The Sacramento Kings get started Wednesday night with the
last home opener at Arco Arena Power Balance Pavilion Sleep
Train Arena Arco Arena. There were an incredible number of off-season
roster moves, so here is a primer on everything that changed with the personnel
on-court between last season’s tipoff and this year.
First, the outgoing players.
Here is the final list of players who wore a Kings jersey last
season:
Sim Bhullar Andre Miller
Omri Casspi Quincy Miller
Darren Collison Eric Moreland
DeMarcus Cousins Ramon Sessions
Reggie Evans Nik Stauskas
Rudy Gay David Stockton
Ryan Hollins Jason Thompson
Carl Landry David Wear
Ray McCallum Derrick Williams
Ben McLemore
Omri Casspi Quincy Miller
Darren Collison Eric Moreland
DeMarcus Cousins Ramon Sessions
Reggie Evans Nik Stauskas
Rudy Gay David Stockton
Ryan Hollins Jason Thompson
Carl Landry David Wear
Ray McCallum Derrick Williams
Ben McLemore
Current free agents:
Sim Bhullar (contract ended at end
of 2014-’15 season)
Reggie Evans (contract ended at end of 2014-’15 season)
Quincy Miller (signed to Detroit NBADL affiliate February 2015)
David Stockton (waived by Kings in October 2015)
David Wear (contract ended at end of 2014-’15 season)
Reggie Evans (contract ended at end of 2014-’15 season)
Quincy Miller (signed to Detroit NBADL affiliate February 2015)
David Stockton (waived by Kings in October 2015)
David Wear (contract ended at end of 2014-’15 season)
Free agents, signed elsewhere:
Ryan Hollins (one-year, $1.3
million with Memphis Grizzlies)
Andre Miller (one-year, $1.5 million with Minnesota Timberwolves)
Derrick Williams (two-year, $8.8 million with New York Knickerbockers)
Andre Miller (one-year, $1.5 million with Minnesota Timberwolves)
Derrick Williams (two-year, $8.8 million with New York Knickerbockers)
Trades!
February 2015:
Traded: Ramon Sessions to Washington Wizards
Received: Andre Miller
Traded: Ramon Sessions to Washington Wizards
Received: Andre Miller
July 2015:
Traded: Carl Landry, Nik Stauskas, Jason Thompson, 2018 first round pick, swap rights for 2016 & 2017 first round draft picks to Philadelphia 76ers
Received: Duje Dukan, rights to Arturas Gudaitis & Luka Mitrovic
Traded: Carl Landry, Nik Stauskas, Jason Thompson, 2018 first round pick, swap rights for 2016 & 2017 first round draft picks to Philadelphia 76ers
Received: Duje Dukan, rights to Arturas Gudaitis & Luka Mitrovic
Traded: Ray McCallum to San
Antonio Spurs
Received: 2016 second round pick
Received: 2016 second round pick
So that’s everybody who was on the squad in 2014-15 that no
longer wears a Kings jersey. Only six of the 19 2014-15 Kings are still on the
active roster (Gay, Cousins, McLemore, Collison, Casspi and Moreland). Let’s
take a look at your 2015-16 Sacramento Kings!
The Incumbents:
DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C
Mercurial, generational talent. Has repeatedly made attempts to rein in his now-famous temper. He’s easily a top-fifteen player in the NBA, but many fear his inability to control his outbursts will stunt the Kings’ ability to succeed. He gets knocked for his defense, but he is actually a great defender. To whit, a few surprising statistics: Cousins was second in the NBA in defensive rebounds per game, and was one of only two players (with Anthony Davis) to average 3.0 blocks + steals and 20 points per game. The Kings truly will go only as far as Cousins will take them, as he is one of the best-rounded players in the league and given the season is fewer than two months after his 25th birthday, Cousins has nowhere to go but up.
DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C
Mercurial, generational talent. Has repeatedly made attempts to rein in his now-famous temper. He’s easily a top-fifteen player in the NBA, but many fear his inability to control his outbursts will stunt the Kings’ ability to succeed. He gets knocked for his defense, but he is actually a great defender. To whit, a few surprising statistics: Cousins was second in the NBA in defensive rebounds per game, and was one of only two players (with Anthony Davis) to average 3.0 blocks + steals and 20 points per game. The Kings truly will go only as far as Cousins will take them, as he is one of the best-rounded players in the league and given the season is fewer than two months after his 25th birthday, Cousins has nowhere to go but up.
Rudy Gay, F
The trade that brought Gay to Sacramento was the first big head-scratcher of the new regime, and many people never got over it. In his time in Memphis and Toronto, he got a reputation as a low-efficiency chucker, and those outside the organization panned trading bits and pieces to get a player of Gay’s talent. In his time in Sacramento, Gay has been the best version of himself. His eFG% is the highest of his career without taking any fewer shots. He’s getting his, but his shots are better in Sacramento. He has a now-below-market-rate contract that will prove to be a steal. He is the premier scorer to Boogie’s elite talent.
The trade that brought Gay to Sacramento was the first big head-scratcher of the new regime, and many people never got over it. In his time in Memphis and Toronto, he got a reputation as a low-efficiency chucker, and those outside the organization panned trading bits and pieces to get a player of Gay’s talent. In his time in Sacramento, Gay has been the best version of himself. His eFG% is the highest of his career without taking any fewer shots. He’s getting his, but his shots are better in Sacramento. He has a now-below-market-rate contract that will prove to be a steal. He is the premier scorer to Boogie’s elite talent.
Omri Casspi, SG/SF
On his second stint with the Kings, Casspi has become more of a mascot than a real player. Sure, he contributes a bit, but his main talent is running around like a person with his hair on fire. He’s Boogie’s personal headband straightener and the backup small forward. Like I said, he has a high motor but he epitomizes the Kings’ tradition of going too fast for your own good and things subsequently getting sloppy.
On his second stint with the Kings, Casspi has become more of a mascot than a real player. Sure, he contributes a bit, but his main talent is running around like a person with his hair on fire. He’s Boogie’s personal headband straightener and the backup small forward. Like I said, he has a high motor but he epitomizes the Kings’ tradition of going too fast for your own good and things subsequently getting sloppy.
Ben McLemore, SG
Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben… Hyper-athletic and can dunk out of the gym. He took a step forward last year after an up-and-down rookie campaign. Coming out of college, he looked to be a dynamic scorer, but his energies have slowly moved towards being an athletic defensive wing player. He takes way too many outside looks for his talent level, which could quickly find him on the bench if Marco Belinelli proves to do the same thing but at a much higher clip. Reports out of Kings camp are that McLemore is “behind the curve,” which could mean that my favorite King since Peja may find himself coming off the bench anyway.
Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben… Hyper-athletic and can dunk out of the gym. He took a step forward last year after an up-and-down rookie campaign. Coming out of college, he looked to be a dynamic scorer, but his energies have slowly moved towards being an athletic defensive wing player. He takes way too many outside looks for his talent level, which could quickly find him on the bench if Marco Belinelli proves to do the same thing but at a much higher clip. Reports out of Kings camp are that McLemore is “behind the curve,” which could mean that my favorite King since Peja may find himself coming off the bench anyway.
Darren Collison, G
A really, really good point guard last season who I once called “the platonic ideal of a backup point guard.” He sure showed me, averaging 16 points, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals in just about half the season before he went down with injury. It looks like he will start the season as the backup, which means that he’ll be the sixth man (doubly so if Belinelli starts).
A really, really good point guard last season who I once called “the platonic ideal of a backup point guard.” He sure showed me, averaging 16 points, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals in just about half the season before he went down with injury. It looks like he will start the season as the backup, which means that he’ll be the sixth man (doubly so if Belinelli starts).
Eric Moreland, PF/C
Moreland was a Summer League standout last year that had his 2014-15 campaign cut short with a labral tear in his left shoulder. A bigger Omri Casspi in that he is high energy and low efficiency. He’ll be fighting with Quincy Acy for minutes behind Cousins, Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufus. He is a definite upgrade from Ryan Hollins in this same position in 2014-15.
Moreland was a Summer League standout last year that had his 2014-15 campaign cut short with a labral tear in his left shoulder. A bigger Omri Casspi in that he is high energy and low efficiency. He’ll be fighting with Quincy Acy for minutes behind Cousins, Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufus. He is a definite upgrade from Ryan Hollins in this same position in 2014-15.
The Free Agents:
Rajon Rondo, PG
When many people point to why this iteration of the Kings won’t work, one of the names that comes out of their mouth is Rajon Rondo. Rondo was an incredible point guard in his day, turning the big three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce into the big four. He was traded to the Mavericks part-way through last season, and it ended in disaster. He and head coach Rick Carlisle feuded, and Rondo was benched and forgotten while the Mavericks were bounced from the playoffs. People point to that as a reason why he won’t work with George Karl in Sacramento. Here’s the thing: he wanted to come here, he wanted to play with Boogie. He wants this. He was traded to the Mavericks, he didn’t want that. Rondo is famously difficult to work with if you get on his wrong side, but the Kings are exactly the side he wants to be on. His pass-first mentality is almost to a fault, and will give up open jumpers to get the assist. This will be frustrating, but he’ll make some sweet passes to make up for it. People will want to point to his time with the Mavericks as the new Rondo, but in the first 22 games (with Boston), he was averaging 8.3 points, 10.8 assists, 7.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.
Rajon Rondo, PG
When many people point to why this iteration of the Kings won’t work, one of the names that comes out of their mouth is Rajon Rondo. Rondo was an incredible point guard in his day, turning the big three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce into the big four. He was traded to the Mavericks part-way through last season, and it ended in disaster. He and head coach Rick Carlisle feuded, and Rondo was benched and forgotten while the Mavericks were bounced from the playoffs. People point to that as a reason why he won’t work with George Karl in Sacramento. Here’s the thing: he wanted to come here, he wanted to play with Boogie. He wants this. He was traded to the Mavericks, he didn’t want that. Rondo is famously difficult to work with if you get on his wrong side, but the Kings are exactly the side he wants to be on. His pass-first mentality is almost to a fault, and will give up open jumpers to get the assist. This will be frustrating, but he’ll make some sweet passes to make up for it. People will want to point to his time with the Mavericks as the new Rondo, but in the first 22 games (with Boston), he was averaging 8.3 points, 10.8 assists, 7.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.
Marco Belinelli, G/F
A journeyman with his sixth team in eight seasons, Belinelli is a three-point specialist and a scorer first and second. His defense is a bit suspect but when he’s draining dead-eye threes, Kings fans won’t care. He has a low career PPG because he is only averaging just under 23 minutes per game. Offseason interviews with George Karl indicated he craved a shooter like Belinelli, so I expect him to get a good amount of run. Unfortunately, it appears as though this will come at the expense of Ben McLemore.
A journeyman with his sixth team in eight seasons, Belinelli is a three-point specialist and a scorer first and second. His defense is a bit suspect but when he’s draining dead-eye threes, Kings fans won’t care. He has a low career PPG because he is only averaging just under 23 minutes per game. Offseason interviews with George Karl indicated he craved a shooter like Belinelli, so I expect him to get a good amount of run. Unfortunately, it appears as though this will come at the expense of Ben McLemore.
Kosta Koufos, C
If Darren Collison is the platonic ideal of a backup PG, Koufos is the same for a big man. He’s a beefy plus defensive player who will knock opposing players on their rears, given the opportunity. He grabs rebounds and gets the shots given to them. He played for a few years under George Karl, so he likely made his way back to Karl’s tutelage, where he averaged a double-double per 36 minutes played. A hard worker but unspectacular in any way, he will be getting the starting nod as rookie Willie Cauley-Stein works into game shape. He’s a high-floor, low-ceiling guy.
If Darren Collison is the platonic ideal of a backup PG, Koufos is the same for a big man. He’s a beefy plus defensive player who will knock opposing players on their rears, given the opportunity. He grabs rebounds and gets the shots given to them. He played for a few years under George Karl, so he likely made his way back to Karl’s tutelage, where he averaged a double-double per 36 minutes played. A hard worker but unspectacular in any way, he will be getting the starting nod as rookie Willie Cauley-Stein works into game shape. He’s a high-floor, low-ceiling guy.
Quincy Acy, PF
The once and future King, this is Acy’s second stint in Sacramento after he was traded in a salary dump following the 2014 season. Acy’s high energy, big beard and bigger dunks made him a fan favorite the first time around, and he’ll do the same thing this time. He’s moved down the bench from the last time he was here (thankfully), but he should still produce some posterizing moments with his athleticism.
The once and future King, this is Acy’s second stint in Sacramento after he was traded in a salary dump following the 2014 season. Acy’s high energy, big beard and bigger dunks made him a fan favorite the first time around, and he’ll do the same thing this time. He’s moved down the bench from the last time he was here (thankfully), but he should still produce some posterizing moments with his athleticism.
Seth Curry, G
Brother of NBA MVP Seth Curry and guy-who-makes-fake-brother-of-Steph-Curry commercials awkward. He is a poor man’s version of his brother. The Kings curiously signed him to a two-year deal despite him getting almost no other buzz. He blew up Summer League, but so did Ray McCallum. Ideally he gets almost no minutes, because that means something bad has happened to Rondo and/or Collison. At some point this season he’ll have a ridiculous sixty-second stretch of like three three-pointers made.
Brother of NBA MVP Seth Curry and guy-who-makes-fake-brother-of-Steph-Curry commercials awkward. He is a poor man’s version of his brother. The Kings curiously signed him to a two-year deal despite him getting almost no other buzz. He blew up Summer League, but so did Ray McCallum. Ideally he gets almost no minutes, because that means something bad has happened to Rondo and/or Collison. At some point this season he’ll have a ridiculous sixty-second stretch of like three three-pointers made.
James Anderson, G/F
A former Spurs first-round pick, but had the unfortunate distinction of playing shooting guard and small forward, which was all gummed up. He hardly got any time in San Antonio (about 11 minutes per game), but got 29 MPG last season for a tanking Philadelphia team. He did very little with that time. There are rumors that he could end up starting over McLemore to get Belinelli to be the scorer of the bench. That’s silly.
A former Spurs first-round pick, but had the unfortunate distinction of playing shooting guard and small forward, which was all gummed up. He hardly got any time in San Antonio (about 11 minutes per game), but got 29 MPG last season for a tanking Philadelphia team. He did very little with that time. There are rumors that he could end up starting over McLemore to get Belinelli to be the scorer of the bench. That’s silly.
Caron Butler, SF
Butler’s best years are long behind him, and he is on the team mostly as a mentor. There will probably be long stretches where he barely plays and times when he will be unavailable for back-to-backs. The former All-Star will provide the Kings with the vaunted veteran leadership, but is firmly behind several players in the SF depth chart.
Butler’s best years are long behind him, and he is on the team mostly as a mentor. There will probably be long stretches where he barely plays and times when he will be unavailable for back-to-backs. The former All-Star will provide the Kings with the vaunted veteran leadership, but is firmly behind several players in the SF depth chart.
The Draftee:
Willie Cauley-Stein, PF/C
Defensive monster, UK Wildcat like half the Kings. Reportedly was the player that Cousins wanted, which is why it was immensely stupid that national pundits called his draft pick one to replace Boogie. He is a defensive monster in college and has the athleticism to stop slower guards in a pinch. He isn’t great defensively, but his offensive rebounding and defense are why he was drafted. He will fit in perfectly next to Cousins and will crack the starting lineup when it becomes clear to the team that he can’t keep him out of the lineup. He’ll be fun to watch, at least.
Willie Cauley-Stein, PF/C
Defensive monster, UK Wildcat like half the Kings. Reportedly was the player that Cousins wanted, which is why it was immensely stupid that national pundits called his draft pick one to replace Boogie. He is a defensive monster in college and has the athleticism to stop slower guards in a pinch. He isn’t great defensively, but his offensive rebounding and defense are why he was drafted. He will fit in perfectly next to Cousins and will crack the starting lineup when it becomes clear to the team that he can’t keep him out of the lineup. He’ll be fun to watch, at least.
The Trade:
Duje Dukan, PF
Rights acquired in the big ol’ Stauskas for salary relief trade.
I know literally nothing about Duje Dukan. Here is what ESPN has to say:
“Dukan signed a two-year, partially guaranteed deal with his first-year salary fully guaranteed (and $200,000 for the second year), which gives us an indication Sacramento intends to keep him on the roster for the entire season. Having said that, expect him to spend some time down in Reno, as he's an extremely raw prospect, having played fewer than 1,000 minutes in his entire collegiate career. He has got good size and a decent shooting touch, but as it is, he's not ready to contribute on the NBA level, and there's a good chance he'll be receiving a membership card to the "stretch bigs who don't actually shoot all that well" club (32 percent from college 3-point range, 25 percent on 2-point jumpers last season).”
Duje Dukan, PF
Rights acquired in the big ol’ Stauskas for salary relief trade.
I know literally nothing about Duje Dukan. Here is what ESPN has to say:
“Dukan signed a two-year, partially guaranteed deal with his first-year salary fully guaranteed (and $200,000 for the second year), which gives us an indication Sacramento intends to keep him on the roster for the entire season. Having said that, expect him to spend some time down in Reno, as he's an extremely raw prospect, having played fewer than 1,000 minutes in his entire collegiate career. He has got good size and a decent shooting touch, but as it is, he's not ready to contribute on the NBA level, and there's a good chance he'll be receiving a membership card to the "stretch bigs who don't actually shoot all that well" club (32 percent from college 3-point range, 25 percent on 2-point jumpers last season).”
Cool.
The Kings had
tremendous overhaul this season, and many think there are too many off-court
issues to have any success on-court. In any evaluation, this is the most
exciting team since the Webber-Vlade-Peja years. Personally, I see them as the
eighth seed and an over-.500 record. They’re going to send Arco out with a
bang.
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