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Who should the Sacramento Kings want to play in the 1st round of the NBA Playoffs?

By Michael Saenz

Sacramento Kings trio (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
Sacramento Kings trio (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) /
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As the 2023 NBA Playoffs inch closer and closer, we explore who the Sacramento Kings should want to play in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

The Sacramento Kings are more than just one of the best stories in the NBA this season. They’re heading into the NBA Playoffs as the third seed in the Western Conference after snapping a 16-year drought. And while many are overlooking the Kings as a legit threat to make a deep run in the West, there’s no question that Sacramento will be one of the more intriguing storylines to follow once the playoffs officially start.

The Kings’ offense is so good (the best offensive rating in the league) that they have the seventh-best net rating despite having the sixth-worst defensive net rating. If nothing else, the Kings will be a great experiment heading into the postseason. Either way, the Kings are playing with house money this season. This year is already a success for the franchise.

So, heading into the postseason, who should the Kings want to face in the first round of the NBA Playoffs? With their playoff opponent yet to be set, we explore the four teams that they could face and decide who they should want to play in the first round.

The case for the New Orleans Pelicans

The Kings are 2-1 against the Pelicans this season but there is an outside chance that Zion Williamson could be back by the time the NBA Playoffs roll around. If nothing else, he’ll be another dynamic player that the Kings would have to worry about.

What the Kings would have to favor in a potential matchup with the Pelicans is the fact that they don’t have a great offense. And if the Kings are going to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs, they’re going to have to perform at a higher level defensively.

At least on paper, depending on how both teams have performed this season, the Pelicans seem like the best possible first-round playoff matchup for the Kings. But, of course, it’s probably one of the least likely outcomes.