RealGM

So let's say the Kings can't make an equitable trade and they're relegated to just the draft and free agency. The first domino dropped and we know Monk is staying.

Tur Kings #1 priority is upgrade the starting PF and back up center positions and follow that up with swingmen(big wings if the 3 and D ilk).

What is the best case realistic scenario to the draft and free agency with the Kings off season assuming Barnes and Huerter and #13 can't be dealt to something of their liking?

Current roster projection
C: Sabonis,McGee
PF: Barnes, Lyles
SF: Murray, Vezenko
SG: Ellis, Huerter, Duarte, Jones
PG Fox, Monk, Mitchell

4s, 3s and backup 5s is where the most gain will happen. Would be awesome to relegated Barnes to a bench role behind both the 3 or 4.

Tristan Da Silva and DaRon Holmes could potentially come in and play some wing right away, though they shouldn't be anything more than penciled in.

I would see if Portland is interested in moving Jerami Grant. #13 is too steep and Portland already has #14.

A Future 1st/Barnes/Filler could work here.

Julius Randle for #13+Barnes+Filler could have legs, probably need another 1st. Sacramento then is a tax team moving forward with Fox/Sabonis/Randle all on near-max or max deals.

John Collins is a cheaper target.

I don't see any realistic way to upgrade(on paper) the PF spot with a draft pick or the MLE. Now maybe you can find a cheap player who just happens to be a good fit, but tough to say that for sure. Backup center though should be very doable.

Texas Chuck wrote:I don't see any realistic way to upgrade(on paper) the PF spot with a draft pick or the MLE. Now maybe you can find a cheap player who just happens to be a good fit, but tough to say that for sure. Backup center though should be very doable.

Who would be the the MLE candidates in the frontcourt(4s and 3s? in your estimation?)

The Kings leave the Draft..
Barnes+ 13 for Kuzma 26..

Vezenkov+Lyles+26 for I.Stewart

Sabonis/Mcgee
Kuzma/Stewart
Murray/Huerter
Ellis/Duarte
Fox/Mitchell

Colbinii wrote:Tristan Da Silva and DaRon Holmes could potentially come in and play some wing right away, though they shouldn't be anything more than penciled in.

I would see if Portland is interested in moving Jerami Grant. #13 is too steep and Portland already has #14.

A Future 1st/Barnes/Filler could work here.

Julius Randle for #13+Barnes+Filler could have legs, probably need another 1st. Sacramento then is a tax team moving forward with Fox/Sabonis/Randle all on near-max or max deals.

John Collins is a cheaper target.

I like John Collins too.

Also, Grant is definitely worth the #13 + Barnes. Grant brings defense at the forward spot, which is sorely missing in Sacramento.

I think they need a defensive PF, a guard defender, and a backup C.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they made a deal with Portland that included both Grant and Thybulle.

MessiahUjiri wrote:

Colbinii wrote:Tristan Da Silva and DaRon Holmes could potentially come in and play some wing right away, though they shouldn't be anything more than penciled in.

I would see if Portland is interested in moving Jerami Grant. #13 is too steep and Portland already has #14.

A Future 1st/Barnes/Filler could work here.

Julius Randle for #13+Barnes+Filler could have legs, probably need another 1st. Sacramento then is a tax team moving forward with Fox/Sabonis/Randle all on near-max or max deals.

John Collins is a cheaper target.

I like John Collins too.

Also, Grant is definitely worth the #13 + Barnes. Grant brings defense at the forward spot, which is sorely missing in Sacramento.

I think they need a defensive PF, a guard defender, and a backup C.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they made a deal with Portland that included both Grant and Thybulle.

or Grant and RWII if he's healthy after his surgery

Blazinaway wrote:

MessiahUjiri wrote:

Colbinii wrote:Tristan Da Silva and DaRon Holmes could potentially come in and play some wing right away, though they shouldn't be anything more than penciled in.

I would see if Portland is interested in moving Jerami Grant. #13 is too steep and Portland already has #14.

A Future 1st/Barnes/Filler could work here.

Julius Randle for #13+Barnes+Filler could have legs, probably need another 1st. Sacramento then is a tax team moving forward with Fox/Sabonis/Randle all on near-max or max deals.

John Collins is a cheaper target.

I like John Collins too.

Also, Grant is definitely worth the #13 + Barnes. Grant brings defense at the forward spot, which is sorely missing in Sacramento.

I think they need a defensive PF, a guard defender, and a backup C.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they made a deal with Portland that included both Grant and Thybulle.

or Grant and RWII if he's healthy after his surgery

RWII is too injury prone. Kings can get an athletic C like a Javale McGee backup for the vet min.

Beam Me Up Foxy wrote:

Texas Chuck wrote:I don't see any realistic way to upgrade(on paper) the PF spot with a draft pick or the MLE. Now maybe you can find a cheap player who just happens to be a good fit, but tough to say that for sure. Backup center though should be very doable.

Who would be the the MLE candidates in the frontcourt(4s and 3s? in your estimation?)

Kyle Anderson is always my favorite

Astaluego wrote:The Kings leave the Draft..
Barnes+ 13 for Kuzma 26..

Vezenkov+Lyles+26 for I.Stewart

Sabonis/Mcgee
Kuzma/Stewart
Murray/Huerter
Ellis/Duarte
Fox/Mitchell

Call me crazy, but I don't think Kuzma is a significantly better player than Barnes even if the raw stats are better.

Keeping away from trades…

Draft Holmes or Freeman at 13.
MLE for Marshall from Pels.
Vet min for Len.

Fox/Mitchell/Monk
Ellis/Monk/Huerter
Murray/Marshall/Huerter
Barnes/Lyles/Freeman-Holmes
Sabonis/Lyles/Len/Freeman-Holmes

Freeman/Holmes would have a chance to take the starting PF slot during the season.

(*Try to move Huerter/Duarte into space to get below the tax.)

Grant + Murray + Reath + 40 for Barnes + Davion + 13
Vezenkov + future SRP into cap space
Sign a vet min PG FA (Flynn?) + resign Kessler to vet min
Draft Adem Bona #40 + Jalen Bridges #45

G - DeAaron Fox / Malik Monk / Malachi Flynn
G - Keon Ellis / Malik Monk / Kevin Huerter / Colby Jones
F - Keegan Murray / Kevin Huerter / Jalen Bridges
F - Jerami Grant / Trey Lyles / Kris Murray / Kessler Edwards
C - Domantas Sabonis / Duop Reath / Adem Bona

DAL trades: THJ
in: Huerter, 32

UTA trades: Collins, Yurtseven, 32
in: Barnes, THJ

SAC trades: Barnes, Huerter
in: Collins, Yurtseven

Sac saves a bit of money this year and next while getting a starting power forward and a backup center. Dallas swaps THJ for a look at a different player. Utah splits Collins' gtd. money into Barnes and an expiring.

babyjax13 wrote:DAL trades: THJ
in: Huerter, 32

UTA trades: Collins, Yurtseven, 32
in: Barnes, THJ

SAC trades: Barnes, Huerter
in: Collins, Yurtseven

Sac saves a bit of money this year and next while getting a starting power forward and a backup center. Dallas swaps THJ for a look at a different player. Utah splits Collins' gtd. money into Barnes and an expiring.

I'd do this, but I've wanted Barnes on the Jazz since he was at Ames HS.

Skybox wrote:

Beam Me Up Foxy wrote:

Texas Chuck wrote:I don't see any realistic way to upgrade(on paper) the PF spot with a draft pick or the MLE. Now maybe you can find a cheap player who just happens to be a good fit, but tough to say that for sure. Backup center though should be very doable.

Who would be the the MLE candidates in the frontcourt(4s and 3s? in your estimation?)

Kyle Anderson is always my favorite

I like Naji Marshall as well

The Kings need a long defensive wing who can shoot the 3. They don’t need another off the dribble creator guy.

They have now
Fox / Monk
Ellis / Huerter
???? / Barnes
Murray / Lyles
Sabonis / Len.

No who that guy will be is really up to Monte to find. He has to take a risk and typically he won’t do that. I wouldn’t mind trading Davion for a late first if possible and taking two swings at a guy.

Draft the best defensive wing on the board and see if jonas valanciunas could be signed without breaking the bank.

If I have this right Barnes/Huerter/#13 can't be dealt. But we can deal other players?

I agree with Jkam31 with the Naji Marshall. Hopefully that 3pt shot keeps falling and he would be a good wing defender off the bench.
Draft #13 Kel'el Ware or Cody Williams if he falls.

Trade:
Sacramento: Lyles/Sasha/Duarte/'25 Sac 2nd/'26 Sac 2nd for John Collins
Get a new starting PF for some of the depth and 2nds.

Utah: John Collin for Lyles/Sasha/'25 Sac 2nd/Top 55 prot 2nd
Why: Saves money and gain expiring contracts along with a 2nd. Would get that same production from Lyles/Sasha and Danny can use them at the deadline as expiring contracts if he wishes. I know it didn't go well with Lyles in his first stint there, but he's older now and Snyder isn't there. Or if it's really not doable for Lyles to be there maybe just make a swap with Houston for Tate and save even more money.

Detroit: Top 55 prot 2nd for Duarte/'26 Sac 2nd - Small amount of cap space for a look at Duarte and a 2nd for their trouble.

Start Monk for his loyalty and feature Huerter/Barnes off the bench.
Fox/Monk/Keegan/Collins/Sabonis
Davion/Keon/Huerter/Marshall/Barnes/Ware as bench depth
Colby/Len

OxAndFox wrote:If I have this right Barnes/Huerter/#13 can't be dealt. But we can deal other players?

I agree with Jkam31 with the Naji Marshall. Hopefully that 3pt shot keeps falling and he would be a good wing defender off the bench.
Draft #13 Kel'el Ware or Cody Williams if he falls.

Trade:
Sacramento: Lyles/Sasha/Duarte/'25 Sac 2nd/'26 Sac 2nd for John Collins
Get a new starting PF for some of the depth and 2nds.

Utah: John Collin for Lyles/Sasha/'25 Sac 2nd/Top 55 prot 2nd
Why: Saves money and gain expiring contracts along with a 2nd. Would get that same production from Lyles/Sasha and Danny can use them at the deadline as expiring contracts if he wishes. I know it didn't go well with Lyles in his first stint there, but he's older now and Snyder isn't there. Or if it's really not doable for Lyles to be there maybe just make a swap with Houston for Tate and save even more money.

Detroit: Top 55 prot 2nd for Duarte/'26 Sac 2nd - Small amount of cap space for a look at Duarte and a 2nd for their trouble.

Start Monk for his loyalty and feature Huerter/Barnes off the bench.
Fox/Monk/Keegan/Collins/Sabonis
Davion/Keon/Huerter/Marshall/Barnes/Ware as bench depth
Colby/Len

Yall reportedly wanted Miles Bridges at the trade deadline.

How does Barnes/#13 for Bridges sound?

JustBuzzin wrote:

OxAndFox wrote:If I have this right Barnes/Huerter/#13 can't be dealt. But we can deal other players?

I agree with Jkam31 with the Naji Marshall. Hopefully that 3pt shot keeps falling and he would be a good wing defender off the bench.
Draft #13 Kel'el Ware or Cody Williams if he falls.

Trade:
Sacramento: Lyles/Sasha/Duarte/'25 Sac 2nd/'26 Sac 2nd for John Collins
Get a new starting PF for some of the depth and 2nds.

Utah: John Collin for Lyles/Sasha/'25 Sac 2nd/Top 55 prot 2nd
Why: Saves money and gain expiring contracts along with a 2nd. Would get that same production from Lyles/Sasha and Danny can use them at the deadline as expiring contracts if he wishes. I know it didn't go well with Lyles in his first stint there, but he's older now and Snyder isn't there. Or if it's really not doable for Lyles to be there maybe just make a swap with Houston for Tate and save even more money.

Detroit: Top 55 prot 2nd for Duarte/'26 Sac 2nd - Small amount of cap space for a look at Duarte and a 2nd for their trouble.

Start Monk for his loyalty and feature Huerter/Barnes off the bench.
Fox/Monk/Keegan/Collins/Sabonis
Davion/Keon/Huerter/Marshall/Barnes/Ware as bench depth
Colby/Len

Yall reportedly wanted Miles Bridges at the trade deadline.

How does Barnes/#13 for Bridges sound?

He would be in the thinking for the Sac FO. It just depends on a) do they think his reputation still hurts them PR wise and b) is he going to be a problem in the future?
They are the big questions and I think every team would be like that.

IMO Kings fans would riot going from clean cut picture perfect All American guy and future political leader in Barnes to the guy that beats up women. All the while giving up a lottery pick to do so.