After a stunning season in 2018-19 that saw the Sacramento Kings surprise everyone, what do the Kings need to do to make it to the next level?
As you’ve likely heard a thousand times already: the Sacramento Kings were surprisingly good this season. So good, in fact, that they’ve managed to change their perception from perennial laughing-stock to sleeper darlings with a chance to make a Denver Nuggets-esque jump next season.
So, what do they need to do this offseason to make that jump? A lot.
That’s probably not what Sacramento Kings fans want to hear, but let’s be honest — this team isn’t going to make the playoffs as currently constructed, though it may not take much to become just a playoff team.
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First and foremost, they’re going to need some help behind De’Aaron Fox. Yogi Ferrell and Frank Mason III proved last season they’re not going to cut it, which means the Sacramento Kings need to hunt in free agency. Luckily for them, the likes of Patrick Beverley, Corey Joseph, Darren Collison and Isaiah Thomas
will be free agents, giving them options on the market.
Perhaps more importantly though, the Sacramento Kings need to address their front court. Marvin Bagley III was sensational for the Kings in his rookie season, but Harry Giles showed he still needs some time, while Willie Cauley-Stein was far too inconsistent, as was Nemanja Bjelica the second-half of the season. There’s rumors linking the Kings to Nikola Vucevic and DeAndre Jordan floating around, though it remains to be seen just how serious the Kings are in addressing their front court. Regardless, something must be done — standing pat is not an option.
Free agency will be touched on much more in-depth in the coming weeks, but rebounding and backup point guard play were two things that sunk the Kings last season and two things the Kings have to address this summer or else they can kiss the playoffs goodbye.
As for the draft, the plan there is simple: draft Admiral Schofield good players. Of course, that’s easier said than done and not having a first round pick will make that task that much more difficult, but it is possible. Drafting so late, however, means the Kings should avoid drafting based on team-needs like they’ve done the last few seasons, and instead draft the best available player. Before March Madness, A Royal Pain detailed eight players the Sacramento Kings could look to draft — several of which would fill a need.
Lastly, the Sacramento Kings need clarity. After a major house cleaning once the season ended, the Kings axed a plethora of staff — including Head Coach Dave Joerger, before hiring Luke Walton as his replacement. Walton, meanwhile, has become embroiled in a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct from when Walton was with the Golden State Warriors, further clouding both his future and that of the organization. The Kings and the NBA have since launched a joint investigation into Luke Walton, though that’s not expected to be completed for months.
The Kings have limited options at this point in regards to their coaching staff, but can still make offseason moves with General Manager Vlade Divac at the helm, moves — if done right — can help propel the Sacramento Kings to the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.