Migrating to bigger markets is nothing new for NBA players. This offseason, we saw Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis among the players to make their way to a bigger city. De’Aaron Fox notices the trend but doesn’t plan to participate.
“I don’t crave to be in a big market,” Fox said (via Corban Goble of ONE37pm). “After last season, there was a buzz in Sacramento. Everyone in Sacramento is a Kings fan. If we start making the playoffs, or if we become a championship contender, the entire city is going to go nuts. That’s the difference between a big market and a small one.”
Fox has two more seasons on his rookie deal and will be eligible for an extension next summer. Here’s more from Sacramento:
- Fox enjoys the process of becoming a better player, Jason Jones of The Athletic writes. This offseason, he has focused on adding muscle and reshaping his body among other objectives. The point guard believes that the work in the weight room will help him absorb contact better.
- In the same piece, Fox added that he believes he can improve his consistency next season in an effort to get the Kings to the playoffs. “Some of the down games that I had, you can’t really have if you’re trying to make it to the playoffs, trying to have a deep run. Just trying to remain consistent throughout the entire season,” Fox said.
- Bobby Marks of ESPN.com believes the Kings are the most underrated team heading into the 2019/20 season. Marks can envision the team winning 45-46 games if Fox emerges into an All-Star candidate, Buddy Hield remains as consistent as he was last season, and Marvin Bagley continues to develop.
Think the Kings are finally slightly interesting with Fox Heild and Bagley but they need some more young players with higher ceilings. They need a 3 than can do a little bit of scoring and definding similar to Harrison Barnes like Kevin Knox or Mikal Bridges and they need some to just get a cheap young term prospects like Frank Ntilikina.
I think a Bridges for Giles idea sounds good for both teams but think the Kings need to give up just a little bit more.
So I would think maybe a Bogdanovic and Ferrell for Knox And Ntilikina would be good. The Knicks give up of Ntilikina and Knox who haven’t been great for Bogdanovic who’s a solid and smart young player and might fit well with Barrett who also has a high basketball IQ. Bogdanovic is in the final year of his deal so for the Kings it means they don’t have to invest in a big contract for a role player. The Kings could then use Ariza as trade bait for pick and still have a good forward rotation of Barnes, Knox and Bagley Giles and Lydon.
As for Ariza maybe you can deal him for Courtney Lee and a first or for Maurice Harkless and Jerome Robinson.
1. Fox. Joseph
2. Heild. Lee/Robinson
3. Barnes. Knox
4. Bagley. Giles Bjlica
5. Dedmon. Holmes Lydon
Plus Ntilikina
Sacramento is definitely in the 5-11 range in the ridiculously deep Western Conference along with the Lakers, Warriors, Blazers, Spurs, Pelicans, and Mavs.
I’d have Blazers as a playoff lock at 5 and Lakers at 6.
Then have GSW Spurs Pelicans Wolves Mavs Kings competing for the last two spots.