Our FA signings: whaddya think?

[dckingsfan]

Yes. I really don’t get Lopez over Whiteside.

Nate’s idea is the only one that makes sense. But, I’m not sure that “character” is a commodity worth $7m, especially if it comes connected to a player who’s likely well past his prime and unlikely to be a member of the roster in future years.

Or either of them over Nerlens Noel for our roster...

[DCZards]

Yeah seems like exactly the type of rim protector we need. Signed a 1yr deal with SACRAMENTO for the league minimum, and instead we signed Lopez for 8 mil or whatever it is. What am I missing here??

Whiteside is, by all accounts, a lousy teammate with a bad work ethic.

We had the loathsome Dwight Howard until he got injured, Whiteside backing-up Bryant for 15-20 minutes a game coulda worked for a fraction of the price and we could have perhaps spent the money for a better upgrade at another position.

Whiteside would not have been a happy camper playing just 15-20 mins a game. You'd be asking for locker room problems.

[closg00]

We had the loathsome Dwight Howard until he got injured, Whiteside backing-up Bryant for 15-20 minutes a game coulda worked for a fraction of the price and we could have perhaps spent the money for a better upgrade at another position.

We wouldn't be upgrading at any other position though. With a few extra million, all we'd be buying is redundant depth. Having 4 backup-caliber forwards isn't any better than having 3 backup-caliber forwards.

Whiteside would not have been a happy camper playing just 15-20 mins a game. You'd be asking for locker room problems.

Whiteside signed for the vet-minimum, towards the end of last season his minutes were in the teens, he would be playing for a paycheck bump, $3-4M over the vet-minimum. I will address forward redundancy in Nate's other thread.

[DCZards]

We wouldn't be upgrading at any other position though. With a few extra million, all we'd be buying is redundant depth. Having 4 backup-caliber forwards isn't any better than having 3 backup-caliber forwards.

Whiteside would not have been a happy camper playing just 15-20 mins a game. You'd be asking for locker room problems.

Whiteside signed for the vet-minimum, towards the end of last season his minutes were in the teens, he would be playing for a paycheck bump, $3-4M over the vet-minimum. I will address forward redundancy in Nate's other thread.

Whiteside will likely be the starting C at Sac this season, which will give him an opportunity to earn a paycheck bump for the 2021-22 season. He would not get that opportunity playing 15-20 mins in Washington.

It was in Whiteside's best interest to sign with Sac and it was in the Zards best interest not to sign him.

[queridiculo]

Would have preferred an open roster spot over Lopez.

Sheppard failing to convince anybody worthwhile to sign with this team should give everybody pause.

[nate33]

Would have preferred an open roster spot over Lopez.

Sheppard failing to convince anybody worthwhile to sign with this team should give everybody pause.

We need somebody - even if it is just Mahinmi. Last year showed that you can't make it through the season with just 2 centers. We had to play Pasecniks for cryin' out loud. You wouldn't want to do that if we were actually trying to make the playoffs.

[payitforward]

I'd have been happier with Mahinmi for $3-4m than Lopez for 47m -- for any amount, actually.

If we'd all made lists 3 weeks ago of Centers we might like to add, I doubt Robin Lopez would have been on any of those lists.

But... done is done. I imagine we'll have occasion to comment on his play once the season starts.

[payitforward]

...Sheppard failing to convince anybody worthwhile to sign with this team should give everybody pause.

That's an assumption. Definitely not worth pausing over.

[nate33]

...Sheppard failing to convince anybody worthwhile to sign with this team should give everybody pause.

That's an assumption. Definitely not worth pausing over.

The bottom line is that we are a sub-.500 team that isn't offering starter's minutes and isn't offering a long term deal. Of course any prospective free agent centers would be inclined against signing with us. There are dozens of other teams wiling to offer either more minutes, more winning, or more long term security.

[dckingsfan]

Whiteside will not be the starting C for the Kings. Zero chance he starts over Holmes.

Not sure if Mitchell Robinson starts in front of Noel, my guess is that he will. I still think 2 x 5M would have netted us Noel. Oh well, letting it go...

[WallStar]

Whiteside is, by all accounts, a lousy teammate with a bad work ethic.

We had the loathsome Dwight Howard until he got injured, Whiteside backing-up Bryant for 15-20 minutes a game coulda worked for a fraction of the price and we could have perhaps spent the money for a better upgrade at another position.

We wouldn't be upgrading at any other position though. With a few extra million, all we'd be buying is redundant depth. Having 4 backup-caliber forwards isn't any better than having 3 backup-caliber forwards.

I would agree if Lopez and Whiteside were equally talented. Whiteside is 10 times the athlete and having him at a vet minimum over Lopez is a much better investment even with his character issues. Plus, Whiteside will most likely play with a chip on his shoulder to get another big contract.

[payitforward]

...Sheppard failing to convince anybody worthwhile to sign with this team should give everybody pause.

That's an assumption. Definitely not worth pausing over.

The bottom line is that we are a sub-.500 team that isn't offering starter's minutes and isn't offering a long term deal. Of course any prospective free agent centers would be inclined against signing with us. There are dozens of other teams wiling to offer either more minutes, more winning, or more long term security.

Absolutely! At the same time, you do leave out one other important decision variable -- money!

In the case of Noel, I guess I can see that he'd take $2m less from NY to play significantly more minutes -- & presumably wind up with a much better, longer-term contract next year. He's betting on himself. Moreover, in that case, he wouldn't value a 2-year deal.

This may explain why it cost us $7m to sign Robin Lopez, come to think of it.

This is the best explanation so far.

[Gig18]

Would have preferred an open roster spot over Lopez.

Sheppard failing to convince anybody worthwhile to sign with this team should give everybody pause.

Bertans. Worthwhile. I'm interested in seeing Anthony Gill too.

[DCZards]

Would have preferred an open roster spot over Lopez.

Sheppard failing to convince anybody worthwhile to sign with this team should give everybody pause.

Bertans. Worthwhile. I'm interested in seeing Anthony Gill too.

Bertans was worthwhile...and (from most reports) he was one of the most sought after free agents this offseason.