Kings keep it together, ORL plugs their scoring hole

[Skybox]

SAC is struggling...but not ready to blow up their tandem of Fox & Sabonis...they also have Derozan now to generate the offense that Monk brings and rookie Devin Carter on deck. Their frontcourt defense is the weak link...

ORL sends Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, Jett Howard
SAC sends Malik Monk, Trey Lyles, Kevin Huerter

For ORL: Lyles gives them a stop-gap big body, capable of eating minutes if needed with so many out, but is an expiring contract, so they don't necessarily need to retain him next year, unless it becomes clear it's a fit. Monk is exactly the backcourt flamethrower ORL lacks in their second unit. Huerter is a shooter with some playmaking, capable of dropping multiple 3's every game, even in a reserve role and taking on his contract probably negates ORL having to add any picks to this deal.

For SAC: Brown gets the perimeter to rim defensive monster next to Sabonis in Isaac, with a steeply descending contract (drops down to $14.5 for 3 more years-with some injury outs) that offsets the injury/minutes restriction concerns. They get Cole Anthony, who just might fill the role that Monk did, to some extent, at roughly half the salary. He's only got one more guaranteed year, followed by a Team Option. Cole is also one of the most beloved teammates and fun personalities in the league. If he can find consistency in a new environment, he could be a steal. SAC also gets a young sharpshooting prospect to replace Huerter, at a fraction of the price. It might be just enough to shake things up and get them on track defensively...Isaac's play style is completely selfless and contagious.

[jayjaysee]

I don’t think Orlando does this.

But if they do, Sac should. Even if you flip Demar or Murray, etc later.

Getting JI next to Sabonis is brilliant. And the contract really helps Sac, who hopefully are going to be really expensive for 3 of the 4 cheap years on that new deal.

[MasterIchiro]

If the Kings are keeping Fox (which they should) they should keep Monk as his backcourt mate.

I don't think they should move Sabonis either, given the cost was Haliburton, plus Sabonis is still in his prime and locked up for what 4 years?

DeRozan is a hard contract to move unless a shuffle-the-deck type of trade. I don't see the point.

The one upgrade I'd look to make is Keegan Murray.

I don't think fans of other teams wanting the key starters on the Kings are going to get what they want this deadline.

I think the Kings could easily be posturing on Fox and Sabonis because they want to generate calls on those players, steering talks towards Murray and Heurter mainly, or maybe get a lifeline/bailout on DeRozan.

They're going to demand unspeakable premiums for Sabonis and Fox, and still ask for overpays for players like Monk and Murray.

[jbk1234]

If the Kings are keeping Fox (which they should) they should keep Monk as his backcourt mate.

I don't think they should move Sabonis either, given the cost was Haliburton, plus Sabonis is still in his prime and locked up for what 4 years?

DeRozan is a hard contract to move unless a shuffle-the-deck type of trade. I don't see the point.

The one upgrade I'd look to make is Keegan Murray.

I don't think fans of other teams wanting the key starters on the Kings are going to get what they want this deadline.

I think the Kings could easily be posturing on Fox and Sabonis because they want to generate calls on those players, steering talks towards Murray and Heurter mainly, or maybe get a lifeline/bailout on DeRozan.

They're going to demand unspeakable premiums for Sabonis and Fox, and still ask for overpays for players like Monk and Murray.

The reality is that if you have Fox, Monk (or DeRozan)and Sabonis all on the floor in the last 5 minutes, which is when most games are won or lost, you're hoping the other team misses. Those units aren't getting stops. Murray can at least D up.

Despite being a poor 3 point shooter, DeRozan has a higher TS% than Monk. The roster construction is poor, and DeRozan was a curious acquisition, but that's because they already had Monk and Fox.

[Residual-Heat]

Im not sure the Kings trade Monk without moving Fox, and therefore look to rebuild.

Also I dont want to trade Isaac. Easy to find other players that can do what Monk does, not as easy with Isaac.

If the Kings decide to blow it up though i would offer a 1st and Jett for Monk.

[MasterIchiro]

If the Kings are keeping Fox (which they should) they should keep Monk as his backcourt mate.

I don't think they should move Sabonis either, given the cost was Haliburton, plus Sabonis is still in his prime and locked up for what 4 years?

DeRozan is a hard contract to move unless a shuffle-the-deck type of trade. I don't see the point.

The one upgrade I'd look to make is Keegan Murray.

I don't think fans of other teams wanting the key starters on the Kings are going to get what they want this deadline.

I think the Kings could easily be posturing on Fox and Sabonis because they want to generate calls on those players, steering talks towards Murray and Heurter mainly, or maybe get a lifeline/bailout on DeRozan.

They're going to demand unspeakable premiums for Sabonis and Fox, and still ask for overpays for players like Monk and Murray.

The reality is that if you have Fox, Monk (or DeRozan)and Sabonis all on the floor in the last 5 minutes, which is when most games are won or lost, you're hoping the other team misses. Those units aren't getting stops. Murray can at least D up.

Despite being a poor 3 point shooter, DeRozan has a higher TS% than Monk. The roster construction is poor, and DeRozan was a curious acquisition, but that's because they already had Monk and Fox.

I don't disagree. But one individual defender isn't going to move the needle unless we are talking elite rim protector which you kind of surrender when you trade for Sabonis. I would rather be the team that keeps Myles Turner and acquires Haliburton for POA while surrendering the player who forfeits points in the paint.

It's a domino effect.

If the Kings want to continue to Light The Beam, the most realistic thing they can do is go all-in on offense. The defense is irredeemable.

So either go all-in on offense, or gut the team and forfeit ticket sales generated from the Light The Beam promo.

Which path would you take?

[BoogieTime]

as I said, Monk isn't going, and Isaac hasn't been playing good ball this year for him to be the target