- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,194,902
- Reaction score
- 59
With the recent waiving of veteran forward DeMar DeRozan, the Sacramento Kings' front office has done a good job of getting the team close to escaping the luxury tax.
According to ESPN NBA Reporter Bobby Marks, Sacramento remains $1.8 million above the luxury tax counting DeRozan's $10 million signing bonus, but could end up stretching the deal over the following years.
With DeRozan's $25 million off the books, it also becomes more likely that the Kings hold onto Zach LaVine, who has also been floated as a player who could be on the move this offseason.
Back in January, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer noted that the Atlanta Hawks had been interested in a potential swap centered around Trae Young.
"League sources say that LaVine's Klutch Sports representatives tried during the offseason to build some support for a trade construction that would send their client to Atlanta for Young, but the Kings squashed the idea," Fischer wrote.
With Young receiving a lucrative extension with the Washington Wizards and the Kings drafting Darius Acuff Jr. as their lead ball handler of the future, this deal was likely never revisited.
At the end of June, LaVine opted into his hefty $49 million contract, which makes him more-difficult to move.
While coming to a buyout agreement is always an option, Fischer recently noted that Sacramento has "zero plans" to do so.
If the Kings keep the former All Star, LaVine's offensive game will be a nice compliment to Acuff, helping the rookie alleviate some of the on-ball responsibilites.
LaVine's ability on the perimeter also allows him to play off the ball, knocking down catch-and-shoot triples and attacking closeouts.
Despite missing most of last season, LaVine posted solid numbers when available, averaging 19.2 points per game on solid 48-39-88 splits.
The biggest question mark for LaVine and Acuff is on the defensive side of the ball, as both players are more offensive-oriented.
With starting big man Domantas Sabonis, who is also not a premier defender for his position, likely also remaining a King, the team's woes may come on that end of the floor.
Beyond next season, it will be interesting to see how the front office handles LaVine and Sabonis alongside Acuff, as the veterans may not fit alongside Sacramento's young, rebuilding timeline.
Whichever direction General Manager Scott Perry and the front office decide to go with, LaVine will help this team continue to improve, either as the team's main/secondary scoring option, or as a potential trade piece at the deadline.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Continue reading...
According to ESPN NBA Reporter Bobby Marks, Sacramento remains $1.8 million above the luxury tax counting DeRozan's $10 million signing bonus, but could end up stretching the deal over the following years.
With DeRozan's $25 million off the books, it also becomes more likely that the Kings hold onto Zach LaVine, who has also been floated as a player who could be on the move this offseason.
Back in January, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer noted that the Atlanta Hawks had been interested in a potential swap centered around Trae Young.
"League sources say that LaVine's Klutch Sports representatives tried during the offseason to build some support for a trade construction that would send their client to Atlanta for Young, but the Kings squashed the idea," Fischer wrote.
With Young receiving a lucrative extension with the Washington Wizards and the Kings drafting Darius Acuff Jr. as their lead ball handler of the future, this deal was likely never revisited.
At the end of June, LaVine opted into his hefty $49 million contract, which makes him more-difficult to move.
While coming to a buyout agreement is always an option, Fischer recently noted that Sacramento has "zero plans" to do so.
If the Kings keep the former All Star, LaVine's offensive game will be a nice compliment to Acuff, helping the rookie alleviate some of the on-ball responsibilites.
LaVine's ability on the perimeter also allows him to play off the ball, knocking down catch-and-shoot triples and attacking closeouts.
Despite missing most of last season, LaVine posted solid numbers when available, averaging 19.2 points per game on solid 48-39-88 splits.
The biggest question mark for LaVine and Acuff is on the defensive side of the ball, as both players are more offensive-oriented.
With starting big man Domantas Sabonis, who is also not a premier defender for his position, likely also remaining a King, the team's woes may come on that end of the floor.
Beyond next season, it will be interesting to see how the front office handles LaVine and Sabonis alongside Acuff, as the veterans may not fit alongside Sacramento's young, rebuilding timeline.
Whichever direction General Manager Scott Perry and the front office decide to go with, LaVine will help this team continue to improve, either as the team's main/secondary scoring option, or as a potential trade piece at the deadline.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Continue reading...
