Kings Off Season

[OxAndFox]

What would you do as a Kings complete off season.

The Scenario:
* Ownership: You have a mandate to try and win and make the POs in 2025/26 and beyond.
* The Kings finish the season going 4-12 to finish 37-45 and fall to 11th in the West. This keeps the 2025 1st round pick and the Kings will select 12th.
* Sabonis has already mentioned he wants to have a dialogue with the franchise on what direction the Kings are going. It was apparent that both he and Fox, along with Mike Brown met with the front office and wanted more defensive players on the team.
* No cap space. Can use MLE.

General Manager: Monte McNair or New GM. Who?
Head Coach: Doug Christie or New Coach. Who?

Roster:
Sabonis/JV
-
Murray/DDR
Lavine/Monk/Ellis (team option)/Carter
-

UFA: LaRavia, Lyles, McDermott, Crowder, Fultz

[ReggiesKnicks]

What would you do as a Kings complete off season.

The Scenario:
* Ownership: You have a mandate to try and win and make the POs in 2025/26 and beyond.
* The Kings finish the season going 4-12 to finish 37-45 and fall to 11th in the West. This keeps the 2025 1st round pick and the Kings will select 12th.
* Sabonis has already mentioned he wants to have a dialogue with the franchise on what direction the Kings are going. It was apparent that both he and Fox, along with Mike Brown met with the front office and wanted more defensive players on the team.
* No cap space. Can use MLE.

General Manager: Monte McNair or New GM. Who?
Head Coach: Doug Christie or New Coach. Who?

Roster:
Sabonis/JV
-
Murray/DDR
Lavine/Monk/Ellis (team option)/Carter
-

UFA: LaRavia, Lyles, McDermott, Crowder, Fultz

This is my first stab at the Kings and I think they have a lot of different avenues. Let me know about value, but they have enough talent to be decent while also rebuilding competitively through the draft.

Also, there is little to no chance the Kings keep their picks. The only team in the West who could jump them is Phoenix. Out east, Chicago is a worse team top to bottom and Miami may pass them but Miami is 4 games behind Sacramento in the Loss column, have lost 6 straight, 7 of 10 and 14 of their last 18 (4-14 last 18 games). I am going to assume Sacramento does keep their pick, only for you, even though objectively and statistically it is much more likely Sacramento doesn't keep their pick.

Head Coach: Frank Vogel

Retain LaRavia

Trades:

1) Malik Monk for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Orlando 2025 1st, Lotto Protected Orlando 2027 1st (2 Additional years Lotto, then 2 2nds)

2) MLE for Obi Toppin/Grant Williams/Bobby Portis and whatever compensation (2nds outgoing or incoming) to make the deal work.

3) DeMar DeRozan for Duncan Robinson, Kyle Anderson, 3 2nds

Sabonis/Valanciunas
LaRavia/Toppin
Murray/Robinson
Lavine/Ellis
Carter/KCP

+ Picks #12, #15 & #38

Something notable in this draft is there does appear to be 4-5 guys consistently mocked in the 11-20 range who are SF/PF or PF projections (Asa Newell, Collin Murray-Boyles, Liam McNeeley, Noa Essengue, Noah Penda and Rasheer Fleming). I personally don't go deeper than the top few prospects in terms of meaningful assessment but it does appear to be a sweet spot for Sacramento in terms of positional need.

Notably, this is where they stand with future picks after this mock off-season.

1sts
2026: 0
2027: 2 (Own & San Antonio & Orlando)
2028: 1 (Own)
2029: 1 (Own)
2030: 1 (Own)
2031: 2 (Own & Minnesota, owe San Antonio a swap)
2032: 1 (Own)

7 2nds over 7 years

[LarsV8]

Hard to see a reasonable path forward toward being competitive.

[SNPA]

Sabonis can only be traded with an asset returning that Monte can claim will be the franchise. How could Monte trade him otherwise?

[Astaluego]

I'd trade DDR to the Mavs...
For Gafford + Filler (Hardy/Powell) + Small compensation...

Hardy + Powell + the compensation received from the Mavs to someone's cap space (Bulls/Nets).
Send Gafford to Boston for KP...
(Ben Simmons signs and LaRavia returns)...

Sabonis/JV
KP/Simmons
Murray/LaRavia
Lavine/Monk
Ellis/Carter

Opción 2

DDR to CLIPPERS
Bogdan+(Compesation Clippers+KINGS) BULLS
Lonzo+DJJ KING..

Sabonis/JV
Murray /DJJ
Lavine/LaRavia
Ellis/Monk
Lonzo/Carter

[zimpy27]

They need to build around Sabonis the same way Jokic was built around but Kings need to do it better.


Jonathon Isaac would be a great fit with Sabonis.

[K_chile22]

Is something around Jabari for Monk anything?

[facothomas22]

I don't see a path where the Kings can contend for anything significant going forward. The best path for them is a total rebuild and prepare to get of those top prospects in the 2026 NBA draft. Trades I think make sense for both sides would look something like this

Malik Monk

KCP(salary filler) + Magic pick this year 11-15 pick in the draft + Anthony Black+ Maybe the Nuggets 2027 pick if the Magic pick fall outside of lottery for Malik Monk

Dillon Brooks + Suns 1st round pick this year(likely 10-13 range)for Malik Monk

Jaden Hardy + Filler + Mavericks 1st pick this year(likely around the 11-14 range) for Malik Monk



Domantas Sabonis

Jalen Duren + Jalen Ivery + filler the Pistons 2027/2029 1st round pick along with a protected Pistons 2031 1st round pick for Sabonis

Mark Williams + Jusef Nurkic (salary filler)+the Hornets pick this year(assuming the pick is in the 4-6 range) for Sabonis

Wendell Carter + KCP(salary filler) +Anthony Black+ Tristan Da Silva + the Magic pick this year(likely in 11-15 range) + the Nuggets 2027 1st round +the Magic 2029 1st round pick

Demar Derozen

Daniel Gafford + Jaden Hardy + filler + multiple 2nd round picks for Demar Derozen

Michael Porter Jr + multiple 2nd round picks for Demar Derozen






The Kings likely ride it out with Zach Lavine unless some desperate is willing to given them a 1st round pick.

[NYG]

Kings get:
Mikal Bridges
Maxi Kleber

Lakers get:
Mitchell Robinson
Pacome Dadiet

Knicks get:
DeMar DeRozan
Jonas Valanciunas
Dalton Knecht
'26 Kings 1st
'27 Spurs 1st (via Kings)

[OrlandoDream]

Kins are stacked with guards Monk, Ellis, Derozan, Lavine, and Carter. Orlando has some spare bigs to help with their size and we need shooting. That is if Kings still want to compete next year as opposed to blowing it up.

I don't know if I see a path for them competing in the west unless they acquire another star next to Sabonis.

[OxAndFox]

I don't see a path where the Kings can contend for anything significant going forward. The best path for them is a total rebuild and prepare to get of those top prospects in the 2026 NBA draft. Trades I think make sense for both sides would look something like this

Malik Monk

KCP(salary filler) + Magic pick this year 11-15 pick in the draft + Anthony Black+ Maybe the Nuggets 2027 pick if the Magic pick fall outside of lottery for Malik Monk

Dillon Brooks + Suns 1st round pick this year(likely 10-13 range)for Malik Monk

Jaden Hardy + Filler + Mavericks 1st pick this year(likely around the 11-14 range) for Malik Monk



Domantas Sabonis

Jalen Duren + Jalen Ivery + filler the Pistons 2027/2029 1st round pick along with a protected Pistons 2031 1st round pick for Sabonis

Mark Williams + Jusef Nurkic (salary filler)+the Hornets pick this year(assuming the pick is in the 4-6 range) for Sabonis

Wendell Carter + KCP(salary filler) +Anthony Black+ Tristan Da Silva + the Magic pick this year(likely in 11-15 range) + the Nuggets 2027 1st round +the Magic 2029 1st round pick

Demar Derozen

Daniel Gafford + Jaden Hardy + filler + multiple 2nd round picks for Demar Derozen

Michael Porter Jr + multiple 2nd round picks for Demar Derozen






The Kings likely ride it out with Zach Lavine unless some desperate is willing to given them a 1st round pick.

I don't think you would find too many Kings fans that disagree with the tear down and rebuild. Ownership wants to push the POs at all costs, even if it doesn't seem like the best path forward for a contending team.

[OxAndFox]

Is something around Jabari for Monk anything?

Yes. There would absolutely be something around Jabari for Monk. He fills a desperate need for the Kings along with a true PG so me personally would look to see what that is.

[LarsV8]

Lol we aren't trading Jabari.

[K_chile22]

Lol we aren't trading Jabari.

you and i don't agree on most things so not gonna try to convince you but i think it makes a lot of sense to pay Tari and trade Jabari this offseason and still not a Jalen Green believer and think Monk would be a big upgrade there . Team has too many low feel players, Tari has become a underrated kick out passer while jabari's passing hasn't gotten any better and Tari is just better at about everything at this point, don't really want to pay both

[ChettheJet]

Opción 2

DDR to CLIPPERS
Bogdan+(Compesation Clippers+KINGS) BULLS
Lonzo+DJJ KING..

Sabonis/JV
Murray /DJJ
Lavine/LaRavia
Ellis/Monk
Lonzo/Carter

Just leave the Bulls alone. In what crazy world do they want a more expensive SG in Bogdan when they have Coby White finally settling in as the SG and they give up the veteran leadership, defense and 3 point shooting for an actual PG in Lonzo Ball with the friendliest of contracts that they've spent 3 seasons waiting on? Even if you want to imagine some mid FRP the duplication that Bogdan at $16M off the bench gives them is not worth it.

[bpcox05]

TRADE #1
Zach LaVine
Devin Carter
1sts

For

Kevin Durant



TRADE #2
DeMar DeRozan

For

Jrue Holiday



SIGNINGS
Resign Jake LaRavia
Resign Trey Lyles



ROSTER
PG - Holiday / Monk
SG - Ellis
SF - Murray / LaRavia
PF - Durant / Lyles
C - Sabonis / Valanciunas



MINUTES ROTATION
PG - Holiday (32) / Monk (16)
SG - Ellis (30) / Monk (14) / Murray (4)
SF - Murray (26) / LaRavia (18) / Durant (4)
PF - Durant (30) / Lyles (18)
C - Sabonis (34) / Valanciunas (14)

Durant = 34 min
Sabonis = 34 min
Holiday = 32 min
Ellis = 30 min
Monk = 30 min
Murray = 30 min
LaRavia = 18 min
Lyles = 18 min
Valanciunas = 14 min

[LarsV8]

you and i don't agree on most things so not gonna try to convince you but i think it makes a lot of sense to pay Tari and trade Jabari this offseason and still not a Jalen Green believer and think Monk would be a big upgrade there . Team has too many low feel players, Tari has become a underrated kick out passer while jabari's passing hasn't gotten any better and Tari is just better at about everything at this point, don't really want to pay both

1.) You don't have to pick and choose Tari or Jabari, you can have both. Sure, there are limited number of starting spots, but there are plenty of rotation spots, and Jabari and Tari have two very different skill sets. The only feasible non star trade I could see for one of the core, would be is if it gets too expensive. In that scenario, a player would likely be sold off for future picks, and not another body, as that doesn't solve the salary issue. Furthermore Jabari's archetype is one of the most sought after in the NBA, inexplicable why we would move him for a SG, no less.

2.) Not sure what you are seeing in Malik Monk, but he is a fairly mediocre SG, and a finished product at 27 years old. He isn't elite at anything, and seems like the definition of a replacement level player, all while having a bit of an injury history, although not recent. While Green is more expensive, there is a reason why... he also still has upside at just turning 23, never misses games, is more efficient, a better defender, draws more fouls, and turns the ball over less. Monk is very clearly a downgrade there today, and I would expect it too be even more of a downgrade in 2-3 years. Unless you disproportionately value on ball creation, or just can't stand paying that level of money for that level of production.

3.) My philosophy is you simply do not give away young players unless you have too, and right now, we don't have too. All of these kids will get better, and most are already pretty damn good. Tari is 2 years older than Jabari, of course he is going to have a better feel and seem better.

I don't think you are setting your expectations correctly for young players, because to me, Jabari for Monk is completely non sensical.

[jayjaysee]

I’d be looking to turn Demar (or LaVine) into a couple good perimeter defenders. Probably find a true PG you don’t mind playing 20-25mpg. But you can cal that Tre Jones with the MLE if you want?

So.. Demar to some third team, expiring+12th to ???, good 3/d player to Sac. Seems like it shouldn’t be impossible.

I think you need to move on from LaVine. But I understand the team just traded for him and PPG is exciting.

So for me I’d be looking at..

Zach to CLT
KD to Sac
Bridges, Green, Carter, 12th to Phoenix

Throw in seconds to taste..

But trying less of a short term piece / less of a star?

Herb and Isaac to Sac
Monk to Orlando
“Value” to NOP

(Carter, 12th, Orlando value?)

Now your forwards fit a Sabonis offense at least? And you just need to focus on finding a PG that fits with LaVine/Sabonis..

Going further, you could try to pay NOP more and bring in DJM, Herb and Isaac. An entire injured lineup but.. You have a good fitting group if they do get healthy.

[LightTheBeam]

Sabonis can only be traded with an asset returning that Monte can claim will be the franchise. How could Monte trade him otherwise?

If the franchise has a competent bone left in its body, Monte will be fired in less than a month.

The new GM shouldn't be tied to Sabonis, who is a great player, but nearing 30 and not a guy you can start fresh with.

[LightTheBeam]

Is something around Jabari for Monk anything?

Yes. There would absolutely be something around Jabari for Monk. He fills a desperate need for the Kings along with a true PG so me personally would look to see what that is.

Curious what Jabari is expecting for his next contract. On paper I'd love to add him to the team. Keon-Keegan-Parker would be 3 defenders at the most crucial spots, but if he's expecting the max or anywhere really near it, I'd not want to be the team giving it to him.