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What do we want to see out of the Kings over the last ten games?

By Tony Xypteras

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"Royal Roundtable’ is a new feature we’re trying out here at A Royal Pain. You can read the pilot episode on Rajon Rondo right here. Each week, we’ll throw out a topic to the writing staff, and see where the conversation goes from there. This week’s topic is ‘What do you want to see over the last ten games’. Thanks for reading."

Tony Xypteras (@TonyXypteras): It looks like the Sacramento Kings are starting to turn a corner right now. It may not be THE corner, but you cannot deny the improvement we’ve seen over the past week or so. They aren’t there yet, but they are making progress towards something, which is more than you could have said at any point after Michael Malone was fired.

The Kings have just ten games remaining this season. What would you like to see? Continued improved play? Or should they start manipulating game results (polite way to say tanking) to gain the best draft lottery position possible?

Kareem Gantt (@kganttwrites): I don’t think the Kings should be tanking games. Sacramento was long out of the playoff hunt when George Karl arrived, but I think we are now starting to see the fruits of his labor pay off. I am really excited to see just how much Derrick Williams has responded. He is really taking off in Karl’s system, and now he has developed into a great sixth man. Hopefully he can continue his upward trajectory next season.

Kyle Robert (@notoriouskro): As much as I have been enjoying the wins as of late, I would not be distraught if we didn’t win another game this season. Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins look like a few extra days of rest would serve them well.

I would love to see Nik Stauskas get 30ish minutes. Let him start with Ben McLemore and Omri Casspi. I’d like to see Ray McCallum continue to play and play well. Lets see what the future could look like.

Tony Xypteras (@TonyXypteras):I don’t know how much momentum can carry from the end of one season to the beginning of another, but if these wins have any impact on next season I think they are worth going after.

The Kings need three wins to surpass last seasons 28 win total. I think that should be a pretty easy mark to pass. Reaching 30 wins for the first time since 2008 would be nice.

I have no problem with the Kings shutting down DeMarcus Cousins and/or Rudy Gay. If they happen to lose a majority of their games without those two than so be it. I don’t think I would do it, but I can understand the thought process.

Like Kyle, I would love to see Nik Stauskas play as many minutes as he can handle. And the same goes for Derrick Williams and Omri Casspi. I’m still completely on the fence in regards to bringing Williams back next season. The longer he shows his value the better his chances get, and more minutes means a smarter evaluation of his spot on this team next summer.

I’ve already made up my mind on Casspi. I want him back next season, but as I said with Williams, more minutes results in a smarter evaluation of his capabilities.

I’d also like to see David Wear steal some minutes away from Reggie Evans. I’m a big fan of what Evans brings to the team as a ‘end of the bench’ reserve, but I think the Kings should use his minutes on a young player. Maybe that’s Wear, maybe they bring up Sim Bhullar, but I’d like to see something different there.

Kareem Gantt

We already know McLemore will be back, and to a lesser extent, Derrick Williams (although don’t be surprised if he is used as trade bait). So let’s see what Sauce Castillo has in store for us. Let’s see if Ray Mac can be a legitimate starter. Let’s see if Jason Thompson can stop being a bust. All of this can be answered if Boogie and Gay are shut down for the rest of the year.

Kyle Robert

Kareem Gantt (@kganttwrites): I’m on the Williams train right now, but I agree, I would be shocked if the Kings pick up his offer. But I would love to see the front office re-work his deal, because he could be a stud in Karl’s system. 

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