At What Point Do We Tank to Keep Our Pick?

bleeds_purple · Post #1 » by **bleeds_purple** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 7:15 am

After tonight we're in 11th place (for lottery purposes) while our pick is top-10 protected. We're literally in the exact worst position right now. Realistically we've already been eliminated from the playoff hunt. We need to improve the team and having a lotto pick is the best way given our current position. That leaves us with the obvious question: do we tank in hopes of keeping our pick?

It would be pretty easy to slide under CHA and DET who are both still in the playoff hunt in the miserable East. There's also IND who could easily pass us should we string together some losses. That would put us 8th and while it wouldn't give us a 100% chance to keep our pick, it would virtually guarantee it barring something crazy happening with the lottery.

The obvious downside of the strategy is the potential for Cousins to implode.

I know the thought of tanking is painful but I feel like once we get down to the final 15-20 games we should just consider shutting Cousins down and giving extended minutes to Stauskas. That would pretty much ensure a tank. We could even get super lucky in the lottery (we're well overdue) and snag one of those top three picks.

Post #2 » by **KF10** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 7:30 am

Might as well tank the season. Ever since the firing of Malone, management/ownership pretty much forfeited the season.

What a god damn SHAME

Kings2013 · Post #3 » by **Kings2013** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 7:39 pm

It's an interesting question

Ideally for me we finish the season strong. Cousins dominates, our core develops cohesion and our young players look good so that in the summer I feel like we have a legit foundation and can start competing for the playoffs next year

But if this thing, particularly under lame duck Corbin isn't coming together, and only a few games here and there can really change lottery positioning, I can see some stealth tanking, creative lineup changes happening. I just would rather finish around .500 and feel good about the team, as we are eventually going to give up the pick if we competitive within three years, but that might not be possible

SacKingZZZ · Post #4 » by **SacKingZZZ** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 11:41 pm

KF10 wrote:Might as well tank the season. Ever since the firing of Malone, management/ownership pretty much forfeited the season.

What a god damn SHAME

Easier said than done. Even with all the manufactured turmoil it's probably not enough considering how much that bottom 10 sucks. Those teams are probably going to go full on dump style too, dumping players and all that. The Kings need to forget that pick not just because this draft sucks a big one but because it might be a buyers market in the next few weeks.

Post #5 » by **City of Trees** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 7:48 am

I don't think a lame duck coach would be eager to hop on the tank wagon.

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Post #6 » by **City of Trees** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 7:50 am

IMO this draft comes down to one player for the Kings: Cauley-Stien. If you're out of reach of him then find a way to rid yourself of this never ending JJ Hickson pick.

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SacKingZZZ · Post #7 » by **SacKingZZZ** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 10:13 am

I think Harrell is an even better fit. He has more offensive skill than many of the other bigs and he would bring some much needed athletic ability and finishing ability at the rim. You know, I think it's being proven that this team made a pretty big mistake in trading Acy. Not just because of Sessions but I didn't even realize he was the only thing on this roster capable of finishing above the rim with authority. He's been pretty good with the Knicks too. Harrell is like a longer Kenneth Faried with a better shot at nailing down a decent jumper and with better defense. I don't think he'll be nearly as productive as Faried though. Harrell has the potential to be a really solid defender who can check some SF's and C's beyond his potential as a PF stopper.

bleeds_purple · Post #8 » by **bleeds_purple** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 6:40 pm

City of Trees wrote:IMO this draft comes down to one player for the Kings: Cauley-Stien. If you're out of reach of him then find a way to rid yourself of this never ending JJ Hickson pick.

Isn't it sort of a defeatist mentality to assume going in that we are going to blow the pick?

On the other hand, can't we trade it on draft night? If so, it might make sense to hold on to Stauskas and try to package him up with the pick and some bigger salary (Landry being the prime candidate) to acquire a starting big man.

Kings2013 · Post #9 » by **Kings2013** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 6:58 pm

It will be interesting to see if some in the organization already want to take the conservative approach with Cousins ankle

Post #10 » by **City of Trees** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:52 pm

SacKingZZZ wrote:I think Harrell is an even better fit. He has more offensive skill than many of the other bigs and he would bring some much needed athletic ability and finishing ability at the rim. You know, I think it's being proven that this team made a pretty big mistake in trading Acy. Not just because of Sessions but I didn't even realize he was the only thing on this roster capable of finishing above the rim with authority. He's been pretty good with the Knicks too. Harrell is like a longer Kenneth Faried with a better shot at nailing down a decent jumper and with better defense. I don't think he'll be nearly as productive as Faried though. Harrell has the potential to be a really solid defender who can check some SF's and C's beyond his potential as a PF stopper.

Harrell is a nice prospect, too. Cauley-Stien is a legit 7 ft who can stay in front of guards on D, perfect pick n roll defender. Both guys should succeed in the NBA

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Post #11 » by **ICMTM** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 6:15 pm

It could be the year we actually draw a ping pong ball?

Kings2013 · Post #12 » by **Kings2013** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 7:21 pm

ICMTM wrote:It could be the year we actually draw a ping pong ball?

We're due.. Every damn year we have been picking at or below our projected slot to my recollection

PaKwAn · Post #13 » by **PaKwAn** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 7:56 pm

this team doesn't deserve to win the lottery pick.. if they did,they will just draft a player that would resemble any gsw player...

bleeds_purple · Post #14 » by **bleeds_purple** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 11:41 pm

Kings2013 wrote:
ICMTM wrote:It could be the year we actually draw a ping pong ball?

We're due.. Every damn year we have been picking at or below our projected slot to my recollection

Pretty please - so overdue for this. While the probability is certainly low, landing in the top 3 and nailing that pick is probably our best opportunity to turn this team into a serious competitor.

SacKingsPejaFan · Post #15 » by **SacKingsPejaFan** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:33 am

We already started tanking when we fired Malone and replaced him with Corbin.

PaKwAn · Post #16 » by **PaKwAn** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:54 am

its almost 10 years now and here we are still tanking or trying to rebuild! this thing is honestly getting old...

Kings2013 · Post #17 » by **Kings2013** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 8:15 am

It's a damn shame given how we started this year, but taking into account the chaos/scrub lame duck coach/remaining schedule, we're starting to veer towards a place where losing is statistically more beneficial just like seasons past, even if it isn't for the culture of the team

bleeds_purple · Post #18 » by **bleeds_purple** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 8:59 am

Well . . . after this losing streak we've fallen below CHA and DET and are now in 9th place. Can't say I'm very happy about it though. Can we just all wake up tomorrow and have it be November again?

SacTownKings4Life · Post #19 » by **SacTownKings4Life** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 10:19 am

bleeds_purple wrote:Well . . . after this losing streak we've fallen below CHA and DET and are now in 9th place. Can't say I'm very happy about it though. Can we just all wake up tomorrow and have it be November again?

We could, but then that would just mean that Cousins will get sick again. Which will lead to Malone getting fired again. And that would really suck to get fired from the same job twice.

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Kings2013 · Post #20 » by **Kings2013** » Tue Mar 3, 2015 1:20 am

I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a part of me that wondered if Cousins was told to take his sweet time coming back if the Kings couldn't get themselves a projected 5 spot or better for this draft

Not that I expect Karl or the FO/ownership to be down with that, nor do I think they'd risk offending Cousins with the notion

I believe Cousins injury situation is day to day anyways, and it might be better in the long run to build the culture/chemistry and to see which players fit with Cuz under Karl