Despite finishing the regular season with an 8-17 record after the All-Star break (32-50 overall), Sacramento Kings fans enter the offseason with optimism for the future. The new arena shouldn’t expect to host its’ first postseason game for a couple seasons. However, the defense must show improvement to show fans the organization continues to head in the right direction.
The Kings trading Boogie Cousins opened up the frontcourt for their triumvirate of young bigs in Skal Labissiere, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Georgios Papagiannis with Skal reaping the extra time in particular.
Trade acquisition Buddy Hield settled in nicely in Cali’s capital showing folks that his role in the NBA is more than just spot-up shooting as he averaged 15.1 points per game with the Kings (10.6 overall) and was ranked 3rd overall in the category amongst his rookie counterparts (per ESPN).
Also, the finishing touch for this newfound energy will come on lottery night if the Kings manage to keep both their top-ten picks (97% chance they do) in a draft with deep talent pools at the wing and point guard positions, the biggest needs for the team.
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As the roster fills itself out this offseason, an emphasis on defense must be prevalent. The Kings surrendered 110.7 points per 100 possessions post All-Star break (27th in the league). Albeit this team trotted out a young squad that doesn’t have defensive stalwarts, but I saw Kings players get beat backdoor way too much for my liking. As this team matures, their focus on this side of the court must improve dramatically to compete in the near future.
The young bigs were putrid on the defensive glass as well. Opponents grabbed 11.3 offensive boards per 100 possessions (28th in the league). These missed boards led to 14.7 second-chance points allowed per game (27th in NBA). This frontline is inexperienced, but their collective size and athleticism should never allow a number that high.
The perimeter defense was nothing to gloat about either. The backcourt is undersized and had little success in keeping opponents out of the paint. Buddy Hield gives great effort on the ball but lacks the lateral quickness to stay in front of most NBA guards. Pairing Buddy with an athletic guard who prides himself on defense would allow Coach Dave Joerger to hide the Bahamian rookie on the weaker opponent; especially a coach who molded a perennial top-ten defense during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Coach Joerger is a defensive specialist who orchestrated the dominant Grizzlies’ defenses since the 2011 season. Granted he had a defensive player of the year in Marc Gasol among other defensive gems, but Coach has another big man to build a defensive unit around in Cauley-Stein.
Trill has everything needed to be a defensive anchor in the modern NBA: size (7’0”), length (7’3” wingspan), lateral quickness, and a whole heap of bounce. All of his tools come together in spurts that envision him making a couple of NBA Defensive teams down the road.
Must Read: Report Card: Skal Labissiere
Another offseason with Coach Joerger teaching Cauley-Stein and his teammates how to defend at the NBA level should pay dividends next season. Trill and Skal are quick enough to allow Coach to switch all screens without sacrificing rim protection with one of them roaming the paint; something vital in today’s league. If the front office can bring in a wing defender or two, the Kings could be in a position to contend for the playoffs sooner than what people think.