RealGM

I don’t really see this as being realistic but thought I’d have some fun on deadline day

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BKN Gets: De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, & Chris Duarte
BKN Gives: Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, & Dorian Finney-Smith
Why for BKN? The Nets get the best player in the deal to be the face of their franchise since they can’t really tank with their 1sts being owned by HOU. Barnes also gives them a solid veteran forward who can help keep the floor spaced for Fox.

PG - Fox / Dinwiddie / Smith
SG - Thomas / Walker / Duarte
SF - O’Neale / Watford / Whitehead
PF - Barnes / Simmons / Clowney
C - Claxton / Sharpe / Giles

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SAC Gets: Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, & Dorian Finney-Smith
SAC Gives: De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, & Chris Duarte
Why for Kings? Losing Fox is a huge blow but the Kings would be betting on fit & balance to improve the team overall. Monk could slide over at starting PG (per 36, he’s averaging .58 TS% / .44 FG% / .38 3P% / .80 FT% / 20.7 PTS / 3.8 REB / 7.5 AST / 0.8 STL / 0.9 BLK / 2.9 TO) who’s actually looked like a best passer/playmaker than Fox this year. Monk’s also a much more respected & consistent shooter than Fox and can really help keep the floor stretched for Sabonis. In fact, the shooting and spacing up and down the roster would be absolutely ridiculous. Monk, Bridges, Huerter, Murray, Johnson, Finney-Smith, Lyles, & Vezenkov are all great to elite shooters and it gives the Kings a plethora of movement shooters which put that much more pressure on a defense (vs. just great C&S shooters). Sabonis would have a field day with that type of elite shooting around him. Defensively, they get much bettered . Bridges is an all-defensive team level defender and Finney-Smith is great in that department as well. Finney-Smith’s size, length, and defense at PF would be a very good complement to Sabonis. With Murray’s large jump this year on the defensive end of the floor, Bridges - Murray - Finney-Smith would really be a dynamic defensive trio to start around Sabonis. The Kings would obviously be missing that “top guy” but they’d try to make up for it with multiple scoring options, the best shooting team in the league, and elite wing/perimeter defense.

PG - Monk / Ellis / Mitchell
SG - Bridges / Huerter / Jones
SF - Murray / Johnson / Edwards
PF - Finney-Smith / Lyles / Vezenkov
C - Sabonis / Len / McGee

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This just about lowers the ceiling on the Kings and gives all the upside to the Nets. I really dislike breaking up the Fox-Sabonis pairing when this team has remaining a good team in the West, and actually has the same record as the same time last season. I don’t think this was unexpected as the team focused on retaining talent while the rest of the West tried to beef up talent. I expected the Kings to be worse record-wise, so I’m feeling content, but that doesn’t mean a move isn’t necessary. Keep building around Fox-Sabonis-Murray and get the offensive efficiency up. The sky isn't falling.

I’m also of the opinion that Monk is a very good player, but he is not better or more impactful than Fox. He’s just sitting in the perfect role for himself.

kalenclayton wrote:This just about lowers the ceiling on the Kings and gives all the upside to the Nets. I really dislike breaking up the Fox-Sabonis pairing when this team has remaining a good team in the West, and actually has the same record as the same time last season. I don’t think this was unexpected as the team focused on retaining talent while the rest of the West tried to beef up talent. I expected the Kings to be worse record-wise, so I’m feeling content, but that doesn’t mean a move isn’t necessary. Keep building around Fox-Sabonis-Murray and get the offensive efficiency up. The sky isn't falling.

I’m also of the opinion that Monk is a very good player, but he is not better or more impactful than Fox. He’s just sitting in the perfect role for himself.

Yeah I wouldn’t do the trade from a Kings perspective. Just wanted to throw it out since I haven’t seen a Fox trade proposal in awhile (I have seen trade proposals for Sabonis, Murray, etc.).

And agree that Monk is not as impactful as Fox. I think the point I was trying to make is that the Kings wouldn’t be left with nobody to replace Fox at that position and Monk would be a solid guy to slide in.

bpcox05 wrote:

kalenclayton wrote:This just about lowers the ceiling on the Kings and gives all the upside to the Nets. I really dislike breaking up the Fox-Sabonis pairing when this team has remaining a good team in the West, and actually has the same record as the same time last season. I don’t think this was unexpected as the team focused on retaining talent while the rest of the West tried to beef up talent. I expected the Kings to be worse record-wise, so I’m feeling content, but that doesn’t mean a move isn’t necessary. Keep building around Fox-Sabonis-Murray and get the offensive efficiency up. The sky isn't falling.

I’m also of the opinion that Monk is a very good player, but he is not better or more impactful than Fox. He’s just sitting in the perfect role for himself.

Yeah I wouldn’t do the trade from a Kings perspective. Just wanted to throw it out since I haven’t seen a Fox trade proposal in awhile (I have seen trade proposals for Sabonis, Murray, etc.).

And agree that Monk is not as impactful as Fox. I think the point I was trying to make is that the Kings wouldn’t be left with nobody to replace Fox at that position and Monk would be a solid guy to slide in.

I get that. I just see both the trade and impact value tipped toward the Nets. I don’t actually see much benefit for the Kings. You take Fox out and teams can be more honest with the ancillary players of the Kings. Monk doesn’t garner that attention, and because of that I see all players (including the incoming ones) getting downgraded. Sabonis is a star, but he is the star that starts the system rather than finishing it. Fox is the finisher. He’s the one who has gravity and can change a game with the most basic and important part of basketball: scoring.

Fox shouldn’t be moved unless it’s for another star, or he has demanded out. The team is winning, even with its warts.

With Cleveland playing so well without Garland, if Mitchell reups, it seems he might be a better target for a Bridges deal. Sacramento is relevant for the first time since Divac, Webber, Peja, and Bibby; they aren't going to deal Sabonis or Fox until they start feeling like they have plateaued.