I Still Know What They Should Do This Summer - Sacramento Kings

[loserX]

Hi all: we've done threads like this the past few years and gotten to see some really good ideas and creativity, so here's one for now. (Will we do all the teams? Maybe! If there's a team you'd like to see, feel free to suggest, or start your own thread!)

The idea: for the team listed, plan out their offseason as you see it: trades, draft, free agency. Obviously at this time there is a LOT of uncertainty about what the rest of the season/offseason will hold, but we can use some assumptions, and if you're here it means that like me you don't have a lot else going on

Today's team is the Sacramento Kings. After a tumultuous few years, a struggling franchise finally started to show some signs of life. That said, they still have some mess to clean up and some work to do. How should they continue?

ROSTER
Buddy Hield........24,431,818.....22,477,723.....20,522,727...18,568,182
Harrison Barnes...22,215,909.....20,284,091.....18,352,273
Cory Joseph.......12,600,000.....12,600,000 ($2.4m guarantee)
Marvin Bagley..... 8,963,640.....11,312,3141 (TO)
De'Aaron Fox...... 8,099,627
Nemanja Bjelica.. 7,150,000 (ung)
Jabari Parker...... 6,500,000 (PO)
Richaun Holmes.. 5,005,350
Justin James...... 1,517,981..... 1,782,621 (ung)

Total of above for 2020-21: $96,484,325
RFAs: Bogdan Bogdanovic
UFAs: Kent Bazemore, Alex Len, Yogi Ferrell, Harry Giles

Draft picks: assuming current draft order, Sacramento would have the #12 pick in the 2020 draft, and the #35 (from Detroit), #43 (own) and #53 (from Miami). They own all their own future firsts and seconds, and have additional 2nd rounders incoming in 2021, 2024, and 2025.

There are some options here: what should the Kings do?

Questions to consider:

Playoff Payoff: Assuming no playoffs this year, the Kings' drought will be 14 seasons...the second longest such drought in NBA history. No one is suggesting that they should cash out all their prospects for 36-year-olds just to dump the slump, but on the other hand it's not going to fly if your vision is to punt all the veterans for a roster of rookie deals either. This team needs a vision and a realistic, executable plan to get back into the playoffs sooner rather than later; Vivek didn't buy this team with the intention of breaking the lotto futility record. And this team needs contributors, not four picks in a bleh draft; start there.

Kingsguard: The Kings have a bunch of capspace this year (depending on what the COVID cap looks like)...but have already announced their intent to bring back Bogdanovic no matter what. He played well last year and will probably earn a hefty deal, but this team is already paying Hield big money at the 2 (Double-Bogie's best position), and Barnes big money at forward. They probably *can* afford all three, but that doesn't necessarily make it a good idea. Is there a salary point for Bogdanovic at which one of them has to go? Should they consider moving someone to balance the roster anyway? (And on the topic of guards: is CoJo the best available answer as Fox's backup?)

King Size: the team has a bunch of different names up front: Holmes, Bagley, Bjelica, with Barnes and Parker as combo forwards. Each has something they can offer, but it's also questionable whether they have a two-starters-on-a-playoff-team among them. (And only Barnes and Bagley (TO) are under contract after this year.) Is there an upgrade possible here? What kinds of players would be an ideal fit to complement the team's backcourt?

So...if you ran the Kings, what would you do?

[aguiar95]

As crazy as it sounds, I would just run it back next year. Not sure how much Len and Bazemore would get on the open market, spend the MLE on both. Their 2nd unit was one of the best on the league, so I'm maintaining that rotation. Bagley must develop into something, this has to be his year.

Fox/Joseph
Bogdanovic (70M/4-years decreasing)/Hield/James
Barnes/Bazemore (12M/2-year)
Bagley/Bjelica/Parker
Holmes/Len (4M/1-year)

#12: D. Vassell (SG/SF)
#35: X. Tillman (C)

[babyjax13]

I'm going to start with the questions:

Playoff Payoff: Assuming no playoffs this year, the Kings' drought will be 14 seasons...the second longest such drought in NBA history. No one is suggesting that they should cash out all their prospects for 36-year-olds just to dump the slump, but on the other hand it's not going to fly if your vision is to punt all the veterans for a roster of rookie deals either. This team needs a vision and a realistic, executable plan to get back into the playoffs sooner rather than later; Vivek didn't buy this team with the intention of breaking the lotto futility record. And this team needs contributors, not four picks in a bleh draft; start there.

I fundamentally disagree with this. The Kings are not one or two solid veterans away from the playoffs, and they are well on their way to capping themselves out for a team whose upside is somewhere between the 7th and 10th seed two years from now. OTOH if they are able to get themselves some decent prospects and cap flexibility without sacrificing their core (Fox-Bogdanovic) they might have a chance of being in the playoffs two years from now. They shouldn't cut this process short (as they've already been trying to do), although they probably will. So this is where I'd start, change the direction of the franchise slightly, and that probably involves firing Vlade.

Kingsguard: The Kings have a bunch of capspace this year (depending on what the COVID cap looks like)...but have already announced their intent to bring back Bogdanovic no matter what. He played well last year and will probably earn a hefty deal, but this team is already paying Hield big money at the 2 (Double-Bogie's best position), and Barnes big money at forward. They probably *can* afford all three, but that doesn't necessarily make it a good idea. Is there a salary point for Bogdanovic at which one of them has to go? Should they consider moving someone to balance the roster anyway? (And on the topic of guards: is CoJo the best available answer as Fox's backup?)

Very few teams have cap space, I think they will be able to negotiate something reasonable.

King Size: the team has a bunch of different names up front: Holmes, Bagley, Bjelica, with Barnes and Parker as combo forwards. Each has something they can offer, but it's also questionable whether they have a two-starters-on-a-playoff-team among them. (And only Barnes and Bagley (TO) are under contract after this year.) Is there an upgrade possible here? What kinds of players would be an ideal fit to complement the team's backcourt?

I actually disagree here, too. I think they have some playoff-caliber guys, if they just had a second star player to go with Fox.

So...

Priorities:
I. Move some of the veterans that have value (Barnes, Bjelica, Heild).
II. Move up in the draft if possible, or swap picks for players that fit (e.g. Lauri).
III. Let the young guys go through their growing pains this year, especially since the 2021 draft is nuts.
IV. Open up cap space for 2021.

Trade 1:
Sacramento trades: Buddy Heild
Orlando trades: Al Farouq-Aminu, Mo Bamba, Melvin Frazier
Sacramento gets a Center that is a nice hypothetical fit with Fox and Bagley, while saving some money. Orlando gets another scorer and floor spacer, and moves Aminu's contract.

Trade 2:
Sacramento trades: Harrison Barnes, Nmenja Bjelica, 2020 DET 2nd (35)
Portland trades: Trevor Ariza (bought out), Rodney Hood, Nassir Little, Mario Hezonja, 2020 POR 1st (14)*, cash
*effectively the rights to this player, to make the trade legal when salaries switch over

For Portland, this trade rounds out their rotation with the exact archetypes of players they have been missing. For Sacramento, they clear cap space, get a nice prospect, and grab another late lottery guy.

Picks:
12. Patrick Williams
14. Jaden McDaniels
43. Elijah Hughes

Richaun Holmes/Mo Bamba
Marvin Bagley/Nassir Little/Patrick Williams
Jaden McDaniels/Patrick Williams
Bogdan Bogdanovic/Justin James/Elijah Hughes
De'Aaron Fox/Cory Joseph

This team has tons of interesting athletes that have nice hypothetical skillsets. Sacramento takes a step back for the year, but they'll have the ability to make some moves in 2021.

[giberish]

As crazy as it sounds, I would just run it back next year. Not sure how much Len and Bazemore would get on the open market, spend the MLE on both. Their 2nd unit was one of the best on the league, so I'm maintaining that rotation. Bagley must develop into something, this has to be his year.

Fox/Joseph
Bogdanovic (70M/4-years decreasing)/Hield/James
Barnes/Bazemore (12M/2-year)
Bagley/Bjelica/Parker
Holmes/Len (4M/1-year)

#12: D. Vassell (SG/SF)
#35: X. Tillman (C)

It feels kind of lame to just stay the course, but I'm not sure what else really makes sense. They're not good enough to make a big win-now move but they're also not in a good position for a win-later move to make sense (they've missed the playoffs too long and a rebuild move is for the next GM - Vlade going for a rebuild would be asking to be fired).

I'd say your FA contracts seem a bit high. Bogdanovic felt like a $70-80M contract in a normal economy. This summer it's probably much less. Bazemore's really the 5th wing - a reasonable fit for his quality as a high-level 3rd string guy - but even high-level 3rd string guys shouldn't get much above a vet min deal.

[drosereturn]

Trade Bagley for WCJ.
Resign Bog to 4/60.
Draft Vassell at 12. Somehow draft Nesmith.
Get rid of all the UFAs and keep signing two way players for the next Kendrick Nunn.

Fox/two way deal
Hield/Nesmith
Bogs/Vassell
Barnes/Bjelica
WCJ/ two way deal

[HartfordWhalers]

Step 1) Identify who is your 'core'
Step 2) Identify how well this core fits together and what if any changes to the core are needed.
Step 3) Try to identify where further core might come from
Step 4) Add missing role players around the core, without jeopardizing 3 above.

First thing I would do is stop starting at step 4.

[KF10]

Clean the house. The Kings aren't a good team.

Fire the entire FO and replace them with actual professionals. I know Sam Hinkie is blacklisted from the NBA but he would be my guy at the top of the list. I would give him carte blanche. Let the process occur in Sacramento.

Fire the coaching staff. Walton is a bad coach. He lost more games than he won by his stupid decisions.

That Bagley pick is growing into an unmitigated disaster every time Bagley flounders and Doncic flourishes. God, the moment I saw Vlade draft Bagley over Doncic, I lost my mind. I really did try giving Bagley a chance. But the kid isn't up to par. He does have some interesting skill set around the basket but he's more of an athlete than a basketball player at this point. Doncic is LIGHT YEARS ahead of Bagley. Terrible pick.

Nobody is untouchable on the Kings. But if I had to keep a couple of players -- out of all of the players on the Kings roster, I keep Fox and Bogdan. Holmes is on a cheap contract for 2 years. I keep him too. The rest, I would sell for draft picks and any asset(s) I can extract. It has to be a true rebuild. I'll try my luck in the draft. Hopefully hit on a good player with the picks amassed. I'm a big proponent in high defensive energy players. I had enough of these soft finesse shooting players that can't defend out of a wet napkin. Try to modernize the 04 Pistons strategy. No real superstars but quality players at those five positions and great depth.

Easier said than done, right?

[loserX]

So far it seems like the proposals split between "change almost nothing" and "change almost everything" Well, I'll try my more gradual approach then:

1) Fire or re-assign Divac. I think most people realize that it's time for a change: Vlade is a kid in the pool, splashing around a lot but not really getting anywhere He still has ties to the organization and the community, so move him into a role more related to relationships and less related to constructing the team. His replacement? Troy Weaver has been a hot name for a long time. Current assistant GMs Matt Lloyd and Mike Zarren could be good fits too. We are looking for a real basketball mind here, not a former player whose best asset is nostalgia.

2) Roster adjustment. Hield looked a little disengaged at times this season, and I'd be concerned that re-signing Bogdanovic wouldn't exactly help. (And if Bogdanovic outplays Hield, paying the latter $24M for bench minutes isn't a great use of resources either.

Kings trade Buddy Hield, #12 for Jarrett Allen, Terrence Ross, Al-Farouq Aminu, #20
Magic trade Ross/Aminu/#15 for Hield
Nets trade Allen/#20 for #12/#15

The Kings move on from Hield and get a young rim-running athletic C, a much more cost-effective backup wing, and a feisty, gritty combo forward who can provide some much-needed defensive intensity.
Magic get the elite gunner they could really use in the backcourt. His spacing will be a big benefit to Fultz and Isaac, especially if Fournier opts out and walks.
Nets move Allen, a year from RFA, for some immediate savings and long-term cost control. They could pick up a couple of useful wings in this area of the draft.

Kings trade Cory Joseph, #43 for Delon Wright, cash
Mavericks trade Wright, cash for Tony Snell
Pistons trade Snell for Joseph/#43

Kings get an upgrade at backup PG who can still defend but also shoot. Dallas overpays for their 2nd rounder to help get it done.
Mavs get some wing help and chop the last year of Wright's contract in time for 2021.
Pistons could use some body at PG, and add a 2nd rounder for taking on Joseph's small guarantee in 2021.

3) Draft. Kings end up with #20 and draft the best forward available: maybe Jalen Smith or Jaden McDaniels. The team also has #53 but at that point, in this draft, just take the BPA and hope they become an NBA player.

4) Free Agency. The team still has the MLE and could use a couple more bench shooters on the cheap: I like Langston Galloway at guard and Noah Vonleh up front. Under the circumstances, anything with the possibility of multiple years and over the vet min will probably be enough for each of them.

Allen/Holmes/Vonleh
Bjelica/Aminu/Bagley
Barnes/Ross/McDaniels
Bogdanovic/Galloway
Fox/Wright

This isn't a contender, but the depth is better and we did it without locking into any megadeals for fading players. There's still some intriguing youth but also some veteran role players to step in if the kids struggle.

[SNPA]

I fundamentally disagree with this. The Kings are not one or two solid veterans away from the playoffs, and they are well on their way to capping themselves out for a team whose upside is somewhere between the 7th and 10th seed two years from now. OTOH if they are able to get themselves some decent prospects and cap flexibility without sacrificing their core (Fox-Bogdanovic) they might have a chance of being in the playoffs two years from now. They shouldn't cut this process short (as they've already been trying to do), although they probably will. So this is where I'd start, change the direction of the franchise slightly, and that probably involves firing Vlade.

Kingsguard: The Kings have a bunch of capspace this year (depending on what the COVID cap looks like)...but have already announced their intent to bring back Bogdanovic no matter what. He played well last year and will probably earn a hefty deal, but this team is already paying Hield big money at the 2 (Double-Bogie's best position), and Barnes big money at forward. They probably *can* afford all three, but that doesn't necessarily make it a good idea. Is there a salary point for Bogdanovic at which one of them has to go? Should they consider moving someone to balance the roster anyway? (And on the topic of guards: is CoJo the best available answer as Fox's backup?)

Very few teams have cap space, I think they will be able to negotiate something reasonable.

King Size: the team has a bunch of different names up front: Holmes, Bagley, Bjelica, with Barnes and Parker as combo forwards. Each has something they can offer, but it's also questionable whether they have a two-starters-on-a-playoff-team among them. (And only Barnes and Bagley (TO) are under contract after this year.) Is there an upgrade possible here? What kinds of players would be an ideal fit to complement the team's backcourt?

I actually disagree here, too. I think they have some playoff-caliber guys, if they just had a second star player to go with Fox.

So...

Priorities:
I. Move some of the veterans that have value (Barnes, Bjelica, Heild).
II. Move up in the draft if possible, or swap picks for players that fit (e.g. Lauri).
III. Let the young guys go through their growing pains this year, especially since the 2021 draft is nuts.
IV. Open up cap space for 2021.

Trade 1:
Sacramento trades: Buddy Heild
Orlando trades: Al Farouq-Aminu, Mo Bamba, Melvin Frazier
Sacramento gets a Center that is a nice hypothetical fit with Fox and Bagley, while saving some money. Orlando gets another scorer and floor spacer, and moves Aminu's contract.

Trade 2:
Sacramento trades: Harrison Barnes, Nmenja Bjelica, 2020 DET 2nd (35)
Portland trades: Trevor Ariza (bought out), Rodney Hood, Nassir Little, Mario Hezonja, 2020 POR 1st (14)*, cash
*effectively the rights to this player, to make the trade legal when salaries switch over

For Portland, this trade rounds out their rotation with the exact archetypes of players they have been missing. For Sacramento, they clear cap space, get a nice prospect, and grab another late lottery guy.

Picks:
12. Patrick Williams
14. Jaden McDaniels
43. Elijah Hughes

Richaun Holmes/Mo Bamba
Marvin Bagley/Nassir Little/Patrick Williams
Jaden McDaniels/Patrick Williams
Bogdan Bogdanovic/Justin James/Elijah Hughes
De'Aaron Fox/Cory Joseph

This team has tons of interesting athletes that have nice hypothetical skillsets. Sacramento takes a step back for the year, but they'll have the ability to make some moves in 2021.

Kings finished 9th in the West last year and are in the playoff hunt this year, so the bolded parts aren't right.

Vlade didn't like Mo Bamba in the draft, I doubt that has changed. It seems on paper like a possible fit with Bagley but there's never been any interest and Vlade really likes Buddy so I just can't see it happening. And there is no reason for the Kings to trade their only big wing in Barnes, just the opposite. They'd be looking to add another big wing to go with him.

What they are likely to do...
Draft BPA at 12 and 35
Sign Bogi
Resign Baze and Len
Pick up Belly's option
Run it back with Bagley in the fold hopefully

What I'd like them to do...
Mostly that but with a consideration for going after Haliburton in the draft. I view him as the perfect Fox backcourt partner for the next decade. And maybe taking a shot at a consolation trade for an all-star, Beal or similar.

The Kings have to make the playoffs. They are, surprisingly given how the season went, on the cusp of that. Vlade is likely thinking that with more time to learn and grow into Luke's system and Bagley back they are a better than .500 team. And there is some evidence that's the case, the Kings started to settle in once Fox was back and healthy and were playing good before the season shutdown.

[HartfordWhalers]

I really would not make moves now based off what Vlade thought before people even played in the NBA.

I’m not sold I would make moves based off what Vlade has seen since people entered the NBA.

[babyjax13]

I fundamentally disagree with this. The Kings are not one or two solid veterans away from the playoffs, and they are well on their way to capping themselves out for a team whose upside is somewhere between the 7th and 10th seed two years from now. OTOH if they are able to get themselves some decent prospects and cap flexibility without sacrificing their core (Fox-Bogdanovic) they might have a chance of being in the playoffs two years from now. They shouldn't cut this process short (as they've already been trying to do), although they probably will. So this is where I'd start, change the direction of the franchise slightly, and that probably involves firing Vlade.

Kingsguard: The Kings have a bunch of capspace this year (depending on what the COVID cap looks like)...but have already announced their intent to bring back Bogdanovic no matter what. He played well last year and will probably earn a hefty deal, but this team is already paying Hield big money at the 2 (Double-Bogie's best position), and Barnes big money at forward. They probably *can* afford all three, but that doesn't necessarily make it a good idea. Is there a salary point for Bogdanovic at which one of them has to go? Should they consider moving someone to balance the roster anyway? (And on the topic of guards: is CoJo the best available answer as Fox's backup?)

Very few teams have cap space, I think they will be able to negotiate something reasonable.

King Size: the team has a bunch of different names up front: Holmes, Bagley, Bjelica, with Barnes and Parker as combo forwards. Each has something they can offer, but it's also questionable whether they have a two-starters-on-a-playoff-team among them. (And only Barnes and Bagley (TO) are under contract after this year.) Is there an upgrade possible here? What kinds of players would be an ideal fit to complement the team's backcourt?

I actually disagree here, too. I think they have some playoff-caliber guys, if they just had a second star player to go with Fox.

So...

Priorities:
I. Move some of the veterans that have value (Barnes, Bjelica, Heild).
II. Move up in the draft if possible, or swap picks for players that fit (e.g. Lauri).
III. Let the young guys go through their growing pains this year, especially since the 2021 draft is nuts.
IV. Open up cap space for 2021.

Trade 1:
Sacramento trades: Buddy Heild
Orlando trades: Al Farouq-Aminu, Mo Bamba, Melvin Frazier
Sacramento gets a Center that is a nice hypothetical fit with Fox and Bagley, while saving some money. Orlando gets another scorer and floor spacer, and moves Aminu's contract.

Trade 2:
Sacramento trades: Harrison Barnes, Nmenja Bjelica, 2020 DET 2nd (35)
Portland trades: Trevor Ariza (bought out), Rodney Hood, Nassir Little, Mario Hezonja, 2020 POR 1st (14)*, cash
*effectively the rights to this player, to make the trade legal when salaries switch over

For Portland, this trade rounds out their rotation with the exact archetypes of players they have been missing. For Sacramento, they clear cap space, get a nice prospect, and grab another late lottery guy.

Picks:
12. Patrick Williams
14. Jaden McDaniels
43. Elijah Hughes

Richaun Holmes/Mo Bamba
Marvin Bagley/Nassir Little/Patrick Williams
Jaden McDaniels/Patrick Williams
Bogdan Bogdanovic/Justin James/Elijah Hughes
De'Aaron Fox/Cory Joseph

This team has tons of interesting athletes that have nice hypothetical skillsets. Sacramento takes a step back for the year, but they'll have the ability to make some moves in 2021.

Kings finished 9th in the West last year and are in the playoff hunt this year, so the bolded parts aren't right.

Vlade didn't like Mo Bamba in the draft, I doubt that has changed. It seems on paper like a possible fit with Bagley but there's never been any interest and Vlade really likes Buddy so I just can't see it happening. And there is no reason for the Kings to trade their only big wing in Barnes, just the opposite. They'd be looking to add another big wing to go with him.

What they are likely to do...
Draft BPA at 12 and 35
Sign Bogi
Resign Baze and Len
Pick up Belly's option
Run it back with Bagley in the fold hopefully

What I'd like them to do...
Mostly that but with a consideration for going after Haliburton in the draft. I view him as the perfect Fox backcourt partner for the next decade. And maybe taking a shot at a consolation trade for an all-star, Beal or similar.

The Kings have to make the playoffs. They are, surprisingly given how the season went, on the cusp of that. Vlade is likely thinking that with more time to learn and grow into Luke's system and Bagley back they are a better than .500 team. And there is some evidence that's the case, the Kings started to settle in once Fox was back and healthy and were playing good before the season shutdown.

I think finishing 9th was extremely flukey, and they made their upside worse by replacing Joerger with Walton. They just aren't a playoff team, and won't be for a long time without someone making a massive, massive jump (e.g. Fox becomes a top 3-4 point guard, or Bagley becomes a 20/10 type player).

[SNPA]

I think Fox has top 3/4 PG potential. People have been sleeping on him. Bagley getting 20/10 seems likely if he can play 32+ per night. He is no Luka but he can put up nice counting stats. He is at 15/7.5 in 25 minutes as is bouncing in and out of the lineup.

[becorz]

As a Kings fan with my rose colored glasses, I think that the Kings have a core that could be a solid playoff team. I also don't think Vivek is going to want to fire Vlade or Walton (especially if the team lost some money they thought they were going to get because of COVID), so I don't think the team is going to try to tank. But I want to do something drastic(for funsies)

Right now, Fox is definitely part of the team long term and I would want to build a faster team around him. I still also think that Bagley can be part of the core, if he can stop getting hurt (and keep Fox from feuding with his dad). Finally, I don’t think Buddy is very happy right now. Between that and his questionable contract, it might be a good time to trade him.

1. Trade Buddy Hield to Orlando for Aaron Gordon.
I think that with Bagley, the Kings are not going to find the unicorn three point shooting rim protector. So I think the team should focus on getting a switchable team on defense. Gordon/Barnes/Bagley are all athletic and can all defend multiple positions. I say take advantage of that.

2. Resign Bogdan Bogdonovic to a 3 year, $47.5 million deal (17.5 a year)
With Buddy gone, the team will need a SG and they already have him in house. I think this is pretty self explanatory. But it allows Bogi one more big contract at age 30.

3. Trade Corey Joseph and Miami’s second rounder to the Bulls for Thaddeus Young
Thad brings the kind of defense that I want on this Kings team. Very switchable and can guard multiple positions. Young makes slightly more than Joseph this year and they both have partially guaranteed contracts next year. I think Young is better (if more expensive), so the Bulls get a late second.

4. Sign Jeff Teague to a 2 year, $12 million deal, with another partially guaranteed year at the end, using part of the mid level.
If I am running a fast team, I think that Teague would be a pretty good PG coming off the bench. He won't bring the defense that CoJo does, but the Kings second unit needs some help on offense.

5. Sign Kent Bazemore to a 2 year, $12 million deal using bird rights
He brings some grit that the team needs and you already know that he fits in. With a need on the wing, I think he fits perfectly. Plus, Kings fans love him.

6. Draft the best player available in the draft
Let’s say Devin Vassell. He seems like the sexy prediction for the Kings pick, so why not.

7. Bring back Yogi Farrell and sign Meyers Leonard to cheap contacts.
Yogi is a good guard to have around as a third guard and I like what Leonary brings to the table. The other option is to use second rounders for depth. But I like these two players.

Fox / Teague / Farrell
Bogi / Bazemore / Vassell
Barnes / Young / James
Gordon / Bjelica / Parker
Bagley / Holmes / Leonard

With the starting five here, you aren’t going to block shots, but I think the defense would certainly be improved defensively with Gordon in there. And I think you would have enough offensive firepower. And the second team could run a similar scheme, with Young and Holmes able to switch defensively (not so much Bjelica, but I couldn’t talk myself into trading him). I think this would be a fun team to watch and I think it would be competitive.

[rpa]

I don't have much more of an answer than "burn it down to the **** ground". Fire everyone. The front office; the coaching staff; trainer; ball boys.

Burn. It. Down.

I was a Kings fan for 25 years. Bagley was the point where I said "no mas".

[E S V L]

The plan should be straight: trade everyone whose name isn’t Fox.

[loserX]

For those suggesting a total teardown: okay, what does that look like?

If Vlade and/or Luke are fired, who should replace them?
If veterans and/or disappointing youngsters are traded, to where and for what?
If the idea is to start over with rookies, who should the Kings draft?

This is your chance to run the show! You're smart and creative...what's Phase 2 (after the matches and gasoline )?

[SNPA]

For those suggesting a total teardown: okay, what does that look like?

If Vlade and/or Luke are fired, who should replace them?
If veterans and/or disappointing youngsters are traded, to where and for what?
If the idea is to start over with rookies, who should the Kings draft?

This is your chance to run the show! You're smart and creative...what's Phase 2 (after the matches and gasoline )?

If it’s drastic change that’s going to happen it makes more sense to consolidate than go back to betting on the draft and being terrible. The Kings have all their picks, and assets to bundle.

[sacking123]

For me it comes down to answering a couple of questions.
This group hasn't had a decent run at it due to injuries so you run it back with minor tweaks. Trade this years lottery pick for future assets (this will come in handy regardless).
There are two sides to the run it back because this group hasn't had a run at it and this really dictates what happens from here. Is this group injury prone or were they fluke injuries?


For me I am really close to saying there is a problem with either the conditioning of this group or they're a group of injury prone players.
Bogs is one guy I've been saying since he came to the Kings he needs a rest from International play otherwise he just won't develop into the player he could become (he constantly was far too tired at the end of seasons - imagine if the Kings made the POs!). This has given him a chance to rest and IMO next season will be his best. Fox clearly took another step prior to the stop play, but again, is he injury prone or is it just a few injuries here and there?

If you can bring back Bazemore and Len

So essentially sign Bogs/Bazemore/Len/Farrell
Trade the #12 for 2021 top 5 protected 1st and 2022 lottery protected 1st that turns into a 2nd if not conveyed.

Fox/Joseph/Farrell
Bogs/Buddy/James
Barnes/Bazemore
Bagley/Bjelica/Parker
Holmes/Len

This way by the trade deadline next season the Kings can make a choice with this squad. If injuries happen again then guess what, clear the decks. And that means Vlade too, it was his decision to bring these guys in.
If they're not in PO position then again, clear the decks and get whatever assets possible. You don't let Vlade double down on any future assets unless he has the Kings into a position to make a run at it. Period.
There would still be a lot of expiring money in Bjelica/Parker/Joseph (2mill gtd 21/22 which can be offset with cash)/Holmes. These guys all up will account for 31m. Heck it could be Bagley too if it really goes south and that puts it into the 40m category. That isn't accounting for small 1yr contracts potentially on Baezmore/Len/Farrell.
Next year could give the Kings an opportunity to pull the trigger for the final piece with all of these expiring contract plus all the picks, multiple 1st and 2nds.
The higher end of the upside next season is Fox is a 1a/b type player/Bagley is 3/Bogs 4/Buddy 5/Barnes 6 and they can use assets to get their 1a/b or number 2 guy in a trade.
The lower end of the scale puts the Kings in a complete rebuild. Tear it down and start with whatever you have left. Which should be not 1 of the current crop.

[Texas Chuck]

Barnes and Fox stay. Bogs too if he signs for a reasonable rate.

I'd try and get value out of Bjelica and Bagley(if he still has any) and Holmes. I don't expect much but I'd take what I could get. Bjelica can stay if the return is too little. Other two gone.

Fire sale everyone else. If I can get them off the roster I get them off.

Total overhaul of FO and coaching staff. Hire a young, bright GM looking for his first shot. Bring in a veteran coach who demands accountability.

This is a team with a completely broken culture going back a really long time. You have to fix that first before you can worry about building up the talent. They've had some talent and still never won.

Fox is the best player and a guy who competes. Barnes is the professional veteran you want as an example and a leader. Bring in more high quality veteran players to go with the younger players you are drafting. Re-define the culture and build from there. Sucks to know you are pushing the playoffs back another 3 years, but there is no other path forward. You have to fix the foundation or the house you build will always be broken.

[SNPA]

Bagley is not and will never be Luka. But, he doesn’t suck. All these dump him for scraps and move on concepts have a fairly solid chance of looking bad in the future. There are only two things in his way of being a vey productive nba player, staying healthy and these have all been random flukie injuries, and possibly his dads Lavar Ball tendencies. Dumping him likely compounds the problem since you aren’t getting a great return at this point.

What’s worse than picking him over Luka? Dumping him and watching him go for 20/10 somewhere else. That’s what.