Category: Basketball

Why are Celtics interested in Ben Simmons? What to make of latest report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

It’s been an interesting offseason in Boston, to say the least. And a new report involving the Celtics is another head-scratcher.

Here’s what longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein wrote in his Substack on Sunday night:

“League sources say that the Suns have also had some recent dialogue with former All-Star Ben Simmons, who I’m told has drawn interest since free agency began from Boston, New York and Sacramento.”

Yes, Stein is talking about that Ben Simmons: the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft who won NBA Rookie of the Year with the Philadelphia 76ers but fell off a cliff since his trade from Philly to Brooklyn in 2022.

Simmons appeared in just 51 games last season between the Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists over 22.0 minutes per game. He was a fringe rotation player at best for the Clippers and scored four total points over five playoff games last season.

So, why would the Celtics want to get in the Simmons business?

From a practical standpoint, Boston could only offer Simmons a veteran minimum contract due to salary constraints as they aim to get under the second apron of the luxury tax. But there’s a good chance Simmons would play on a minimum deal at this point in his career after being bought out of his previous contract.

Simmons just turned 29 on Sunday and still is a strong defender who can facilitate offense and rebound. As the Celtics enter a “gap year” while Jayson Tatum rehabs from a ruptured Achilles tendon, it’s worth at least kicking the tires on reclamation projects like the former Sixers star.

That’s the case for adding Simmons — but the case against is much stronger, and it boils down to one factor: He can’t shoot.

Simmons hasn’t attempted a 3-pointer since the 2022-23 season and is 5 for 36 in his career from beyond the arc. He’s virtually ineffective outside the paint, which makes it hard to imagine him fitting in on a Celtics team that just smashed the NBA record for most 3-pointers attempted in a season.

The C’s are better served giving minutes to young players like recent free agent signings Josh Minott and Luka Garza and rookie Hugo Gonzalez in the hope that they develop into key rotation pieces when Tatum returns to full strength. Simmons hasn’t been an impact player in nearly five years, and the Celtics should resist the urge to “buy low” on a player whose off-court drama outweighs his on-court contributions.

Ex-NBA star claims Draymond Green is not one of league's top-200 players ever originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green has no shortage of accolades to go along with his four NBA championships.

And even though he doesn’t have the traditional scoring stats that most Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers have, there is no doubt that the Warriors forward eventually will be enshrined after his illustrious career ends.

However, former NBA forward Kenyon Martin, while he respects Green’s game, might be lower on the four-time All-Star than most.

“I can list 200 people that’s better than Draymond Green at basketball right now … Championships aside,” Martin said on a recent episode of the “Gil’s Arena” podcast. “We’re talking about going out and playing basketball.”

Martin, Gilbert Arenas, co-host Josiah Johnson and former NBA guard Nick Young were debating their lists of the top-10 players from the 2010s, which sparked the debate surrounding Green’s spot during the previous decade and all-time.

“I’m not taking nothing from him,” Martin added. “He did what he did, absolutely. I’m with it. I ain’t ever say nothing bad about Draymond Green, but I just want to know is he a better basketball player than [players like Al Jefferson and Elton Brand].”

Green not only is a four-time champion and four-time All-Star but won the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year award while being named to two All-NBA teams and nine All-Defensive teams.

The 35-year-old is entering his 14th year with the Warriors, and after another stellar defensive showing last season, has shown no signs of slowing down just yet.

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Chris Paul rejoining Clippers for 21st and ‘likely' final season: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Another veteran point guard is headed home.

Days after Damian Lillard rejoined the Portland Trail Blazers, Chris Paul reportedly is signing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.

ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the deal Monday. Charania and others added that Paul’s upcoming 21st season will likely be his final before retiring from the NBA.

The 12-time All-Star had some of his best years with the Clippers from 2011-17 — five All-Star selections, five All-NBA nods and six First-Team All-Defense honors. The “Lob City” Clippers turned the once-lowly franchise around as Paul and Blake Griffin led the team to the second round three times.

Paul, who turned 40 in May, is coming off a productive 2024-25 season with the San Antonio Spurs. Paul started all 82 games for the Spurs, averaging 8.8 points and 7.4 assists for the young squad.

Over his first 20 seasons, Paul has piled up the accolades to become a guaranteed first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s played for the New Orleans Hornets (2005-11), Clippers (2011-17), Houston Rockets (2017-19), Oklahoma City Thunder (2019-20), Phoenix Suns (2020-23), Golden State Warriors (2023-24) and Spurs (2024-25), with career averages of 17.0 points, 9.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds.

Paul, a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, has led the league in assists five times and steals six times. The only thing eluding him is a title, with his closest call coming in 2021 when the Suns lost in the NBA Finals to the Milwaukee Bucks.

With the Clippers, Paul will likely move to a bench role for a team with legitimate playoff aspirations. Los Angeles added Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez and John Collins this offseason to a team that already has James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac.

Marcus Smart on the Lakers? Processing a tough sight for Celtics fans originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Marcus Smart in purple and gold? Yeesh.

Amid a summer in which Celtics fans have already endured watching beloved members of the 2024 championship team depart as Boston tries to gets its finances in order, now comes news that Smart, a cherished former Celtic, intends to sign with the rival Los Angeles Lakers after agreeing to a buyout with the Washington Wizards.

It’s been a summer of stomach punches for Celtics fans.

Smart spent nine seasons in Boston and endeared himself here with his full-throttle ways and knack for winning plays. It sometimes felt like Smart might be a Celtic for life before the team made a pair of bold roster moves in the summer of 2023, paving the way to elusive Banner 18.

Smart becomes the latest former Celtics guard to sign with the Lakers late in his career, joining a group that includes Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, and Isaiah Thomas.

While plenty of photoshops of Smart in Lakers gear popped up with Saturday’s news, there’s an actual photo of Smart in purple and gold from his 2014 pre-draft visit there. The Lakers were slotted a pick behind Boston that year and ultimately selected Julius Randle at No. 7.

The Celtics never missed the playoffs with Smart on the roster. His shot selection could be a bit divisive, but Smart was beloved for his ability to make big-time plays in big moments and his impact in the Boston community.

Smart, who will turn 32 in late October, played just 54 games for the Grizzlies and Wizards since departing Boston. After being dealt to Memphis in the Kristaps Porzingis deal, Smart endured an injury-filled season in Memphis. He was then shipped to the lottery-chasing Wizards in a three-team swap midway through the 2024-25 season.

Smart will earn $26 million in the final year of a four-year, $77 million extension he inked with Boston in 2021. His new deal with the Lakers reportedly is for two years, $11 million.

The Lakers are beefing up around Luka Doncic, even with uncertainty about the future of LeBron James. After enduring a couple of seasons outside the playoff spotlight, Smart ought to be reenergized while joining a Lakers team that will have big goals in a loaded Western Conference.

Smart has played only one game against Boston since his departure, a December 2024 visit with Memphis.

The Celtics have watched Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, and (presumably soon) Al Horford depart this summer, all while trying to get off the restrictive second apron. Smart going to the rival Lakers feels like another stomach punch in a summer of swallow-hard moves.

The twice-annual Celtics-Lakers showdowns always have a little extra juice, and seeing Smart in purple and gold will only fuel this season’s matchups.

The Knicks' 2025 Summer League is now complete following Saturday's 94-85 loss to the Washington Wizards. After the Knicks went 1-4 in five games, there was a lot to think about.

From Tyler Kolek's lackluster showing to Mohamed Diawara's promising debut, here are four takeaways following New York's time in Las Vegas.

Tyler Kolek's struggles

Kolek's second Summer League was a disappointment. The sophomore guard shot just 17.1 percent from deep and only had five more assists than turnovers in five games. It was concerning to see him struggle against extended defensive pressure.

Kolek did respond well to two bad outings by scoring 23 points in the first half of New York's 97-93 win against the Nets this past Tuesday. Another positive to take from the games was Kolek's ability to play with pace off misses or turnovers. There were several times where he made great hit-ahead passes, or moved the ball quickly to set up transition-scoring opportunities for his teammates.

It's difficult to put too much stock into his Summer League, but it does confirm that he still has some work to do on both the offensive and defensive ends to earn trust and minutes as the team's backup point guard.

Uneven run for second-year players

Pacome Dadiet, Kevin McCullar Jr. and Ariel Hukporti were all limited due to injuries, but let's look at what the second-year players did in truncated time.

Dadiet missed three games due to a left foot injury. The Frenchman flashed an ability to score off cuts and in transition in two games. However, three-point shooting remains a question. Dadiet shot 25 percent from deep. If he doesn't improve from long range, it will be hard for the former first-round pick to earn consistent minutes for the Knicks.

Hukporti appeared in three games. Outside of a nine-point, 13-rebound and three-block night against the Boston Celtics, the big man was relatively quiet, averaging 6.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and two blocks. He missed the final two games with a left knee sprain.

McCullar made plays as a slasher and ballhandler, which stood out in his 30-point outing against the Celtics. But like Dadiet, three-point shooting (20 percent on 10 attempts) remains a weakness. McCullar only played for two games due to a nasal contusion. All three players still have room to grow, though, and each did show glimmers of potential.

Rookie surprise

With just seven points and 5.3 rebounds averaged in four games, Diawara's Summer League numbers don't pop, but his presence was felt. The 6-foot-8 second-round pick also has a 7-foot-4 wingspan and 9-foot-2 standing reach. On defense, he is a switchable defender.

Where Diawara was a surprise is on the offensive end. He has a better feel for the game than expected, making several nifty passes, initiating the offense at times and showing an ability to push the ball after securing rebounds.

Diawara's outside shot needs a lot of work. Last season, he shot 31 percent from three in France. In the Summer League, Diawara converted just 2 of 13 threes (15.4 percent).

Roster conundrum

Diawara was just one of several Summer League players vying for roster spots. McCullar, Anton Watson and MarJon Beauchamp are the Knicks' current two-way contract players.

Summer League saw several players worthy of a potential roster spot. Watson led the way Saturday against Washington with 21 points and six rebounds. Beauchamp led the Knicks in scoring in two separate games.

Dink Pate had a solid Summer League showing, averaging 9.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 17.6 minutes. The undrafted 19-year-old wing ended his stint with 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks against the Wizards.

The Knicks can still add one veteran-minimum contract and one rookie deal before reaching the second apron. It remains to be seen which of these five players will be on the roster by the start of the season.

Warriors star Steph Curry reveals his choice for NBA's most athletic player originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry has faced off against some impressive NBA athletes over the years, but one stands out to the Warriors star in today’s game.

In a recent match with Good Good Golf, Curry revealed who he believes is the league’s most athletic player — and his answer shouldn’t be too surprising.

“Ja Morant,” Curry said (h/t ClutchPoints). “I think pound for pound, he’s the most athletic player in the league. Russell Westbrook when he was in his full prime. John Wall. We always talk about those guys as being the most athletic in the league.”

Curry and Morant have clashed in several high-profile matchups since the Memphis point guard’s debut in 2019, with the Warriors most recently defeating the Grizzlies 121-116 in the NBA play-in tournament on April 15 to secure the No. 7 playoff seed.

Morant injured his ankle during that game but played through it, finishing with 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting with two rebounds and two assists over 35 minutes.

The 25-year-old’s electric dunks and scoring prowess have earned him countless accolades already, including 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, 2021-22 Most Improved Player and two All-Star selections in addition to four postseason appearances.

The best poster dunks from Ja Morant's career so far 🎬👀 pic.twitter.com/xdXVGkLqSD

— NBA (@NBA) January 15, 2023

While Morant has stopped dunking as often as he used to to prioritize his health, the Grizzlies star remains one of the game’s most dynamic players thanks to his speed, handles and clutch shooting — something Curry has experienced firsthand. And the respect is mutual, as Morant showcased following Golden State’s 2022 Western Conference semifinals victory over Memphis.

fav matchup. 💪🏽 looking forward to more battles 30.. https://t.co/qsBkINpjBD

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) May 14, 2022

Game recognizes game.

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The Lakers have found their point-of-attack, defensive-mind wing defender in guard Marcus Smart, who has agreed to a buyout with the Washington Wizards and plans to sign a two-year, $11-million deal with Los Angeles, people not authorized to speak publicly on the matter confirmed to The Times on Saturday.

Smart, the 2022 defensive player of the year when he played for the Boston Celtics, will sign his deal contract after when he clears waivers. He has a player option after the 2025-26 season, meaning he can become a free agent next summer.

The Lakers were in need of a defensive wing after defensive ace Dorian Finney-Smith signed with the Houston Rockets.

Smart played in only 34 games last season, splitting time between Memphis and Washington. He dealt with a finger injury on his shooting hand last season. He averaged 9.0 points, 3.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game while shooting 39.3% from the field.

Smart, 31, played in only 20 games during the 2023-24 season with the Grizzlies, his time limited by a finger injury and left foot sprain. During his time on the court, Smart averaged 14.4 points per game and shot 43% from the field, 31.3% from three-point range.

Smart was at his best during his nine seasons with the Boston Celtics, making the playoffs each year. He missed the playoffs the last two seasons in Memphis and Washington.

Read more:Newest Laker Deandre Ayton is ready to prove the doubters wrong

He started a career-high 71 games during the 2021-22 season, when he averaged 32.3 minutes per game, 12.1 points and shot 41.8% from the field, 33.1% from three-point range.

That was the same season Smart was the defensive player of the year. He’s also a three-time member of the NBA’s All-Defensive first team.

With a starting backcourt of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, two players not known for their defense, the Lakers really needed a defensive-minded player like Smart.

The 6-foot-3 Smart has the size, strength (220 pounds) and athleticism to defend three positions — point guards, shooting guards and small forwards.

His soon-to-be addition, along with that of center Deandre Ayton and forward Jake LaRavia, gives the Lakers depth and talent to hopefully contend in the uber-tough Western Conference.

Smart was the sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft by the Celtics.

He has been a starter and reserve over his career, having started 387 out of 635 games in an 11-year career.

During that time, Smart averaged 10.6 points, 4.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds, a sign of his all-around talents. He shot 38.8% from the field, 32.4% from three-point range and 77.6% from the free-throw line in his career.

But Smart is at his best on defense. His career defensive rating is 107.9.

He has the ability to move his feet and stay in front of his man. He’s a very good one-on-one defender, and that’s exactly what the Lakers need.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

As Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank conducted his Zoom with the media Saturday from the team’s practice facility, he looked to his right and mentioned how James Harden was in the gym working out and how Harden played a pivotal role in the team signing free-agent guard Bradley Beal.

But Frank is not done building a roster to compete in the rugged Western Conference, indicating that signing former Clippers guard Chris Paul is high on their list.

There have been so many rumors about Paul wanting to play for the Clippers in the upcoming season, about how he wanted to be close to his family in the Los Angeles area, and how the Clippers had interest in him returning to the franchise.

Frank didn’t shy away from how the Clippers view having Paul on the roster.

“He obviously possesses some of the qualities we just referenced about and of course we’re strongly, strongly considering him,” Frank said.

Paul, 40, played in all 82 games last season with the San Antonio Spurs. He averaged 28.0 minutes per game, 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists and shot 42.7% from the field.

Read more:It's official: The Clippers sign Bradley Beal

He spent six years with the Clippers, from 2011-12 until the 2016-17 season, and ushered in the “Lob City” era with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

“What I’d say about Chris is he’s a great player,” Frank said. “He’s a great Clipper.”

Paul was traded in June of 2017 to the Houston Rockets, where he became a teammate of Harden.

Over the course of his 20-year career, Paul averaged 17.0 points, 9.2 assists and shot 47% from the field and 37% from three-point range.

If the Clippers do sign him, they will have three point guards — Harden, Kris Dunn and Paul.

Frank said the Clippers want to “lean into the ballhandling and playmaking” as they look to complete the roster.

“What we've seen is sometimes the problem of having too many guys and how that can impact the team,” Frank said. “So, we've learned from those lessons and I think the conversations that we have with anyone who's going to join the Clippers next, they understand it's a reserve role. They understand that kind of going into camp exactly what it looks like. So there's no preconceived misconceptions yet.”

Adding Paul would give the Clippers five veteran guards — Harden, Beal, Paul, Dunn and Bogdan Bogdanonic — on a team that typically rotates 10 players during a game under coach Tyronn Lue’s system.

Read more:Clippers rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser showing growth in Summer League

Harden played in 79 games last season and he averaged 35.3 minutes per game, ranking him 16th in the NBA. He averaged 22.8 points, 8.7 assists, 5.8 rebounds and shot 41% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range.

He’ll be 36 in August and having more playmaking guards like Paul will relieve some of the pressure off Harden.

“The reality is for any NBA team, the amount of times you have your top 10 all available, it's usually 21 to 25 times throughout the course of a year,” Frank said. “So, you literally need everyone on your roster to be able to contribute. But to your point, because we do have a lot of versatility. …

"So, Brad Beal could give us more playmaking with the ball. … Kris Dunn can be the backup point guard. Bogdan can handle along with James. You just want to put everything on the table and then find the best person who can have total role acceptance and awareness and still if needed to play can play.”

Beal, 32, signed a two-year, $11-million deal with the Clippers, with a player option after next season. He averaged 17.0 points last season with the Phoenix Suns and shot 49.7% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range.

Beal probably will be the starting two guard next to Harden.

“As you guys know, Brad is a gifted two-way player who's a three-level scorer who can create offense for himself and others,” Frank said. “He brings additional ball-handling, play-making and shooting to the group areas we wanted to upgrade.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Why Warriors' Moses Moody believes ex-teammate Kevon Looney is irreplaceable originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Some people just can’t be replaced.

Moses Moody believes that’s the case for Kevon Looney, who left the Warriors in NBA free agency after 10 years with the organization.

“It’s going to be tough losing Loon in so many ways,” Moody said Friday on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs.” “He’s been here since I got here. The person he’s been for the team and for me is immeasurable. He definitely can’t be replaced in any way — including the yoga room.”

Not only were Moody and Looney teammates for the past four seasons, but they also bonded over non-basketball activities such as yoga and their faith.

“The way he looked out for me and brought [yoga] to my attention and made it accessible to me. He even paid for me to do it in my first year,” Moody said. “So just extending that out to guys coming in the way he did for me. And he didn’t put pressure on me to do it. Same thing with Chapel. Going to Chapel before the games. He told me he was going and it was up to me to go if I wanted to or not.

“The mindset now is to just keep that legacy going.”

Over the past decade, Looney has served as the Warriors’ Iron Man. He was dependable, reliable and always had a positive attitude.

Looney signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans worth a reported $16 million.

Meanwhile, Golden State is left with a tall task trying to fill the void.

One Moody believes can’t be replaced.

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The Clippers signed guard Bradley Beal on Friday after the final two years of his contract were bought out by the Phoenix Suns earlier this week and he cleared waivers.

Beal, 32, is a three-time All-Star and 13-year NBA veteran. He signed a two-year contract worth $11 million, with a player option for 2026-27, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein.

Beal averaged 17 points, 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 32.1 minutes while starting 38 of 53 games for the Suns last season. Beal shot 50% from the floor, 39% from 3-point range and 80% from the foul line.

Beal joins a veteran Clippers roster led by Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Beal will get a chance to move past his two disappointing, injury-riddled seasons in Phoenix.

“Players of this caliber are very rare, and they’re hard to come by,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said in a statement. “He's been the best player on his team. You can put him in so many different spots and he’ll find ways to score: out of pick-and-roll, coming off screens, catch-and-shoot. He can create his own or he can play off the ball. He’s a great cutter. He’s also a great playmaker who is going to make everybody else better.”

First loss of summer for the Clippers

The Clippers' bid to remain unbeaten in NBA Summer League play was derailed by a slow start Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets.

After scoring only 11 points in the first quarter while falling behind by double digits, the Clippers eventually trailed by 25 late in the third quarter only to see a furious fourth-quarter rally fall short in an 81-76 loss.

Jordan Miller had a game-high 23 points with 14 rebounds for the Clippers. Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Cam Christie each scored 16 while Trentyn Flowers had 12 points for L.A.

The Clippers (3-1) shot only 36% from the field and 23.7% from three-point range. Christie and Flowers shot a combined four of 21 from deep.

The Nuggets (1-3) did not fare much better, shooting 38.7% from the field and 30% from three-point range.

DaRon Holmes III led the Nuggets with 19 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. Spencer Jones contributed 17 points and six rebounds in the win.

The Clippers will play in a consolation game against the Memphis Grizzlies at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Lakers fall to Celtics

Bronny James scored a game-high 18 points and had five assists in an 87-78 loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday night in Las Vegas.

The Lakers (1-3), who led 26-21 after the first quarter, committed 21 turnovers that led to 24 points for the Celtics, who outscored L.A. 19-9 in the second quarter. Boston opened a 15-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.

DJ Steward contributed 14 points and five assists for the Lakers while Christian Koloko and Cole Swider each scored 12.

Boston was led by Jordan Walsh's 17 points and six rebounds. Hugo Gonzalez scored 13 for the Celtics.

The Lakers shot 44.3% from the field but only 21.4% (six of 28) from three-point range. The Nuggets shot 38.7% from the field and 31.8% from deep.

The Lakers completed Summer League play against the Denver Nuggets in the Friday nightcap.

Tournament time

Six teams went unbeaten in four games in Las Vegas, with the Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings advancing to a two-day tournament to determine a champion.

The Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves also went unbeaten but did not advance to the tournament based on tiebreakers, the first of which is point differential.

Toronto was seeded first and will play No. 4 Sacramento at 1 p.m. Saturday in the first semifinal while No. 2 Oklahoma City plays No. 3 Charlotte at 4 p.m. The winners will play at 7 p.m. Sunday for the title.

Etc.

New Orleans rookie Derik Queen is likely to miss at least the start of training camp after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist. He was injured Tuesday during a Summer League game and the team said he will be evaluated again in approximately 12 weeks.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Scott Perry reveals Kings' expectations for 2025-26 NBA season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

New Kings general manager Scott Perry sat down with NBC Sports California’s Deuce Mason and Morgan Ragan and revealed his expectations for Sacramento’s 2025-26 NBA season on the “Deuce and Mo” podcast.

“I’m not going to put a numerical wins expectation on this group,” Perry told Mason and Ragan. “My expectation is in defining that identity of who we’re going to be [and] how we’re going to play.

“I want you to be able to look at the end of the season and say, ‘OK, I see the competitive; I see the tough; I see the team-oriented; I see the discipline; I see the professionalism and accountability.’ If we can do that, and we’re playing hard every night like that, we’re going to give ourselves a chance to win. So let’s see where that takes us.”

The Kings are coming off a disappointing 40-42 season and find themselves looking for top-to-bottom stability after parting ways with franchise icons De’Aaron Fox and Mike Brown within the last eight months.

Sacramento now is two campaigns removed from its iconic “Beam Team,” which snapped the franchise’s 16-season playoff drought.

Perry undoubtedly is inheriting a complex situation riddled with storied NBA All-Stars, valuable role players, eager youngsters and a city that is patient but ready to win. And for those reasons, the new Kings executive isn’t putting any minimums or maximums on what Sacramento can be in the 2025-26 season.

“Obviously, I’d love to win a lot of games. But let’s see,” Perry told Mason and Ragan. “I’m not going to — because I’m still learning the group, too, and learning what we really have. And that will help formulate some decisions moving forward, too.”

Perry wants Kings fans to be patient as the new era takes shape. However, he is well aware of how patient Sacrmaento has been for a long, long time.

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