2. The Kings wouldn’t have many picks to trade in the summer
This season has shown more than anything that the Kings’ roster is incomplete. They need more size and defense, especially in the front court. The Kings still owe the Atlanta Hawks a top-14 protected first-round pick, however.
If they make the playoffs, that pick conveys and frees up the rest of the Kings’ picks for possible trades. If it doesn’t convey, the Kings’ options to move picks will be extremely limited. That would be a huge problem because the kind of players Sacramento still needs do not come cheap.
Not being able to significantly improve the roster might very well mean taking another step back next season, especially if Malik Monk leaves in free agency. Keegan Murray, Keon Ellis, and Davion Mitchell have all come a long way, but that’s simply not enough to compete in the West.
Other teams will just keep getting better. Playoff experience will only improve the Thunder, Timberwolves, and Pelicans. The Nuggets and Mavericks aren’t going anywhere. The Grizzlies will be back next season, and the Rockets and Spurs won’t want to be lottery teams for much longer.
So, the Kings cannot come back with the same roster for the third straight season. Sacramento’s starting five used to run the highest-scoring offense in history at that time, but it has since stalled out.