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…
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.
“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
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.