Looking Ahead: What Kings' Needs Will Arise In 2012?

I think that if you can sign him to a nice 5-6 million a year extension you do it. That contract would be easily movable if need be, and for a man of his size and work ethic, that’s a great deal. Jason might not accept it however, as there probably is a fair chance he could get more in the open market, even with the Restricted label.

Likely they are best two options on the market for the Kings.

I prefer Dalembert to the rest of the centers on market. He’s an excellent pairing with DMC, Sammy being the defensive force with offensive rebound focus and DMC being the offensive force freeing him for defensive rebounding focus. Rather simple analysis but they are yin and yang in several areas. I wish I had the link but Simmons wrote a basketball piece a month back citing advanced statistics, the Kings were amongst elite in rebounding. The Kings were the only lottery team with a major strength, being this combo.

Chandler brings similar elements to Dally. However he will cost more and more importantly no where near as durable as Dally. Chandler is a strong candidate for never being able to play 60+ games a season again, so sorry I’ll pass. I hate to roll my eyes at all the Gasol talk but it’s basketball, not fantasy basketball. With DMC already on the roster Gasol is rather redundant as a below the rim big body. Also a decent chance DMC is better than Gasol next NBA season considering Marc was playing a contract season and DMC his rookie. Nene is fit for the Kings but again can probably pay Dally $6 million less per season and use that money on another player or keeping Reke/Cousins later down the line.

Not a lot to talk about MT23. Think most agree he is the best option for the Kings. He is either a starter or ideal 6th man that already proved he can fit and be a major cog on the team.

There have been discussion on ball movement. With Reke/Cousins being the key components of a roster I don’t think the focus of team building should be around ball movement, never going to make it happen, its a path of failure. It’s different pieces from 2001 and need to build a different type of team. Should be focusing on team that can overpower and physically beat on opponents with a touch of high percentage scoring. The Spurs are a good model. Ideally the Kings should be aiming for a team that can hold opponent scoring 94 points or under and average scoring 96+ points themselves. Jimmer and MT23 probably give the Kings enough outside shooting for now. Returning Dally, acquiring Salmons for defense and nudging Reke to becoming a strong defender puts the team in that direction.

First off – wonderful piece TZ. I hope you earmark this post and plan to refer back to it once we know when a CBA has been signed. I hope that is sooner rather than later.

Just as players improve (or don’t), fit (or don’t), there are other factors when projecting a line up for 2013. Draft picks, retirements and player movement for other teams will cause a shift in player value and the latest “style” of team, i.e. an influx of skilled 6’9" or taller players will cause offenses and defenses to adjust. Who coaches the Kings will also influence this (i.e. Van Gundy, Fratello are slow pace, D’Antoni, Nelson are very fast pace).. I still think the Kings need to develop a style of their own in order to determine who will remain on the squad and therefore their usefulness. I would prefer to see the Kings hold off on extensions.

As for Westphal – 35 wins is an 11 game improvement with a very new looking line up. If he can do that, you re-sign him. Factor in injuries and available coaching replacements and then we can argue.

The new look NBA, post-2011 CBA: parity? I think less so, but I would at least count on more player movement due to shorter contracts and lessened pay scales. JT and JJ may be available to extend their contracts but what if Chris Bosh, Pau Gasol, Deron Williams, Tony Parker, Anderson Varajeo are all available due to a version of hard cap? With commitments to Evans, Cousins, Thornton, Fredette, Salmons and New Center that’s around $37M or so of salary commitment for the next 3-4 years – minimum for 6 guys. If the cap is at $55M that’s 6-8 guys to divide up the remaining $18M. If you extend JT, JJ , one or both that eats up $6M or $12M of that. Will the 2% -ers do that and buy into another suddenly available higher priced talent? Even with the improvements and the addition of a Chandler, Gasol, Nene or Daly the Kings need more talent upgrades, as structured this is a maybe playoff team in two years. Who’s making the All-Star team next season from this squad? The season after?

So many questions, too many answers.

1.Resign Marcus thornton multi year contract
2.Sign anthony carter to a one year contract, with a team option
3. Sign Chris Wilcox or Kwame brown ( not sure for how long) but get either one as a rotation big.

because in all honesty whats the chances tyson chandler leaves the mavs to go elsewhere, or that dalambert resigns, to only be pushed back in and out of the starting line-up..plus he can get an all-defense type of year in miami, were he gets more national attention