Toke and Geoff return "live from the Big Tomato" to talk about life in 20 years of Kings basketball hell, the brief fake hope of wins over Denver and Minnesota, and the reality of getting stomped by Memphis again. They spotlight rookie big man Maxime Raynaud as one of the only bright spots, debate what Doug Christie should be doing with rotations, and argue about whether Russell Westbrook and the kids should be prioritized over vets like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.

From there, they zoom out and put Scott Perry's early tenure under the microscope—grading everything from the Doug hire, Jonas trade, Schroder/U-Banks signings, to the Keon Ellis contract decision and the Precious pickup. Then they go league-wide: what happens to the trade market if Giannis forces his way out of Milwaukee, where should he go, and why Toke wants De'Aaron Fox exiled to Wisconsin instead of thriving in San Antonio with Wemby. They close with the spicy Chris Paul vs. Ty Lue drama with the Clippers and what that says about sending vets home, Zach/DeRozan's future, and the Kings' next painful chapter. Merry Christmas, go Kings.

The KingsPod2020 crew — Toke and Geoff — return "Live from the Big Tomato" to break down the latest chapter in the Sacramento Kings collapse. This episode examines how Doug Christie's bizarre press conference, an eight-game implosion, failed roster construction, and ownership meddling have all collided into one of the bleakest stretches of the Vivek era.

We walk through the Kings' current freefall: the stages-of-grief pressers, the nostalgia-driven marketing strategy that's poisoning fan memories, the front office dysfunction, Keegan Murray's developmental stall, and the growing disconnect between roster reality and franchise messaging.

We also dive into luxury-tax avoidance, the Bill Simmons trade proposal, the James Ham/Kyle Madson clip, the hostage-versus-volunteer roster dynamic, and why Sacramento might be at the start of another deep rebuild — one that only accelerates if Vivek refuses to change course.

A brutally honest, chronological breakdown of how the Kings got here… and why the tunnel has never felt darker.

The Kings are off to a 3–7 start — and confusion reigns from top to bottom. In this episode of KingsPod2020, we go deep on the franchise's current direction (or lack thereof) with a breakdown that follows the real-life chaos chronologically:

1. Early Takeaways from the 3–7 Start
   We open with a state-of-the-union rant: the Kings are playing small, soft, and scattered. The LaVine rumors loom — and nothing on the court makes sense.

2. Keon Ellis Deserves More Minutes
   One of the best defenders on the team is getting ghosted. We talk about how Keon could fix some of what's wrong — if the staff would just play him.

3. Doug Christie Is the Head Coach — Period
   It's not an interim situation. Doug Christie is the coach now. We analyze his strengths, his shortcomings, and whether he was even the right pick.

4. Scott Perry's Front Office Shakeups
   Perry's recent moves — including dumping Jonas, adding big-name guards, and clearing cap — get a full breakdown. We question the long-term vision.

5. Vivek Is Still in the Way
   From tunnel vision on celebrity names to his track record of derailments, we outline why ownership remains the Kings' biggest liability.

6. The Week Ahead + Ja Morant Rumors
   We preview the upcoming games and toss around the Ja Morant trade talk — including what it says about how desperate Sacramento might be.

If you've been asking, "What exactly are we building?" — this is the pod you need. Longtime fans, frustrated realists, and strategy nerds: this one's for you.

The Kings are 1–4 and falling apart — but this isn't just about injuries or a bad week. In this episode, Geoff and Taki break down the systemic dysfunction behind Sacramento's rough start to the 2025–26 season.

We talk:

• 💥 The flawed roster design (Lavine, Westbrook, DeRozan... seriously?)

• 🧠 Doug Christie's impossible coaching situation

• 📉 Asset mismanagement & questionable extensions

• 🕵️‍♂️ Scott Perry's quiet cleanup effort?

• 🏀 What's next for a franchise caught between PR moves and real progress

If you're a frustrated Kings fan or just love NBA roster autopsies, this one's for you.

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📩 Hit us up on social with your takes: #KingsPod2020

We break down the Kings' draft (why Clifford feels day-one ready and why Maxime is the right swing), what Doug Christie's first losing streak could mean, and why we're firmly in the "don't tank" camp. We revisit the failed Kuminga bid as a leverage lesson, sort out the guard rotation (Schröder, Monk, Devon Carter), and set a realistic bar: ~.500 with a 33–43 win range. Plus, a frank look at what the Stockton scandal signals about the organization.

00:00 Intro — Live from the Big Tomato
01:12 Draft Grade: B/B+ and "shots not slots"
04:05 Nick Clifford vs. Maxime Renaud: who helps first?
08:42 Scott Perry's early moves & roster age reality
12:20 Doug Christie: respect the IQ… but the losing-streak test
16:55 Tank vs. Compete: why 40 wins beats 30 for growth
22:48 OKC, Philly, and copycat-league lessons
27:40 The Kuminga pursuit: fit, upside, and leverage
34:05 Guard room: Schröder, Monk, and the Devon Carter question
38:10 Westbrook as vet add? Pros/cons
41:02 Stockton scandal: dysfunction or one-off?
46:20 What success looks like: 33–43 wins; is .500 realistic?
50:11 Final predictions, vibes check & sign-off

Toke, Geoff, and special guest George from Carmichael dive into the latest developments out of Sacramento—from the BJ Armstrong hire to the Kings' ownership clinging to early 2000s nostalgia. Is it finally time to cut ties with the past and build something real?

In this episode:
🎯 Why ownership keeps recycling familiar names
🧠 The psychological makeup of a true winner—and who actually has it
📉 Did the NBA just compensate Dallas for sending Luka to L.A.?
💥 Would you trade Sabonis for Jrue Holiday?
👀 And is Cooper Flagg the real deal—or just more hype?

Brutally honest, sharp, and funny—this one pulls no punches. Let's cook.

In this episode, Toke and Geoff return to unpack everything surrounding the Sacramento Kings' chaotic offseason, including the aftermath of the De'Aaron Fox trade, the Kings' failed draft pick protection, and the firing of Monty McNair. They dive into whether the Kings should have tactically tanked, the issues with team culture, and the hiring of Scott Perry as GM. The duo debates whether Doug Christie should remain as head coach, potential trades for Sabonis, DeRozan, and Keegan Murray, and whether the Kings are trapped in a losing cycle. Plus, they share bold ideas like bringing back Mike Malone — or even Metta World Peace — to inject real change. An honest conversation that every Kings fan needs to hear.

In this engaging episode of the podcast, hosts discuss the recent developments concerning the Sacramento Kings, focusing on insider information shared by a well-connected source. Topics range from the controversial trade decisions involving key players like De'Aaron Fox and Kevin Huerter to the internal dynamics within the Kings' front office. The hosts speculate on the impact of coaching strategies, particularly those of Mike Brown, and how they influence player development and team morale. They also delve into the broader organizational mentality, questioning whether the Kings can shake their perceived "loser's mentality" and become a competitive force in the NBA.

Furthermore, the conversation touches on league-wide issues such as player empowerment, the effectiveness of tanking strategies, and the role of influential agents like Rich Paul. The episode provides a thought-provoking perspective on how the Kings have managed their assets and the potential long-term implications of their strategic choices. In addition, the hosts briefly explore the potential implications of the Oakland Athletics' possible move to Sacramento, drawing parallels between the ownership challenges faced by both franchises.