Life news: I’ve agreed to take over as sports editor of The Sacramento Bee. We’re doing this on an interim basis for now. We’ll see if I enjoy bossing
@SacBee_JoeD
around. In addition, I’ll still be covering the Sacramento Kings, with
@ChrisBiderman
sharing more of those duties.
De’Aaron Fox tells me Baby Reign was born here in Houston on Friday. That makes his birthday Feb. 3, 2023. Just missed sharing a Feb. 4 birthday with Malik Monk.
“We got 2/3/23,” Fox said. “That’s fire.”
Fox says Recee and the baby are good. Congrats to the whole Fox family! 🦊
Kings guard Buddy Hield is taking these contract talks very personally. In an emotional postgame interview, he talked about “finding another home” if the team doesn’t get a deal done by Monday’s deadline.
Sacramento Kings rookie Neemias Queta is heading to the scorer's table to check in for his NBA debut. He is about to become the first Portuguese player ever to appear in an NBA game.
Go crazy, Portugal! 🇵🇹
Neemias Queta with a rebound and a putback dunk. He has eight points in six minutes. It's 3:53 a.m. in Portugal. Somebody tell them it's time to wake up.
De'Aaron Fox on the crowd in Sacramento tonight: “I think Sacramento showed out tonight. Trey walked by and he said, ‘Yo, this is the loudest arena I’ve ever played in.’”
🚨 BREAKING: Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein wants out of Sacramento. Cauley-Stein's agent tells me Willie would prefer to become an unrestricted free agent so he can pursue other opportunities.
“He was saying don’t lose your identity just because I’m leaving now. We’re still the Scores no matter what.” —
@SacramentoKings
guard Yogi Ferrell on the departure of
@imanshumpert
.
Kings rookie Keegan Murray has this crowd buzzing a little bit. He has 26 points in 24 minutes on 10-of-13 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range. Quite a debut for the 21-year-old forward from Iowa.
Current Kings depth chart looks something like this:
PG – De’Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell
SG – Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk
SF – Harrison Barnes, Terence Davis
PF – Keegan Murray, Trey Lyles, Chimezie Metu
C – Domantas Sabonis, Richaun Holmes, Alex Len
What do you guys think?
Keegan Murray on rookie duties: “I really just picked up Chick-fil-A every away game. That was like $300 every single road trip, so that kind of hurt.”
Just verified with the NBA office and Elias Sports: If the Sacramento Kings win tonight, they will clinch a playoff berth AND homecourt advantage in the first round.
NBA Last 2 Minute Report confirms officials made another critical error in the Kings’ 116-113 loss to the Warriors. Klay Thompson fouled Kevin Huerter on his last-second 3-point attempt, but there was no call. Refs cost the Kings a chance to win for the second time in six days.
NBA awards ballot submitted with five minutes to spare. Absolutely excruciating. Incredible seasons by Jokic, Giannis, Embiid, Luka, Booker and many others. I went with Jokic for MVP with Giannis second and Embiid third. Won't be surprised if Embiid is second and Giannis third.
Sacramento Kings rookie Davion Mitchell addresses the crowd before the team's final home game, saying: "This offseason we're going to get better and make you guys proud."
Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter: "Light the Beam. I don't why I scream it like that every time, but that's what I say. Seven over .500. They're going to the playoffs everybody. Let's go."
I asked Vlade Divac about The Athletic story tonight regarding his conference call with minority owners. “I just told them about my plan,” he said. The story says you told them to stop meddling and leaking stories. “Yeah, that’s my plan,” he said.
Kings coach Mike Brown: "I feel bad for our guys. It’s tough being a Sacramento King I think because Kevin got fouled. ... I asked the ref if it was a foul, he said no. It was clearly a foul."
I'm getting strong indications from league sources that Malik Monk will reach an agreement with the Sacramento Kings after free agency begins at 6 p.m. ET. Sounds like a Kentucky reunion with De'Aaron Fox could be in the works.
Sacramento was the only team in the West that didn’t make a significant move, but with the Kings sitting at No. 3 and only 28 games remaining, maybe there’s something to be said for chemistry and continuity.
Some of us in Sacramento are old enough to remember seeing the Kings this high in the standings. Some of you will be seeing this for the first time in your entire lives 👀
Kings-Pacers Last 2 Minute Report shows three incorrect calls, all favoring Indiana.
1. Missed offensive foul on Myles Turner (1:51)
2. Missed 3-second violation on Turner (1:40)
3. Pacers awarded possession on out of bounds play, but it was actually out on Turner (1:24)
Charles Barkley on De'Aaron Fox's All-Star snub: “I’m more surprised by De’Aaron Fox because the Sacramento Kings have the third-best record in the West. They have the third-best record in the West, so I’m surprised. … I am really shocked De’Aaron Fox didn’t make this team.”
The New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks have seats reserved for pro personnel scouts at tonight's Kings-Cavaliers game. That's more than usual. Maybe it's nothing ... or maybe business is picking up with a month to go before the trade deadline.
KHTK announces radio host and Kings play-by-play announcer Grant Napear "has been placed on administrative leave while we are investigating the statement that was made on twitter."
The Sacramento Kings are listing De’Aaron Fox (ankle), Domantas Sabonis (ankle), Kevin Huerter (injury management) and Keegan Murray (foot), Trey Lyles (shoulder), Davion Mitchell (knee) and Malik Monk (leg) as questionable for Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.
Malik Monk on fans waiting to greet the Kings at the airport: “I heard that. Mike just told us that. That’s crazy. I never experienced anything like that. Looking forward to seeing it.”
100% confirmed 100% happening
Flight set to arrive at 11:55pm - i'd try to get there by 11:30
Modern Aviation Private Jet Center - 5885 FLIGHTLINE CIRCLE SACRAMENTO, CA 95837
A league source tells The Sacramento Bee the Kings view Keegan Murray as a foundational piece and they are not including him in trade talks, confirming a report from James Ham.
I've been told if the Kings hire Mike Brown as their new head coach, he is expected to remain with the Warriors through the end of their playoff run, in case anyone is wondering about that.
"My first year, we won 27 games, but every game was a packed house. There are times in Detroit or Atlanta and half the arena is empty, so you see the love Sacramento has for the team. If you win here, it’s going to feel better than winning somewhere else.”
BREAKING NEWS: According to
@imanshumpert
and
@THEwillieCS15
, the
@SacramentoKings
are no longer a team. "We're a ball club now," WCS said. "... We're linked. We're together. Regular teams be on some regular s---, but we ain't regulars. We're a club. It's a brotherhood."
According to a league source, Kings rookie Keegan Murray will not play in tonight's Las Vegas Summer League finale vs. the Houston Rockets. Murray averaged 23.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists on 50/40/81 shooting splits in four games, emerging as a leading candidate for MVP.
“I came here, (played with) one of my best friends, turned the organization around, turned the city around. The city loves me and I love the city, so the emotions are everywhere right now.” – Malik Monk
Sacramento Kings media relations director Rahsaan Gethers is leaving after nine years to become vice president of basketball communications for the Portland Trail Blazers. Gethers, 35, is one of the best and brightest in the game. Great smile, cool hair, always an absolute pro.
Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox has unveiled two new Player Edition shoes under the Curry Brand: The Reign Rose PE’s and the Light the Beam PE’s.
The Kings had thousands of pounds of food on hand that would have gone to waste at Golden 1 Center during the coronavirus shutdown. Here's what they did with it ...
Sources tell
@momoragan
the beam will stay lit so the Kings can see it when they fly into Sacramento tonight.
I've been wondering if anyone has been able to see the beam from the air. Guess we will soon find out.
Just brought a baby into the world and playing the best basketball of his career when it matters the most. As an objective journalist who has covered almost every step of his career, I can report De’Aaron Fox deserves every good thing in his life right now after some tough years.
A well-placed league source tells The Sacramento Bee the Kings are expected to make a massive offer to Al Horford when free agency begins at 3 p.m. PDT, and there is mutual interest on both sides. I'm told Horford's camp has not scheduled meetings with any teams today.
We could hear the
#Kings
celebrating this win inside the locker room from out in the hallway. I heard a couple guys say “Let’s Go” and then “Family on 3 ... 1-2-3 FAMILY!!”
'Basketball Hell': Former Sacramento Kings basketball operations insider reveals how Vivek Ranadive created 'toxic' conditions while turning team into NBA's biggest losers. My story ⬇️
On Kings Central with Morgan Ragan, Domantas Sabonis says he hopes to stay in Sacramento for the rest of his career ... and little Tiger Sabonis can say "triple-double" now.
"Before you ask me about that play, it’s a horseshit rule in the NBA. The referees did exactly what they are supposed to do. ... We got punished for a dumbass rule." -- interim Kings coach Alvin Gentry on jumpball call in loss to Lakers
Here’s a funny one: Fox was gone when I got into the locker room last night. I mentioned to Sabonis that the Kings organization has become a baby factory. I suggested Malik Monk, who was standing next to us, might be next.
“Helllll naw,” he said. “F--- no. Quote that.” 😂
The Golden State Warriors are listing Andrew Wiggins as questionable for Game 3 vs. the Sacramento Kings due to right shoulder soreness. Jordan Poole is questionable with a left ankle sprain. Gary Payton II is questionable due to illness. Draymond Green (suspension) is out.
Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown opens his pregame news conference by asking the media two questions.
Who is the only two-time Player of the Week in the NBA?
Answer: De'Aaron Fox
Second question: Who is not on anybody’s fricking MVP list right now?
Answer: De'Aaron Fox
Domantas Sabonis on his triple-double: “Today I really wanted to get it. It’s my dad’s birthday. My present is going to be delayed, so hopefully the win and a triple-double counts.”
The Kings won 30 games last year. With the additions of coach Mike Brown, rookie Keegan Murray, young vets Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk, etc., how many wins are you projecting in 2022-23?
Asked Kings coach Mike Brown if the NBA should consider changes to the All-Star selection process.
"Yeah, they should just let me vote. That's it. Just one vote. I'll get it right."
Kings coach Mike Brown: "I don’t know what happened, but we ain’t taking no shit from nobody. Trust me on that. And they're all going to have each other’s backs in there."
Luke Walton says De'Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley III and Richaun Holmes will all sit out again Sunday vs. the Utah Jazz.
Kings coach Mike Brown just told a touching story about longtime team equipment manager Miguel Lopez. Mike was in his office after Saturday's game when Wes Wilcox walked in to say he saw Miguel crying in the tunnel. Mike feared something was wrong, but they were tears of joy.