Sam Amick joins Monte Poole on “Dubs Talk” to assess the Warriors and Kings rosters, discussing which team is set to have a stronger 2024-2025 NBA season.
Following a disappointing conclusion to the 2023-24 season, Kings general manager Monte McNair and his team made numerous moves—both significant and minor—in an effort to re-enter the playoff race.
The most notable transaction was acquiring six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan. Along with Sacramento selecting Providence guard Devin Carter at No. 13 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, these decisions caught the attention of multiple NBA general managers in an annual league survey.
In this survey, GMs answered 50 questions regarding the top teams, players, coaches, and offseason moves. They were not permitted to vote for their own teams or personnel.
Here’s where Sacramento was acknowledged by NBA GMs:
Most surprising move of the offseason:
Karl-Anthony Towns to New York – 27%
Paul George to Philadelphia – 23%
DeMar DeRozan to Sacramento – 17%
Mikal Bridges to New York – 10%
Zaccharie Risacher drafted No. 1 – 7%
Also receiving votes: Deni Avdija to Portland; Tyus Jones to Phoenix; Caleb Martin to Philadelphia; Dejounte Murray to New Orleans; Klay Thompson to Dallas
Last year: Holiday/Lillard trade – 43%
Biggest steal in the draft based on where he was selected:
T-1. Bub Carrington (14), Washington – 10%
T-1. Devin Carter (13), Sacramento – 10%
T-1. Johnny Furphy (35), Indiana – 10%
T-1. Dalton Knecht (17), L.A. Lakers – 10%
T-1. Terrence Shannon Jr. (27), Minnesota – 10%
T-1. Nikola Topic (12), Oklahoma City – 10%
T-7. Matas Buzelis (11), Chicago – 7%
T-7. Donovan Clingan (7), Portland – 7%
Also receiving votes: Cam Christie (46), LA Clippers; Isaiah Collier (29), Utah; Zach Edey (9), Memphis; Kyle Filipowski (32), Utah; Jared McCain (16), Philadelphia; Baylor Scheierman (30), Boston; Reed Sheppard (3), Houston; Cody Williams (10), Utah
Last year: Cam Whitmore – 43%
Best overall moves this offseason:
Oklahoma City Thunder – 37%
Philadelphia 76ers – 33%
New York Knicks – 20%
Also receiving votes: Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings
Last year: Boston Celtics & Milwaukee Bucks – 23%
Best home-court advantage:
Denver Nuggets – 47%
Oklahoma City Thunder – 17%
T-3. Boston Celtics – 13%
T-3. New York Knicks – 13%
Utah Jazz – 7%
Sacramento Kings – 3%
Last year: Denver Nuggets – 37%
Player acquisition with the biggest impact:
Paul George, Philadelphia – 60%
T-2. Mikal Bridges, New York – 13%
T-2. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York – 13%
Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City – 7%
Also receiving votes: DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento; Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City
Last year: Damian Lillard – 47%
Fastest player with the ball:
De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento – 52%
Ja Morant, Memphis – 38%
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia – 7%
Kyrie Irving, Dallas – 3%
Last year: De’Aaron Fox – 57%
The Kings are counting on DeRozan, who is entering his 16th NBA season at age 35, to complement De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis as another offensive weapon while aiming to reinstate their high-powered offense.
As for Carter, he will be sidelined with a shoulder injury until at least January, but once he returns, he’s expected to have an immediate defensive impact.
With all these offseason moves, the question remains: Will it be enough for Sacramento to challenge the top teams in the West? The Kings are optimistic, and the rest of the league is keeping a close watch on what Mike Brown is building.
