Which Big Name Free Agent to Target?

[ockingsfan]

Another thing about Wes Matthews, since he won't be able to start the season at full strength, we will rely on Ben and Nik at shooting guard until at least the half way mark.

If we sign Matthews to say a 4 year $40-48 mil contract, which is the only way he comes to Sac, and Ben outplays him and earns the starting SG position, you will be looking at an untradable contract for a bench player.

I can't see how the Kings can afford to take that kind of gamble with a player coming off a major injury and having a SG of the future (Ben) still needing PT to develop.

If you make that kind of commitment to Wes Matthews, I think Ben would have to be traded for other pieces. Otherwise, Kings better using the money getting 2 mid-level players, than use all their cap space on Matthews.

 

[randymoss1881]

You take the risk on matthews period. We arnt talking about a guy who used athleticism to play the game like. If he lost some athletisicm dude would still be a baller. I think he lead the nba in 3s made and would post up smaller SGs. Also if he is out till January than you just roll with Ben as a starter.

 

[twslam07]

If we sign Matthews to say a 4 year $40-48 mil contract, which is the only way he comes to Sac, and Ben outplays him and earns the starting SG position, you will be looking at an untradable contract for a bench player.

Eh if we get him for $10 mil/year his deal will be the same as a $6 mil/year deal under the current cap when 2017 hits. I wouldn't really call that untradeable. He would have to be Landry bad for that to happen.

 

[Sac.Kings]

I really like Wes Matthews. I would love him here, but I have to say no. This season is too critical to be risking things like this, and he probably won't play until early 2016. We can't wait that long we really need to start the season strong and at full strength (whatever it happens to be).

 

[ockingsfan]

Looks like Wes Matthews may be way ahead of schedule. He posted a video on instagram. He has started shooting 3 pointers at ucla today and says he will be ready to play by the end of August.

This is a good sign, just hope he allows the injury to heal properly, not just rush back because he is a free agent.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...ers_wesley_matthews_back_on_the_court_th.html

 

[KingMilz]

Looks like Wes Matthews may be way ahead of schedule. He posted a video on instagram. He has started shooting 3 pointers at ucla today and says he will be ready to play by the end of August.

This is a good sign, just hope he allows the injury to heal properly, not just rush back because he is a free agent.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...ers_wesley_matthews_back_on_the_court_th.html

LMA just put up his house in Portland for sale which could signal a massive change in the Portland Trailblazers plans and could mean they move on Wes/Batum and rebuild around Lillard.

 

[Bricklayer]

Looks like Wes Matthews may be way ahead of schedule. He posted a video on instagram. He has started shooting 3 pointers at ucla today and says he will be ready to play by the end of August.

This is a good sign, just hope he allows the injury to heal properly, not just rush back because he is a free agent.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...ers_wesley_matthews_back_on_the_court_th.html

Noticed that too. Given Matthews near perfect fit my interest spiked.

A guy like Danny Green is just a limited roleplayer and due to get huge money anyway. He's just isn't very talented. I worry he could easily be suffering from Spurs effect, leave them, and turn back into, well, Danny Green. But Matthews can play. Not quite star play, but he's about as complete a rock solid SG as there is the league right now. Go right down a checklist he's at least average at everything, and well above average in multiple highly useful areas. A good (not great, but good) and prolific 3pt shooter. A good (not great, but rock solid) defender. He's got a post game if you try to hide a smaller guy on him. He's a solid passer, and if he is going to be healthy on the season he's been a rock solid big minute producer for 5-6 straight years now. One of the steadiest guys in the league. There's nothing to not like about him except that achilles. If its going to be ready he's got to be right there near the top of our list. That's more than just a patch to one of our problem positions, its a 4th amigo to go with DC, Gay and Cuz.

 

[randymoss1881]

Mathews doesn't get the treatment the splash brothers get but man this dude is elite. Last 3 years shooting 3s: 7.4 attempts(38.8%),6.2 (39.3%) , 6.2 (39.8%) this is with elite defense as well. Putting Wes next to DMC/Gay gives me wet dreams. No doubt Aldridge is leaving and if he leaves Wes most likely follows. I really think we have a chance at him sell him I'm playing with Cousins/ Gay and a HOF coach.
Teams who would be after him:

Dallas: have 30mill available but they need to sign a c/pg and Dirk is old. We would have a more pleasing team to Wes than playing with Parsons/Dirk.

Boston: 25mill in space. They have a dire need at C which they would try to resolve first cutting there space on half.

Detroit: they would have to play him at SF out of position.

NYK: Have 34.6 in space. They will probably prioritize a big man over Wes considering they missed out on the big guys in the draft. Signing a big and the draft pick it would bring the cap space to 14mill available. They can probably get a home town kid like D.Green cheaper than Wes.

Phoenix: have 23mill available. Would he pick a team with a low ceiling potential like Phoenix.

 

[Gilles]

Looked at Matthews numbers over the last 3 years. Seems like he was Portland's best defender by a margin.

Kings can sign a big for all the cap space of $8.5 million, and then offer up to $17 million in a S&T with Portland, if Kings send Landry, Stauskas and 3 non-guaranteeds out. Just Landry and Stauskas will allow to offer $14.2 as a starting salary, and then Kings can use 3 non-guaranteed guys to acquire PG with salary up to $4 million.

Question is can doctors give a guarantee, that Wes will be ready to go by October.

P.S. As for Danny Green, home town kid, apparently he hated Knicks growing up.

 

[lawlman91]

I like Matthews, and I think I'm getting wet dreams of Wes + DMC + Gay as well. Strangely though, I'd still prefer that we go down the old road of "let's see the potential of the kids".

 

[Letsgokings13]

Wes Matthews, please!!!

 

[ockingsfan]

Do we have enough cap space to sign Wes Matthews?

If healthy, he will command at least a $12 mil per year contract, i.e. 4 year $48 mil deal.

I think the Kings only have about $10 mil in cap space, unless they stretch Landry. But, Landry will be a valuable trade chip next summer. I doubt Portland does a Sign and trade, unless we send back Ben in the trade.

Aaron Afflalo may be a more realistic target with a 4 year $32-36mil deal.

 

[ockingsfan]

Kings can sign a big for all the cap space of $8.5 million, and then offer up to $17 million in a S&T with Portland, if Kings send Landry, Stauskas and 3 non-guaranteeds out. Just Landry and Stauskas will allow to offer $14.2 as a starting salary, and then Kings can use 3 non-guaranteed guys to acquire PG with salary up to $4 million.

Portland will not take Landry's contract and Nik for Wes Mathews.

Our only hope of a S&T for Matthews would be to send Ben Mc and JT in the deal, may even have to include Nik.

 

[funkykingston]

Matthews would be a nice pickup. It'd likely mean trading one of McLemore or Stauskas to help fill out the rest of the roster but I'd be okay with that.

Cousins
Cauley-Stein
Gay
Matthews
Collison

is a really nice starting five going forward.

But of course free agency will happen after the draft so we'll have to see who the Kings actually end up with (and if any deals happen on draft night) and how that affects their plan for free agency

 

[funkykingston]

Portland will not take Landry's contract and Nik for Wes Mathews.

Our only hope of a S&T for Matthews would be to send Ben Mc and JT in the deal, may even have to include Nik.

That'd never happen. Portland has no leverage in a S&T. They are essentially getting SOME asset back instead of losing a guy outright. Maybe the Kings send back a player to open up a bit more caproom but it wouldn't be two starters from last year's team.

But I agree that there's no reason for the Blazers to take back Landry's contract either. Now if for some otherworldly reason that I can even conceive of they think Carl would help make up for LMA's absence then I'm fist pumping for the rest of TDOS.

But I'm pretty sure Carl is a King through next season and into the following season where he'll likely be dealt at the trade deadline when he represents an ending contract.

 

[Gilles]

Portland will not take Landry's contract and Nik for Wes Mathews.

Our only hope of a S&T for Matthews would be to send Ben Mc and JT in the deal, may even have to include Nik.

Landry going out is the only way to give Matthews enough money. Will have to be an unlikely 4 team trade with Chicago:
Kings get Wes for Landry, Nik and remove protection on 2016 pick completely
Portland gets Nik in exchange for Wes and minor asset
Chicago gets whole 2016 pick, minor asset from Portland and Landry, re-routing Carl to 4th team some way.

 

[rainmaker]

How long does it take to fully recover from Achilles rupture?

Kobe had similar injury and never fully came back, granted he is a lot older than Wes. Achilles injuries are really bad for basketball players because of all the jumping.

Actually, once healed from tearing your Achilles there isn't much long term re-injury risk. Much different than a blown out knee which is ligaments/tendons. Almost never hear of anyone re-tearing an Achilles.

You could lose a bit of athleticism but Matthews' game isn't predicated on being athletic. I see almost no risk associated with going after him.

 

[rainmaker]

Matthews would be a nice pickup. It'd likely mean trading one of McLemore or Stauskas to help fill out the rest of the roster but I'd be okay with that.

Cousins
Cauley-Stein
Gay
Matthews
Collison

is a really nice starting five going forward.

Yes but I seriously question if DC will be our PG on opening night. I've seen consistent rumors suggesting we're looking for a starting PG. I'd say the likely scenario where DC is our PG on opening night is if WCS doesn't fall to us and we go with Mudiay instead.

 

[Letsgokings13]

A line up of:


Mudiay
Mathews
Gay
Free agent 4
Cousins

is a nice starting 5. Need a stretch, play making 4.

At this point, i'd hate to give up on Ben, but he is a valuable asset in trading for a 4 that would fit us.

 

[206Fan]

If we dump Landry, we'll have around $14-15million for the cap space next year. I'd have no problem giving Matthews a 4 year $52million deal with his first year only around $10million to give us a bit more cap space for this year and a TO his final year.

 

[funkykingston]

Yes but I seriously question if DC will be our PG on opening night. I've seen consistent rumors suggesting we're looking for a starting PG. I'd say the likely scenario where DC is our PG on opening night is if WCS doesn't fall to us and we go with Mudiay instead.

If we draft Mudiay then I definitely think DC is the starter on opening night. And I agree that it seems like we're hearing a lot of chatter about a PG but outside of Lawson (who I don't want) what PGs are available in trade that would be an upgrade from Collison?

DC isn't ever going to be an all-star but I really like what he brings at the price tag he carries. A lot of bang for the buck as it were. I'd rather keep the sixth pick than trade it for an upgrade at PG who will cost a heck of a lot more.

A line up of:


Mudiay
Mathews
Gay
Free agent 4
Cousins

is a nice starting 5. Need a stretch, play making 4.

At this point, i'd hate to give up on Ben, but he is a valuable asset in trading for a 4 that would fit us.

Yeah, I'd be okay with that too. However I doubt with the caproom left we'd find a starting PF better than Thompson meaning that yet again he'd be the presumptive starter. And of course Mudiay wouldn't be ready to start right away. Not for a team trying to make the playoffs.

At this point my only fear is that Mudiay and Cauley-Stein go 4 & 5. I like Winslow but I don't think he fills a need and I don't see him as having star potential. Maybe a trade down to get Payne and another role player?

 

[ockingsfan]

Landry going out is the only way to give Matthews enough money. Will have to be an unlikely 4 team trade with Chicago:
Kings get Wes for Landry, Nik and remove protection on 2016 pick completely
Portland gets Nik in exchange for Wes and minor asset
Chicago gets whole 2016 pick, minor asset from Portland and Landry, re-routing Carl to 4th team some way.

The only way anybody takes Landry is if we attach a future 1st round pick or 2 2nd round picks (which we don't have for the near future) to unload him.

 

[ForlornKing]

I just don't understand why Portland wasn't better than they were.

I love their team.

 

[Gilles]

The only way anybody takes Landry is if we attach a future 1st round pick or 2 2nd round picks (which we don't have for the near future) to unload him.

Nik and dropping protection are likely worth at least a late 1st each.

 

[LPKingsFan]

I just don't understand why Portland wasn't better than they were.

I love their team.

Better than they were? They were pretty good! 51 wins and the sixth best point differential in the league aren't nothing.

 

[funkykingston]

If we want to talk about our ideal scenarios mine looks something like this:

Draft WCS at #6
Trade McLemore for a pick in the 9-12 range to get Cameron Payne
Open up enough cap room (stretch Landry?) to sign Wes Matthews
Resign Casspi
Sign another rotation big or buy a 2nd rounder from Philly to draft another body

Eventual Lineup

C Cousins/Thompson/rotation big
PF Cauley-Stein/Thompson/Moreland
SF Gay/Casspi
SG Matthews/Stauskas
PG Collison/Payne/McCallum

Not bad.

 

[Gilles]

Your second unit will be killed: can't rely on a rookie PG or Mccallum, Stauskas is still a really bad defender, until proven otherwise.
Can't put rookie big high in rotation.
Likely 35-38 win team in the West, maybe .500 team, if everything goes right for rookies in December already (completely unrealistic).

 

[Iced Espresso]

Matthews would be a nice pickup. It'd likely mean trading one of McLemore or Stauskas to help fill out the rest of the roster but I'd be okay with that.

Cousins
Cauley-Stein
Gay
Matthews
Collison

is a really nice starting five going forward.

But of course free agency will happen after the draft so we'll have to see who the Kings actually end up with (and if any deals happen on draft night) and how that affects their plan for free agency

If we got Matthews, and he is only 80% of what he used to be, and WCS.

I'd have to say this would be the best off season we've had in a long long time, unless you want to count the drafting of Cousins.

 

[funkykingston]

Your second unit will be killed: can't rely on a rookie PG or Mccallum, Stauskas is still a really bad defender, until proven otherwise.
Can't put rookie big high in rotation.
Likely 35-38 win team in the West, maybe .500 team, if everything goes right for rookies in December already (completely unrealistic).

The Kings just won 29 games in one of the most disjointed seasons I can ever recall. 3 coaches with the team essentially quitting on Corbin, missing Boogie for a 10 game stretch, Collison injured down the stretch, Karl experimenting with lineups, Derrick Williams defense and rebounding etc.

Replacing McLemore with Matthews and a full training camp with Karl should be enough to get the Kings an extra 10 wins. Casspi and Stauskas showed added life under GK as well. Some solid vet signings on low money deals and WCS and Payne giving them anything would make this a playoff team. And with a very bright future as those two (and hopefully Stauskas) matures.

 

[Gilles]

In your scenario Kings can only offer vet mins - no one worthy is coming to Sacramento for that, and you have 2 rookies and completely unreliable sophomore among your 9-man rotation. Name me the last PO team with a rookie as a starting PF or a backup PG.

I don't think, that Kings will have any rookies or sophomores among top-8 rotation on opening night.