Can the Core Compete?

[benchmobbin02]

By compete I mean, make the playoffs on a regular basis.

With a core of -
Cousins - on the block/in the paint playmaker, #1 scoring option and team leader
Gay - primary wing, #2 scoring option
Collison - Primary ball handler/playmaker, #3 scoring option
Mclemore - #1 wing shooter, primary perimeter defender, best young asset

can the Kings compete in the West? If your answer is no, what CORE piece or pieces is would you add or subtract?

[teerfour+40LG]

No. Subtract McLemore. Add a better third option at one of the guard spots.

[bleeds_purple]

Yes. All we need is for (1) McLemore to improve at the same rate that he did between season 1 & 2, which I think he will, and (2) add another legit front court player to go with Gay and Cousins.

If we do that we'll have a solid starting lineup and then we can start worrying about the bench.

[Kings2013]

Yes. When the starting unit was together pre-Corbin the team was highly competitive given their schedule. Up until Collisons injury the starting unit was one of the better in the league. Team needs an NBA bench, chemistry from being together more than 1-2 years, growth of young players, re-sign Omri, nail the 6th or move it appropriately, possibly maneuver to increase cap space, bring a couple of choice role playing FAs, let Karl assemble his staff and have a full off season.

Vlade told Collison in his exit interview they are looking to build around core which I like

[City of Trees]

With a good supporting cast? Yes. Average supporting cast? No.

[blind prophet]

Yes. And we need more time, we can't have it all tomorrow, it will take at least 1 year of solid development and good fortune, and the cap increase to help with some of our salary woe.

So McLemore is going to have to step up his game. As we need more time anyways, and he is cheap, and an athletic freak another year of development for him is reasonable, but he better show it next season and take a big leap.

Also if we draft WCS, he develops some behind Thompson for awhile, hits the weight room, learns the process, then all of a sudden a year later we start looking pretty solid in theory.

We can't make a single contract mistake this off season either.

Also, if Nik can somehow show glimpses of lethal shooting this year we have our primary bench scoring cheap.

We need a little luck, patience, faith for one more year.

But we need a much better bench, and that can be done today, or tomorrow. The key here is not to hurt your long term investment potential. But if something is available, it looks like a long term fit, jump on it.

[benchmobbin02]

Yes. When the starting unit was together pre-Corbin the team was highly competitive given their schedule. Up until Collisons injury the starting unit was one of the better in the league. Team needs an NBA bench, chemistry from being together more than 1-2 years, growth of young players, re-sign Omri, nail the 6th or move it appropriately, possibly maneuver to increase cap space, bring a couple of choice role playing FAs, let Karl assemble his staff and have a full off season.

Vlade told Collison in his exit interview they are looking to build around core which I like

I agree with all that. That core can win games but they need support to compete I have very little faith the rest of that will happen.

I think we will screw up the draft pick based on history The draft failures are perhaps the biggest reason for our continued mediocre result. Its too early to judge Sauce vs the next 5 taken (Vonleh, Payton, McDermott, Saric and LaVine) but we all have an uneasy feeling if I judge the overall mode combined with stats correctly. I like the Mclemore pick just needs to continue to develop. Thomas Robinson over Lillard, Barnes, Drummond and Ross is like we pissed our pants at an outdoor wedding wearing khakis. 2011 was a tough draft year to scout. ALOT of specialized talent with questionable potential in our range. We guessed wrong on Jimmer. Would have been better off just keeping Beno and Biyombo plus all the guys that went later - Thompson, Leonard, Faried, Motiejūnas and Shumpert. Even guys like Burks, Tobias Harris and Chris Singleton who play on the wing would have been better. On and on it goes...

Then you get to our moves in FA. The obvious need is to upgrade the frontcourt supporting cast over Thompson, Landry, Evans and Hollins and either resign Omri or get lucky and find an upgrade. Can you see this FO doing the right thing and stretching Landry. They would have to own signing him in the first place (which they don't). Thompson will be a Kings lifer, can still give good minutes in a supporting roll but has little value on the market besides a throw in on a bigger deal. Omri won't take a chump deal like last year after they burned him once. His agent will be looking for 2-3 yrs 6-12mil, whether he gets it is debatable. Would love to see Williams in Karl's system after a full offseasson but his 8mil qualifying offer prices him out of our range unless we make some major money saving trades or releases.

Just looks bleak.

[blind prophet]

Stretching Landry is a mistake.

With the cap sky rocket, the league will be in a new never seen place. When his contract is expiring we may have all sorts of options on the table.

Let's say a free agent is going to cost someone 17-20 million or something massive, and they need to move a guy making 15 million or so. We take the initiative and make a sleight over pay for a pretty good fella, and it is offset for an expiring Landry.

We should have options like that.

Even if Landry was a corpse, stank up the arena, and never played another minute again I would not stretch him. And truth be told we are not ready to contend.

[benchmobbin02]

Yes. And we need more time, we can't have it all tomorrow, it will take at least 1 year of solid development and good fortune, and the cap increase to help with some of our salary woe.

So McLemore is going to have to step up his game. As we need more time anyways, and he is cheap, and an athletic freak another year of development for him is reasonable, but he better show it next season and take a big leap.

Also if we draft WCS, he develops some behind Thompson for awhile, hits the weight room, learns the process, then all of a sudden a year later we start looking pretty solid in theory.

We can't make a single contract mistake this off season either.

Also, if Nik can somehow show glimpses of lethal shooting this year we have our primary bench scoring cheap.

We need a little luck, patience, faith for one more year.

But we need a much better bench, and that can be done today, or tomorrow. The key here is not to hurt your long term investment potential. But if something is available, it looks like a long term fit, jump on it.

Im not a fan of drafting WCS. But let me be clear, I do acknowledge we need athletic interior defense and front court rebounding support. I just believe he may clash with Cousins and that Winslow a superstar that shouldn't be passed up. If he is gone then prospect for a trade to improve the overall depth. If nothing good is out there then draft WCS.

[blind prophet]

Yes. And we need more time, we can't have it all tomorrow, it will take at least 1 year of solid development and good fortune, and the cap increase to help with some of our salary woe.

So McLemore is going to have to step up his game. As we need more time anyways, and he is cheap, and an athletic freak another year of development for him is reasonable, but he better show it next season and take a big leap.

Also if we draft WCS, he develops some behind Thompson for awhile, hits the weight room, learns the process, then all of a sudden a year later we start looking pretty solid in theory.

We can't make a single contract mistake this off season either.

Also, if Nik can somehow show glimpses of lethal shooting this year we have our primary bench scoring cheap.

We need a little luck, patience, faith for one more year.

But we need a much better bench, and that can be done today, or tomorrow. The key here is not to hurt your long term investment potential. But if something is available, it looks like a long term fit, jump on it.

Im not a fan of drafting WCS. But let me be clear, I do acknowledge we need athletic interior defense and front court rebounding support. I just believe he may clash with Cousins and that Winslow a superstar that shouldn't be passed up. If he is gone then prospect for a trade to improve the overall depth. If nothing good is out there then draft WCS.

I'm a gambler so sometimes I take chances, the gambler in me suggests Porzingis over Winslow, but the logical safe bet tells me Winslow.

The thing is, if WCS works out, he is on the cheap for years and we will never get a shot at a guy like that again.

Sometimes less is more, considering what you have.

Like if I'm eating a good steak I don't need prime rib on the side, but offer me the best defensive sides and trimming you've got my attention.

This is one of the rare scenarios where fit, balance, and flexibility may trump.

[benchmobbin02]

Stretching Landry is a mistake.

With the cap sky rocket, the league will be in a new never seen place. When his contract is expiring we may have all sorts of options on the table.

Let's say a free agent is going to cost someone 17-20 million or something massive, and they need to move a guy making 15 million or so. We take the initiative and make a sleight over pay for a pretty good fella, and it is offset for an expiring Landry.

We should have options like that.

Even if Landry was a corpse, stank up the arena, and never played another minute again I would not stretch him. And truth be told we are not ready to contend.

You may be right but that leaves us pretty much staying as is and adding only a few 1-3mil a yr FA the next 2 yrs to replace Evans Hollins Miller. No big gains besides #6 pick. 2015-2016 is gonna be rough again.

[blind prophet]

Stretching Landry is a mistake.

With the cap sky rocket, the league will be in a new never seen place. When his contract is expiring we may have all sorts of options on the table.

Let's say a free agent is going to cost someone 17-20 million or something massive, and they need to move a guy making 15 million or so. We take the initiative and make a sleight over pay for a pretty good fella, and it is offset for an expiring Landry.

We should have options like that.

Even if Landry was a corpse, stank up the arena, and never played another minute again I would not stretch him. And truth be told we are not ready to contend.

You may be right but that leaves us pretty much staying as is and adding only a few 1-3mil a yr FA the next 2 yrs to replace Evans Hollins Miller. No big gains besides #6 pick. 2015-2016 is gonna be rough again.

I'm patient and see the yield being greater one season later. I'd rather develop the young guys another season as well. So I look at it a little differently.

As long as you can keep Cousins and Rudy somewhat content taking the time is the better choice if you ask me.

But that is a gamble in itself.

And its just 1 season of Landry woe, the cap goes up, but I'm pretty sure he expiring will be a simple maneuver in the off season. Won't even be hard to do after next season.

[benchmobbin02]

Stretching Landry is a mistake.

With the cap sky rocket, the league will be in a new never seen place. When his contract is expiring we may have all sorts of options on the table.

Let's say a free agent is going to cost someone 17-20 million or something massive, and they need to move a guy making 15 million or so. We take the initiative and make a sleight over pay for a pretty good fella, and it is offset for an expiring Landry.

We should have options like that.

Even if Landry was a corpse, stank up the arena, and never played another minute again I would not stretch him. And truth be told we are not ready to contend.

You may be right but that leaves us pretty much staying as is and adding only a few 1-3mil a yr FA the next 2 yrs to replace Evans Hollins Miller. No big gains besides #6 pick. 2015-2016 is gonna be rough again.

I'm patient and see the yield being greater one season later. I'd rather develop the young guys another season as well. So I look at it a little differently.

As long as you can keep Cousins and Rudy somewhat content taking the time is the better choice if you ask me.

But that is a gamble in itself.

And its just 1 season of Landry woe, the cap goes up, but I'm pretty sure he expiring will be a simple maneuver in the off season. Won't even be hard to do after next season.

I agree on all counts, just hard to hear one more year of patience...didn't really wanna be moving into the new arena with a 35-47 record and drafting 9th-11th.

[SacKingZZZ]

I think so. Cousins and Gay are the key ingredients that will determine whether or not this team can compete. The draft and subsequent moves to put the appropriate players around them might very well determine whether they have any chance of one day contending.

[bleeds_purple]

Stretching Landry is a mistake.

I don't think its an absolute. Generally I agree, we shouldn't just stretch him for the sake of getting rid of him but suppose we could sign a difference maker this off season but needed a few more million in cap to make it happen. In that situation stretching Landry makes total sense.

[SacKingZZZ]

If they need to free up space to sign someone that fits the team they should have absolutely no hesitation in stretching Landry or JT.

[KingJustise]

The Core could compete, sure.
But take a playoff spot in THIS West is not easy at all.
We may pray that at least two of Mavs, Spurs and Portland won't be in the playoff race next year (and for sure there will be Okc for sure).
I hope McLemore is going (and continue) to develop his game, also on D#; and so Stauskas..
We need also the full Core (DMC-Gay-Darren) without injuries and draft the best-fit guy for us. And for this last point I don't know who's gonna be our best fit/nba-ready prospect/good choice.
I do love Winslow, but after drafted 2 consecutive guard (ye, I know Justise is a kind of Sf/swingman) I'm not sure JW is the best fit.
WCS is good too, but at #6 I see him more a reach than a good pick.

For sure, we need better luck.

Cheers guys, and let's go KINGS

[SacKingZZZ]

The Core could compete, sure.
But take a playoff spot in THIS West is not easy at all.
We may pray that at least two of Mavs, Spurs and Portland won't be in the playoff race next year (and for sure there will be Okc for sure).
I hope McLemore is going (and continue) to develop his game, also on D#; and so Stauskas..
We need also the full Core (DMC-Gay-Darren) without injuries and draft the best-fit guy for us. And for this last point I don't know who's gonna be our best fit/nba-ready prospect/good choice.
I do love Winslow, but after drafted 2 consecutive guard (ye, I know Justise is a kind of Sf/swingman) I'm not sure JW is the best fit.
WCS is good too, but at #6 I see him more a reach than a good pick.

For sure, we need better luck.

Cheers guys, and let's go KINGS

Never let a previous mistake allow you to ignore the perfect fit. McLemore nor Stauskas should ever be a reason to not do something that works.