| News |
|---|
|
Aleksandar Vezenkov Report: Kings negotiating deal with Sasha Vezenkov
Sat, Jun 24, 2023, 1:09 PM
Sacramento Bee
According to Sport24, the Kings have begun contract negotiations with Olympiacos forward Sasha Vezenkov.
Analysis: With it being reported in May that Vezenkov was strongly considering a move to the NBA, this latest development is no surprise. Per the report, the Kings have offered a salary slightly below what Keegan Murray is due to make next season (around $8.4 million). Should Vezenkov come over, he would provide the Kings with additional depth at the forward spots. And that would be key since Harrison Barnes and Trey Lyles will both be free agents. |
|
Harrison Barnes Report: Barnes garnering interest from Pacers
Mon, Jun 19, 2023, 1:58 PM
The Stein Line
According to Marc Stein from the Stein Line, the Indiana Pacers are set to have interest in Harrison Barnes this offseason.
Analysis: The Pacers will reportedly look to free agency if they are unable to upgrade their wing depth via trade. Harrison Barnes, who will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, has emerged as a candidate for the organization. If Barnes was to sign in Indiana, he'd be seeing some familiar faces, having played under Rick Carlisle in Dallas and playing alongside Tyrese Haliburton in Sacramento. |
|
Aleksandar Vezenkov Sasha Vezenkov injures knee during playoff game
Thu, Jun 8, 2023, 5:00 PM
BasketNews
Sasha Vezenkov had to be helped off the court after suffering an apparent right knee injury during Olympiacos' playoff game against Panathinaikos.
Analysis: The 57th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Vezeknov could be headed stateside to play for the Kings next season. However, nothing has been finalized, and the knee injury he suffered during Game 2 of the Greek League Finals series with Panathinaikos could influence the Kings' thinking. Vezenkov suffered the injury during the third quarter, and there are plans for an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. Should Sacramento look to bring him over for next season, Vezenkov's buyout of $1.5 million would have to be resolved. |
|
Domantas Sabonis Domantas Sabonis (thumb) hoping to avoid surgery
Sat, Jun 3, 2023, 9:17 AM
Sean Cunningham on Twitter
Domantas Sabonis was due to undergo another scan on his injured right thumb on Thursday and hopes to avoid having to undergo surgery.
Analysis: Sabonis played a significant chunk of the season with an avulsion fracture in his right thumb. He had the thumb scanned immediately after the Kings' season concluded and was due to undergo another evaluation on Thursday. The hope is that Sabonis will be able to avoid surgery this summer. The results of the second scan and ensuing treatment plan will impact his availability for Lithuania in this summer's FIBA World Cup. |
|
Matthew Dellavedova Melbourne United signs Matthew Dellavedova to deal
Tue, May 16, 2023, 5:41 PM
National Basketball League
Matthew Dellavedova has agreed to a two-year deal with Melbourne United of Australia's NBL.
Analysis: Dellavedova, whose 2022-23 season came to a premature end due to a fractured right index finger, is headed back to his native Australia to continue his pro career. Delly, who was due to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, averaged 6.7 minutes per game in 32 appearances for the Kings this season. Sacramento's top two point guards, De'Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell, are under contract for next season, so they should be fine at that position. |
|
Aleksandar Vezenkov Stein: Vezenkov considering NBA jump next season
Sat, May 13, 2023, 10:48 AM
Marc Stein
According to Marc Stein, Sasha Vezenkov is "seriously considering" a move to the NBA next season.
Analysis: Vezenkov, the 57th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, has yet to play in an NBA game, instead remaining in Europe. The current Olympiacos star is considering a move to the NBA next season, with the Kings still holding his rights. Kings coach Mike Brown was among those in attendance to watch Vezenkov play earlier this week. The talented forward has a buyout of $1.5 million, but there's a path to playing time in Sacramento should he decide to come over. Starter Harrison Barnes and reserve Trey Lyles will be free agents this summer, and the departure of either (or both) would free up rotation minutes at the forward positions. |
|
Trey Lyles Trey Lyles hopes to return to Kings next season
Mon, May 1, 2023, 10:25 AM
James Ham on Twitter
Trey Lyles said after Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Warriors that he hopes to re-sign with the Kings this offseason.
Analysis: Lyles, who played 21 minutes and finished with six points, seven rebounds, and one 3-pointer, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. And he hopes a return to Sacramento will be in the cards. "This is the most at home Iâve felt of any team Iâve been on," Lyles, who said that his teammates are "like brothers to him, said after the season-ending defeat. He appeared in 74 regular season games, averaging 7.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 1.2 3-pointers in nearly 17 minutes. Lyles wasn't an impactful fantasy option, as he ranked well outside the top 200 in 8- and 9-cat formats, but he was a solid bench contributor for the Kings. |
|
Malik Monk Malik Monk records 14/9/4 line in Game 7 defeat
Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 6:16 PM
Malik Monk shot 4-of-14 from the field and 4-of-5 from the foul line in Sunday's 120-100 loss to the Warriors, tallying 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two 3-pointers in 31 minutes.
Analysis: Monk led the Kings in rebounds in Sunday's Game 7 loss, but that was about all that went right for him. He shot 4-of-14 from the field, his worst effort since Game 3 when Monk shot 1-of-9 from the field and scored four points. Overall, he was one of Sacramento's most consistent scorers in the series, averaging nearly six more points per game during the playoffs than he did in the regular season. Based on his Yahoo ADP of 140, Monk was expected to provide late-round value this season, and that's largely how things played out. Given his role, he was a better option in 8-cat formats than those of the 9-cat variety, and that's likely to be the case moving forward. |
|
Harrison Barnes Harrison Barnes limited to 14 minutes in Gm 7 loss
Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 6:08 PM
Harrison Barnes played just 14 minutes in Sunday's 120-100 loss to the Warriors, finishing with four points (1-of-4 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs).
Analysis: There was no announcement of a possible injury at any point during Game 7. Essentially, Barnes was a victim of Mike Brown's desire to go small in an attempt to better match up with Golden State's perimeter scorers. Unfortunately for the Kings, this move backfired, as Kevon Looney and the Warriors punished them on the glass. However, going smaller did work in Game 6, with Barnes only playing 15 minutes in the Sacramento victory. Next up for Barnes, who turns 31 at the end of May, is free agency, and this could be his last shot at a big payday. With a Yahoo ADP of 106, Barnes finished this season outside of the top 125 in 9-cat formats and 150th in 8-cat. He was an important piece for the Kings as the franchise ended its lengthy playoff drought, but it would not be a surprise if they looked to make an upgrade on the wing this summer. |
|
Kevin Huerter Kevin Huerter struggles mightily in Game 7 defeat
Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 6:02 PM
Kevin Huerter shot 2-of-9 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Sunday's 120-100 loss to the Warriors, accumulating seven points, nine rebounds, one steal, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in 28 minutes.
Analysis: The three "stocks" weren't enough to salvage this day for Huerter, who really struggled offensively in the seven-game series. While he hit double figures in three of the seven games, Red Velvet made less than 34% of his shots from the field, and that's with him shooting 6-of-12 in Game 3. Fantasy-wise, Huerter exceeded expectations in 8- and 9-cat formats, finishing within the top 100 in the latter despite a Yahoo ADP of 141. He may not be a player many fantasy managers look to draft within the first 100 picks, but he's unlikely to be on the board too much longer beyond that in standard leagues next fall. |
|
Keegan Murray Keegan Murray scores 10 points in season finale
Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 5:58 PM
Keegan Murray posted a line of 10 points (5-of-10 FGs), seven rebounds, one assist, and two steals in Sunday's 120-100 loss to the Warriors, playing 28 minutes.
Analysis: After getting a rude introduction to playoff basketball to begin the series, scoring 10 points total in the first three games, Murray hit double figures in each of the last four. Just as important as the scoring was the improved rebounding, with the rookie grabbing at least six boards in each of those four games. There's still plenty of work to be done, but Murray and the Kings should be encouraged by his rookie season. He slotted into the starting lineup alongside Harrison Barnes (who will be a free agent this summer) and Domantas Sabonis, playing in 80 of a possible 82 games. Murray finished the season ranked outside the top 100 in 8- and 9-cat formats, proving to be of greater value in the latter. Should Barnes move on, Murray is a player who could be a breakout candidate for next season. |
|
De'Aaron Fox De'Aaron Fox has an off day in Game 7 loss Sunday
Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 5:47 PM
De'Aaron Fox played 37 minutes in Sunday's 120-100 loss to the Warriors, accumulating 16 points (5-of-19 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), three rebounds, six assists, one block, and three 3-pointers.
Analysis: After playing well in Game 6, which was the second game after he fractured a finger on his left (shooting) hand, Fox had a rough go of it Sunday afternoon. He made just two of his nine shot attempts inside of the arc, and the six assists were countered by a team-high five turnovers (Sacramento finished with eight as a team). This will be a bitter pill for Fox and the Kings to swallow, but the series was a good learning experience for Mike Brown's inexperienced (with a few exceptions) team. Entering this season with a Yahoo ADP of 41, Fox outperformed that expectation in 8- and 9-cat formats. Look for him to be a solid third-round option in drafts next fall. |
|
Domantas Sabonis Domantas Sabonis posts 22/8/7/0/2 line in Game 7
Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 5:40 PM
Domantas Sabonis finished Sunday's 120-100 loss to the Warriors with 22 points (10-of-16 FGs, 2-of-6 FTs), eight rebounds, seven assists, and two blocked shots in 37 minutes.
Analysis: Sabonis shot the ball well from the field in Game 7 and recorded seven assists, but his struggles on the boards stuck out. While the eight rebounds were respectable, Golden State's Kevon Looney had more offensive rebounds (10) than Domas' total. That can't happen, especially in a deciding game. Sunday was a disappointing conclusion to what was one of Sabonis' best seasons as a pro, and it's what many fantasy managers expected back in the fall. Boasting a Yahoo ADP of 24, Sabonis produced at that level in 8- and 9-cat formats. Fantasy managers should expect more of the same next season. |
|
Keegan Murray King Keegan goes 15/12 with four triples Friday
Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 10:33 PM
Keegan Murray delivered 15 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, a block and four triples in Fridayâs 118-99 win over Golden State.
Analysis: Murray came out hot in this one, but he cooled off quickly and finished the game shooting 5-of-17 from the floor and 4-of-13 from beyond the arc. Shooting aside, Murray was active on the glass, pulling down 12 rebounds and making an impact as a defender. He led Sacramento in minutes with 45, and the rookie has been phenomenal in two of his last three outings. The Kings will need all of their guys to be at their best for Sundayâs Game 7, and that includes the upstart rookie. Hyped in the 2022 preseason, Murray failed to live up to expectations from a fantasy perspective, but more playoff performances like this should boost his draft stock for 2023-24. |
|
Malik Monk Renegades of Monk: Malik goes off for 28 in Game 6
Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 10:26 PM
Malik Monk turned in 28 points (8-of-14 FG, 3-of-6 3-Pointers, 9-of-10 FT), seven rebounds, four assists, a steal and two blocks Friday as the Kings beat the Warriors in Game 6.
Analysis: Monk was outstanding off the bench in this one, leading the Kings in scoring in a win-or-go-home contest in a hostile environment. Though Monk did hit a trio of treys, he was in attack mode all night, consistently getting to the basket and earning frequent trips to the charity stripe. Domantas Sabonis fouled out in 23 minutes and contributed just six points, while Harrison Barnes (six points in 15 minutes) and Kevin Huerter (12 points in 29 minutes) werenât super impactful either. Monkâs big night was the catalyst for an improbable win, and the Kings will now get a shot to win this series in front of the home crowd Sunday and light the beam. |
|
Domantas Sabonis Domantas Sabonis finishes Game 5 loss with 21 PTS
Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 1:03 AM
Domantas Sabonis accumulated 21 points (9-of-15 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one blocked shot in Wednesday's 123-116 loss to the Warriors.
Analysis: Sabonis was more aggressive to start Game 5 than he was in either of the two losses in San Francisco, games that he finished with 15 and 14 points, respectively. The end result was his first 20-point game since Game 2, but Domas was also responsible for five turnovers. The overall stat line was good enough to go home with as far as DFS/fantasy is concerned, so managers should be pleased with Sabonis' performance. But the Kings are going to need more from him in Game 6 on Friday, especially with Warriors center Kevon Looney playing so well as the lone big in their starting lineup. Malik Monk also surpassed the 20-point mark in Game 5, scoring 21 with five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 29 minutes off the bench. |
|
De'Aaron Fox De'Aaron Fox scores 24 with nine dimes in Game 5
Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 12:57 AM
De'Aaron Fox shot 9-of-25 from the field and 3-of-3 from the foul line during Wednesday's 123-116 loss to the Warriors, scoring 24 points with seven rebounds, nine assists, two steals, one block, and three 3-pointers in 42 minutes.
Analysis: Fox played through a broken finger on his left (shooting) hand, and that may have impacted his field goal percentage (36%) and turnover count (six) in Sacramento's Game 5 defeat. That said, he was still able to provide DFS players and playoff fantasy managers with a full stat line, so there was some value to be had. Davion Mitchell, who would have started if Fox wasn't cleared to play, logged 24 minutes off the bench, finishing with 10 points, one rebound, one assist, and two 3-pointers. Fox and the Kings will look to stave off elimination on Friday when they visit the Warriors for Game 6. |
|
De'Aaron Fox De'Aaron Fox (finger) available for Game 5 Weds.
Wed, Apr 26, 2023, 7:05 PM
Jason Anderson on Twitter
De'Aaron Fox (fractured left index finger) is available for Wednesday's game against the Warriors.
Analysis: Fox, who said on Tuesday that he would play in Game 5, has officially been cleared. That's great news for the Kings, who are looking to defend home court and take a 3-2 series lead. Davion Mitchell will remain in the backup point guard role. |
|
De'Aaron Fox De'Aaron Fox (finger) plans to play in Game 5 Wed.
Tue, Apr 25, 2023, 3:37 PM
Jason Anderson on Twitter
De'Aaron Fox (fractured left index finger) said after Tuesday's practice that he will play in Wednesday's Game 5 matchup with the Warriors.
Analysis: Fox suffered the injury at some point during the Kings' Game 4 loss on Sunday. Listed as doubtful on the initial injury report, the All-Star point guard said unequivocally that he will play on Wednesday. "Thereâs no if, ands, or buts ⦠Iâm playing," Fox said after Tuesday's practice. Davion Mitchell would move into the starting lineup if the Kings rule out Fox. |
|
De'Aaron Fox Shams: DeâAaron Fox suffers fractured finger
Mon, Apr 24, 2023, 2:27 PM
Shams Charania on Twitter
DeâAaron Fox has suffered a fracture in his left index finger and is expected to be listed as doubtful for Game 5 against the Warriors on Wednesday, per The Athleticâs Shams Charania.
Analysis: This is a huge blow for the Kings, who have had an incredible season. Theyâll have homecourt advantage for Game 5, but Fox has been spectacular in his first playoff appearance. Davion Mitchell will likely start in his place and continue to harass Stephen Curry on the defensive end. |
Connect With Us:
