Sacramento Kings Preseason Media Presser
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:15 pm
Welcome everyone to another edition of the Sacramento Kings Preseason Media Presser! To start off, we will quickly run through the prior season and then hit on the offseason now that training camp has been processed.
After a rough offseason a year ago, we knew the actual regular season was going to be tougher. We were not very competitive, but I am happy to say that despite having the least amount of talent on my team, the Sacramento Kings were not even in the bottom 3 of the league. In the end, the season went as expected for the team.
Regardless, we were a lotto team and finished the season with the 5th highest odds of the #1 pick thanks to new addition of the Charlotte Bobcats. Never knowing the blessing of draft lotto gawds before, we were finally looked upon with favor and received the #2 pick of the draft. This was quite unexpected, and we knew exactly who we wanted at #1 if we were lucky enough, but we had to wait one pick. Fortunately, our #1 rated player Jeffrey Duren became available for selection. Duren was the only top 3 target in the draft who had a complete game: not weak in any area for a combo guard and strong in several as a 6'5 guard. The one downside is we picked for potential, and Duren is seasons away from realizing his true talent. We are patient enough to wait for him to mature into the star he's meant to be.
Restricted free agency saw my team go into the period with two players up for bid in Reggie Jackson and Nikola Vucevic, while also having max money available to bid on others. We sent what we felt were fair contracts to Reggie and Vucevic, and were very fortunate to sign Vucevic to a team friendly deal. Reggie Jackson signed a deal $1,000,000 more than I offered, so we were very happy to match the offer. Reggie and Vucevic are key pieces on building hopefully what will be a sustainable team, and we really like what they bring to the table and are clearly worth their contracts.
With the new signings, we approached the Bucks about Vasquez given their openness to looking to clear up cap. Vasquez fit the mold of a player worth the long term contract that still had room to grow. We like Vasquezs size and playmaking ability in getting other players open. With our team, we don't have a true elite scorer. Having a guy like Vasquez will help our scorers.
After several good phases of the offseason, we began looking into the UFA class. With a lot of money to spend, I figured to just throw out a lot of MLE-level deals to guys I would be happy with on my team. I was able to sign Spencer Hawes from the Celtics on perhaps the best value contract I've ever given. Joining him is Alonzo Gee, Devin Harris, Chase Budinger, and Jimmer Fredette. The haul, although mostly expirings, was perhaps the biggest haul I've had.
It was unexpected given the youth of my team and plans to rebuild for another season, so we are at a bit of a crossroads. We hope to sell some of our veteran players in exchange for youth, but given the makeup of the team, I don't see how it would hurt to try and compete with this lineup.
Open to questions now.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
After a rough offseason a year ago, we knew the actual regular season was going to be tougher. We were not very competitive, but I am happy to say that despite having the least amount of talent on my team, the Sacramento Kings were not even in the bottom 3 of the league. In the end, the season went as expected for the team.
Regardless, we were a lotto team and finished the season with the 5th highest odds of the #1 pick thanks to new addition of the Charlotte Bobcats. Never knowing the blessing of draft lotto gawds before, we were finally looked upon with favor and received the #2 pick of the draft. This was quite unexpected, and we knew exactly who we wanted at #1 if we were lucky enough, but we had to wait one pick. Fortunately, our #1 rated player Jeffrey Duren became available for selection. Duren was the only top 3 target in the draft who had a complete game: not weak in any area for a combo guard and strong in several as a 6'5 guard. The one downside is we picked for potential, and Duren is seasons away from realizing his true talent. We are patient enough to wait for him to mature into the star he's meant to be.
Restricted free agency saw my team go into the period with two players up for bid in Reggie Jackson and Nikola Vucevic, while also having max money available to bid on others. We sent what we felt were fair contracts to Reggie and Vucevic, and were very fortunate to sign Vucevic to a team friendly deal. Reggie Jackson signed a deal $1,000,000 more than I offered, so we were very happy to match the offer. Reggie and Vucevic are key pieces on building hopefully what will be a sustainable team, and we really like what they bring to the table and are clearly worth their contracts.
With the new signings, we approached the Bucks about Vasquez given their openness to looking to clear up cap. Vasquez fit the mold of a player worth the long term contract that still had room to grow. We like Vasquezs size and playmaking ability in getting other players open. With our team, we don't have a true elite scorer. Having a guy like Vasquez will help our scorers.
After several good phases of the offseason, we began looking into the UFA class. With a lot of money to spend, I figured to just throw out a lot of MLE-level deals to guys I would be happy with on my team. I was able to sign Spencer Hawes from the Celtics on perhaps the best value contract I've ever given. Joining him is Alonzo Gee, Devin Harris, Chase Budinger, and Jimmer Fredette. The haul, although mostly expirings, was perhaps the biggest haul I've had.
It was unexpected given the youth of my team and plans to rebuild for another season, so we are at a bit of a crossroads. We hope to sell some of our veteran players in exchange for youth, but given the makeup of the team, I don't see how it would hurt to try and compete with this lineup.
Open to questions now.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk