If the NBA regular season is indeed over, then the Sacramento Kings’ playoff dreams are smashed. But where would they be picking in the lottery?
There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Sacramento Kings, the NBA, and the entire world due to the developing health situation. Whether or not the 2019-’20 season will be resumed in any capacity has yet to be determined, and there is no definitive time table for any kind of decision.
But if NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the powers that be decide that the regular season is over, it would also mark the end of the Kings unlikely late-season playoff push. Sacramento had gone from the brink of what was essentially being eliminated, to being tied for the ninth seed and just 3.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the final playoff spot. On the night the season was suspended, the Kings were set to host the New Orleans Pelicans, who were one of the two teams tied with Sacramento.
If the order of the top of the 2020 Draft is indeed set, then the Kings would be involved in a coin flip situation. While there are technically three teams tied for that ninth seed, the Portland Trail Blazers actually have the upper hand. Or lower hand, depending on how you want to look at it.
All three teams (Kings, Blazers, Pelicans) are 3.5 games back of the Grizzlies, but Portland has played two more games than both Sacramento and New Orleans, and has one win and one loss more than each. Their winning percentage is one-thousandth of a point higher (.439) than the other two (.438). The Trail Blazers would be making the 14th and final pick of the lottery.
The Kings would flip a coin with the Pelicans to see who gets the 12th and 13th picks, respectively. There are a handful of interesting options that could be available at these spots (which we will get to in a future piece), and the Kings are in a position to have options with what to do with their pick.
If the season is not over, then this information is obviously subject to change. If the Kings do end up with the 12th pick or worse, it will be the lowest that they have drafted since 2008 when they selected Jason Thompson.