King’s Ransom: Sacramento Controls its own destiny
The Sacramento Kings will be a team worth keeping an eye on in 2018-19
Every year there are a few young, talented NBA teams that are flying under the radar. One sub .500 squad always manages to put the rest of the league on notice that a string of winning seasons are on the horizon.
They stun fans and opponents with a few sneaky wins against the elite squads. You’re surprised at how inexpensive their ticket prices are on Stubhub compared to the rest of teams in the league. The Golden State Warriors were that team in 2014, back when Stephen Curry was commonly referred to as Dell’s son. The Charlotte Hornets had that role three seasons ago, before Kemba Walker blossomed into an All-Star. Last year it was the Milwaukee Bucks. This year, I’m betting on the Sacramento Kings to be that team.
The Kings’ only all-star hasn’t been selected to the mid-season game since 2013. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2006. The trade that sent DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans in February of 2017 still has fans scratching their heads. Expectations may not be that high outside of the organization and its fans, but there are several reasons to reconsider.
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The Kings finished next to last in offensive efficiency last season. They weren’t much better on defense, allowing opponents to score 105.8 points a night. Not much has changed from the Kings in terms of player personnel, but keep in mind that the roster is extremely young.
The backcourt duo of De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield is a work in progress. With Hield entering his third season and Fox his second, expect better shot selection from both players. They often rely on speed and the ability to attack the basket. With last season’s experience under their belts, both players should show signs of improved decision making early in the season. Fox averaged just 4.4 assists per game last year. That number will need to improve steadily in order for him to be considered one of the league’s dependable point guards.
The coach at the helm can’t be overlooked if this transformation is going to take place in Sacramento. The Kings have struggled in Dave Joerger’s first two seasons as head coach, winning just 27 games last year. The franchise has been patient, but time could be running out. His previous head coaching tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies resulted in back-to-back 50 win seasons and three straight playoff appearances. He was brought to Sacramento for similar results. Knowing that, expect to see a sense of urgency on the sideline from the very beginning of the season.
The biggest wildcard in determining the success of the Kings will be center Willie Cauley-Stein. The former 2015 lottery pick has yet to have a breakout season. Last year was his best by far, averaging 12 points and seven rebounds per game. With his athletic ability and the fast-paced offense that the Kings will orchestrate, he should expect to score additional easy buckets in transition.
If anyone can motivate Cauley-Stein to take his game to the next level, it’s 17-year veteran Zach Randolph. Z-Bo can push the Kings’ center to help carry the load in the paint. He’ll be just as instrumental in the development of the backup power forward, rookie Marvin Bagley III. The arrival of the former Duke standout couldn’t have come at a better time for the Kings. With Randolph being 37-years-old, Bagley will have plenty of opportunity to play valuable minutes early in the season.
Marvin Bagley III isn’t the only young talent on the bench that can play a vital role for this organization in the future. There’s no rush on the productivity from guys like Yogi Ferrell, who has shown flashes of success so far in his career. The same can be said about Frank Mason III, who in his rookie season averaged 7.9 points per game and just shy of three assists a night, while only playing 18 minutes a game.
There’s no denying that the Kings have individual talent. The young core will remain competitive throughout the season and will certainly be exciting to watch. Still, they are a long way from returning to the cowbell ringing glory days of Chris Webber and Doug Christie.
There are a few things that must happen over the course of the next two seasons for Sacramento to take the leap necessary to end its playoff drought. De’Andre Fox needs to rise to All-Star status. I know it’s asking a lot, especially when guys like Chris Paul and Lou Williams were snubbed this past season. But Fox’s ability to ascend to that level means that he’s improved to the point where he can change the outcome of the game by more than just his scoring ability.
Secondly, the Kings must to solidify a replacement for Zach Randolph at the power forward spot. The plan is for Marvin Bagley to grow into that spot. But if for some reason he falls short of expectations or needs more time to develop, Sacramento needs to find an immediate fix. After all, this could very well be Randolph’s last season before he calls it quits.
The biggest obstacle for this team’s growth is the front office. The Kings have been blessed with lottery picks due to poor performance on the floor, but next year’s unprotected first round draft pick belongs to the Philadelphia 76ers. Let’s not forget that the Kings also traded Isaiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins during this rebuilding process that has been going on for over a decade. General Manager Vlade Divac and his front office must find a way to prevent history from repeating itself.
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It’s a lot for one team to overcome, but not impossible. We have witnessed the Warriors, Hornets and Bucks do the exact same thing. If the Sacramento Kings can put the past behind them, this season will be an exciting glimpse as to what the future holds for a franchise that desperately needs to turn things around.