While some fans and pundits are mad that the Sacramento Kings can't seem to figure out if they're tanking or not, they appear to be working on something more important. The Kings are developing their culture, one of winning games with defense built on a healthy mix of youth and veterans.
Over the last 15 games, the Kings have arguably been playing their best basketball of the season. They've collected seven wins in that time, including a pair of back-to-back wins. When you look at how the rest of the season has gone for them, that's actually a pretty big deal.
The goal is a long-term culture-first process that puts a real foundation over short-term fixes that result in the same problems over and over. That means building a strong defensive identity. That means being resilient. That means maintaining a winning mentality at all times.
This has been on full display since the Kings finally snapped their 16-game winning streak. There's still a lot of work to do, but they've been winning more and playing better defense. What should be considered a good thing also seems to be causing some people to be rather critical of the plan.
The Kings are focused on the future
Not outright tanking has cost the Kings the best lottery odds of getting a high draft pick. Many pundits are criticizing this as they see the best way forward for Sacramento being getting a top-three player in a draft quite literally overflowing with talent. There are two things wrong with that.
First, being one of the worst three teams in the league gives you better odds of getting a top-three lottery pick. It doesn't guarantee it at all. And given the caliber of players in this upcoming draft, the 10th pick could easily yield a foundational talent who could change the game for the Kings.
Second, the draft is a short-term fix. The Kings are planning for the future, and draft picks can be a part of that. So is free agency. So are trades. Getting a top-three player doesn't mean he'll fit the program or will magically fix everything. Getting the right player will, regardless of how.
Sacramento seems to be choosing their long-term culture over intentionally losing for a chance at a lottery pick they might not even get. Focusing solely on this one draft as the only way forward is myopic at best. It's a good thing that the Kings are taking a broader view than that.