Game 40: Kings (20-19) @ Bucks (20-17)

[codydaze]

Just able to throw this game on now but so far it's been an ugly one. Bucks shooting 57% from the floor right now and we can't stop anything at the rim. No Monk isn't helping but hopefully we can pull something off and keep this streak alive.

[OxAndFox]

Just able to throw this game on now but so far it's been an ugly one. Bucks shooting 57% from the floor right now and we can't stop anything at the rim. No Monk isn't helping but hopefully we can pull something off and keep this streak alive.

Going to take a miracle playing the way they are. This seems to always happen when playing in Milwaukee.

[codydaze]

Just able to throw this game on now but so far it's been an ugly one. Bucks shooting 57% from the floor right now and we can't stop anything at the rim. No Monk isn't helping but hopefully we can pull something off and keep this streak alive.

Going to take a miracle playing the way they are. This seems to always happen when playing in Milwaukee.

Yeah they're just getting whatever they want right now.

[codydaze]

We simply have zero answer for Giannis.

[BoogieTime]

get better Malik... though I won't say we would have won with him, but..

[KF10]

The Kings missed Monk’s playmaking and his ability to put pressure on the opposing team’s defense.

[LightTheBeam]

The Kings missed Monk’s playmaking and his ability to put pressure on the opposing team’s defense.

17-15 at 6:41 mark
Fox goes to bench for Huerter
34-17 at 3:49 mark when fox checks back in

And the people have the audacity to blame fox. Game was lost in those 3 mins and milwaukee never looked back.

Huerter has got to go. He is horrible. Idc, just dnp him, he isn't going to ever get trade value.

And we need size so badly. This game proved that in the worst way.

Im so anti trading 2 1sts for cam johnson, but at this point I want huerter gone so bad I'd prefer I don't even care.

[BoogieTime]

The Kings missed Monk’s playmaking and his ability to put pressure on the opposing team’s defense.

17-15 at 6:41 mark
Fox goes to bench for Huerter
34-17 at 3:49 mark when fox checks back in

And the people have the audacity to blame fox. Game was lost in those 3 mins and milwaukee never looked back.

Huerter has got to go. He is horrible. Idc, just dnp him, he isn't going to ever get trade value.

And we need size so badly. This game proved that in the worst way.

Im so anti trading 2 1sts for cam johnson, but at this point I want huerter gone so bad I'd prefer I don't even care.

I doubt anyone is blaming Fox for the loss, as the Bucks weren't being beaten at home with how they played by pretty much anyone.

But he's repeating a theme, that is becoming more and more commonplace amongst Kings fans on social media - Monk maybe the team's second most vital player.

I doubt anyone is just reacting to last night's game, but thats just the temperature

Then add in how many feel about Keon starting or Devin long term... Fox's annoying, both on/off court, comments (who should be confident or betting we will be contending by next year, and why is he, and not the teams best player so pressurized to leave for greener pastures?).. and it's becoming more and more an option to some that Fox could be expendable for a healthy package (though maybe there are no healthy packages, so maybe we will be daring him and trying to make this work long term if thats true)

[KF10]

The Kings missed Monk’s playmaking and his ability to put pressure on the opposing team’s defense.

17-15 at 6:41 mark
Fox goes to bench for Huerter
34-17 at 3:49 mark when fox checks back in

And the people have the audacity to blame fox. Game was lost in those 3 mins and milwaukee never looked back.

Huerter has got to go. He is horrible. Idc, just dnp him, he isn't going to ever get trade value.

And we need size so badly. This game proved that in the worst way.

Im so anti trading 2 1sts for cam johnson, but at this point I want huerter gone so bad I'd prefer I don't even care.

Yeah, Huerter is absolutely putrid when he stinks it up. I get it. Huerter was an important piece in Beam team 1.0 and the Kings are trying to empower Huerter to return to that form but he's been pretty mediocre in the last 1.5 years if we really wanted to summarize his play so far.

Fox didn't have his standard game and it showed.

I loved the 7 game win streak under Christie but this team is pretty flawed at its core. Christie can only do so much to this roster.

For sure, there has to be a move by the deadline. Can't stand pat anymore.

I'm still against trading 1sts. Mortgaging the future for this core is pretty dumb imo.

[LightTheBeam]

The Kings missed Monk’s playmaking and his ability to put pressure on the opposing team’s defense.

17-15 at 6:41 mark
Fox goes to bench for Huerter
34-17 at 3:49 mark when fox checks back in

And the people have the audacity to blame fox. Game was lost in those 3 mins and milwaukee never looked back.

Huerter has got to go. He is horrible. Idc, just dnp him, he isn't going to ever get trade value.

And we need size so badly. This game proved that in the worst way.

Im so anti trading 2 1sts for cam johnson, but at this point I want huerter gone so bad I'd prefer I don't even care.

Yeah, Huerter is absolutely putrid when he stinks it up. I get it. Huerter was an important piece in Beam team 1.0 and the Kings are trying to empower Huerter to return to that form but he's been pretty mediocre in the last 1.5 years if we really wanted to summarize his play so far.

Fox didn't have his standard game and it showed.

I loved the 7 game win streak under Christie but this team is pretty flawed at its core. Christie can only do so much to this roster.

For sure, there has to be a move by the deadline. Can't stand pat anymore.

I'm still against trading 1sts. Mortgaging the future for this core is pretty dumb imo.

You kinda have to make a decision. Do you risk future assets to improve, or do you trade Fox away before he becomes an expiring. Standing pat is unacceptable.

I love sabonis, he has so many pros to his game that make him an excellent player. But he also gets paid the max and can be shut out of games, he also isn't a rim protector. Short of adding a JJJ unicorn, I don't think a sabonis led team can win a title.

That said, I'm okay trading a few picks and having 4-5 playoff runs. The team needs a good decade.

But I also think we need the right guy. Cam Johnson for 2 picks? What exactly does Cam do to change that game last night? He's imo not the answer even if he's a solid player.

[KF10]

You kinda have to make a decision. Do you risk future assets to improve, or do you trade Fox away before he becomes an expiring. Standing pat is unacceptable.

I love sabonis, he has so many pros to his game that make him an excellent player. But he also gets paid the max and can be shut out of games, he also isn't a rim protector. Short of adding a JJJ unicorn, I don't think a sabonis led team can win a title.

That said, I'm okay trading a few picks and having 4-5 playoff runs. The team needs a good decade.

But I also think we need the right guy. Cam Johnson for 2 picks? What exactly does Cam do to change that game last night? He's imo not the answer even if he's a solid player.

It's hard to trade for legit value since Huerter, Lyles & possibly one 1st won't yield a player that we all expect, imo.

If we acknowledge this premise, it is hard not to look another way and think real hard on what to do with Fox. That late-December Fox future talks was significant. Him going to the Draymond Green podcast and his agent meeting his Monte & co isn't by coincidence. Dude probably is looking at his options already. I like Fox but I trade him now before this offseason. This season is now salvageable since they are 0.500 again. If Monte can trade Hali, then he can trade Fox for a legit player, imo.

[LightTheBeam]

You kinda have to make a decision. Do you risk future assets to improve, or do you trade Fox away before he becomes an expiring. Standing pat is unacceptable.

I love sabonis, he has so many pros to his game that make him an excellent player. But he also gets paid the max and can be shut out of games, he also isn't a rim protector. Short of adding a JJJ unicorn, I don't think a sabonis led team can win a title.

That said, I'm okay trading a few picks and having 4-5 playoff runs. The team needs a good decade.

But I also think we need the right guy. Cam Johnson for 2 picks? What exactly does Cam do to change that game last night? He's imo not the answer even if he's a solid player.

It's hard to trade for legit value since Huerter, Lyles & possibly one 1st won't yield a player that we all expect, imo.

If we acknowledge this premise, it is hard not to look another way and think real hard on what to do with Fox. That late-December Fox future talks was significant. Him going to the Draymond Green podcast and his agent meeting his Monte & co isn't by coincidence. Dude probably is looking at his options already. I like Fox but I trade him now before this offseason. This season is now salvageable since they are 0.500 again. If Monte can trade Hali, then he can trade Fox for a legit player, imo.

Long post incoming -

No disagreement. Fox is my favorite player and I think hes the biggest ceiling raiser on this team by a mile, but if there's a star forward trade I get one. The hali - Sabonis swap made more sense. Hali was cheap, we had Buddys deal to pad the salary, Kings needed to balance the roster, and Sabonis was a star being misused in Indiana.

Of the available players, who fits that bill in a trade? Kuzma, Grant, Cam Johnson, Ingram, Randle, Jimmy? None of these guys make me even consider making Fox available.

It's far more likely we make the reverse side of that deal. Trade our established star who is on an unbalanced team, for some young cheap guy.

Rockets - Reed, Cam, FVV, 2 1sts has been the most "rumored" trade so far. Reed was a bit of a reach in a bad draft and hasn't shown anything outside of the G-League. I'm out on that deal if these are the pieces coming back.

Lakers have been rumored to want him. What's that look like? Is Reaves coming back? Reaves, Rui, Vando, + picks for Fox + 2 filler salaries works. Does that make us better? Slightly more balanced not really better.

Spurs if they decide to have IMO the best offer. Vassell, Sochan, Collins + picks for Huerter, Fox is exact financial match. Still what is the ceiling of this team, get to the playoffs relying on Derozan/Monk to take us home? That is going to be outmatched night in and night out against guys like Ant, Luka, Lebron, Harden..

I just don't see it. If a Lauri, Jalen Williams, Trey Murphy could be had sign me up, but trading him for parts seems like a mistake.

Kings fans will hate it, but I think best thing we could do is swap Huerter/2nd for a big (Zach Collins). Wait until the summer, then max out picks + collins/Derozan for Lauri. That's a path to really being a contender.

Fox - Monk - Keegan - Lauri - Sabonis
Carter - Keon - Lyles - FA Big

[KF10]

Long post incoming -

No disagreement. Fox is my favorite player and I think hes the biggest ceiling raiser on this team by a mile, but if there's a star forward trade I get one. The hali - Sabonis swap made more sense. Hali was cheap, we had Buddys deal to pad the salary, Kings needed to balance the roster, and Sabonis was a star being misused in Indiana.

Of the available players, who fits that bill in a trade? Kuzma, Grant, Cam Johnson, Ingram, Randle, Jimmy? None of these guys make me even consider making Fox available.

It's far more likely we make the reverse side of that deal. Trade our established star who is on an unbalanced team, for some young cheap guy.

Rockets - Reed, Cam, FVV, 2 1sts has been the most "rumored" trade so far. Reed was a bit of a reach in a bad draft and hasn't shown anything outside of the G-League. I'm out on that deal if these are the pieces coming back.

Lakers have been rumored to want him. What's that look like? Is Reaves coming back? Reaves, Rui, Vando, + picks for Fox + 2 filler salaries works. Does that make us better? Slightly more balanced not really better.

Spurs if they decide to have IMO the best offer. Vassell, Sochan, Collins + picks for Huerter, Fox is exact financial match. Still what is the ceiling of this team, get to the playoffs relying on Derozan/Monk to take us home? That is going to be outmatched night in and night out against guys like Ant, Luka, Lebron, Harden..

I just don't see it. If a Lauri, Jalen Williams, Trey Murphy could be had sign me up, but trading him for parts seems like a mistake.

Kings fans will hate it, but I think best thing we could do is swap Huerter/2nd for a big (Zach Collins). Wait until the summer, then max out picks + collins/Derozan for Lauri. That's a path to really being a contender.

Fox - Monk - Keegan - Lauri - Sabonis
Carter - Keon - Lyles - FA Big

Yeah, I like the Spurs trade the best out of those choices above.

The Lakers will need to give up more than that if they want Fox. Especially as a divisional rival. I hate the idea facing Fox 4x a year lol

That specific Rockets deal doesn't do it for me tbh.

[LightTheBeam]

Long post incoming -

No disagreement. Fox is my favorite player and I think hes the biggest ceiling raiser on this team by a mile, but if there's a star forward trade I get one. The hali - Sabonis swap made more sense. Hali was cheap, we had Buddys deal to pad the salary, Kings needed to balance the roster, and Sabonis was a star being misused in Indiana.

Of the available players, who fits that bill in a trade? Kuzma, Grant, Cam Johnson, Ingram, Randle, Jimmy? None of these guys make me even consider making Fox available.

It's far more likely we make the reverse side of that deal. Trade our established star who is on an unbalanced team, for some young cheap guy.

Rockets - Reed, Cam, FVV, 2 1sts has been the most "rumored" trade so far. Reed was a bit of a reach in a bad draft and hasn't shown anything outside of the G-League. I'm out on that deal if these are the pieces coming back.

Lakers have been rumored to want him. What's that look like? Is Reaves coming back? Reaves, Rui, Vando, + picks for Fox + 2 filler salaries works. Does that make us better? Slightly more balanced not really better.

Spurs if they decide to have IMO the best offer. Vassell, Sochan, Collins + picks for Huerter, Fox is exact financial match. Still what is the ceiling of this team, get to the playoffs relying on Derozan/Monk to take us home? That is going to be outmatched night in and night out against guys like Ant, Luka, Lebron, Harden..

I just don't see it. If a Lauri, Jalen Williams, Trey Murphy could be had sign me up, but trading him for parts seems like a mistake.

Kings fans will hate it, but I think best thing we could do is swap Huerter/2nd for a big (Zach Collins). Wait until the summer, then max out picks + collins/Derozan for Lauri. That's a path to really being a contender.

Fox - Monk - Keegan - Lauri - Sabonis
Carter - Keon - Lyles - FA Big

Yeah, I like the Spurs trade the best out of those choices above.

The Lakers will need to give up more than that if they want Fox. Especially as a divisional rival. I hate the idea facing Fox 4x a year lol

That specific Rockets deal doesn't do it for me tbh.

Take the names off the teams and Reaves is probably the best player listed. But I tend to agree, no interest in seeing Fox in a Lakers uniform. Also Reaves has an opt out at the end of next year, based on his play hes going to be demanding 30-40 million. Do we lock in with Reaves - Monk - Keegan - Rui - Sabonis as the core? That team ain't going anywhere. Even if Lakers added Knecht it doesn't change much.

idk, I don't see this team very far from being amazing.

Guards - Fox, Monk, Carter, Keon
Forward - Keegan
Big - Sabonis

You have 6 core pieces here. Lyles is also a fine bench piece. You are really another forward and big away from doing something. Once this damn ATL pick stops holding us hostage the world will open up. Also Huerter as an expiring is much easier for teams to swallow than today.

I hate to sit on our hands, but I'd outline a real plan for the summer, and make smaller moves today. Starting with DNP Huerter, and giving those minutes to Isaac Jones. That solves a lot of the balance issues day 1.

I'd also call ATL about adjusting protections on the pick. Change protection to top 4, in exchange we get 2 2nds? ATL gets a sure thing pick, we open 2nds to make smaller moves now. Just a thought.

[OxAndFox]

IF the Kings are going to trade Fox, the time is now. Do not wait until the off season. The max value on him is right now.
He isn't being that loud about being elsewhere because the supermax is still in play. Until that isn't, he won't be too loud about getting traded and potentially costing himself a lot of money. If it weren't still in play, do you think Rich would have been so subtle?