Another year is in the books where the Sacramento Kings’ historic postseason drought continues on. Sixteen consecutive seasons filled with agony, pain, dysfunction, instability, and so much more for Kings fans to endure.
After jumping up in the lottery, resulting in owning the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, could a light finally be appearing at the end of the tunnel for Sacramento?
De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis represent hope for the Kings, forming a dynamic inside-out duo after the latter was acquired in a blockbuster trade sending promising young guard Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers. If the Kings strike gold in the draft, is it possible an enticing trio could emerge? It’s totally possible, especially with how strong this draft class is up top.
The Kings have been one of the most snakebitten franchises in NBA history since the turn of the millennium. Almost two decades later, a golden opportunity is presenting itself to finally escape.
Other Offseason Snapshots: DET I HOU I OKC I ORL
2021-22 record: 30-52, missed playoffs
Players under contract: De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Harrison Barnes, Richaun Holmes, Justin Holiday, Davion Mitchell, Maurice Harkless, Terence Davis, Alex Len, Trey Lyles (team option), Jahmi’us Ramsey (non-guaranteed), Robert Woodard II (non-guaranteed)
Impending free agents: Donte DiVincenzo (restricted), Jeremy Lamb, Josh Jackson, Damian Jones
Draft picks: No. 4, No. 37, No. 49
One thing the Kings should do this offseason: Don’t overthink drafting Jaden Ivey at No. 4
Sacramento has he chance to vault itself into a completely different tier of its rebuild if by getting this next draft pick correct. The top three of the draft is already locked in, according to multiple reports: Jabari Smith Jr. (Auburn), Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga), Paolo Banchero (Duke). Sacramento holds all the cards at No. 4 overall if they want to draft the best player available or trade the pick for a king’s ransom.
The Kings need to add as much game-changing talent as possible to become a serious threat in the Western Conference eventually. Although the fit alongside Fox could be tricky at first, Sacramento should have no qualms about selecting explosive Purdue combo guard Jaden Ivey. Instantly, Fox and Ivey create one of the most dangerous backcourts in the Association, plus Sabonis’ unique passing ability is a great outlet to set it all up.
If all works out with Ivey, who I think is a franchise-changing prospect, the Kings have all the ingredients in place to finally compete for a play-in spot next season.
One thing the Kings should not do this offseason: Succumb to postseason pressure
There’s no denying the pressure is being applied directly on the Kings’ front office from ownership. Even rumblings have persisted in league circles about a playoff mandate being put into place for Sacramento in 2022-23. If so, that’s blasphemous to expect a massive change overnight for this roster. Not only is Sacramento’s roster still on the youthful side, but Fox and Sabonis are the only real impact players right now. Maybe that changes in the draft, but Kings ownership is getting very antsy.
Don’t be shocked if the Kings make a “Kangz” type of move with the No. 4 pick, if indeed jobs are on the line this upcoming season. Could the Kings get desperate enough to trade a top-five pick for a proven commodity like Donovan Mitchell?
Offseason Breakdown
Lots of boxes still need to be checked off for the Kings as they enter another important offseason, but there’s no denying progress has been made in the past year. Losing Haliburton was tough, but Sabonis proved to be an excellent fit right away with Fox. Also, if the Kings can hit a grand slam via the draft, who knows how high their ceiling could eventually get.
For years, Sacramento has been shown to be the NBA’s laughingstock organization. The Phoenix Suns were once alongside them, but quickly moved up the rankings after a few pieces fell perfectly into place. Could deja vu be occurring this time around in favor of the Kings?
We will find out a lot about how Sacramento operates this summer by how they maneuver around on draft night. Once that domino falls, Sacramento’s offseason intentions will finally be known.
