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

Sacramento Kings trio (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
Sacramento Kings trio (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
2 of 4
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)

The case for the Los Angeles Lakers

Wouldn’t it be great to see the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings square off in the NBA Playoffs for old-time’s sake? I know it’s a matchup that I would love to see especially considering how many seem to be crowning the Lakers as of late. Los Angeles has quickly emerged as a team that many views as a dark horse contender in the Western Conference.

It would be great to see the Lakers try to back up their recent play in the postseason against the Kings. On one hand, if the Kings did end up facing the Lakers in the first round, the pressure would immediately fall off Sacramento in the series. It’s a matchup that the majority would expect the Lakers to win, for whatever reason, and Sacramento could rally around being the underdogs.

The Lakers aren’t as prolific on the offensive end as the Kings are but are one of the best defensive teams in the league since the NBA Trade Deadline. Of all the possible matchups in the first round, a potential Lakers-Kings would provide the most theater in my opinion.

Perhaps the Kings could even have the last laugh this time around.

Schedule