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Yeah, this one is a ballsy request for a player that is sort of average. He had a great first month of the season and then pretty much struggled the rest of the year. Cauley-Stein really has no leverage whatsoever. Sacramento holds a team option on his contract and his agent is asking Sacramento to decline the option to make him an outright free agent. Why would Sacramento do that? It would basically be letting a top 5 (or was he 6?) walk for absolutely nothing. If I’m Sacramento, I’m picking up the qualifying offer to make him a RFA and then tell him he’s welcome to go find a team willing to do a sign and trade, but we’ll only do a deal if it works for us.

I don’t disagree with a lot of what you wrote, but the Kings hold all the cards here, and they can’t really get upset if the Kings choose to not let a former lottery pick, who as you said does provide some value, just walk for nothing. If I were the Kings I’d submit the qualifying offer to make him an RFA, but then inform the agent that we’d operate in good faith to do a sign and trade if the agent can work one out with a team, but that we’re not letting him walk for no compensation.

Agree all day. Somehow the NBA Owners and Manfred are going to have to get control of this. My fear is the problem is already so far gone they can't.

I am hoping the Pacers try to make more of a splash than just signing Rubio and bring back Bojan. If Russell becomes available I would like to see the Pacers sign him and have a backcourt of Russell and VO.

I think the trade for Warren is a good sign that Bojan will not be back because both are a SF. I see Bojan getting 18-20 Mil and that will be to steep for the Pacers because like you say we have a lot of holes to feel. With VO not being back until Jan. we will need a 2G to start for two months so that will cost some plus a new PG will as well.