Sir Charles in Charge
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Sacramento Kings may actually have a plan

By Tomas Kassahun

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: De’Aaron Fox walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: De’Aaron Fox walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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The Sacramento Kings are slowly, but surely putting together something special, which is the opposite of what fans have come to expect

With the 2017-18 NBA season a few months away, it’s still too early to draw conclusions from the offseason. But, at least for the time being, the Sacramento Kings seem to be one that’s trending up.

This franchise, which has missed the playoffs for 11 straight years, made a dramatic turn in February when it traded its superstar DeMarcus Cousins. At the time of the trade, many Cousins’ supporters were not ready to say goodbye to the Kings’ star.

Since then, however, wounds have gradually healed.

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Buddy Hield, the rookie who the Kings got in return for Cousins, is partially responsible for filling the void left with Boogie’s departure. Since coming over in the trade, Hield showed flashes of a star in the making, giving the Kings’ faithful something to look forward to.

Along with Hield, fellow rookies Skal Labissiere, Malachi Richardson and George Papagiannis started in the D-League and came a long ways during the season. Now, these young players seem to be an essential part of the Sacramento Kings’ long term plan. That’s weird to say because the Kings are not known for making long term plans.

Instead, they are known for their quick-fix approach, signing players like Rajon Rondo and Matt Barnes. The Kings’ positive transformation has also been possible thanks to some fortune, which hasn’t been the case throughout the handful of years.

That fortune came in May when the Kings moved up in the draft thanks to a lucky bounce of the ping pong balls. With their luck netting them the fifth pick, the Kings’ snagged De’Aaron Fox, the speedy defensive-minded Kentucky guard who is poised to become a nightmare for opposing teams in the NBA.

In addition to drafting promising rookies, the Kings’ best move of the offseason came in free agency, where they drafted veterans George Hill, Zach Randolph and Vince Carter. These veterans not only came at a bargain price, but also came with a lot of wisdom.

Again, this is a contrast from previous years where the Kings would throw big money at big names. Based on these acquisitions, we can assume that the Kings are looking for character.

While these vets lead by example, the Kings youngsters can slowly ease themselves into the league.

Previous Kings’ rookies such as Jimmer Fredette, Tyreke Evans, Ben McLemore and DeMarcus Cousins didn’t have this luxury. With the lack of vets around them, coupled with the constant coaching changes, those previous draft picks were not able to develop their game or their maturity.

This time, the Kings rookies will have somebody to help them develop their skills and their mental strength. Unlike the Kings’ previous rookies, the current youngsters will not be thrown into the fire before they are ready.

Sacramento Kings head coach David Joerger, who always values his veterans above anything else, doesn’t not simply give away starting roles to rookies.

Joerger will certainly make these rookies earn every minute on the court, a far contrast from the old days when Kings’ rookies felt entitled.

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Of course this doesn’t mean the Sacramento Kings will be winning 50 or even 40 games this season. But it does mean that there is actually a plan in place. That’s right, an actual plan that actually makes sense. Who would have thought?

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