The future of the Sac Kings....

[king125]

I think we are in a great place right now. But, a few things need to happen for us to utilize our opportunity.

First off, the West is stacked. There is no reason to spend any money on players that "could" help us make a playoff run next year. Even if we made the playoffs, we dont have the experience to do anything with it. We are rebuilding. The question is....around who?

Kevin Martin is the man in Sac town and is the future star of this team. He was third in the league last year in scoring before he got hurt (behind Lebron and Kobe). He is still developing and will be at full potential in a year or two. He is the central piece, sort of like a Reggie Miller.

We have no need to keep Brad Miller or Ron Artest. They are taking playing time away from guys that need it. Ron is gone which is good. He will help a team that needs an experinced defender but he helps the Kings in no way. Brad Miller is the same. When we are ready to make a playoff run, say 2 more years, he will be too old and will be taking up major cap space. Spencer Hawes is a perfect role player for the Kings, as is Jason Thompson. Both are unique and will play there role well if they have the chance to develop. That wont happen with Miller and Moore in the lineup.

I read these posts everyday and kills me to see the remarks about Beno and Salmons. Both guys have come out of nowhere and are on the brink of being standouts in the NBA. I think Beno is a great point guard for the Kings for now and the future. He excelled this year when given the chance and is the best choice for this team. Salmons as well. When he started he played great and is not afraid to take it to rim regardless of who is guarding him. Also, he is great defender and he proved that against Kobe a couple times this year. With Artest gone, Salmons will get better and flourish into a great Small Forward, which is where he started this year at times.

Garcia is a keeper for Sac as well. He will be a great sixth man who can play PG, SG, or SF and is also improving.

2008 lineup:
Hawes
Thompson
Salmons
Martin
Udrih

Garcia, Williams, Douby, Singeltary off the bench. Trade Miller to a team that needs a big man (Bobcats?) for 2009 picks. Let Thomas & Rahim's contract expire and we will have some major cash to play with in 2009. We will be able to pick up a top free agent and a great bench of role players and make a serious run in 2010.

That is my opinion, lets hear yours!!!!!

[SacKingZZZ]

I agree with most of it but I think we can keep Brad. Brad will be OK with the role of being a teacher for Jason and Spencer. I don't think Ron wants that and has already shown signs that he will openly express his opinion if we choose to set aside major minutes towards development.

I would love to see that lineup, hopefully later in the season (at the latest) that is the lineup we put on the floor night in, night out.

[pillwenney]

Yeah, let's ignore the fact that Ron has gone out of his way to help develop younger players in the past and that he doesn't really directly stand in the way of any young players' playing time as much as Brad does.

[Ballings7]

Yeah, let's ignore the fact that Ron has gone out of his way to help develop younger players in the past and that he doesn't really directly stand in the way of any young players' playing time as much as Brad does.

haha

Exactly

[deNIEd]

I think we are in a great place right now. But, a few things need to happen for us to utilize our opportunity.

First off, the West is stacked. There is no reason to spend any money on players that "could" help us make a playoff run next year. Even if we made the playoffs, we dont have the experience to do anything with it. We are rebuilding. The question is....around who?

Kevin Martin is the man in Sac town and is the future star of this team. He was third in the league last year in scoring before he got hurt (behind Lebron and Kobe). He is still developing and will be at full potential in a year or two. He is the central piece, sort of like a Reggie Miller.

We have no need to keep Brad Miller or Ron Artest. They are taking playing time away from guys that need it. Ron is gone which is good. He will help a team that needs an experinced defender but he helps the Kings in no way. Brad Miller is the same. When we are ready to make a playoff run, say 2 more years, he will be too old and will be taking up major cap space. Spencer Hawes is a perfect role player for the Kings, as is Jason Thompson. Both are unique and will play there role well if they have the chance to develop. That wont happen with Miller and Moore in the lineup.

I mostly agree with you, but its a lot harder than you are making it out to be.

Petrie, sitting on his ass, waiting for the right deals to happen, simply isn't getting the job done. He should be given 2 more years, and then if still our current state, fired. Princeton offense is garabge.

West.
Portland, Minn, Seattle are no joke. Minn and Seattle next year, will both most likely get ANOTHER top 7 pick, making their team even Better.

[Ballings7]

Seattle/OKC are still a bad team, but talented and young on the wings... questionability at PG... still around average at PF/C in general...

Minnesota will be better, will have more experience, have more talent, will have more certainity with their roster... they have that Jefferson/Love PF/C duo, and they'll have quality offense and solid rebounding - except, they lack a key requirement in this game, to make your way to being a legit squad.... a significant defensive presence from one guy, or from a pair, in the starting line-up. Neither Love or Jefferson complement eachother that much on defense. I really liked originally that they took Mayo, but despite McHale's love for Love, I was surprised to see they traded for Love later on. If I was a Minny fan, I would just have to hope and kinda think they'll realize during Jefferson's prime,

hey, we gotta get a damn defensive presence next to that star big man we've had

As well as from their quality 03-04 season, when defense, rebounding, and chemistry were the reasons they were the best team in the west.

Portland is steadily on the rise, significantly moreso than before now, and a year or two away from being a playoff team. Then a contending team a bit later, and then maybe a title.

[RoyalCourtJestr]

We gotta do something. I'm not going to pretend or argue anymore that I have any idea WHAT we should do (cough*Hinrichwouldbeawesomethough*cough) but we need to do something.

[chriswebb86]

I really have to disagree with what you have to say. I would rather keep Artest and Miller around. They may be taking a few minutes from younger players, but they are such great help to these young players and I highly doubt we get anything of value for them, so it makes moving them pointless. Also, I actually would like to build the team around Artest and Martin. Back in the early part of the decade this team had a great defensive presense and was a huge reason why we went as far as we did. Artest is also still a young player with at least 5 years left of great basketball. With Miller I want to keep him around because he will help refine Spencers game especially on the highpost. However, I would have no problem moving him if it netted us either exp, a pick, or someone like Capation Kirk.

Next, I am almost against resign Beno if he is going to take the full Mid-Level. I think they guy played really really well last year for us, but I do not see him as more then a ok to solild pg. I think if we want this team to contend in the next few years, he is not the anwser at PG. I actually wouldnt be surprised to see the Kings starting Salmons this year at pg if we do not resign Salmons or do not bring someone like Duhon or Hinrich in.

Also, I actually wouldnt mind moving Salmons. He showed last year that unless he is starting he really has no future on the Kings, and because he is the same Age as Artest I rather keep Artest.

Finally, I do agree that we have a bright future and I am can not wait to see what next seasons brings. I think this team could surpurise a lot of people if we stay healthy. Reggie has gotten a lot out of the players and if he can keep doing this, this team will be moving towards being a good team again.

[chriswebb86]

I think we are in a great place right now. But, a few things need to happen for us to utilize our opportunity.

First off, the West is stacked. There is no reason to spend any money on players that "could" help us make a playoff run next year. Even if we made the playoffs, we dont have the experience to do anything with it. We are rebuilding. The question is....around who?

Kevin Martin is the man in Sac town and is the future star of this team. He was third in the league last year in scoring before he got hurt (behind Lebron and Kobe). He is still developing and will be at full potential in a year or two. He is the central piece, sort of like a Reggie Miller.

We have no need to keep Brad Miller or Ron Artest. They are taking playing time away from guys that need it. Ron is gone which is good. He will help a team that needs an experinced defender but he helps the Kings in no way. Brad Miller is the same. When we are ready to make a playoff run, say 2 more years, he will be too old and will be taking up major cap space. Spencer Hawes is a perfect role player for the Kings, as is Jason Thompson. Both are unique and will play there role well if they have the chance to develop. That wont happen with Miller and Moore in the lineup.

I mostly agree with you, but its a lot harder than you are making it out to be.

Petrie, sitting on his ass, waiting for the right deals to happen, simply isn't getting the job done. He should be given 2 more years, and then if still our current state, fired. Princeton offense is garabge.

West.
Portland, Minn, Seattle are no joke. Minn and Seattle next year, will both most likely get ANOTHER top 7 pick, making their team even Better.

I competely disagree with the fact that the Princeton offense is garabge. Its what put this team on the map in the early part of the decade and with the right players is one of the best offeneses in the league. Also, I highly doubt Geoff is just sitting there waiting for a deal to come his way. I bet he has looked at a lot of offers, but I am guessing he feels they do not help make this team better. So, why make a move when it doesnt do us any good? I know it would be great to be a team like the Blazers and trade around all the time making moves, but that is really hard to do and with Geoff's past I bet it is even harder now.

[pillwenney]

You can't do what Portland does unless you have an owner like Allen (and unless you get lucky and get Oden).

And yeah seriously, there is no basis for that statement about the Princeton offense.

[_SRV_]

Don't sign players like Mikki Moore over their value and assign the freed budget to buying picks or moving up, this money argument is short sighted, it's a budget thing and Petrie's job to run it, the Kings have a pretty high payroll for a rebuilding team, I see a lot of generosity from the owners' side.
I don't know if Petrie was interested in Bayless, but if he was and let that slip, that was a big screw up, I'll just assume he wasn't.

[Cruel_Ruin]

Yeah, let's ignore the fact that Ron has gone out of his way to help develop younger players in the past and that he doesn't really directly stand in the way of any young players' playing time as much as Brad does.

He's also a pending Free Agent next year who's value won't get any higher than it is now. We've been waiting for two years, it's not going up. There are teams like the Lakers who are willing to overpay for Artest this summer. We could get some serious value out of there.

Artest/Kenny for Odom/Farmar.

[deNIEd]

Seattle/OKC are still a bad team, but talented and young on the wings... questionability at PG... still around average at PF/C in general...

Minnesota will be better, will have more experience, have more talent, will have more certainity with their roster... they have that Jefferson/Love PF/C duo, and they'll have quality offense and solid rebounding - except, they lack a key requirement in this game, to make your way to being a legit squad.... a significant defensive presence from one guy, or from a pair, in the starting line-up. Neither Love or Jefferson complement eachother that much on defense. I really liked originally that they took Mayo, but despite McHale's love for Love, I was surprised to see they traded for Love later on. If I was a Minny fan, I would just have to hope and kinda think they'll realize during Jefferson's prime

You are right, Seattle is still a bad team. However, they have a ton of talent on that Roster. Add another top 5 talent next year, and maybe a top 8 talent the year after, and add another 2-3 years, and you have a team that is a contender. (assuming they aren't (Please Use More Appropriate Word) and screw everything up)

Minnesota, I believe, is looking into the future. Chances are, they will be a bottom 5-6 team next year with other teams being so good. Look at the draft next year, best players being the PG/SG/SF position. They get Love, get their PF/C rotation set. And will likely in a year add a great wing player to their mix.

[Wolfay]

Princeton offense is garabge.

You just killed whatever credibility you had right there. Sounds like you said that because you're angry. Having a bad day bro?

[deNIEd]

Princeton offense is garabge.

You just killed whatever credibility you had right there. Sounds like you said that because you're angry. Having a bad day bro?

11. Jerryd Bayless
12. Jason Thompson
14. Anthony Randolph
15. Robin Lopez
16. Maureese Speights
17. Roy Hibbert
18. JaVale McGee
42. Who is this guy
43. Garabage
47. Bill Walker
49. Richard Hendrix

Portland = Bayless/Roy/Batum/Aldridge/Oden
Sac =
PG: Singletary
SG: Martin, Garcia, Douby
SF: Artest, Salmons, Ewing
PF: Moore, Shareef, Williams, Thompson, Thomas
C : Miller, Hawes

Yes, very very bad day

[Cruel_Ruin]

Princeton offense is garabge.

You just killed whatever credibility you had right there. Sounds like you said that because you're angry. Having a bad day bro?

11. Jerryd Bayless
12. Jason Thompson
14. Anthony Randolph
15. Robin Lopez
16. Maureese Speights
17. Roy Hibbert
18. JaVale McGee
42. Who is this guy
43. Garabage
47. Bill Walker
49. Richard Hendrix

Portland = Bayless/Roy/Batum/Aldridge/Oden
Sac =
PG: Singletary
SG: Martin, Garcia, Douby
SF: Artest, Salmons, Ewing
PF: Moore, Shareef, Williams, Thompson, Thomas
C : Miller, Hawes

Yes, very very bad day

I still maintain that Artest and Miller will be moved this summer. And I think Thompson is better than you give him credit for, he sounds like LaMarcus Aldridge with passing ability. I'll take that any day and twice on Sundays.

[Ballings7]

You are right, Seattle is still a bad team. However, they have a ton of talent on that Roster. Add another top 5 talent next year, and maybe a top 8 talent the year after, and add another 2-3 years, and you have a team that is a contender. (assuming they aren't (Please Use More Appropriate Word) and screw everything up)

Well I mnetioned their talent situation, it's all on the wings... though again, PG while it has talent present, has significant uncertainity... Westbrook has to prove he can be enough of a starter offensively at PG, and will one of Ridnour/Watson even be there much longer as the back-up? Then the drop off in talent is significant up front.

And as far as the future talent additions... that's 3-4 seasons you're talking right there... so they'll still be nothing "good" after the season they last were a lottery team, and then maybe after that season, they move up to the playoff scene. Who knows if they'll be good enough to do that.

Regardless, they still have pretty serious work to do internally and externally to get to the playoff scene in this conference.

Minnesota, I believe, is looking into the future. Chances are, they will be a bottom 5-6 team next year with other teams being so good. Look at the draft next year, best players being the PG/SG/SF position. They get Love, get their PF/C rotation set. And will likely in a year add a great wing player to their mix.

Yeah.

Minnesota will be a good team eventually, but until they get a defensive presence next to Jefferson, they won't be credible enough of a team to contend. Real talented, but too biased offensively up front with Love/Jefferson.

[Smills91]

You just killed whatever credibility you had right there. Sounds like you said that because you're angry. Having a bad day bro?

11. Jerryd Bayless
12. Jason Thompson
14. Anthony Randolph
15. Robin Lopez
16. Maureese Speights
17. Roy Hibbert
18. JaVale McGee
42. Who is this guy
43. Garabage
47. Bill Walker
49. Richard Hendrix

Portland = Bayless/Roy/Batum/Aldridge/Oden
Sac =
PG: Singletary
SG: Martin, Garcia, Douby
SF: Artest, Salmons, Ewing
PF: Moore, Shareef, Williams, Thompson, Thomas
C : Miller, Hawes

Yes, very very bad day

I still maintain that Artest and Miller will be moved this summer. And I think Thompson is better than you give him credit for, he sounds like LaMarcus Aldridge with passing ability. I'll take that any day and twice on Sundays.

I'd venture to say Thompson is a better rebound and perhaps not AS good of a scorer, at least I wouldn't project him to be in the NBA.

[Ballings7]

It really isn't fair to compare Portland to any developing/young team... they've had a unique situation player and front-office-wise.

[deNIEd]

*To clear up my personal stance on Thompson, I'm okay with the pick. I'm just very very very very disappointed he was our only pick* (2nd rounder's don't really count that much since we don't even know if they'll make the team)