The Kings currently top the Tankathon list with a league-worst 12-41 record. They dropped their 11th straight on Friday, matching their longest losing streak since the 1991/92 season. The franchise record for consecutive losses is 14.
Coach Doug Christie rode with his younger players — Devin Carter, Daeqwon Plowden and rookies Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell — down the stretch of a 114-111 loss to the Clippers on Friday.
“For me, it’s extremely tough (to lose), but that’s part of the job, so I just get back at it and try to gameplan and figure out how to put them in the best position to get a win,” Christie said, per Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. “But the value for these young players is incredible, so I’m proud of them to watch them continue to go out and grow and compete at a high level in high-leverage moments. You don’t get those opportunities. They’re finding their way.”
Here’s more on the Kings:
- Cardwell, an undrafted rookie center, posted his second double-double with career highs of 14 points and 14 rebounds. It was his first game since being promoted to the standard roster. The former two-way player received a four-year contract. “He earned that through really, really hard work with a lot of good development down in the G League and here with our coaches,” Christie said. “The kid has done a hell of a job. I don’t know that proud is the word because it goes beyond that. I’m proud of him and proud for him because he did the work. Kudos to him because that doesn’t happen often and he affects winning.”
- They created a full-time roster spot for Cardwell when they traded Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis and Dario Saric as part of a three-team deal that brought De’Andre Hunter to Sacramento, Anderson notes. “One of the other byproducts of the deal that was important for us as well was, in sending out three players, it opened up a roster spot for us to elevate and sign to a full-time NBA contract a guy like Dyan Cardwell, who has more than earned it and who has quickly become a fan favorite here,” Kings GM Scott Perry said. “He does things that are very important for any successful basketball team. He’s an energetic defender. He’s able to protect the rim. He’s a switchable center, big man, who can guard guys away from the basket as well. He’s an excellent rebounder, one of the top rebounders for the minutes he’s played as a rookie already, and we continue to see a great trajectory for him.”
- In his second game with the club, Hunter suffered a left eye injury and departed early. Hunter played 25 minutes and shot just 1-for-8 from the field while committing three turnovers. He had nine points in 26 minutes in his Kings debut against Memphis on Wednesday.
Despite the roster, Doug Christie just isn’t the right fit there.
What? The Kings signed another Center? I was told that Raynaud was the greatest Center since Chamberlain. Why do they need another center?
——- For the Warriors Denialists ——-
Raynaud —- 26 mins, 12 pts, 5 reb, 6/8 FG
Lopez —- 36 mins, 15 pts, 9 reb, 2/3 3pt
Al knows BIGS …….
Let’s be real here. There was no need to sign Cardwell to a full contract. They could have easily kept him in Stockton; it isn’t that far away. They are going to have to find him minutes. They have 4 centers. They aren’t going to take away minutes from Sabonis. Raynaud is going to get his minutes cut.
No reason not to play Carter now till end of year.
I like Westbrook and think he should finish his career in Sacramento. Help see thru the rebuild. And get his props there getting mins. I understand if Kings cut him loose and let him go to another team. A playoff team who needs depth can use him.
This is the time to see about Carter. Play him.
Kings get a top 5 pick. It will he their future PG or Boozer. So they can see if Carter can be part of future.
Kings should be all about next yr and the draft now.
Not a Christie fan either.
Time to see what Carter is made of. He is a defense first PG but needs an offensive game. He had only 1 good year in college so let him sink or swim now while you have a chance of open minutes.
Yeah I agree. Liked him at draft. He has the tools to be a defender. If he can run an offense and pass. He can make a difference. Just play him lol.
Al you gotta get off of the Carter train man. He’s not a player that impacts an NBA roster. He is an undersized PG who cannot grasp what his team is trying to accomplish offensively and is outgunned defensively unless his assignment is a 10th man with 0 bag.
And while I’m a fan of Raynaud’s minutes, he is pretty clearly the opposite of what the rest of the league is doing. If you don’t have a fearless 7 footer who can crash the glass and protect the cup, the next 10 years are going to be hell for you. Unless he can use his range as an absolute game changer, he’s likely hindering any lineup not created specifically around him.
Cardwell is a feel good story and if he can use this opportunity to really make mental improvements, then I think everyone in Sac is happy to have him there. That said, holding your breath waiting for an undrafted guy to turn into a foundational piece seems foolish. But that’s kind of the Kings thing I suppose.
An analysis on Christie is almost impossible because he is clearly the biggest puppet Vivek has ever hired. Says one thing to the media then does literally the exact opposite of what he said the next game. Then when he gets pressed on doing that he’s always got some sort of “we’re all in this together – just trying to figure it out – Kumbaya – Ra Ra Rasputin” nonsense to just blow by criticism without telling the media just how ridiculous this roster is. He’s been set up for failure for sure, but he doesn’t wear that dress very gracefully.