Sac Summer

[bpcox05]

If Monk leaves and you pivot to 2025...

Barnes for Davis Bertans
Hurter for Richaun Holmes

Well I’d ideally be looking for some picks coming back our way considering these two guys are productive starters on a playoff team who make reasonable money.

Harrison Barnes for Chris Boucher, '28 Raptors 2nd and '29 Raptors 2nd?
Kevin Huerter for Jae'Sean Tate, Jock Landale (waived) and '27 Grizzlies 2nd?

I think the value on the Barnes deal is solid. Not a big fan on the Huerter trade. I could easily see that MEM 2nd not being very valuable if their team is back to being healthy.

[NYG]

Well I’d ideally be looking for some picks coming back our way considering these two guys are productive starters on a playoff team who make reasonable money.

Harrison Barnes for Chris Boucher, '28 Raptors 2nd and '29 Raptors 2nd?
Kevin Huerter for Jae'Sean Tate, Jock Landale (waived) and '27 Grizzlies 2nd?

I think the value on the Barnes deal is solid. Not a big fan on the Huerter trade. I could easily see that MEM 2nd not being very valuable if their team is back to being healthy.

Where is Huerter a good fit?

[bpcox05]

We really shouldn’t be moving any big assets (e.g., 1sts) unless it gives us that 3rd star player, but at the same time, we’re hoping Murray will grow into that type of player (allowing us to use those assets to upgrade the roster around those guys).

I think we can all agree that Murray isn’t that player today, but he’s shown enough growth this year that still gives me hope that he could still become that level of a player. With that in mind, I don’t think it makes sense to make a big, all in type of trade this offseason. I’d like to see how Murray looks in his 3rd season. If he’s taken another step and is playing like that 3rd star we need, great! We can begin to use our assets on the complementary pieces around Fox, Murray, and Sabonis. If it looks like Murray is plateauing in his 3rd season, then I think at that point you’re searching for a big trade to bring in that 3rd star using your picks and Murray (if needed).

But since this thread is about what we should do this offseason, the focus will be on making moves that don’t involve Murray or our 1sts since we have the luxury to wait and see how Murray looks in year 3 and decide on the path forward.



For starters, Keon Ellis is looking like he could be a legit starting SG in this league. He’s an excellent defender, great length, great athleticism, good shooter (apparently he’s the best shooter in practice behind Sasha Vezenkov), solid ball handler, and solid passer. That changes the equation quite a bit considering we also have Monk and Huerter at SG.

With Ellis as our potential long term starting SG, I’d much rather have Monk as our backup considering his ability to handle the rock, playmake for others, and get a bucket when the team needs it. With that in mind, the emphasis should be on resigning Monk.



If Monk chooses to not resign with SAC, I’d immediately look to trade Barnes and Huerter for contracts that expire in the 2025 off-season. That would set us up to potentially make a big signing during the 2025 off-season with $43-45 mil in cap space with the following players under contract: De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Keon Ellis, Colby Jones, and a SAC 2024 or 2025 1st. With Keon Ellis and Keegan Murray locking down the SG and SF/PF spots, ideally we target a SF/PF with that cap space. Below are the notable SFs/PFs that could be free agents during the 2025 off-season:

Brandon Ingram (UFA)
Lauri Markkanen (UFA)
Jonathan Isaac (UFA)
Matisse Thybulle (PO)
Jimmy Butler (PO)
Khris Middleton (PO)
Jayson Tatum (PO)
John Collins (PO)
Dorian Finney-Smith (PO)
Aaron Gordon (PO)
Julius Randle (PO)
Bobby Portis (PO)
Naz Reid (PO)
Scottie Barnes (RFA)
Jalen Johnson (RFA)
Trey Murphy (RFA)
Franz Wagner (RFA)
Jonathan Kuminga (RFA)
Evan Mobley (RFA)

We’d obviously take a step back during the 2024-25 off-season since we’d essentially remove Monk, Huerter, and Barnes from the roster, but I think it would be a necessary step back to be able to retool the roster and take 2 steps forward. This approach would set us up with a really solid starting lineup, and we’d still have Murray, 2024/2025 SAC 1st, all of our future 1sts/swaps, etc. to utilize.



If Monk chooses to resign in SAC, the attention turns back to seeing how Murray looks in his 3rd year. His play should determine how we use our assets, but those assets should not be used in the 2024 off-season (it’s not time yet). Instead, I’d look to trade Huerter (since we have Ellis and Monk at SG) for a better fitting piece to help give the team a bit of a boost.

The guard rotation would essentially be set with Fox, Ellis, Monk, Mitchell, and Duarte so the idea would be to move Huerter for some frontcourt help. A couple trades that come to mind would be something like…

BKN Gets: Kevin Huerter & 2025 POR 2nd
SAC Gets: Dorian Finney-Smith

Or

ORL Gets: Kevin Huerter & 2025 POR 2nd
SAC Gets: Jonathan Isaac

Or

POR Gets: Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, & 2025 POR 2nd
SAC Gets: Jerami Grant

Those trades could give us a more complementary starting PF that can help upgrade the defense while still helping space the floor for Sabonis and Fox. You could go into next year with a minute distribution like…

PG - Fox (34) / Monk (14)
SG - Ellis (26) / Monk (16) / Murray (6)
SF - Murray (26) / Barnes (22)
PF - Finney-Smith (26) / Barnes (6) / Lyles (16)
C - Sabonis (34) / Len (10) / Lyles (4)

I think that team would be better next year, but at the same time, we’d have the benefit of still having all of our future 1sts and seeing if Murray can grow into that star player we ultimately need to become a championship contender. Depending on how Murray looks in his 3rd year, the time for a big move could be the 2024-25 trade deadline or the 2025 off-season.

Monte said it himself. Success isn’t linear. We have to be patient with how we build this team and not overreact, become emotional, and push all of our chips in until the moment is right.

And let’s say Monk resigns and we can’t make any trades, I’d look to use part of our exception on Robert Covington. I love his theoretical fit next to Sabonis at PF, and he could be an impactful signing for us. That could give us a minute distribution of…

PG - Fox (34) / Monk (14)
SG - Ellis (26) / Monk (14) / Huerter (8)
SF - Murray (30) / Huerter (18)
PF - Covington (20) / Barnes (26) / Murray (2)
C - Sabonis (34) / Lyles (14)

Fox = 34 min
Sabonis = 34 min
Murray = 32 min
Monk = 28 min
Ellis = 26 min
Huerter = 26 min
Barnes = 26 min
Covington = 20 min
Lyles = 14 min

[Mr Swagtastic]

If Monk leaves and you pivot to 2025...

Barnes for Davis Bertans
Hurter for Richaun Holmes

Well I’d ideally be looking for some picks coming back our way considering these two guys are productive starters on a playoff team who make reasonable money.

Harrison Barnes for Chris Boucher, '28 Raptors 2nd and '29 Raptors 2nd?
Kevin Huerter for Jae'Sean Tate, Jock Landale (waived) and '27 Grizzlies 2nd?

Problem for Toronto is they are not good enough to make sense for trading for a backup player like Harrison Barnes. I'm not saying Harrison Barnes is a very good player but for Toronto to spend $19 million dollars for a backup sf/pf is a bad decision right now. I think Toronto's best bet is to either move Boucher at the draft and pick up a useless expiring contract and maybe some second round picks that are middle to late selections. Maybe if a third team was involved and took on barns and set those second round picks and a useless player to Toronto I could see it but right now I think Toronto passes

[OxAndFox]

Still believe Sacramento doesn't have a true #1 scorer. Fox is fantastic, but he isn't that guy. Sabonis is best at around 16-18 per game IMO. Keegan hasn't taken the leap on offense just yet. Monk obviously isn't.

So, essentially a lot of fixing Sacramento's problems are just piling on more #2 or #3 type players. That doesn't work in the NBA if your goal is to win a championship.
Grant, Kuzma, all of the guys in that zone aren't going to move the needle to a championship contender. The Kings need a true go to scorer and some defenders around them. Until one is acquired they will be where they are, a fun team to watch on occasion that is capable of being around 4-6 in the standings but could also be around 8-10 too.

Thats what they are now without adding. Clearing up some of the flotsam/jetsam of the roster, keeping Monk, and adding a third star type could put them right there because there are no great teams (hence the Kings winning record against all of the Wolves/Thunder/Nuggets)

That's fair. I just don't see how adding another tier B player (star-ish) would push the Kings into that contender status. It needs to be a tier A player (same as below), whether that is offensively or defensively. I would prefer it to be on offense personally. And I think the conversations need to start as to whether or not that means moving Fox or Sabonis. Not saying they should trade them, but both of them being "off limits" severely hurts the teams ability to get better down the track.

Minny - Ant/Gobert
Den - Jokic
OKC - SGA
LAC - Kawhi
Dall - Luka
Suns - KD
LAL - LeBron (yes still)
GSW - Steph

NOP and Sacramento are the only ones without one in the POs/PI.

[NYG]

So what are some good Barnes/Huerter for expirings/assets ideas?

[BoogieTime]

Still believe Sacramento doesn't have a true #1 scorer. Fox is fantastic, but he isn't that guy. Sabonis is best at around 16-18 per game IMO. Keegan hasn't taken the leap on offense just yet. Monk obviously isn't.

So, essentially a lot of fixing Sacramento's problems are just piling on more #2 or #3 type players. That doesn't work in the NBA if your goal is to win a championship.
Grant, Kuzma, all of the guys in that zone aren't going to move the needle to a championship contender. The Kings need a true go to scorer and some defenders around them. Until one is acquired they will be where they are, a fun team to watch on occasion that is capable of being around 4-6 in the standings but could also be around 8-10 too.

Thats what they are now without adding. Clearing up some of the flotsam/jetsam of the roster, keeping Monk, and adding a third star type could put them right there because there are no great teams (hence the Kings winning record against all of the Wolves/Thunder/Nuggets)

That's fair. I just don't see how adding another tier B player (star-ish) would push the Kings into that contender status. It needs to be a tier A player (same as below), whether that is offensively or defensively. I would prefer it to be on offense personally. And I think the conversations need to start as to whether or not that means moving Fox or Sabonis. Not saying they should trade them, but both of them being "off limits" severely hurts the teams ability to get better down the track.

Minny - Ant/Gobert
Den - Jokic
OKC - SGA
LAC - Kawhi
Dall - Luka
Suns - KD
LAL - LeBron (yes still)
GSW - Steph

NOP and Sacramento are the only ones without one in the POs/PI.

How would you trade for an "A" star? Many feel Domas is of that level of impact, hence the MVP consideration. It can also be done by committee, as Fox is a good #2 when he's actually being impactful. The Kings #2 could be better than a lot of #2s.

Also attrition, as ive spoken about. The west is older, and a lot of your list could age out.

[Godaddycurse]

So what are some good Barnes/Huerter for expirings/assets ideas?

I dont think either would pull back much if any assets beyond expirings. Barnes is getting older and worse on D, Huerter has a down year and now a serious shoulder injury to rehab from.

[OxAndFox]

Harrison Barnes for Chris Boucher, '28 Raptors 2nd and '29 Raptors 2nd?
Kevin Huerter for Jae'Sean Tate, Jock Landale (waived) and '27 Grizzlies 2nd?

I think the value on the Barnes deal is solid. Not a big fan on the Huerter trade. I could easily see that MEM 2nd not being very valuable if their team is back to being healthy.

Where is Huerter a good fit?

Potentially Charlotte. They need more outside shooting.
Bertans/'27 Dallas 1st for Huerter

Maybe Utah. Again, need shooting. Don't see anything there though.

And Orlando depending on what they do in FA.
Huerter/'25 Port 2nd for WCJ/Ingles

[OxAndFox]

Thats what they are now without adding. Clearing up some of the flotsam/jetsam of the roster, keeping Monk, and adding a third star type could put them right there because there are no great teams (hence the Kings winning record against all of the Wolves/Thunder/Nuggets)

That's fair. I just don't see how adding another tier B player (star-ish) would push the Kings into that contender status. It needs to be a tier A player (same as below), whether that is offensively or defensively. I would prefer it to be on offense personally. And I think the conversations need to start as to whether or not that means moving Fox or Sabonis. Not saying they should trade them, but both of them being "off limits" severely hurts the teams ability to get better down the track.

Minny - Ant/Gobert
Den - Jokic
OKC - SGA
LAC - Kawhi
Dall - Luka
Suns - KD
LAL - LeBron (yes still)
GSW - Steph

NOP and Sacramento are the only ones without one in the POs/PI.

How would you trade for an "A" star? Many feel Domas is of that level of impact, hence the MVP consideration. It can also be done by committee, as Fox is a good #2 when he's actually being impactful. The Kings #2 could be better than a lot of #2s.

Also attrition, as ive spoken about. The west is older, and a lot of your list could age out.

I don't think Domas is at that level. He is having a great season. Don't get me wrong, love both Fox and Domas. But they're not on the level of the players mentioned as tier A.
I would put them at or narrowly above the below and that's where a large portion of the difference is.
Minn - Kat
Den - Murray
OKC - Chet/Williams
LAC - PG13/Harden
Dall - Kyrie
NOP - Zion/BI
Suns - Booker/Beal
LAL - AD
GSW - 0

As far as aging, yes I agree, but I didn't mention Wemby. The Spurs will be back up near the top quite quickly IMO.
Are we sure Sengun/Smith Jr/Green aren't going to turn into a big 3.
Memphis is still young enough with JA/JJJ/Bane and will bounce back next season.

Lakers and Warriors will remain to be FA destinations so while they may drop back a bit I would only expect it to be short term.
OKC has an opportunity to be a real monster for a long time. Minnesota may look to drop salary this off season so if they make the right moves for some young talent to go with Ant they aren't going anywhere. Denver will be good as long as Jokic is in a Nuggets uni.
Clippers are a question mark but expect them to be around for the next 2 seasons with that core.

[OxAndFox]

.

How would you trade for an "A" star? Many feel Domas is of that level of impact, hence the MVP consideration. It can also be done by committee, as Fox is a good #2 when he's actually being impactful. The Kings #2 could be better than a lot of #2s.

Also attrition, as ive spoken about. The west is older, and a lot of your list could age out.

As far as this question. Not suggesting this is what they should do, or that I would either. BUT. Let's say you trade Fox or Sabonis and picks for one. It might be an established player or it might be a young star that the Kings believe will make that jump to superstar.
That way you have a tier A player and a tier B player. Again that's just my opinion on tiers. Salary wise it allows the Kings to put Keegan onto a rookie max if he shows the potential many of us believe he has, particularly as a two-way player and become a tier B player as well.

The Kings cannot add a 3rd star to Fox/Sabonis (and even Monk if he stays) and also expect Keegan Murray to blossom. It's just not going to happen so maybe one of them needs to go?
That is looking at it both on the court and off the court in terms of finances.

[BoogieTime]

How would you trade for an "A" star? Many feel Domas is of that level of impact, hence the MVP consideration. It can also be done by committee, as Fox is a good #2 when he's actually being impactful. The Kings #2 could be better than a lot of #2s.

Also attrition, as ive spoken about. The west is older, and a lot of your list could age out.

As far as this question. Not suggesting this is what they should do, or that I would either. BUT. Let's say you trade Fox or Sabonis and picks for one. It might be an established player or it might be a young star that the Kings believe will make that jump to superstar.
That way you have a tier A player and a tier B player. Again that's just my opinion on tiers. Salary wise it allows the Kings to put Keegan onto a rookie max if he shows the potential many of us believe he has, particularly as a two-way player and become a tier B player as well.

The Kings cannot add a 3rd star to Fox/Sabonis (and even Monk if he stays) and also expect Keegan Murray to blossom. It's just not going to happen so maybe one of them needs to go?
That is looking at it both on the court and off the court in terms of finances.

Dont know what your talking about trading for a A tier player? They aren't available and need to be drafted, or for some reason want the big markets. Who would trade a better player than Domas available for Fox or Domas and picks? Mitchell is like the only thing that even remotely comes to mind, who is better than Fox but not Domas IMO, but why would he be looking to get out of Cleveland for Sacramento?

[OxAndFox]

As far as this question. Not suggesting this is what they should do, or that I would either. BUT. Let's say you trade Fox or Sabonis and picks for one. It might be an established player or it might be a young star that the Kings believe will make that jump to superstar.
That way you have a tier A player and a tier B player. Again that's just my opinion on tiers. Salary wise it allows the Kings to put Keegan onto a rookie max if he shows the potential many of us believe he has, particularly as a two-way player and become a tier B player as well.

The Kings cannot add a 3rd star to Fox/Sabonis (and even Monk if he stays) and also expect Keegan Murray to blossom. It's just not going to happen so maybe one of them needs to go?
That is looking at it both on the court and off the court in terms of finances.

Dont know what your talking about trading for a A tier player? They aren't available and need to be drafted, or for some reason want the big markets. Who would trade a better player than Domas available for Fox or Domas and picks? Mitchell is like the only thing that even remotely comes to mind, who is better than Fox but not Domas IMO, but why would he be looking to get out of Cleveland for Sacramento?

Didn't say it HAD to be current tier A.

Put another tier B player next to Fox/Domas/Keegan and watch Keegan max out as a 3+D guy scoring 14-16ppg. He is much more than that though.

[islandboy53]

If Monk leaves and you pivot to 2025...

Barnes for Davis Bertans
Hurter for Richaun Holmes

Well I’d ideally be looking for some picks coming back our way considering these two guys are productive starters on a playoff team who make reasonable money.

Harrison Barnes for Chris Boucher, '28 Raptors 2nd and '29 Raptors 2nd?
Kevin Huerter for Jae'Sean Tate, Jock Landale (waived) and '27 Grizzlies 2nd?

Toronto needs to ADD picks right now, not send them out.