A Monta Ellis signing would set back franchise four more years

The Kings supposedly want highly inefficient guard Monta Ellis.

Four questions:

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why?

This would easily be the stupidest move of any team in free agency.

The new regime wants ball movement and defense.  He brings none of that.  He is a ball dominant, me-first, shooting machine.  Been there. Done that.

Has Vivek Ranadive ever watched anyone play who didn't play for the Golden State Warriors?

Who's next?  Troy Murphy?

I want three qualities from my players: Intensity, maturity and unselfishness.  The Kings can't manage to find players with these qualities.  The Maloofs couldn't find them.  And now it seems like the new regime doesn't care either.

Just recently, it was reported that the ownership group marched down to the home of DeMarcus Cousins in Mobile, Alabama, to announce their undying devotion to him.

They want to build the franchise around him.

The most unstable player in the league.

Who has shown not an iota of evidence that he wants to change.

This is the new ownership group.  This is NBA 2.0.

The signing of Ellis is just a bad move. Plain and simple.

Don't do it.

Royal advice: Don't max Iggy (they didn't), let Tyreke go (they're gonna), and deal DMC

A MAXIMUM MISTAKE

Rumors are bubbling about that the Kings are mulling a max offer to free agent Andre Iguodala.

That's an awful idea. He's a nice player and would be a good fit on the Kings, but he NOT a max player.  Not by a long shot.

Update: Kings reportedly offered Iguodala $56 million over four years.  I think that's probably the most they can offer right now with their cap situation.

Update of the update: Kings took my advice.  Yanked offer.

One problem is his age.  He's 29.  For a guy who relies on athleticism, that's an ominous age for a long-term contract.

Read this.

The guy averaged 13 points and 5 rebounds last season.  He's extremely versatile and a lock-down defender, but a max contract should be about the future, not the past.  What will his game look like in years three and four of his contract when the team will be hoping to be a factor in the playoffs?

Signing Iggy would certainly help change the perception of the team and, yes, Sacramento has to overpay to get free agents, but not for this guy.

What free agents would I target?  I don't mind point guard Jose Calderon, who has already met with the team.  He should come at a good price.  Maybe Hawks point guard Jeff Teague, who might be more expensive.  And maybe a certain Timberwolves center (read below).

Maybe nobody.  You don't buy just to buy.


TYREKE EVANS: COMING OR GOING?

Tyreke Evans is looking at a big payday and the debate is raging over whether to match or not.

It shouldn't even be a question.

Did anyone watch Evans for the past two seasons?

Bum ankles, bad decisions, indifferent defense and awful shooting. Is that the kind of guy you reward with $11 or $12 million a year?

No way.  I'd be happy with prying point guard Greivas Vasquez from the Pelicans in a sign-and-trade.

Update: Yup, looks like Kings are taking my advice again.  Evans reportedly on his way out and Vasquez on his way in.  Nice job, Vivek,


DISMANTLE THE STINK

So what to do?

I think you deal DeMarcus Cousins.  The guy is not a great teammate.  And it's very hard to root for him.  His surly, childish antics are irritating, to say the least.

Does he have potential to be great?  Oh, yes.  I saw him up close in the final game of the season and was startled by his ability to play a dominant all-around game.  It was easily the best he looked all year.

But he has some serious issues.  And, according to insiders, refuses to even think about getting help with those issues.  Maybe he gets his act together.  Or maybe he punches someone and gets suspended for half the season.  What are you betting on?

I think you can get some pretty nice pieces by dealing him, including a very high pick in next year's prized draft.

Yup, if you haven't guessed, I'm all about blowing up this jumbled mess of a team.

If the Kings were going to make a huge free-agent move, I'd try to do a poison-pill max deal to lure center Nic Pekovic from Minnesota.  It would take some creative financing, maybe an amnesty, and the Wolves would most likely match, but I'd try anyhow.

Then, with Pek onboard, I'd deal DMC.

I'd also like to see the Kings make strong moves to deal for Indiana forward Danny Granger, who is now available.

Or how about LaMarcus Aldridge up in Portland.

Your move, Mr. Ranadive.  Time to prove you're the smartest guy in the room.