? Thinking about game 7

 

[KainLear]

Just don't see Sabonis being a stretch big type. It's not his style of game. He certainly needs to take a 14-18 foot shot when it's open, whether it was this series or any time in the future

It never was Brook Lopez's game either. But being able to hit 35-38% consistently is enough and that shouldn't be out of the question for Domas as he's already been doing it well enough with less pressure.

 

[sactowndog]

Without a broken hand, bruised sternum, and possible concussion/eye damage/irritation from the elbow, maybe he'll return back to form next year? Just a thought.

maybe …. We shall see

 

[gilly420]

I think we need to let HB go and improve our Frontline in the process.

 

[KainLear]

Without a broken hand, bruised sternum, and possible concussion/eye damage/irritation from the elbow, maybe he'll return back to form next year? Just a thought.

It is clear that Golden State would throw everything and the kitchen sink at him, legal or otherwise, to throw him off his game. And by throwing him off his game, it ended up hurting at least 3 players. (HB and Huerter were relying on Sabonis' freedom of movement more than we expected)

 

[KF8]

Think the biggest question is what will Monte do with Barnes? He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer. I'm not sure whether he'll accept anything lower than 20 million a year. 15 mil a year would be ideal but highly doubt that he'll accept that. What other options do we have if we couldn't bring Barnes back?

 

[206Fan]

Think the biggest question is what will Monte do with Barnes? He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer. I'm not sure whether he'll accept anything lower than 20 million a year. 15 mil a year would be ideal but highly doubt that he'll accept that. What other options do we have if we couldn't bring Barnes back?

Cameron Johnson is a restricted free agent who would be a good option if we can find a way to pry him away from the Nets.

We could always explore a trade, but that means a lot of moving part

 

[upinsmoke]

Think the biggest question is what will Monte do with Barnes? He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer. I'm not sure whether he'll accept anything lower than 20 million a year. 15 mil a year would be ideal but highly doubt that he'll accept that. What other options do we have if we couldn't bring Barnes back?

Best to let him walk and I'm a fan of his. We have to be wise about our cap.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

It never was Brook Lopez's game either. But being able to hit 35-38% consistently is enough and that shouldn't be out of the question for Domas as he's already been doing it well enough with less pressure.

Does he want to shoot a higher volume from 3? Does the team want him to do that in playoff games?

 

[KainLear]

Does he want to shoot a higher volume from 3? Does the team want him to do that in playoff games?

I don't think we need high volume, he just needs to be able to hit it when left wide open so they don't dare to leave him alone.

 

[sactowndog]

Good point. Forgot he probably couldn't see super well in the eye he got punched in and the fact he lost a contact in game 6 after that LOL. I've never been a contact person, but if you have a massive puffy/black eye, can you still put a contact in that eye? Thinking about game 7

yeah except he had that problem the whole series. Hard to claim it was the eye.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

It’s a tough challenge since the kings biggest needs/weaknesses (versatile forwards, rim protection) are tough to find while not sacrificing shooting.

Honestly an easy quick solution that would improve the defense next year is just play Len (or a similar defensive minded big) at the backup center spot all year … instead of toying with rotations all year. What’s encouraging I think is overall the kings defense was pretty strong against the Warriors especially when they didn’t go small. Keep that same mentality and that’ll help.

They did invest a lot of time with Metu, even late in the season, only to not have any interest in playing him in the playoffs. His play never really changed, so I'm not sure what they were looking for there with him. Seemed to create doubt going into the post season at that position, with only a "last minute" decision that Len would get a chance. He should have been given more look a lot earlier in the season, so they could figure out which direction to go with the rotations at the 5. Can't let this happen again

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Don't agree with Kessler....I think he has a chance to be a decent rotational piece.

It also helps we have quality coaching that can give him an offseason assignment to fit the role they plan to use him in.

We clearly need wing defense that isn't an offensive liability. He has proven he can shoot better than others we put in that role, so I have some hope. But if not, he was a gift to us.