8. Sacramento Kings
After being the biggest surprise in the NBA last season, finishing as the 3-seed in the Western Conference, the Sacramento Kings are still somewhat disrespected. The Kings were projected to finish 7th in the West in ESPN’s win projections and when discussing potential contenders in the West, the Kings are nowhere to be mentioned. I can’t imagine last season was an aberration and this young team is only getting better.
De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are likely going to be better than last season. Even if they remain at the same level they were a year ago, they both played like All-Stars. Sacramento re-signed Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray will be better. It’s hard not to look at the Kings as a team that could once again emerge as a dark horse threat to win the West.
Should the Kings be the favorites to win the West heading into the start of the season? No. But at the same time, I don’t think it’s fair to simply say they are at best a Play-In Tournament team. That’s wildly disrespectful to such a talented group of players.