The Sacramento Kings were playing a tight game against the Knicks. Then, the fourth quarter came along, Jalen Brunson took over, and sent the Kings on their way with their sixth loss in a row. Sacramento didn't have an answer for him, and they also need a player like him.
At this point, the list of problems Sacramento has is enormous. There are a lot of important reasons this rebuild is necessary. One big issue the Kings will need to contend with is the fact that they don't have a true superstar to lead the team. They don't have a Jalen Brunson.
Before Brunson got to the Knicks and found his flow there, the Knicks were having a tough time. Julius Randle was the man, but he was having injury problems and never quite seemed to get into a rhythm. Honestly, Randle is doing a lot better in Minneapolis with the Timberwolves.
Brunson became the guy in New York. He can take over a game when it counts and deliver big wins. He just did that last night against the Kings in the fourth quarter, dropping 11 of his 28 points in a few minutes to hit Sacramento with another loss. The Kings just didn't have an answer for him.
Sacramento is going to need their own Jalen Brunson in this rebuild
Part of the problem was that the Kings gave him an opening when Doug Christie made dubious changes to their line on the court. It weakened Sacramento's defense, and Brunson took full advantage of the situation. He's not the kind of player you want to give an opportunity to.
As it stands right now, the Kings just do not have a player like him who can change the game. The closest person on the roster like that would be Zach LaVine, assuming he goes on a shooting heater. Realistically, that's unpredictable at absolute best, and isn't bankable.
There is potential for younger stars like Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell, and Nique Clifford to become that kind of player. But that's going to take time and development, something the Kings haven't always excelled at. Plus, they need a big-time player who is ready to lead now.
The trade deadline, free agency, and beyond will be huge for the Kings. Not only do they need to find their Brunson, but they also need to put together a team that can handle players like Brunson. It seems like a tall order, but it's also what Sacramento needs to do.