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Three Kings Named In Sports Illustrated’s Top 100 Players

By Anthony Cardenas

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 8: Harrison Barnes #40 and Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings high five during the game against the Miami Heat on February 8, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 8: Harrison Barnes #40 and Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings high five during the game against the Miami Heat on February 8, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Sports Illustrated released their rankings of the Top 100 NBA players this week and the Kings are somewhat well represented.

Last year when Sports Illustrated did their Top 100 NBA player rankings, there were exactly zero Sacramento Kings on the list. The team was coming off of yet another disappointing season, and the players that are currently rising in the ranks had yet to flourish.

But after a season that saw progression across the board in Sacramento, the list now includes three Kings, and could include even more next season.

Coming in at #72 was Harrison Barnes, who the Kings acquired mid-season and re-signed this summer. He is down 13 spots from his #59 ranking on last year’s list after seeing a small dip in production across the board. Team USA’s performance in the FIBA World Cup probably doesn’t do much for his reputation going forward, either.

Buddy Hield joins the list this year at #54, which is a great spot for a debut, yet seems a little low given Hield’s production last season and his fit in today’s NBA. He is coming off of a historic three-point shooting season and will look to expand on that this year.

Sports Illustrated throws a little jab at Hield in their description, finishing the paragraph with, “Now, about that defense…”, after praising his ability to attack opposing teams in the offensive end of the floor. It seems that his lack of defensive prowess is what is keeping him from being higher on the list.

The highest-rated King is the deserving De’Aaron Fox. Coming in at #33, he is sandwiched between CJ McCollum and Devin Booker, and ahead of guys like Jayson Tatum, Jamal Murray, and Victor Oladipo.

Fox has received praise league-wide both throughout last season as well as during this offseason. His peers know about the speed he plays with, and have said themselves that Fox has turned it to yet another gear for the upcoming year. His shooting as apparently improved as well, as it did in 2018-19.

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The Sacramento Kings are well represented on this year’s Sports Illustrated Top 100 Players List, and may have a couple of new members next year. Marvin Bagley is expected to progress and possibly even become a 20/10 guy, while Bogdan Bogdanovic is coming off of a wildly impressive showing in the FIBA World Cup. The progression will be exciting to watch.

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