With Rudy on board, who do we get for PF?

[Gilles]

So... who's available in the draft?

Myles Turner(6'11", 240) - 20mpg, 12.5ppg(10-15 FG, 5-6FT), 6.5rpg, 4bpg and
Willie Caulie-Stein(7', 240) - 24.5mpg, 9ppg(9-13FG), 7.5rpg, 2.5apg, 2spg, 2.5bpg
are two most obvious guys, that Kings don't have a chance to get, because they decided to forgo their May vacations.

 

[Prince_XY]

I've said a number of times my top FA target would be Asik, and I'd also go after Robin Lopez who is a realistic target but both bring the issue, as well as other actual shotblockers available this summer, of moving Cuz to PF. I still am not sure which way I'd swing on that decision and it'd be dependent upon who we would acquire at the 5.

I really don't know why we are so concerned about Cousins playing the PF position even just half of the time. It might actually help him stay away from early foul trouble.

Are we saying that Cousins is not that talented and athletic (Shaq-like) compared to Duncan and Gasol?

Is that the hard truth about it?

 

[randymoss1881]

Give me a healthy Emeka Okafur for a one year veteran minimum rental around Christmas and I'll be happy. He can effectively guard interior power forwards and centers, is a competent shot blocker, and has playoff history with Landry, Michael Malone, and Collison. He can be an excellent defensive anchor as a starter or off the bench, with enough length and athleticism to help out JT with the defensive big duties, and furthermore, can stay out of the way of Cousins in the post.

Horford would be optimal as well, but will not come cheap...

It will take more than a vets min to get him some contenders will go after him we will have to outbid them and be winning by then.

 

[VF21]

Give me a healthy Emeka Okafur for a one year veteran minimum rental around Christmas and I'll be happy. He can effectively guard interior power forwards and centers, is a competent shot blocker, and has playoff history with Landry, Michael Malone, and Collison. He can be an excellent defensive anchor as a starter or off the bench, with enough length and athleticism to help out JT with the defensive big duties, and furthermore, can stay out of the way of Cousins in the post.

Horford would be optimal as well, but will not come cheap...

Only thing wrong with that idea..."healthy" just doesn't seem to be in Emeka's vocabulary.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

I really don't know why we are so concerned about Cousins playing the PF position even just half of the time. It might actually help him stay away from early foul trouble.

Are we saying that Cousins is not that talented and athletic (Shaq-like) compared to Duncan and Gasol?

Is that the hard truth about it?

I think the point is that he just hasn't shown the ability yet, to avoid foul trouble. If you're forced to have him guard quicker players than he's used to, it could make the issue more prevalent?

 

[206Fan]

Myles Turner(6'11", 240) - 20mpg, 12.5ppg(10-15 FG, 5-6FT), 6.5rpg, 4bpg and
Willie Caulie-Stein(7', 240) - 24.5mpg, 9ppg(9-13FG), 7.5rpg, 2.5apg, 2spg, 2.5bpg
are two most obvious guys, that Kings don't have a chance to get, because they decided to forgo their May vacations.

You forgot Jahlil Okafor.. guy has been amazing so far. 25MPG 19ppg (17-20) 7.5rebs 3asts 1.5blks

 

[New Era]

Give me a healthy Emeka Okafur for a one year veteran minimum rental around Christmas and I'll be happy. He can effectively guard interior power forwards and centers, is a competent shot blocker, and has playoff history with Landry, Michael Malone, and Collison. He can be an excellent defensive anchor as a starter or off the bench, with enough length and athleticism to help out JT with the defensive big duties, and furthermore, can stay out of the way of Cousins in the post.

Horford would be optimal as well, but will not come cheap...

I like your Okafur idea. Why is he still a FA?

 

[New Era]

Only thing wrong with that idea..."healthy" just doesn't seem to be in Emeka's vocabulary.

He's had a couple of seasons where he was injured and missed a lot of games but other than that he's pretty durable. He played in all 82 games 3 years in a row (2007-2010).

 

[KingMilz]

DeAndre Jordan if he decides to leave the Clippers (I think his contract runs out this year) and join in us so he doesn't have to face Cousins 4 times a year.

 

[Gilles]

You forgot Jahlil Okafor.. guy has been amazing so far. 25MPG 19ppg (17-20) 7.5rebs 3asts 1.5blks

Those two might somehow become available, if they slip a bit. Okafor is going top-3, and is one of the prizes for professional tankers, no need to mention him - he'll be most likely unavailable for the next 7 years.

 

[Sac.1989]

it would probably be easier to find a C and move boogie to the 4 then find a good fit at the 4.

Id want to keep boogie at the 5 but our options are limited. Horford would be a dream

 

[KingsFanGER]

Would love Millsap, cause he can space the floor and he is not as soft as the usual stretch-4-guy. On paper he might be a bit undersized, but he plays big and if you vote to keep JT to guard those big, strong PF/C of the West i don't see any problems.
But he won't come cheap, so I guess this will be a pipe dream. My opinion on J.Smith has already been discussed in another thread.

If we can't snatch one of the more talented PF's, i'm all for a defensive minded roleplayer like Ed Davis or Amir Johnson, cause I personally don't see JT as the premier defender he is made to in this forum.
If we don't get a defensive minded roleplayer i would try to pick up Brandon Bass, cause he is one of the best Pick&Pop Players in the league, has a great Mid-Range Jumper and is athletic enough to run the floor with Darren, Ben and Rudy and has a lot of experience. Not too bad of a defender also.

 

[TheBadGuy]

Emeka Okafor would be nice but the only problem is his history of injuries.

 

[hrdboild]

You might as well forget about the draft. We're already too good to meet the cutoff for the bottom 10 (usually about 35 wins). Even if we don't make the playoffs, if we're not in the bottom 10 we would have to get really really lucky to keep that pick.

 

[The Hammer]

You might as well forget about the draft. We're already too good to meet the cutoff for the bottom 10 (usually about 35 wins). Even if we don't make the playoffs, if we're not in the bottom 10 we would have to get really really lucky to keep that pick.

Seconded. We're basically done getting key pieces from the draft. We'll have to either get really lucky in late first round picks (starting year after next), or draft for very specific minor needs like the spurs do. They just got lucky with Leonard, they were drafting for need there. Thing is though, if you ARE drafting late first round for need, and not just going for "best player available", there's less of a chance you'll whiff completely, T-Rob/Jimmer style. You can focus on a solid, medium level ceiling player. Spurs have been doing it for years.

Speaking of the Spurs... I think more and more that is who we are modelling our team after, especially after hearing about Malone's reverence for Pop. They do have a close relationship, as Grant/Jerry/Kayte said during the game, despite never having worked together. But that seems to be our model: tight D starting with perimeter containment, high IQ players, toughness, and ball movement with 3 pt. shooting (when it comes around for us), combined with the ability to excel in a grind out half court game with a post player who can kill you at will. One of the bright spots for me this season, other than the obvious player highlights like Casspi, Ben, and Collison, is that Malone appears to be one hell of a coach, cut from the Pop cloth. A "player's coach" who is still tough.

 

[Bricklayer]

Grant gushing like a school girl about them at every opportunity aside, I'm not sure we have much to do with San Antonio really, other than lip service. As far as style and structure we actually bear more resemblance to, ironically, the Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy's old team. Tough inside post team, saavy PG floor leader, shooting so shaky we are almost not acknowledging its needed.

I should note here that for the 2nd year in a row we are dead last in assists. We are also dead last in 3pt shooting. On the other hand we're #1 in rebounding (which actually Memphis has never done well because Gaosl is a board weenie)

anyway:
-- 30th in assists
-- 30th in three point shooting (last in 3pt made, 29th in 3pt%)
-- 1st in rebounding
-- 1st in free throw makes and attempts (by a large margin)

that's a helluva interesting set of stats, but its not San Antonio. Not anyone really but us. But we are quite distinct out there now.

 

[KingsFanGER]

Speaking of the Spurs... I think more and more that is who we are modelling our team after, especially after hearing about Malone's reverence for Pop. They do have a close relationship, as Grant/Jerry/Kayte said during the game, despite never having worked together. But that seems to be our model: tight D starting with perimeter containment, high IQ players, toughness, and ball movement with 3 pt. shooting (when it comes around for us), combined with the ability to excel in a grind out half court game with a post player who can kill you at will. One of the bright spots for me this season, other than the obvious player highlights like Casspi, Ben, and Collison, is that Malone appears to be one hell of a coach, cut from the Pop cloth. A "player's coach" who is still tough.

I don't know. At the moment the Kings look more like the Grizzlies than the Spurs. Tough D, limited offense, grind out games. I doubt an Iso-heavy player like Rudy would play for the spurs under Coach Pop.
Maybe we use this year to establish a defensive culture and after accomplishing this, start to work on the offense more. Thanks to DMC and Rudy we don't need the praised motion-offense right now.
Once teams start to gameplan more, to stop DMC in the post and take away Rudy's interior game, things might look different.

 

[The Hammer]

I don't know. At the moment the Kings look more like the Grizzlies than the Spurs. Tough D, limited offense, grind out games. I doubt an Iso-heavy player like Rudy would play for the spurs under Coach Pop.
Maybe we use this year to establish a defensive culture and after accomplishing this, start to work on the offense more. Thanks to DMC and Rudy we don't need the praised motion-offense right now.
Once teams start to gameplan more, to stop DMC in the post and take away Rudy's interior game, things might look different.

I think we see the same thing.

To me, the iso-heaviness of almost any given player is determined by the system... and how much everybody is buying in.

Iso heavy players I think sometimes get a bad rap because on dysfunctional teams, poorly coached teams, the overly talented iso player takes it on himself to score... cause there is no system the team is buying into. I see the spurs as a team with some good iso players that have bought into the team concept, and basically just do what it takes on the spectrum of pass/create for yourself to score. And I think that's where we are headed. Our offense is a work in progress. And you can see a blatant difference between when it is working, and when it breaks down, and when it breaks down, Malone usually calls a timeout. Our iso players are not iso players because they can't/won't pass... it's because they're supremely talented one on one offensive players. Gay's passing is underrated, imo. But when your shooters haven't clicked in and your trying to win games, you're more likely to rely on your creators for shots.

Also, back in Duncan's prime, that offense was much more focused on going through him in the post. Changed with time.

 

[The Hammer]

-- 1st in free throw makes and attempts (by a large margin)

This is what has me particularly gulping the Malone kool aid. This is typically a sign of smart, savvy, well-coached teams. AND the fact we're hitting them at about 80% team-wide right now. I mean that's playoff type basketball.

And on second thought, I do agree we resemble the Grizzlies more than the Spurs, but resemble ourselves more than anybody. But again the Spurs have changed over time. I see Malone as a versatile coach, however, and I think part of our Grizz like style this year is simply cause we haven't had our shooters online yet. I actually think that'll happen once everyone can participate in the offense without thinking about it. The long term plan is clearly NOT to be a poor shooting team. Drafting Ben and Stauskas clearly indicates otherwise. The exciting part of our offense is that we've been able to do what we've done WITHOUT any 3 pt shooting. Once that changes... it's going to REALLY make us tough to defend.

Grizzly-like we may be now, but Grizzly-like we shall not stay.

 

[Prog]

Josh Smith is my choice. We just need to sign him to a contract similar to that of Boris Diaw, but instead of structuring it to keep him from gaining weight (as in Diaw's contract), it should be structured to keep him from shooting threes.

 

[Kingster]

The Grizzlies can pass better than the Kings. But similarities (or not) aside, it's not what team the Kings resemble now, it's what team they want to strive to be in the future. If you're striving for the bottom of the barrel in assists, then go out and get guys that can't pass; that will insure you the bottom of the barrel. If, on the other hand, you want something other than iso ball, then it seems like a good move to get some guys that can pass the ball and can move without the ball.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

This is what has me particularly gulping the Malone kool aid. This is typically a sign of smart, savvy, well-coached teams. AND the fact we're hitting them at about 80% team-wide right now. I mean that's playoff type basketball.

And on second thought, I do agree we resemble the Grizzlies more than the Spurs, but resemble ourselves more than anybody. But again the Spurs have changed over time. I see Malone as a versatile coach, however, and I think part of our Grizz like style this year is simply cause we haven't had our shooters online yet. I actually think that'll happen once everyone can participate in the offense without thinking about it. The long term plan is clearly NOT to be a poor shooting team. Drafting Ben and Stauskas clearly indicates otherwise. The exciting part of our offense is that we've been able to do what we've done WITHOUT any 3 pt shooting. Once that changes... it's going to REALLY make us tough to defend.

Grizzly-like we may be now, but Grizzly-like we shall not stay.

The low 3 point attempts directly correlates to the high free throw stats. I'm a big fan of this approach, since IMO the 3 point shot is very much overused in today's game. In a lot of ways it's "tarnishing" the game. Thankfully at this point, we prefer a more "classic" style of basketball. Much more entertaining to watch...and with the right players, very effective

 

[The Hammer]

The low 3 point attempts directly correlates to the high free throw stats. I'm a big fan of this approach, since IMO the 3 point shot is very much overused in today's game. In a lot of ways it's "tarnishing" the game. Thankfully at this point, we prefer a more "classic" style of basketball. Much more entertaining to watch...and with the right players, very effective

I'm very curious to know if this approach is a result of our analytics department. I'm sure there is some very highly guarded information being kept up in there.

Say what you will about Vivek and our FO's crazy ideas... but one thing you can't accuse them of is being inflexible and ruling things out. Nobody up there is blindly attached to any particular fad. Sometimes trends are valid, sometimes not.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

I'm very curious to know if this approach is a result of our analytics department. I'm sure there is some very highly guarded information being kept up in there.

Say what you will about Vivek and our FO's crazy ideas... but one thing you can't accuse them of is being inflexible and ruling things out. Nobody up there is blindly attached to any particular fad. Sometimes trends are valid, sometimes not.

Absolutely and it's a great indication of solid character and high IQ. We're in good hands

 

[Iced Espresso]

Whoever we go with, 1 thing I'd like to see if someone who is capable to guard both the PF and Center spots. Give us options to make it easier on Cousins, keeps him out of foul trouble too.

My order of importance.

1. Good or better individual defender
2. Can play both pf/c
3. Good or better helpside defender/rim protector
4. Stays out of the way on offense or can find a way to score without needing to be part of the offense regularly.

 

[twslam07]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I think Kyle O'Quinn would be a good target for us. He's going to be a restricted free agent this offseason, but with Vucevic and Frye making it $19 mil between the two of them and the fact that Gordon and Harris can swing over to play PF, how much are they willing to spend to keep O'Quinn? My thinking is that we could be able to pry him away with a decent offer.

He's a good size big (6'10" & 240 lbs) with excellent length (7'4.75" wingpsan). His size and athleticism give him the ability to guard PFs and Cs in this league which is definitely a plus next to Cousins. Not to mention he's the same age as Cousins so they should be going into their primes at roughly the same time.

As far as his play and how it meshes with our team, he seems like he would be a great fit.

He is a good shooter who shot 69% from the FT line last year and he also hits midrange jumpers at a great rate for a big man (51% from 10-16 ft and 41% from 16ft-3pt line). This will help space the floor when Cousins and Gay are operating down low.

He's a great rebounder. Per36, he averages 11.2 RPG for his career. With a frontcourt of Cousins, O'Quinn, and Gay, we should be able to dominate the boards night in and night out.

He's a great passer for a big man, who averages (per36) 2.6 APG for his career. Having both Cousins and O'Quinn finding people should only make it that much easier to find people for easy buckets.

His defense is also pretty good as well. He's strong enough to hold position down low, but also nimble enough to stay with his man. Not to mention he averages 2.3 BPG and 1 SPG per36 for his career. He should be able to defend the better of the opposing teams two bigs and also provide rim protection to help cement our interior defense. Two guys with 7'5" wingspans in the paint should cause all sorts of trouble.

With Cousins operating down low (posting up/drawing double teams/finding slashers) and O'Quinn at the opposite, high elbow (waiting to knock down an open jumper/quickly finding an open man when it comes his way), I think they could be a very good duo offensively. With O'Quinn defending the better big man, providing rim protection and steals and with Cousins providing help defense, charges, rim protection, and steals, they could be a very solid defensive frontcourt as they continue to develop and enter their primes.

With the extension of Gay, that will leave us with approximately $10 mil in cap room. That should be more than enough to pry O'Quinn away from the Magic. From there, we can trade Thompson for a solid backup center and a perimeter player to come off the bench.

Collison/Sessions/McCallum
McLemore/Stauskas
Gay
O'Quinn/Landry
Cousins

*possibly include our first rounder (depending on where we finish in the standings)
*possibly include Casspi and Evans if we can sign them for a vet min
*possily include a backup SG/SF and backup C if we can trade Thompson in the offseason

 

[LPKingsFan]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I think Kyle O'Quinn would be a good target for us. He's going to be a restricted free agent this offseason, but with Vucevic and Frye making it $19 mil between the two of them and the fact that Gordon and Harris can swing over to play PF, how much are they willing to spend to keep O'Quinn? My thinking is that we could be able to pry him away with a decent offer.

He's a good size big (6'10" & 240 lbs) with excellent length (7'4.75" wingpsan). His size and athleticism give him the ability to guard PFs and Cs in this league which is definitely a plus next to Cousins. Not to mention he's the same age as Cousins so they should be going into their primes at roughly the same time.

As far as his play and how it meshes with our team, he seems like he would be a great fit.

He is a good shooter who shot 69% from the FT line last year and he also hits midrange jumpers at a great rate for a big man (51% from 10-16 ft and 41% from 16ft-3pt line). This will help space the floor when Cousins and Gay are operating down low.

He's a great rebounder. Per36, he averages 11.2 RPG for his career. With a frontcourt of Cousins, O'Quinn, and Gay, we should be able to dominate the boards night in and night out.

He's a great passer for a big man, who averages (per36) 2.6 APG for his career. Having both Cousins and O'Quinn finding people should only make it that much easier to find people for easy buckets.

His defense is also pretty good as well. He's strong enough to hold position down low, but also nimble enough to stay with his man. Not to mention he averages 2.3 BPG and 1 SPG per36 for his career. He should be able to defend the better of the opposing teams two bigs and also provide rim protection to help cement our interior defense. Two guys with 7'5" wingspans in the paint should cause all sorts of trouble.

With Cousins operating down low (posting up/drawing double teams/finding slashers) and O'Quinn at the opposite, high elbow (waiting to knock down an open jumper/quickly finding an open man when it comes his way), I think they could be a very good duo offensively. With O'Quinn defending the better big man, providing rim protection and steals and with Cousins providing help defense, charges, rim protection, and steals, they could be a very solid defensive frontcourt as they continue to develop and enter their primes.

With the extension of Gay, that will leave us with approximately $10 mil in cap room. That should be more than enough to pry O'Quinn away from the Magic. From there, we can trade Thompson for a solid backup center and a perimeter player to come off the bench.

Collison/Sessions/McCallum
McLemore/Stauskas
Gay
O'Quinn/Landry
Cousins

*possibly include our first rounder (depending on where we finish in the standings)
*possibly include Casspi and Evans if we can sign them for a vet min
*possily include a backup SG/SF and backup C if we can trade Thompson in the offseason

Good analysis of a name that's not mentioned much, but might make some sense. Nice post.

 

[GoodOldDouwe]

I wouldn't mind taking a look at Emeka Okafor and Jermaine O'Neal as your 8-12 minutes backup C. O'Neal was actually pretty solid last year in Golden State and showed he can still block some shots, grab boards and set good screens. Okafor had a scary injury, so I don't know what's up with him, if he's the same player as 2/3 years ago he'd be an improvement over Reggie Evans overall.

 

[hrdboild]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I think Kyle O'Quinn would be a good target for us. He's going to be a restricted free agent this offseason, but with Vucevic and Frye making it $19 mil between the two of them and the fact that Gordon and Harris can swing over to play PF, how much are they willing to spend to keep O'Quinn? My thinking is that we could be able to pry him away with a decent offer....

I missed on Kyle O'Quinn when I made my list of young PFs to watch. Just completely overlooked him somehow, but he should have made the list as well. I'll have to watch Orlando play more this season. He's definitely a player worth considering.

 

[swisshh]

Kyle O'Quinn has an unusually high ast ratio for a big man in limited minutes. One of the concerns at the 4 is the lack of passing at that position. Neither JT, Landry or Evans are good passers. O'Quinn could work and his contract is cheap. Not sure how you acquire him this season though. All our cheap contracts are good young prospects that it's best to hold onto, and then Casspi who is very valuable right now.

As for O'Quinn's game. he's a big dude with strong shoulders and long arms. He's not all that athletic, but tends to challenge shots without fouling. He's similar defensively to how Cousins works. Just a lot of use of feet and hands to cover space.

His offensive touch is pretty soft and he hits a lot of mid range-side jumpers. He'll toss some Big Al-like floaters in the lane as well. He passes well, and as mentioned, would make the biggest difference at that position via the passing.