Sacramento Kings 2017-18 Preseason Media Presser
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 1:09 pm
Welcome, everyone, to another edition of the Sacramento Kings Preseason Media Presser!
As a brief recap of last season, we made a big trade in acquiring Derrick Rose from the Portland Trailblazers in exchange for the rising star CJ McCollum. The trade was strictly to compete then and there, right now! Unfortunately, it was a foolish attempt to rush a team into contention and we were virtually eliminated from the playoffs waaaay before the season ended.
Was a sad time.
In the offseason, I felt I had a good team that I can bring back and surround with actual depth. In the draft, I was hoping to grab a more ready-now player over another raw player needing a few seasons to develop, but our CPU GM decided Tyron Ferris was the best available player to choose from. It was a solid pickup as we feel Tyron can be a solid frontcourt piece to keep around, but he is definitely a few seasons away from seeing heavy minutes.
In restricted free agency, we knew we would face a dilemma with Nerlens Noel. After he received multiple max offers from teams around the league, I ultimately believed that returning the same team would be a great benefit and Noel's potentials as a defender were to great to let go. Training camp is a cruel mistress, and the gawds smited Noel for some unknown reason. The hit was not ideal, but it is not uncommon. Many teams each training camp get hit, so it's hard to complain when it's the nature of the beast.
In unrestricted free agency, I was able to bring in a good group of solid depth at the wings and frontcourt positions. Adding Artest and Gee was huge because we really needed to upgrade the defense, which these two do very well. We are hopeful all additions will make a meaningful impact in some way this season.
As already mentioned, training camp was a double-edged sword for us. Noel was hit but thank god for insurance. Everyone else really had solid camps besides the oldies which is expected. The biggest news of the training camp results is obviously Jeffrey Duren. After a two year stint in Europe, Duren came into the offseason workouts looking as sharp as ever. We had huge expectations for Duren when we drafted him, and we feel he is serious about becoming one of the greatest ever to put on the Kings uniform.
It is true that Tracy McGrady, newly Hall of Fame inductee, has taken Jeffrey Duren under his wing and is instilling all the knowledge he can onto Duren. Duren is definitely grateful for everything McGrady has done for him already.
I guess now is a good time to open the floor for questions.
As a brief recap of last season, we made a big trade in acquiring Derrick Rose from the Portland Trailblazers in exchange for the rising star CJ McCollum. The trade was strictly to compete then and there, right now! Unfortunately, it was a foolish attempt to rush a team into contention and we were virtually eliminated from the playoffs waaaay before the season ended.
Was a sad time.
In the offseason, I felt I had a good team that I can bring back and surround with actual depth. In the draft, I was hoping to grab a more ready-now player over another raw player needing a few seasons to develop, but our CPU GM decided Tyron Ferris was the best available player to choose from. It was a solid pickup as we feel Tyron can be a solid frontcourt piece to keep around, but he is definitely a few seasons away from seeing heavy minutes.
In restricted free agency, we knew we would face a dilemma with Nerlens Noel. After he received multiple max offers from teams around the league, I ultimately believed that returning the same team would be a great benefit and Noel's potentials as a defender were to great to let go. Training camp is a cruel mistress, and the gawds smited Noel for some unknown reason. The hit was not ideal, but it is not uncommon. Many teams each training camp get hit, so it's hard to complain when it's the nature of the beast.
In unrestricted free agency, I was able to bring in a good group of solid depth at the wings and frontcourt positions. Adding Artest and Gee was huge because we really needed to upgrade the defense, which these two do very well. We are hopeful all additions will make a meaningful impact in some way this season.
As already mentioned, training camp was a double-edged sword for us. Noel was hit but thank god for insurance. Everyone else really had solid camps besides the oldies which is expected. The biggest news of the training camp results is obviously Jeffrey Duren. After a two year stint in Europe, Duren came into the offseason workouts looking as sharp as ever. We had huge expectations for Duren when we drafted him, and we feel he is serious about becoming one of the greatest ever to put on the Kings uniform.
It is true that Tracy McGrady, newly Hall of Fame inductee, has taken Jeffrey Duren under his wing and is instilling all the knowledge he can onto Duren. Duren is definitely grateful for everything McGrady has done for him already.
I guess now is a good time to open the floor for questions.
