NewArena
All-Star
Imagining him alongside Bogie and Fox, really really excites me as well, but everything you said the is the main reason I’m on the Luka bandwagon.
What's your pick today? (June 11, 2018)
- Thread starter VF21
- Start date
- Status
If Ayton is there - get him! He can work on his defense. Instant 2nd alley-oop target for Fox. Much better offensive touch than Willie Cauley Stein.
Also like Jaren Jackson Jr with his uncanny reach, defense, and very good shooting for size. I wouldn't mind the Kings trading down for Jaren Jackson Jr if Ayton is unavailable for a 2nd player in the draft (Trae Young?).
Wouldn't really be upset with Doncic as a sort of "safer" pick, and would be intriguing anyway. The Kings are in an enviable place thanks to lady-luck.
Also like Jaren Jackson Jr with his uncanny reach, defense, and very good shooting for size. I wouldn't mind the Kings trading down for Jaren Jackson Jr if Ayton is unavailable for a 2nd player in the draft (Trae Young?).
Wouldn't really be upset with Doncic as a sort of "safer" pick, and would be intriguing anyway. The Kings are in an enviable place thanks to lady-luck.
NewArena
All-Star
Honestly the more i think about Ayton, the more i get pretty skeptical. I mean, we had cousins for 7-8 years and I’m not sure how impactful Ayton will be in comparison, even if he does put up impressive numbers offensively. Will it be much of the same? Great numbers with the win total hovering around the same mark? Obviously they’re two different players, but the talk that Ayton is supposedly pretty damn bad defensively, scares the hell outta me.
Hansel
Bench
How? Drafting some other Stauskas or McLemore?
We've been terrible in the range you hope to draft.
We got Cousins and then just missed out every other pick (Stauskas, McLemore, Fredette, Robinson).
Didn't we have enough? Come on.
I think if Ayton is unavailable and they can trade down for JJJ and another player, I'd do it. JJJ's reach and defense maybe best in the draft at his size. Was not as impressed with Bagley from what I saw in the March Madness tournament.
Last edited:
Ozymandias
All-Star
You have been beaten into a defeatists attitude it seems. I'm not that way. Call me crazy but if i lose 100 coinflips in a row i still think my chances are 50/50 on the next.
You also pay the lower picks less. You want Doncic right? What if they know he's gonna fall if they dont take him 2nd?
paying him as the 2nd pick is considerably worse than if they could nab him at 4 or 5 and parlay other assets (2019 1st rd pick).
Ayton looks more like Kevin Willis than Cousins. I think his rebounding edge cannot be understated. He instantly relieves pressure off Cauley Stein for rebounding and offensive posting. Cousins had a major attitude problem that never went away that I doubt Ayton will ever have. Of course its a draft and Ayton may not be the best player in 5 years, but I like how he looks.
I also like Jaren Jackson Jr if Ayton unavailable. I think the Kings need to take a frontline player more - either Ayton or JJJ would be my top 2. JJJ with trade-down for 1st rounder next year or for a team to get Bridges/Young? I like Doncic, and wouldn't be upset anyway if they pick him. He looks like Jason Williams in a bigger body without quite as good ball-faking. He launches 3's like Williams did for sure. Remember though how sad it was when Williams was "neutered" in Miami? He was leashed and a shell of his old razzle-dazzle?
Hansel
Bench
You're confusing probability with ineptitude.
It's not about being unlucky drafting every year a bust.
Thinking it's about luck is the easiest way not to improve and get better.
I don't care about saving 2 millions on Doncic when we pay 11 to Shumpert dead body.
We have to reach league minimum team salary, so I'd rather get Doncic without gambling.
Call me coward. If I really want Doncic (I do) I pick him without losing time and energies in mind games.
Maybe you're right and Doncic falls and you can gain some more assets, I'm doubtful.
Mass
Starter
KD wouldn’t even take the call...
Ozymandias
All-Star
You think im an advocate for luck? LOL
I don't think your a coward i think your take is inspired by instant gratification seeking behavior, which is how most people(consumers) justify things.
Mass
Starter
The Family Guy video you posted a few days ago is the best way to describe this situation...
Suicide King
Starter
I voted for Bamba, but I would be equally happy with Luka. Tough choice for me.
Ozymandias
All-Star
The Family Guy video you posted a few days ago is the best way to describe this situation...
My post went over his head. His response about players and teams is not the topic i was addressing at all. I was addressing the window of time between now and the last second the kings aare on the clock, in which they have the opportunity to read the tea leaves, posture, inquire, drum up bidding wars, smoke screen and ultimately extract maximum value. I say to forfeit this opportunity or to fail to recognize it and put all your eggs in one basket 9 days before the draft is a suckers move, it's imprudent and an Instant gratification seeking behavior way of thinking. With no 2019 pick and a young improving core the kngs are unlikley to have this kind of leverage anytime in the forseable future and they need to weild it accordingly .
DX (Now ESPN) hate it or love it has been the most accurate on the internet year after year after year, for months they had doncic 1st, now he's 4th. It's plenty feasible he can fall. So many players who shouldve gone top 3 or 5 fall outside those ranges, happens all the time. The kings hold the best position in this draft to capitalize on this the suns cant afford to pass on Ayton.
Ozymandias
All-Star
King Baller
All-Star
I like Mikal but not at #2.
King Baller
All-Star
The Kings find themselves in the #2 spot in the Draft through incredible good fortune. In addition the roster is already populated by multiple young players with various upside. IMO this is the year you make the pick at #2 to get the most dynamic player available, Luka Doncic.
Trading away the #2 pick is like trading a dollar for 2 or 3 nickels. IMO this draft needs to be quality over quantity. Especially when you consider the better playoff teams were only going 7 or 8 deep in their rosters in those important games.
Hypothetical question to you, and I'm with you to just keep the pick but, what if Dallas says we will trade you Harrison Barnes and the pick at 5 for Zbo or Koufos or Shump and the pick at 2.
You have a chance to get Ayton, Bagley, Doncic, Porter, JJJ, Bamba and add a guy like Barnes who is a complete upgrade at 3. I don't see how we can turn down a hypothetical deal like that.
roasthawg
Starter
I am for trade down scenarios where we don't leave the top five.
Last edited:
Rarely do you see a tweet or story that the Kings are leaning to Doncic. It's usually Bagley or Porter and occasionally there is JJJ/Bamba but mainly Bagley or Porter. Makes me think the pick is Doncic. Reason is that unlike previous years, we have never been this high in the draft so the smoke screens were not as important. At 2? Extremely important so that no one knows what the hell you are going to do. I think it's a reason you saw the JJJ going off tweet yesterday in Phx. Of course Phx is set on Ayton but they are trying like hell to increase the value of that pick. I think Sac is doing the same.
King Baller
All-Star
For me, Barnes who was a 7th pick and whoever is left at 5 is not equal to the having the #2 pick. I have my sights set on Doncic.
I love Luka's game but what are the odds that he's the best player to come out of this draft? 10:1? 20:1? More?
I think his floor is high enough that his bust potential is low. But does anyone actually think he can be the best player on a contending team?
He's not a go-to scorer. He's going to be a mediocre to poor team defender and a poor to very poor individual defender, at least initially but with athletic limitations on how good he can be on that end. He's a pick and roll maestro and his BBIQ is shockingly good for a kid his age. Luka seems like a great piece on a team that already has an offensive star where he can be a playmaker and complimentary player. I just don't know that he's a franchise guy though.
And right now the Kings still need a franchise guy. Right now we have two solid but not great players at SG, a young PG coming off a disappointing rookie season who needs a lot of development but is still worth waiting on, a C who is soft on the boards, doesn't show up consistently and is entering the last year of his rookie deal, a PF who flashed a ton of potential in HS but is coming off two major knee injuries and hasn't played a minute in the NBA and then a collection of young and veteran roleplayers.
This team needs a franchise player. When all is said and done I think he's at best the third or fourth best player from this draft class which is a solid double when the Kings really need a homerun for once. Am I wrong?
I think his floor is high enough that his bust potential is low. But does anyone actually think he can be the best player on a contending team?
He's not a go-to scorer. He's going to be a mediocre to poor team defender and a poor to very poor individual defender, at least initially but with athletic limitations on how good he can be on that end. He's a pick and roll maestro and his BBIQ is shockingly good for a kid his age. Luka seems like a great piece on a team that already has an offensive star where he can be a playmaker and complimentary player. I just don't know that he's a franchise guy though.
And right now the Kings still need a franchise guy. Right now we have two solid but not great players at SG, a young PG coming off a disappointing rookie season who needs a lot of development but is still worth waiting on, a C who is soft on the boards, doesn't show up consistently and is entering the last year of his rookie deal, a PF who flashed a ton of potential in HS but is coming off two major knee injuries and hasn't played a minute in the NBA and then a collection of young and veteran roleplayers.
This team needs a franchise player. When all is said and done I think he's at best the third or fourth best player from this draft class which is a solid double when the Kings really need a homerun for once. Am I wrong?
Kingsfan23
All-Star
And who is that? They all have question marks, including soft/motorless Ayton
Kingsfan23
All-Star
The rumors that the Kings are trading back, if true though, are disappointing and show a lack of faith in the top projected three.
I agree that this draft has solid prospects like Carter, Bridges etc far out, but I’m not trusting our FO
I agree that this draft has solid prospects like Carter, Bridges etc far out, but I’m not trusting our FO
I don’t remember a legit source passing this rumor
All this Doncic sliding stuff, it makes no sense to me. I think a lot of agents working back channels trying to get him to slide in public perception and hoping a few teams lock in on someone else. Some of the stuff about the team sour on Doncic dates to mid-season, which again tells me they might think Vlade and Peja's euro-influence may drop his stock around the league.
Here's the thing, we built this team around a superstar big man for 5+ seasons, it got us nothing. We now have a shot at building around a superstar wing. The owner loves that style. The NBA seems to be going that style. If the modern NBA is 4 wings and 1 big, we have 5 guys that can hopefully be that 1 big. Especially if Giles is real.
Here's the thing, we built this team around a superstar big man for 5+ seasons, it got us nothing. We now have a shot at building around a superstar wing. The owner loves that style. The NBA seems to be going that style. If the modern NBA is 4 wings and 1 big, we have 5 guys that can hopefully be that 1 big. Especially if Giles is real.
Kingsfan23
All-Star
I hope. It’s on the wiretap at RealGM from TheRinger which I don’t take as Sam Amico. Hopefully it’s not true, but it has fit Vlade’s past MO
Hansel
Bench
Too many questions, I focus on the last one. Yes.
Joking aside, you didn't see Doncic play.
Why poor team defender? Why poor individual defender? He's a go to scorer as well, in case of need. Not the kind of player who care about his personal stats.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Poll
