Who Should We Sign? (2023 Off-Season)
- Thread starter twslam07
- Start date
Unless we are getting a slam dunk upgrade over HB, I would re-sign HB and roll with him and the rest of the current crew. You can't underestimate team chemistry when building a team.
We are seeing how great this team looks after 1 year together, imagine how great they will look after a couple of years running together..... I think this current team, if given time and expected growth, can become a legit title contender in a year or two.
We are seeing how great this team looks after 1 year together, imagine how great they will look after a couple of years running together..... I think this current team, if given time and expected growth, can become a legit title contender in a year or two.
Game 3 against GSW makes me think that Cam Johnson would be a good add even more than before. His three-point shooting and off-ball movement would have been real handy. The ball was not moving around well in this game too, he is the type of player who keeps it moving.
If the SF and PF are Murray and Cam, then an SG who is a strong perimeter defender and who will go for some offensive/defensive rebounds is a must. So I'm back to thinking that trading Monk for De'Anthony Melton makes a lot of sense.
Definitely need a better 2nd choice Center too. I like Jericho Sims for the role. He offers something different to Sabonis and Len with his athleticism and mobility.
1-5: Fox, Melton, Murray, Johnson, Sabonis
6-10: Davion, Huerter, Barnes, Lyles, Sims/Len
If the SF and PF are Murray and Cam, then an SG who is a strong perimeter defender and who will go for some offensive/defensive rebounds is a must. So I'm back to thinking that trading Monk for De'Anthony Melton makes a lot of sense.
Definitely need a better 2nd choice Center too. I like Jericho Sims for the role. He offers something different to Sabonis and Len with his athleticism and mobility.
1-5: Fox, Melton, Murray, Johnson, Sabonis
6-10: Davion, Huerter, Barnes, Lyles, Sims/Len
I am not expert on the league and the players out there who might be available.
I agree wholeheartedly with the concept that team chemistry is critical to building on what we have now.
The starters and guys who come of the bench regularly, and see minutes, are going through the playoffs now, a forge that can't be duplicated anywhere else. They have finished a regular season that is almost unheard of in League History. They are unctioning as a team.
Who ever we reach out and get has to be able to fit, to understand the role (s) they are coming here to fill, and be willing to fill them.
We get the right people and we will just get better as our team gains more experience and maturity.
I agree wholeheartedly with the concept that team chemistry is critical to building on what we have now.
The starters and guys who come of the bench regularly, and see minutes, are going through the playoffs now, a forge that can't be duplicated anywhere else. They have finished a regular season that is almost unheard of in League History. They are unctioning as a team.
Who ever we reach out and get has to be able to fit, to understand the role (s) they are coming here to fill, and be willing to fill them.
We get the right people and we will just get better as our team gains more experience and maturity.
A few questions:
- What are your thoughts on trading Fox’s best friend after doing us a solid by signing here and how that would affect our chemistry/locker room?
- What are your thoughts on why the 76ers would trade Melton for Monk?
- Looking at the roster you’ve assembled and the moves you mentioned, you’d have around $21 mil in cap space to try and sign both Barnes and Johnson. I don’t think that’s enough cap space for Johnson alone let alone both of them. How are you creating the cap space to acquire both of these guys?
Nothing good could ever become of trading Monk.
First off, you would p- off your franchise player to no end and secondly, Monk is the heart of your bench. Monk is a perennial 6th man of the year player.
Monk's worth can't be measured just by his own play, but he also elevated Fox's play and confidence by being here. I'm hoping we are able to extend him long term after his contract is up.
First off, you would p- off your franchise player to no end and secondly, Monk is the heart of your bench. Monk is a perennial 6th man of the year player.
Monk's worth can't be measured just by his own play, but he also elevated Fox's play and confidence by being here. I'm hoping we are able to extend him long term after his contract is up.
With where the Kings are currently it has to be a piece that's proven imo, I don't think the Kings currently have time for gambles since they're not far away from being legit championship threats. The only gamble you type move you would make is for a 3rd big man imo but they need one more sure fire starter in the SF/PF spot.
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BKN Gets: Richaun Holmes, Davion Mitchell, PJ Dozier, 2023 SAC 1st (#24), & 2023 IND 2nd (#38)
BKN Gives: Dorian Finney-Smith & Royce O'Neale
PG - Mitchell / Mills
SG - Dinwiddie / Thomas / Sumner
SF - Bridges/ Harris / Dozier
PF - Johnson / Simmons
C - Claxton / Holmes / Sharpe
2023 Picks - PHX 1st / BKN 1st / SAC 1st / IND 2nd / BKN 2nd
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SAC Gets: Dorian Finney-Smith & Royce O'Neale
SAC Gives: Richaun Holmes, Davion Mitchell, PJ Dozier, 2023 SAC 1st (#24), & 2023 IND 2nd (#38)
PG - Fox / Monk
SG - O'Neale / Huerter / Davis
SF - Murray / Barnes / Edwards
PF - Finney-Smith / Lyles
C - Sabonis / MLE FA C / Metu
2023 Picks - SAC 2nd
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The starting lineup would be much more balanced as both O'Neale and Finney-Smith are defensive upgrades over Huerter and Barnes (and Sophomore Murray should be a defensive upgrade over Rookie Murray). But with that upgrade in defense, we'd still have great floor spacing as O'Neale, Murray, & Finney-Smith are all good/great shooters. The rebounding would be better with those two in the lineup as well (particularly O'Neale as he's a great rebounder for his size). If Murray can continue to develop into that 3rd option, having O'Neale & Finney-Smith in the starting lineup I think will make that lineup that much more effective.
This trade allows to maintain all of our cap holds so we could still go over the cap to retain Barnes, Lyles, Davis, Metu, etc. and use a MLE on a backup C. This would give us one of the most formidable benches in recent history considering we could have a bench of Monk, Davis, Huerter, Edwards, Barnes, Lyles, Metu, & MLE FA C. Monk, Huerter, & Barnes alone could all be jockeying for the 6th man of the year award. Not to mention this type of depth allows us to save our guy's legs for the playoff or survive injury bugs that may hit.
BKN Gets: Richaun Holmes, Davion Mitchell, PJ Dozier, 2023 SAC 1st (#24), & 2023 IND 2nd (#38)
BKN Gives: Dorian Finney-Smith & Royce O'Neale
PG - Mitchell / Mills
SG - Dinwiddie / Thomas / Sumner
SF - Bridges/ Harris / Dozier
PF - Johnson / Simmons
C - Claxton / Holmes / Sharpe
2023 Picks - PHX 1st / BKN 1st / SAC 1st / IND 2nd / BKN 2nd
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SAC Gets: Dorian Finney-Smith & Royce O'Neale
SAC Gives: Richaun Holmes, Davion Mitchell, PJ Dozier, 2023 SAC 1st (#24), & 2023 IND 2nd (#38)
PG - Fox / Monk
SG - O'Neale / Huerter / Davis
SF - Murray / Barnes / Edwards
PF - Finney-Smith / Lyles
C - Sabonis / MLE FA C / Metu
2023 Picks - SAC 2nd
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The starting lineup would be much more balanced as both O'Neale and Finney-Smith are defensive upgrades over Huerter and Barnes (and Sophomore Murray should be a defensive upgrade over Rookie Murray). But with that upgrade in defense, we'd still have great floor spacing as O'Neale, Murray, & Finney-Smith are all good/great shooters. The rebounding would be better with those two in the lineup as well (particularly O'Neale as he's a great rebounder for his size). If Murray can continue to develop into that 3rd option, having O'Neale & Finney-Smith in the starting lineup I think will make that lineup that much more effective.
This trade allows to maintain all of our cap holds so we could still go over the cap to retain Barnes, Lyles, Davis, Metu, etc. and use a MLE on a backup C. This would give us one of the most formidable benches in recent history considering we could have a bench of Monk, Davis, Huerter, Edwards, Barnes, Lyles, Metu, & MLE FA C. Monk, Huerter, & Barnes alone could all be jockeying for the 6th man of the year award. Not to mention this type of depth allows us to save our guy's legs for the playoff or survive injury bugs that may hit.
I don't think you can deal Davion, especially when we're seeing the ceiling use-case for him so far in this series. He's been great for 2 months, but is taking on the Steph Curry challenge about as well as anyone has in the last decade.
The real conversation might be a Davion vs Huerter discussion in the off-season. Especially if Davion is going to be passable offensively, I'm not sure how you keep limiting his defense to just the back-up PG role every night. The 3-guard lineup with Fox/Monk/Davion is something I hope we explore more next season and use that speed to our advantage.
This isn't a "trade Huerter" conversation at all. But we're seeing in real time how we can improve the defense just by playing Fox and Davion together in the back-court. I think you could still easily get Huerter his 28+ MPG when you flex him at the 2/3.
The real conversation might be a Davion vs Huerter discussion in the off-season. Especially if Davion is going to be passable offensively, I'm not sure how you keep limiting his defense to just the back-up PG role every night. The 3-guard lineup with Fox/Monk/Davion is something I hope we explore more next season and use that speed to our advantage.
This isn't a "trade Huerter" conversation at all. But we're seeing in real time how we can improve the defense just by playing Fox and Davion together in the back-court. I think you could still easily get Huerter his 28+ MPG when you flex him at the 2/3.
I think from the playoffs what's clear is the Kings need a #2 scoring option more than anything else. Sabonis is a #3 option (playoffs) with elite playmaking and Fox is now a clear #1 option. I'm not sold yet on Keegan becoming a #2 but who knows Middleton went from not playing for the Pistons to an All-Star with a somewhat similar game.
I would love it if the Kings explored a trade for Lauri but I think the price would be way to steep but him with his shooting/size/skills at the PF would be a dream with Fox/Sabonis.
I would love it if the Kings explored a trade for Lauri but I think the price would be way to steep but him with his shooting/size/skills at the PF would be a dream with Fox/Sabonis.
The rock and a hard place with any flip for a star is all those packages include Keegan and probably Davion as well. So you better be sure 1. That the star you're getting in return is here for 3+ years and 2. that you're very sure both of those guys aren't long-term stars and just higher-end starters as their ceiling.
My issue is any acquirable star probably doesn't move the needle enough to where we're title contenders. You're looking at that Lauri/Siakam/OG/Bridges/Lavine/Beal tier. And we'd basically be out of assets to further improve the team so:
Fox
Huerter
Barnes resign?
Lauri or Siakam
Sabonis
Is that a title team? With basically no draft capital the next 5 years?
My issue is any acquirable star probably doesn't move the needle enough to where we're title contenders. You're looking at that Lauri/Siakam/OG/Bridges/Lavine/Beal tier. And we'd basically be out of assets to further improve the team so:
Fox
Huerter
Barnes resign?
Lauri or Siakam
Sabonis
Is that a title team? With basically no draft capital the next 5 years?
This season it would have been imo, the lack of super teams right now and even teams like Boston/Bucks looking very shakey, even with the current Kings team (prior to Fox hand) I feel they can beat anyone except maybe a fully healthy Bucks team. But yeah you are correct the next moves the Kings make will make or break weather they go on to be elite or cap out similar to what Utah (last year) and Hawks this year did.
I think if we get to contender status Monte is going to do it his way which appears to be built around an elite shot maker, an elite hub and shooting.
Even with our current squad you see some elite potential and room for growth
1) Fox appears to have established himself in the Don Mitchell, Ja Morant, SGA tier.
2) Sabonis is already elite at facilitating, can still get better from 15 feet and grow his chemistry with shooters
3) Keegan’s trajectory is unknown at this point. He could average 20 plus points a game with elite shooting and good defense or he could have an HB type career.
4) Monk has elite shot making in the bag (at least for a 6th man) and has plenty of room to mature as a player
5) off night is showing out in this series,
Who knows how far he can go
6) 3 picks in this draft to find a rotational piece or 2
7) Sasha might give us another deadly shooter and seems like a good fit with Sabonis
8) elite playoff level coaching
Even with our current squad you see some elite potential and room for growth
1) Fox appears to have established himself in the Don Mitchell, Ja Morant, SGA tier.
2) Sabonis is already elite at facilitating, can still get better from 15 feet and grow his chemistry with shooters
3) Keegan’s trajectory is unknown at this point. He could average 20 plus points a game with elite shooting and good defense or he could have an HB type career.
4) Monk has elite shot making in the bag (at least for a 6th man) and has plenty of room to mature as a player
5) off night is showing out in this series,
Who knows how far he can go
6) 3 picks in this draft to find a rotational piece or 2
7) Sasha might give us another deadly shooter and seems like a good fit with Sabonis
8) elite playoff level coaching
I think the trade can easily be modified to drop Mitchell and O’Neale (allowing you to keep Mitchell but still add Finney-Smith to the roster).
I still question the long term fit of Fox-Monk-Mitchell simply because those are 3 small guards that all deserve considerable minutes. It means you’re playing 24-30 mpg with a small backcourt (or 6-10 mpg with all 3 of them on the floor).
I still question the long term fit of Fox-Monk-Mitchell simply because those are 3 small guards that all deserve considerable minutes. It means you’re playing 24-30 mpg with a small backcourt (or 6-10 mpg with all 3 of them on the floor).
And it's not like Monte has these guys locked up forever. Unless you are winning rings you simply can't invest the potential space necessary on 3 guards like that. Moving anyone now isn't necessary and obviously moving Davion would have to be in a package deal for a star type move, which could very much be the reality this summer. Rather than shooting for the middle on a deal for someone like Finney-Smith, the smart move is to put all the assets of youth/picks in a bundle and see what you can get star wise.
You could easily have a pretty quiet off-season and…
PG - Fox / Mitchell
SG - Huerter / Monk / Davis
SF - Murray / Edwards / Dozier
PF - Barnes / Lyles
C - Sabonis / FA C / Holmes
Picks - #24 / #38 / #54
With another year of developing chemistry, our young guys taking a step forward, an upgrade at backup C, and potentially finding a rotational piece at #24, this team could still improve next year.
Then during the 2024 off-season, the Kings 1st will likely convey to ATL (Huerter trade) which then frees up all of the Kings’ future 1sts for a trade. The Kings would essentially have the following young assets to offer up in a blockbuster trade:
Perhaps McNair is eyeing the 2024 off-season to make that “big” decision and he’s okay with running it back in 2023 to have more data to determine what the team needs to ultimately compete for a championship.
- Resign Barnes to a 3-4 year deal
- Resign Lyles & Davis to a 1+1 deal
- Sign an upgrade at backup C to a 1+1 deal
- Draft BPA with our picks (#24, #38, & #54)
- Fill in the gaps with minimum contract deals
PG - Fox / Mitchell
SG - Huerter / Monk / Davis
SF - Murray / Edwards / Dozier
PF - Barnes / Lyles
C - Sabonis / FA C / Holmes
Picks - #24 / #38 / #54
With another year of developing chemistry, our young guys taking a step forward, an upgrade at backup C, and potentially finding a rotational piece at #24, this team could still improve next year.
Then during the 2024 off-season, the Kings 1st will likely convey to ATL (Huerter trade) which then frees up all of the Kings’ future 1sts for a trade. The Kings would essentially have the following young assets to offer up in a blockbuster trade:
- Keegan Murray
- Davion Mitchell
- 2023 SAC 1st (whoever we drafted at #24)
- 2025 SAC 1st
- 2027 SAC 1st
- 2029 SAC 1st
- 2031 SAC 1st
Perhaps McNair is eyeing the 2024 off-season to make that “big” decision and he’s okay with running it back in 2023 to have more data to determine what the team needs to ultimately compete for a championship.
That's true but I mean, it could happen but I can't see this team developing even more chemistry haha. Maybe on the defensive side of course but whether this is more personnel problem or strategic problem on that side is still very much in question. The only aspect missing that I can see is Murray getting more opportunities to score outside of the system. That's what could really bring the team forward in needed ways. That and potentially adding Sasha. I just posted in his thread on another good game from him in the playoffs over there but I look at him and wonder who gets crunched next year and part of me fears that would be Keegan and Fox's comments about Keegan either being that guy or getting replaced by another wing is something to look at if you're Monte. If the version of Vezenkov playing overseas is the version the Kings get it's possible he's the 3rd best player on the team next year. Sasha's game doesn't replicate Barnes', it more replicates Keegan and Kevin's. I'm also not a fan of setting up for the 2024 season. It is a possibility but historically it's very difficult to prep for all your adds in the same year you'll have two max deals on your cap sheet. You typically want to use that wiggle room while it's there and I think that's this summer. The easy answer is go deep this year and run it back, add Sasha, and roll with it.
For as much as I hate him, can I throw a wild idea out there? What if we sign Draymond Green? I forgot who but I remember a reporter mentioning Brown would love to have him if he wanted to come here (very rough summary of what they said, it’s along those lines). Sign him to be our 6th Man just like how he is playing right now for GSW these last few games. He could be huge for our defense and run the offense the same way Sabonis does when Domas sits.
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39% from 3 on 2 attempts this season he really closed the season with a lot of big games. Appears he's gotten better every year for sometime. shot 51% from the field last 2 seasons.
He's got a 7'3" wingspan. 6'8 230lbs. 27 years old. classic 3 and D type of wing.
The question really is how much of a market will there be for him, if we could get him cheap seems like a really good idea to me.
Oh yeah, now we're talking. He's probably a 15-20 MPG rotation guy on a good team, but it's never wrong to invest in this archetype.
I think he's probably more a Trey Lyles replacement rather than a guy you add with him. He's a downgrade offensively from Lyles, especially spacing wise, but he gives you a big upgrade with his defensive versatility.
I think he's probably more a Trey Lyles replacement rather than a guy you add with him. He's a downgrade offensively from Lyles, especially spacing wise, but he gives you a big upgrade with his defensive versatility.
I'm thinking that the Kings may want to tap Atlanta as a trade partner again. I see John Collins as a potential target for Monte. Collins was on a superstar ascent in 2019-20 when he averaged 20 pts and 10 reb and 1.6 blks per game at just 22 years old.
He has been on a steady decline since, but it could be due to Atlanta's offense revolving around Trae Young and D. Murray. I think he needs a change of scenery to re-vitalize his career. He has shown he could score, rebound, block shots and shoot the 3 pointer (career 36%).
HB is a free agent and may not re-sign. Seeing that Collins currently has negative trade value due to his high salary, maybe the Kings can send a package of Richaun Holmes and multiple 2nd round picks and salary filler or 3 team trade to swing a deal. I think he could be a low risk, high reward type trade that could be a home run.
He has been on a steady decline since, but it could be due to Atlanta's offense revolving around Trae Young and D. Murray. I think he needs a change of scenery to re-vitalize his career. He has shown he could score, rebound, block shots and shoot the 3 pointer (career 36%).
HB is a free agent and may not re-sign. Seeing that Collins currently has negative trade value due to his high salary, maybe the Kings can send a package of Richaun Holmes and multiple 2nd round picks and salary filler or 3 team trade to swing a deal. I think he could be a low risk, high reward type trade that could be a home run.
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I've been curious if Collins just needs a change. Seems like he's constantly the subject of trade rumors which might weigh on him.
The talent certainly seemed to be there and he plays a needed position. He's only 25 so great timeline as well.
Guess just need to know if he and Keegan make for a good forward pairing and I'm not sure if he's good teamate. I do seem to recall Huerter saying he liked him though.
The talent certainly seemed to be there and he plays a needed position. He's only 25 so great timeline as well.
Guess just need to know if he and Keegan make for a good forward pairing and I'm not sure if he's good teamate. I do seem to recall Huerter saying he liked him though.
I've been thinking about this a bit more and it's easy to get wrapped up in the immediate emotional reaction to being in the playoffs, winning playoff games, losing playoff games, etc., but I think we need to keep our eyes on the prize and play the long game.
This is the 1st time we've been to the playoffs in 16 seasons. At the start of next season, Fox will be 25, Mitchell will be 25, Huerter will be 25, Monk will be 25, Davis will be 26, Murray will be 23, Edwards will be 23, Lyles will be 27, & Sabonis will be 27. We still have a relatively young core who should be in playoffs in many of the upcoming years.
Having said that, I think many of us can recognize that this team would likely need a 3rd star if we really want to become a contender one day which would push Sabonis into a 3rd option/facilitator role (which I think would be his sweet spot). If we acknowledge that fact and acknowledge that's the long term goal to elevate this team, we probably should recognize that we shouldn't trade any of our assets for anything less than that type of player (or cap space to sign such a player).
Now if Murray continues to develop and looks like he will become that 3rd star, great! We can look at selling off some of our assets for better fitting, complementary upgrades around Fox, Murray, and Sabonis, but until we know Murray will be that type of player, I think we need to keep our assets close and stay patient. If Murray looks like he won't develop into a star player, then perhaps that's when you look to combine your assets (Murray, Mitchell, Picks, etc.) to bring that type of player in to hopefully elevate a Fox/Sabonis core to a contender.
Giving us more time to assess what we have with Murray seems crucial to the direction we take as a franchise. If Murray breakouts into a fringe star next season, maybe we open the door to trading our assets for better fitting, complementary upgrades around Fox, Murray, & Sabonis. If Murray doesn't take a huge leap but we see good progression from Murray next season, perhaps we remain patient and give Murray a 3rd season to see if he progresses again. If Murray essentially looks like the same player next season, perhaps we consider moving Murray, Mitchell, and/or assets to bring in a 3rd star. The other bonus of being patient 1 more season, is that our 2024 1st will hopefully convey to Atlanta (protected top 14) which frees up all of our future 1sts (making it much easier to put together an attractive offer for a star).
With that in mind, we have ~$22.0 mil in cap space this offseason with the following players under contract:
That cap space drops to ~$19.6 mil if we keep Lyles cap hold in place. I'm wondering if we just keep it simple and attempt to sign one of Cam Johnson, PJ Washington, or Grant Williams with that cap space. And if that doesn't work out, I'd likely just resign Barnes (who will be 31 at the start of next season). Then we'd use our exception on a backup C and call it an offseason. We'd have the following roster:
PG - Fox || Mitchell
SG - Huerter || Monk
SF - Murray || Edwards
PF - Johnson/Washington/Williams/Barnes || Lyles
C - Sabonis || FA C
Picks - #24 || #38 || #54
This essentially allows us to keep the same team/core while potentially replacing Barnes with a younger forward (who might be a more attractive asset if we do end up needing/wanting to trade for a 3rd star vs. the 31 year old Barnes). We'd also hopefully have an upgrade at backup C and have some young players via our draft picks that maybe surprise us.
After the 2023-24 season, you then go into the offseason (assuming our 2024 1st conveyed to Atlanta), and we'd have the following young assets to use in a trade (if we're not confident in Murray's ability to become that 3rd star at that point in time):
I wouldn't be surprised to see McNair take this approach. He seems like the "long game" type and with an extension in place, he has the security to approach it in such a way.
This is the 1st time we've been to the playoffs in 16 seasons. At the start of next season, Fox will be 25, Mitchell will be 25, Huerter will be 25, Monk will be 25, Davis will be 26, Murray will be 23, Edwards will be 23, Lyles will be 27, & Sabonis will be 27. We still have a relatively young core who should be in playoffs in many of the upcoming years.
Having said that, I think many of us can recognize that this team would likely need a 3rd star if we really want to become a contender one day which would push Sabonis into a 3rd option/facilitator role (which I think would be his sweet spot). If we acknowledge that fact and acknowledge that's the long term goal to elevate this team, we probably should recognize that we shouldn't trade any of our assets for anything less than that type of player (or cap space to sign such a player).
Now if Murray continues to develop and looks like he will become that 3rd star, great! We can look at selling off some of our assets for better fitting, complementary upgrades around Fox, Murray, and Sabonis, but until we know Murray will be that type of player, I think we need to keep our assets close and stay patient. If Murray looks like he won't develop into a star player, then perhaps that's when you look to combine your assets (Murray, Mitchell, Picks, etc.) to bring that type of player in to hopefully elevate a Fox/Sabonis core to a contender.
Giving us more time to assess what we have with Murray seems crucial to the direction we take as a franchise. If Murray breakouts into a fringe star next season, maybe we open the door to trading our assets for better fitting, complementary upgrades around Fox, Murray, & Sabonis. If Murray doesn't take a huge leap but we see good progression from Murray next season, perhaps we remain patient and give Murray a 3rd season to see if he progresses again. If Murray essentially looks like the same player next season, perhaps we consider moving Murray, Mitchell, and/or assets to bring in a 3rd star. The other bonus of being patient 1 more season, is that our 2024 1st will hopefully convey to Atlanta (protected top 14) which frees up all of our future 1sts (making it much easier to put together an attractive offer for a star).
With that in mind, we have ~$22.0 mil in cap space this offseason with the following players under contract:
- De'Aaron Fox
- Davion Mitchell
- Kevin Huerter
- Malik Monk
- Keegan Murray
- Kessler Edwards
- Domantas Sabonis
- Richaun Holmes
- 2023 SAC 1st
That cap space drops to ~$19.6 mil if we keep Lyles cap hold in place. I'm wondering if we just keep it simple and attempt to sign one of Cam Johnson, PJ Washington, or Grant Williams with that cap space. And if that doesn't work out, I'd likely just resign Barnes (who will be 31 at the start of next season). Then we'd use our exception on a backup C and call it an offseason. We'd have the following roster:
PG - Fox || Mitchell
SG - Huerter || Monk
SF - Murray || Edwards
PF - Johnson/Washington/Williams/Barnes || Lyles
C - Sabonis || FA C
Picks - #24 || #38 || #54
This essentially allows us to keep the same team/core while potentially replacing Barnes with a younger forward (who might be a more attractive asset if we do end up needing/wanting to trade for a 3rd star vs. the 31 year old Barnes). We'd also hopefully have an upgrade at backup C and have some young players via our draft picks that maybe surprise us.
After the 2023-24 season, you then go into the offseason (assuming our 2024 1st conveyed to Atlanta), and we'd have the following young assets to use in a trade (if we're not confident in Murray's ability to become that 3rd star at that point in time):
- Mitchell
- Monk (would need to be resigned first)
- Huerter
- Murray
- Edwards (would need to be resigned first)
- Johnson/Washington/Williams (assuming we signed one of these guys and not the 31 year old Barnes)
- #24 (from 2023 Draft)
- #38 (from 2023 Draft)
- #54 (from 2023 Draft)
- 2025 SAC 1st
- 2026 SAC 1st Pick Swap
- 2027 SAC 1st
- 2028 SAC 1st Pick Swap
- 2029 SAC 1st
- 2030 SAC 1st Pick Swap
- 2031 SAC 1st
I wouldn't be surprised to see McNair take this approach. He seems like the "long game" type and with an extension in place, he has the security to approach it in such a way.