2023-24 General Thread

[OxAndFox]

Shocked that the Kings managed to retained Monk!

This is great news!

Will he be the starting 2 guard next to Fox?

After what we saw (when both Fox/Monk on the court at the same time) last season, I have some mixed feelings. I liked Monk coming off the bench to provide the scoring & playmaking punch. They are going to lose that when they move Monk into the starting 5. Defensively, Huerter is the better defender. I think they take a hit defensively when they move Monk at the 2.

So what do you have? Inserting Monk at 2 provides a bump in offense and better synergy with Sabonis/Fox. Defensively, the team takes a hit.

the best thing about Monk coming back is his playmaking.
Starting next to Fox takes that away a little bit, but what I have been thinking about is him playing next to Sabonis. He mainly had Len or McGee with him.
The coaching staff can't take the ball out of Sabonis' hands so it will be interesting to see Monk play off him. I think he will be great with cuts and DHO action.
Overall the idea of him starting is a difficult one, having two 6'3 guys at the guard positions followed by another 6'3 guard and a 5'10 guard isn't going to cut it.
This team needs size.

[OxAndFox]

If it really is a decision between Grant, Kuzma, Ingram does the below when put next to each other change your mind, confirm something to you or is what you based your decision on them anyway?

Games Played (last 3 seasons)
Ingram 164
Kuzma 200
Grant 164

FG%
Ingram .492
Kuzma .463
Grant .451

3P%
Ingram .355
Kuzma .336
Grant .402

FT%
Ingram .801
Kuzma .775
Grant .817

eFG%
Ingram .534
Kuzma .521
Grant .516

TS%
Ingram .578
Kuzma .547
Grant .573

Per
Ingram 18.2
Kuzma 15.7
Grant 15.4

TRB%
Ingram 8.6
Kuzma 10.9
Grant 5.8

AST%
Ingram 26.7
Kuzma 20.7
Grant 13.8

BLK%
Ingram 1.9
Kuzma 1.8
Grant 1.7

USG%
Ingram 27.2
Kuzma 29.7
Grant 25.7

OWS
Ingram 2.7
Kuzma -1.0
Grant 1.7

DWS
Ingram 2.4
Kuzma 1.1
Grant 1.0

OBPM
Ingram 1.4
Kuzma 0.5
Grant 1.0

DBPM
Ingram -0.3
Kuzma -1.6
Grant -1.1

VORP
Ingram 1.7
Kuzma 0.5
Grant 0.9

[Lost in LA]

I can't believe I'm nearing the point of talking myself into Kyle Kuzma. His contract just seems better and better each time you look at it.

In 2026-27 Kuzma ($19.4m) will be 11.38% of the projected cap
Monk will be 11.8%.
Sabonis will be 28.1%

To put that in perspective the NTMLE is set to be $15.6m.

If they structure deals to end 2025-26 the Kings could have substantial cap space with Sabonis, Keegan, Kuzma, Monk, Colby on the roster and Fox ready to sign.

Again, if we have our 2 stars and Murray, who still has some way to go, the swap for Barnes needs to be someone who can defend and actually rebound. With Monk resigning ,we can pursue forwards from hereon out. I don't see another big name personally as our package on offer does not really move the needle.

[BoogieTime]

If it really is a decision between Grant, Kuzma, Ingram does the below when put next to each other change your mind, confirm something to you or is what you based your decision on them anyway?

Games Played (last 3 seasons)
Ingram 164
Kuzma 200
Grant 164

FG%
Ingram .492
Kuzma .463
Grant .451

3P%
Ingram .355
Kuzma .336
Grant .402

FT%
Ingram .801
Kuzma .775
Grant .817

eFG%
Ingram .534
Kuzma .521
Grant .516

TS%
Ingram .578
Kuzma .547
Grant .573

Per
Ingram 18.2
Kuzma 15.7
Grant 15.4

TRB%
Ingram 8.6
Kuzma 10.9
Grant 5.8

AST%
Ingram 26.7
Kuzma 20.7
Grant 13.8

BLK%
Ingram 1.9
Kuzma 1.8
Grant 1.7

USG%
Ingram 27.2
Kuzma 29.7
Grant 25.7

OWS
Ingram 2.7
Kuzma -1.0
Grant 1.7

DWS
Ingram 2.4
Kuzma 1.1
Grant 1.0

OBPM
Ingram 1.4
Kuzma 0.5
Grant 1.0

DBPM
Ingram -0.3
Kuzma -1.6
Grant -1.1

VORP
Ingram 1.7
Kuzma 0.5
Grant 0.9

The only rumors I've ever heard of is about Kuzma. Have we ever been mentioned with Grant or Ingram who would cost a lot more? Think we have to follow the smoke. Maybe they like his contract, especially this offseason where they will have to dump some money

[OxAndFox]

I would agree there Boogie. I thought Ingram's name was mentioned too, but Grant in particular is probably more of us fans bringing him up.

[OxAndFox]

Even Sidery mentioned the Kings have an interest in Bitadze.

He also mentioned Kevin Huerter is receiving plenty of interest around the league.

[OxAndFox]

And I'm not sure that PG13 or Lavine aren't still targets for Monte with the Monk signing. Think he might just be going for a starting 2 that can play the 3 and that will keep Monk in his 6th man role, but potentially finish games with Fox/Monk/Lavine/Keegan/Sabonis.

[typedrat]

How the **** do you think that we can sign Paul George?

We're limited to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception at 4 years/55 million and the bi-annual exception at 2 years/9.6 million.

[Lost in LA]

And I'm not sure that PG13 or Lavine aren't still targets for Monte with the Monk signing. Think he might just be going for a starting 2 that can play the 3 and that will keep Monk in his 6th man role, but potentially finish games with Fox/Monk/Lavine/Keegan/Sabonis.

I hope not, although the salary fits within the Fox increase window, and assuming the cap gets increased with the new TV deal.

I can't see Vivek paying a lot of first apron taxes, let alone second apron. Ingram is the best player of the ones above, but Kuzma is the easiest fit. We will just need to score 120+ to win every night, and beat teams like the Pistons and Hornets at home which we failed to do last year. We need an attitude player who can defend, as our team views defense as an optional extra.

[OxAndFox]

How the **** do you think that we can sign Paul George?

We're limited to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception at 4 years/55 million and the bi-annual exception at 2 years/9.6 million.

He opts in and extends along with a trade to the team that is willing to give him his max. This has been reported as a potential scenario.
If he has told the Clippers he is leaving via FA or they trade him to a team that will give him the money then it's quite easy. So either the Clippers lose him to Philly or Orlando for nothing, or allow him to be traded to the team that will give him the extension he wants.
Barnes/Huerter/Sasha get them there with contracts.

[BoogieTime]

Interesting that it was reported we are still interested in Lavine today, and we are still considered the likely spot for him as "most likely suitor" even after Monk

[Lost in LA]

Interesting that it was reported we are still interested in Lavine today, and we are still considered the likely spot for him as "most likely suitor" even after Monk

It's effectively a salsry dump by Chicago

[KF10]

Sounds like a salary dump. Lavine’s contract sucks but a player of his caliber doesn’t come around that often when his value is in the dirt like this.

[Lost in LA]

If it really is a decision between Grant, Kuzma, Ingram does the below when put next to each other change your mind, confirm something to you or is what you based your decision on them anyway?

Games Played (last 3 seasons)
Ingram 164
Kuzma 200
Grant 164

FG%
Ingram .492
Kuzma .463
Grant .451

3P%
Ingram .355
Kuzma .336
Grant .402

FT%
Ingram .801
Kuzma .775
Grant .817

eFG%
Ingram .534
Kuzma .521
Grant .516

TS%
Ingram .578
Kuzma .547
Grant .573

Per
Ingram 18.2
Kuzma 15.7
Grant 15.4

TRB%
Ingram 8.6
Kuzma 10.9
Grant 5.8

AST%
Ingram 26.7
Kuzma 20.7
Grant 13.8

BLK%
Ingram 1.9
Kuzma 1.8
Grant 1.7

USG%
Ingram 27.2
Kuzma 29.7
Grant 25.7

OWS
Ingram 2.7
Kuzma -1.0
Grant 1.7

DWS
Ingram 2.4
Kuzma 1.1
Grant 1.0

OBPM
Ingram 1.4
Kuzma 0.5
Grant 1.0

DBPM
Ingram -0.3
Kuzma -1.6
Grant -1.1

VORP
Ingram 1.7
Kuzma 0.5
Grant 0.9

The only rumors I've ever heard of is about Kuzma. Have we ever been mentioned with Grant or Ingram who would cost a lot more? Think we have to follow the smoke. Maybe they like his contract, especially this offseason where they will have to dump some money

All very different players, but the salaries are not close

[Lost in LA]

Sounds like a salary dump. Lavine’s contract sucks but a player of his caliber doesn’t come around that often when his value is in the dirt like this.

Have to see the numbers but you would have to lose three or more players and a pick to get one back, a minimum of Davion, Hurter and Barnes to make the salaries work. Then you have a very weak bench with Lyles, one of Keon/Monk, and nothing much else. The draft pick at $5mm per year seems expensive to keep, but the Bulls might want that anyway.

I don't think he's worth it, and it also starts crowding out Murray, unless we see Murray as a 13-15 point per game scorer who is mainly a defender...I might do that for Bridges, but not Lavine, but the same logic applies equally.

One of the goals should be to lessen the burden on Fox and Sabonis every night to keep them fresh for the postseason. Luka was gassed in the finals, all his weaknesses were exposed. We looked the same against the Warriors 2 years ago.

[BoogieTime]

I’d be pleasantly surprised if we could just give Chicago Huerter/Barnes etc, but there just isn’t much there for them. IMO it would just be better for them to hold onto Lavine and hope he bounces back. Still think we will need to compensate somehow

[Lost in LA]

I was listening to NBA radio on the drive home today and an ex-player who was also a coach was discussing Lavine. He basically said Lavine was forced to play defense when on the National squad, even though he "didn't want to". In addition, when back with the Bulls, he went back to his old ways and didn't play D. It is telling that the Bulls have a better record without him.

I would think really hard before risking about 25% of our cap space to him for 2 years with these sorts of red flags about, Also it would reduce Monk's playing time probably, which is not ideal.

[LightTheBeam]

I don't understand the need or fit for lavine. Are we just going to commit to extreme small ball? Seems like bs with Monk back. Monte and co have kept everything they've done quiet. I'm guessing we get someone that hasn't been talked about at all.

[codydaze]

I also don't think we're going to make a move for Lavine. I feel like Kuzma will be a King though. Any rumors that we're still interested in Lavine are probably coming from the outside, this front office has generally been pretty tight lipped when it comes to leaks and rumors.

[LightTheBeam]

I also don't think we're going to make a move for Lavine. I feel like Kuzma will be a King though. Any rumors that we're still interested in Lavine are probably coming from the outside, this front office has generally been pretty tight lipped when it comes to leaks and rumors.

Kuzma seems to make sense though looking at the available landscape. And I'm with you, I think he's a King barring Monte making a bold move using future picks to go get someone like Lauri.

I could see this being the offseason to get super aggressive. Parity is hot right now and no real super teams in the league.