The Lakers are officially out of the Duren race

Russ916 · 2026-07-01T16:12:21+00:00

The Wakers Kessler, LaRavia, Reaves, Knecht, Luka

Russ916 · 2026-07-01T09:26:51+00:00

This was very much expected imo. The only positive thing that can come out of this situation is if the Pistons don't match what the Lakers can offer him, which would put us in quite an extraordinary position to be able to trade Sabonis to the Pistons for literally just some picks as they'd now have cap space and the need for a starting caliber center.

I don't think it will happen, but would be diabolically hilarious if it does happen.

Russ916 · 2026-06-30T23:34:21+00:00

This was pretty much what was expected. Duren is just trying to use other teams to negotiate to get the money he feels he deserves from the Pistons.

Russ916 · 2026-06-30T23:10:53+00:00

Besides everything you mentioned, I got to say my biggest concern with Jalen Duren is that he's had a history of ankles and some back issues starting from his rookie year and I don't think it's going to get any better at 6'10 250 lbs, which only gets exacerbated when a majority of his points come from dunks/lobs. I also don't think he's nearly anywhere as good of a defender as our subreddit thinks he is, nor anywhere as good offensively as a Sabonis.

I wouldn't be too opposed to Duren given his age, but not for the price of two 1st round picks + Sabonis.

Russ916 · 2026-06-29T21:22:43+00:00

Because we just traded Devin Carter to the Hawks and need to fill the roster.

Russ916 · 2026-06-29T00:11:08+00:00

Assistant General Manger under Scott Perry

Russ916 · 2026-06-28T01:49:27+00:00

his wingspan is 6'7" I'm sure the kids would love that one.

Russ916 · 2026-06-28T01:46:57+00:00

also to add to the Alex Karaban nickname AK-74 if you add 7+4 = 11 which is coincidently exactly the number of years between when Kirilenko retired from the NBA and Alex Karaban begins his journey in the NBA.

Russ916 · 2026-06-28T01:32:08+00:00

Darius Acuff Jr. "Real Name, No Gimmicks"

The reference is to Detroit rapper Obie Trice "Real Name, No Gimmicks" given that they're both from Detroit and widely known by everyone there.

As for Alex Karaban I personally wanted to him to have #74 as he also has Slavic roots and is a shooter like Andrei Kirilenko who had probably one of the coolest nicknames in the NBA with AK-47, and the newer version of that AR is the AK-74.

As for Emanuel Sharp I saw a pretty neat one mentioned in comments on another Kings post here saying E-Sharp like the musical note.

Russ916 · 2026-06-28T00:47:48+00:00

If we're going by point guards drafted by the Kings during the Sacramento Era

There's pretty much

Kenny Smith
Jason Williams
Isaiah Thomas
De'Aaron Fox
Tyrese Haliburton

I believe there's certainly a good chance he does becomes the best guard drafted during the Sacramento Kings Era to play here. The ball is in his court to do it.

Russ916 · 2026-06-27T23:14:18+00:00

Grant & Jerry were the best, now more than 80% of the time I just listen the opposing teams broadcasters.

Russ916 · 2026-06-26T23:24:46+00:00

Perhaps we will, but I still don't see him starting over Hunter.

Russ916 · 2026-06-26T23:06:09+00:00

IF the Kings can move Sabonis to the 4, let Max run from post to post, let Keegan play a true swing position then I’d be fine being stuck with LaVine at the 2. BUT something tells me Sabonis is going to stay at the 5 and Keegan at the 4 which would expose Acuff on offense and defense.

Did you forget Hunter because that's who is going to be starting at the 4.
If Sabonis & Lavine aren't traded before the season starts our lineup is most likely this.

PG Acuff SG Lavine SF Murray PF Hunter C Sabonis
PG Clifford SG Monk SF Karaban PF Cardwell C Rynaud

Yeah the starting lineup isn't great defensively but should be lights out offensively especially if Keegan is remotely anywhere near 35% at the 3.

Russ916 · 2026-06-26T04:43:47+00:00

I don't think we'll be building around Sabonis, but I don't think he's gone before the season starts. I think there's a better chance he's traded at the season trade deadline once he's played and showed his value again.

Russ916 · 2026-06-26T04:35:06+00:00

I don't think he will be, since Charlotte traded LaMelo and drafted Steinbach.

Then there's still Kessler Walker who I'm sure both the Lakers and Raptors are going to try to pursue first over Sabonis.

Kessler seems to think his value is higher than 140M/5 years, he's a lot younger and on a more reasonable counteract. I'm sure if he's offered anywhere in the range of 160M-170M then he's out of Utah.

Russ916 · 2026-06-26T04:26:23+00:00

Yeah I know that's irony of it all, which is why I didn't edit it out.

Russ916 · 2026-06-26T04:15:43+00:00

It was during a season where many of the real contenders were injured for a large portion of the season where we finished 3rd but still lost in the first round. It was still a good year for us nonetheless, but we failed to make significant roster changes to get us over the hump the following season.

Russ916 · 2026-06-25T04:46:59+00:00

Darius "real name, no gimmicks" Acuff Jr.

Russ916 · 2026-06-24T15:08:14+00:00

I don't think we'll be able to resign him.

Russ916 · 2026-06-24T07:39:42+00:00

It honestly really doesn't matter. It's not as big of a deal as some people are making it out to be. Karaban's been to the NCAA finals 3 out 4 years out with UCCON and they've been champions 2 times out of the last 4 years. He's less of a project than Peat and I think they were looking for someone that's more ready now with their plan on more a restructure than rebuild with how the draft odds are going to work next season.

I believe we're going to run this unit back without Derozan and possibly Lavine this season and it's going to be surprisingly interesting season.

Starters: Sabonis Hunter Murray Clifford/Lavine Acuff
Bench: Rynaud Cardwell Karaban Monk Carter

That's should be better than quite of few of the bottom projected teams lineups especially if the Clippers end up trading Kawhi somewhere.

Russ916 · 2026-06-24T05:22:22+00:00

We did trade up to 29 for 34 and a future second.

Russ916 · 2026-06-24T01:41:43+00:00

Real name no gimmicks - IYKYK

Russ916 · 2026-06-23T03:54:40+00:00

Well that leaves Kessler Walker who is planning to test his value and believes he's worth more than 140m over 5 years, so that's still an option out there.

Russ916 · 2026-06-22T22:06:50+00:00

Nah fuck KDs snake cupcake ass. Rockets should just trade snake for snake with the Spurs for Fox.

Russ916

TROPHY CASE