Based off the moves the Sacramento Kings have made so far this off season, their fans seem to be feeling pretty optimistic about the forthcoming season. They hired a new coaching staff and added a lot of new talent to the roster. All great things. But, how does the rest of the basketball world see this season playing out for Sacramento?
First, let’s take a look at their offseason grade compared to the rest of their peers in the Western Conference.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, the Sacramento Kings earned a solid ‘B’ grade. Not great, but also not bad. They received a better grade than seven other teams in the West and the same grade as both the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder.
One take Pelton made that was very interesting was that he believes Donte Divincenzo is better than both Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk and that letting him walk will be a mistake.
Divincenzo played well for the Kings and was a fan favorite last season. However, he is older than both Huerter and Monk and has neither the upside of Huerter nor the priceless bond Monk has with Fox. It is also very unlikely that Sacramento would have been able to sign him for the same deal he got in Golden State.
If Pelton were to take a look back on this grade during the season, a positive change would certainly be made.
With the offseason in mind, and how their competition has also changed, what will the Kings record look like by the end of the year?
Pelton predicted that the Kings will finish the season as the 11th seed with a record of 34-48. Not the prediction the fans were hoping for, or agree with. However, he did say that it is a rational thought for people to believe the Kings will end their playoff drought which is “reaching driving age.”
That leaves the Kings as the one team projected outside the top 10 actively hoping to finish in that group. With Sacramento’s playoff drought (16 seasons and counting) reaching driving age, even a play-in appearance would be cause for celebration in California’s capital.
There’s reason to believe this could be the Kings’ year. They’ll get a full season with Domantas Sabonis after acquiring the two-time All-Star before the trade deadline and adding shooting in the backcourt with newcomers Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk to complement Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox. Most importantly, No. 4 overall pick Keegan Murray impressed this summer, winning MVP honors for the NBA summer league in Las Vegas.
If Sacramento jumps into…
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