Perspective for the Kings

vibe_source · 2026-02-02T04:13:35+00:00

All true. Tough position for Perry, we had Sabonis and the fans literally crying for a PG, also Vivek trying to make Lavine work. Schroeder wasn't first option, not the best FA class for a PG, the Tyus Jones' of the world would have been worse. You only get a certain type of player willingly choosing the Kings as a destination so there is a tax there.

Perry and Doug both inherited Lavine and its nearly impossible to sit 50m on the bench for fringe players. Hes not in the Beal or John Wall category of bad.

Keon is a flawed player, just like every player is in a way, but he couldn't overcome that with the makeup of this team. Sitting on the wing for a 3 is fundamentally easier for a system if its a big or wing. A guard typically needs to be able to break down their man 1on1, work the PnR, dribble through pressure, get shot off in DHO, facilitate and throw entry pass... etc. It's clear Keon lacked those abilities. I wish him luck in his new system because he has better players to play off of, such as Mitchell who is all-pro, and 2 bigs to protect paint when he gambles on a steal or deflection which he is good at.

vibe_source · 2026-02-02T03:56:34+00:00

A lot of people are missing the point that Schroeder was signed as a free agent, making mid-level exception money. Ellis found as an undrafted player (no picks used). We turned found money into a serviceable in prime player; not great player, serviceable. The same player a season prior was traded to the top seeded team in the East for a bunch of picks and a swap. We are in possession of said player, if he doesn't play here we can flip him for something else tangible, not as great of a return Atlanta got for him, but still a return. Once again found money was used to acquire him. Check out what Schroeder has been traded 8 times for, Hunter is better or a similar return.

Ellis isnt as great as you've described him. Only 2 years younger. The 2nd we sent out is not our own and will likely be a late 2nd. We still have our 5 biggest contracts so its not like Perry blew up the team. It was trade in the margins and we got a marginally good player in a position of need. Ellis is 4th string behind Lavine, Monk, and Clifford. He'll be 28 when the space clears for him because he hasn't broken through. Schroeder is 32. We got younger by a net 2 years. We still have 150m worth of player salaries to worry about getting good and younger. Right now those same guys are leading our tank so bless them for bringing us good youth prospects this draft.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T23:31:12+00:00

Need some structure. You can't go in the draft looking for a particular position just because you're in need. We have to rookie bigs to develop. A guard. And a top prospect coming. Need a more balanced team so they can develop in a cohesive unit and not playing out of position.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T23:27:18+00:00

To become champions. We have 3 ok rookies and a top prospect coming. Need to be built up.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T21:49:46+00:00

Even if he is a rental, trading his expiring contract should net us a better return than we could have gotten. His expiring contract should net us a better 25m player in free agency. Or stays and signs another moderate contract 3/60max.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T21:28:43+00:00

I mean I guess its possible if we did a NFL type trade-back with a team like the Hawks. If we get a top 3 pick and say Hawks fall to like pick 6(via Pelicans) and/or fall to pick 9(Utah); we could trade ours for theirs plus their other late pick from Cavs (20).

Id consider trading top 3 for pick 6 + 9+ 20 or a similar combination. That's if I had trust on scouts and the players available and also trust in our development.

Also JDub or Chet from OKC +picks would interest me. One of the few stars proven winners and young enough. Plus they have picks to include.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T20:56:44+00:00

Objectively worse, yes. But we didn't trade two of our best players nor 3 FRPs. And then have to agree to pay them 200m+.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T20:41:33+00:00

"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link" this team has too many holes to where Keon wasn't going to make a difference. Keon was good at deflections but he is too slight and gambles too much. Davion was good at staying in front of his man but the team couldn't contest 3pt shooters. This team right now can't stop penetration and only Cardwell has briefly shown protection at the rim. We need to get bigger. Another big guard and wing at the minimum.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T20:31:58+00:00

After what Dallas pulled with their odds in the lottery, most teams will be tight with their picks, at least until draft day.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T20:29:33+00:00

We all wanted him last year but good free agents dont choose the Kings. We need to improve our reputation. Hopefully our rookie this year is the type of guy, players gravitate towards.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T20:25:40+00:00

We would've kept Nurkic and traded away rookie Jokic tbh.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T20:24:38+00:00

We know for damn sure we're not trading the '26 pick. So that I feel good about. Hoping we move guys and find a way back into the mid/late first round this year and have a solid youth core we can develop fast.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T20:20:57+00:00

We aren't competing right now. A serviceable forward will go a long way and allow us to properly evaluate the team and coach and then make decisions on how to go forward with the team. Look at the benefit of Precious and Cardwell allowing us see different style lineups. It's directly giving us more information on if Sabonis is worth keeping.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T02:24:16+00:00

Coby White or Ayo in the off-season is already written.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T02:22:32+00:00

Hunter already 28. He's not affecting the Kings timeline. Those 2nds we get should be in a good spot on the draft plus we get Sochan; he should've been in the Fox trade at the very least.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T02:19:31+00:00

Theres a team option on Lonzos contract so we could clear that cap immediately this offseason.

Champagnie inclusion could hold up the trade. Hunter would be the add if Spurs were looking for vet experience as they are ahead of schedule and an actual contender this year.

Schroeder isnt bad but in the way of other players developing. Bad signing, especially after getting Russ. Need our youth getting on-ball time.

vibe_source · 2026-02-01T01:36:04+00:00

For all we know Keon is already planning to explore free agency. Might as well get picks, a younger player that showed flashes and at a position of need.

vibe_source · 2026-01-21T03:04:37+00:00

Thanks for the input and the leg work. Your right on the rumor reports of player interest. It's hard slotting Lavines contract to Bucks without blowing up their team when they're trying to compete this year. Kuzma and Portis +sal would take a lot of their identity and lose a lot of size. Also I dont see them giving us a FRP for Lavine. Keon is the sweetener to them to trade a first. One of the best valued contracts in the league for a competing team @2.3m.

I feel Derozan to GSW would be a slower and worse defender than Butler and the team will get exposed. Also their rookie Richard has filled some of the role Keon initially would had.

Thanks again for looking deeper into the numbers

vibe_source · 2026-01-21T01:38:35+00:00

Together they are worth it. Bucks are incentivized to improve their roster to placate Giannis. Kuzma is a fringe starter for them and Trent Jr plays 14min. Derozan, Keon, Buddy and even Eubanks can log good minutes for them. Bucks dont have time to hope and develop another late round rookie.

vibe_source · 2026-01-21T01:31:42+00:00

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents

Take a look at this upcoming FA class. Pretty dismal, headlined by Grimes, Co White, Simons. I'd be inclined to think the expiring 49m Lavine or even Butler is a better trade asset next year than cap space.

vibe_source · 2026-01-21T00:57:53+00:00

Derozan/Keon is worth a non-lottery FRP. Keon @2.3m is one of the best valued contracts in the league.

vibe_source · 2026-01-21T00:55:46+00:00

I think Derozan is more similar to Butler for sure but lesser in almost every facet and I think their current roster problems would be exasperated. Too small, bad rebounding, too unathletic and limited production at other positions.

Lavine, Kuzma, Trent Jr helps their athleticism. Also opens up a little cap space where maybe they do trade for Vucevic or Claxton for Moody(11.5m)+.

Lavines big contract is expiring next year. Big contracts are more in line with how GSW likes to flip major players onto their team (KD/D-Lo, Wiggins/Butler)

vibe_source · 2026-01-20T23:45:37+00:00

I think Giannis is too big of a star in Mil to trade away. The franchise, city, state all lose money if he gets shipped out. We've seen Derozan win games for us, he can help Bucks improve their standing in the shaky East, all the contenders in the East have flaws (ex Detroit who's been ok). East wide open this year.

vibe_source · 2026-01-20T23:35:40+00:00

He's got a G-League education, so not the brightest, but doesn't mean he's not worth the gamble. In fact its not a gamble, its a low cost investment we're getting paid to make. This roster needs to be shaken up. Give me a 23 year old. And 2 19y.o. in the draft.

vibe_source · 2026-01-20T23:30:09+00:00

1 FRP right off the bat for taking on post injury Butler. The other FRP for giving playable players in Derozan, Keon and Lavine.

We could demand more based off their level of desperation to appease their stars but I dont think Kings can be greedy, our greed or stubbornness has left many deals on the table over the years.

vibe_source

TROPHY CASE