Kings general manager Scott Perry emphasized the need for patience in a press conference following the trade deadline last week, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee writes in a subscriber-only story.
Anderson acknowledges that it’s a difficult message for Kings fans to hear, considering the team is back to rebuilding just three years after winning 48 games and making its only playoff appearance in the past two decades. Sacramento has the worst record in the league at 12-42 and a roster of high-priced veterans, but was mostly quiet at the deadline.
The only significant deal involved sending Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder to Cleveland in exchange for De’Andre Hunter. The 28-year-old forward was in the midst of a rough season with the Cavs, being removed from the starting lineup while shooting just 42.3% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range, but Perry believes he can be a long-term asset.
“(Hunter) allows us to defend at a high level, I believe,” Perry said. “He’s exhibited that throughout his career. He’s been a very good shooter from the perimeter. I know his numbers were a little down this season coming from Cleveland, but there’s enough historical evaluation that leads me to believe he’ll be helpful for.”
Perry also addressed the decision to part with Schröder, who was one of the team’s main offseason additions, signing a three-year, $44.4MM contract in free agency. Schröder wound up being replaced as the starting point guard by Russell Westbrook, and the Kings reportedly insisted that his contract be included in the trade as a condition for parting with Ellis.
“As the season unfolded, the fit didn’t work,” Perry said of Schröder. “That happens sometimes.”
Perry didn’t offer much explanation for the decision to retain Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk, who were all involved in trade rumors leading up to the deadline. LaVine holds a $49MM player option this summer, while DeRozan has one more year left on his contract at $25.7MM, so it may be easier to move them in the offseason when they have expiring deals.
There was interest in Monk, but teams were hesitant to take on his contract, which pays him $20.2MM next season with a $21.6MM player option for 2027/28. Sabonis’ deal also limited his market as he’s owed $45.5MM and $48.6MM over the next two seasons. Toronto was working to acquire Sabonis before negotiations “flat-lined,” and Perry didn’t provide any hints about his future with the team.
“Well, he’s here,” Perry said. “His future is with the Kings right now. … He’s a Sacramento King right now.”
What 45 years isn’t patient enough ?? Maybe we are just sick and tired of all the BS, continual Coaching Changes, and lack of Action on his part !! He needs to be Fired and get a real GM in there that knows what he / she is doing, and isn’t afraid to pull the trigger on a few trades !! And also stop pursuing just one player for the entire offseason and doing nothing to improve this roster !! He’s the Problem, He is !! and Vivek !!
I have 0% faith in the Kings plans to turn the franchise around. They were poor during the later days of the Maloof ownership, but under Renadive, there has been a very clear lack of cohesion between team management and himself. Too many bone-head decisions.
Passed on Luka Doncic due to personal beef between Divac and Luka’s father.
Drafted another future star in Tyrese Haliburton only to trade him away.
Fired Mike Brown after one of the most winning and exciting seasons in the past 20 years of Kings basketball.
And many more…
That is Kings Basketball: never outdoing, only outdone
I think if any pro sports team spends 50 years in the same city but wins no rings, they should be forced to move. Give us the San Jose Kings already!
It must be tough being a kings fan. Its one thing your team is not very good but another thing that there is no light at end of the tunnel. If they can get young players and draft picks for Sabonis just do it. Tarding some of the expensive for very little just get cap relied to sign a young player. they need to face it Zach is a buy out candidate. The sooner toward the offseason teh better because he then can become a free agent at end of the year so he will take less for now.
oh, there’s a light ……………………. an oncoming Freight Train Wreck in the making !!
“At the presser introducing Schröder, general manager Scott Perry referred back to comments he made previously about wanting to add players who are ‘competitive, tough, team oriented, disciplined, accountable and professional,’ suggesting that Schröder ticks those boxes. ‘When you marry those two things together, when free agency was embarking upon us,’ Perry said, ‘this was the No. 1 guy we felt in the league for us that was going to fit that bill and help us establish that sustainable success that we are striving to get.’”
This was 6 months ago Scott. So you’ll excuse the Kings fanbase for believing that your evaluation of talent that led to Hunter being on this squad is less than stellar.
“That happens sometimes”
Un-f’ing real
Him saying that Hunter is any good defensively just goes to show he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Hunter hand checks all game and gets blown by on a consistent basis. He’s tall and lank and can shoot over his defender, when he’s on he’s on but his issue is consistency. Doubt Sacramento will be the place he finds it. That offense is all over the place and lacks rhythm.
I think Schroder is a solid player. I’m surprised he can’t find a team and stay for a few years. Still waiting for Precious to be released. Come back home New York needs you
I think the issue with him is that he does really well on good teams and ends up outplaying his contract to the point teams can retain him. Him being on a lot of teams to me that he’s high sought after. In the right role and niche he can really excel. I expect him to round out that back-up role in Cleveland pretty well if he just stays within himself and doesn’t force inefficient shots.
Their biggest chip, Fox, they let go for a song. Patience! Patience! From a team who panic-signed a bunch of not great vets no one else was offering contracts to? Haliburton! Fox! Come on.
I get that it is difficult to bring players to Sac, but this is ridiculous. If San Antonio and Cleveland can become desirable NBA destinations I’m pretty sure Sacramento can be too. But players probably don’t want to come because the franchise is terribly managed.
But, they did have the hottest GM in the NBA. Anjali, Vivek’s daughter, was GM of the Stockton Kings. Now she is an R&B singer.
Hunter was drafted as a high potential 3 n D wing. All players from Philly play D. He’s played two games for Kings. You probably should give him the year. Imo he’s in the right place to find his niche. He can be a solid 2way player.
Look up his scouting reports. He’s worth giving a look.
I have no problem with getting Hunter. But we went from one extreme to the other. We had SG all over the place and now we have SF all over the place. And this is the gM who stated I want to shed Payroll and stock pile Draft picks, but instead added to the Payroll and got Zero Draft picks in return.
Not fixing the Kings in one year. As fans we have no choice but to accept their doings. Hunter is younger than DeM. Was solid in Atlanta. He’s worth checking out is all I’m saying. DeM is an expiring contract. He shouldn’t be a problem to move next yr. Monk and Zach are the most difficult to move.
Don’t hold your breath. In a team with Westbrook, Lavine, Derozan and Hunter I couldn’t imagine a worst offense. None of these guys like moving the ball and Hunter is a nice safety valve for younger players because he’s going to hoist it no matter what, but he isn’t some foundational piece. This environment isn’t going to be conducive for his success until they remove all the black holes on offense.
Hunter has nothing to do with that. This is a lost year already. Can’t blow that draft pick. Kings haven’t gone full rebuild yet. So next year will tell more.
With Lavine, Monk and Derozan still on the team, I don’t see next season looking so great either. Not like teams are lining up to take those guys off the Kings hands.
GSW needed Hunter more though, for almost the same reasons why the Kings targeted him.
Lol if you had Raynaud. You might of got him. Although I’m not sure Cavs would want Kuminga. Cavs want to win now.
Oh damn, I didn’t see how much Hunter and Kuminga’s contracts match up, it would have been a 1 for 1 deal, but tbh I would rather have Kristaps and his way higher ceiling and stronger team need GSW has for bigs.
Hearing Kevon Looney might be back on GSW though…
If he l cut. Knicks better go after him.
Why would the Cavs want Raynaud? Why would the Warriors want Raynaud? He doesn’t fit their needs. Cardwell makes more sense. He will cut into Raynaud’s playing time.
Why would the Cavs want Raynaud ?? You must be confused…… Raynaud is 22. In 23 mins he is the best Center in draft. You can cry wolf all you want.
OK, ok…Cardwell wasn’t drafted. You need to have a serious talk with the Kings GM. He is comparing Cardwell to Ben Wallace. Who is he comparing Raynaud to? Sac media is already calling the Cardwell signing the best move they have made.
Sac has not been good since the Webber/Peja era when the refs stole their championship run