The Kings broke an ignominious NBA record last season, missing out on the postseason for the 16th consecutive year. However, things appear to be a bit brighter heading into 2022/23.
Here’s a quick rundown of the team’s current roster:
Returning:
- Backcourt: De’Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell, Terence Davis
- Wings: Harrison Barnes
- Frontcourt: Domantas Sabonis, Richaun Holmes, Alex Len, Trey Lyles, Chimezie Metu, Neemias Queta (two-way)
Additions:
- Keegan Murray: No. 4 overall pick.
- Malik Monk: Two-year, $19.42MM contract as a free agent.
- Kevin Huerter: Trade with Hawks.
- Matthew Dellavedova: Non-guaranteed deal as a free agent (becomes partially guaranteed for $250K if he’s on the opening night roster).
- Chima Moneke: Partially guaranteed deal ($250K, increases to $500K if he’s on the opening night roster) as a free agent.
- Sam Merrill: Partially guaranteed deal ($150K) as a free agent.
- Keon Ellis: Undrafted rookie on a two-way contract.
- Reported but not yet official: Kent Bazemore; Quinn Cook; KZ Okpala; Jeriah Horne (Exhibit 10?)
Out (or likely out):
- Donte DiVincenzo: Wasn’t extended a qualifying offer, signed with Warriors as a free agent.
- Justin Holiday: Traded to Hawks.
- Maurice Harkless: Traded to Hawks.
- Damian Jones: Signed with Lakers as a free agent.
- Jeremy Lamb: Free agent.
- Josh Jackson: Free agent.
With a projected starting lineup of Fox, Huerter/Monk, Murray, Barnes and Sabonis, the Kings have an interesting blend of youth, speed, shooting and athleticism. A reserve squad featuring Mitchell, Huerter/Monk, Metu/Lyles and Holmes looks pretty solid on paper as well, though the roster is a little thin on wing depth and interior size/rim protection.
A full offseason should help Fox and Sabonis, the two offensive hubs, create an even more potent rhythm together. Sabonis was acquired ahead of the trade deadline in February, and Fox thrived after the deal, averaging 28.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.8 APG and 1.0 SPG on .503/.380/.766 shooting in 16 games (38.5 MPG), but the team still struggled.
The main question I have about Sacramento entering next season is the defense, because while Huerter and Monk are both strong (albeit streaky) shooters, neither is a great defender, nor are Fox and Sabonis. Losing DiVincenzo, a stout defender, without even extending a qualifying offer was a bit of a head-scratcher.
Of course, one of the team’s biggest offseason moves was hiring Mike Brown as head coach, a defensive-minded tactician, but it’s fair to question how much he’ll revamp the team’s defense given the lack of quality defenders up and down the roster. Buy-in is great and all, but defense isn’t purely about effort, it requires skill, aptitude and awareness as well.
Much of the Kings’ success might hinge upon the play of Murray, who got off to an encouraging NBA start after being named Las Vegas Summer League MVP, but unfortunately suffered a right wrist injury that required surgery shortly thereafter. However, a league source tells James Ham of ESPN 1320 and The Kings Beat (Twitter link) that Murray is progressing well in his recovery and is shooting again with both hands.
The West is stacked with talented teams, so even reaching the play-in tournament will be difficult. The Warriors, Suns, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Clippers, Nuggets, Timberwolves and Pelicans all look strong, and the Lakers and Blazers are looking to bounce back from disappointing seasons.
We want to know what you think. Will the Kings finally snap their postseason drought? Is the play-in tournament a more realistic goal? Could Murray be the difference-maker the team has long been looking for? Head to the comments section to weigh in on Sacramento’s prospects for the upcoming season.
Nah they still have too many issues to compete in the west. Fox and Sabonis are great offensively but this team did not address defense and they will get beat most nights.
They are likely to win more games than title contender Lakers.
when a team is better than Title Contender, they are championship team.
They can also trade Fox and 3 firsts for an all star like Jaylen Brown
Have to disagree.
Lakers are only considered a title contender because they have LeBron and AD, and won the title two years ago. Don’t get me wrong, if LeBron and AD stay healthy and the Lakers put it together defensively, they could very well win the title. But the Kings’ ceiling just isn’t that high, while the Lakers’ floor is about 35 wins and their ceiling something like 55. The Kings are likely to surpass 35 wins, but the current roster just isn’t good enough to win a championship. Even if they traded Fox for Brown, they just don’t stack up against the league’s best.
Top 8 teams in the west in no particular order:
1. Denver
2. Memphis
3. Golden State
4. Minnesota
5. Clippers
6. Suns
7. Dallas
8. Pelicans
After that it’s hard to say. Utah is at a turning point depending on if they keep Mitchell or not, if he stays along with the vets they have enough to make the play-in. Does A.D. play enough to get the Lakers in? Can Dame and Grant carry the Blazers in? Is OKC ready to try to actually win some games? I think Houston spends one more year in the tank and San Antonio will be as awful as Pops allows them to be. So yeah Sacramento has shot at a play-in but that’s it.
Amen
Depends on what they get for Fox when it comes to the play in. He is clearly out the door.
A reliable offense will make your defense better on looks alone. A high powered one like this team has the potential for and what you will get is the phrase “they play good team defense”
Don’t be surprised when Merrill takes over the point at some point during the season.
Lol, N O T Happenning !! Mitchell is Not a Good Replacement and there is no one else on this team to run the Point. Merrill ?? Been bouncing around in the G League !!
Coach will get paid about $180k per win
I like the kings improvement and realistically I think there a chance at the play in but this is probably the ceiling for this team. There just isn’t any defence and this team is so hell bent on trying to win now they messed up there chance at a rebuild.
They should’ve kept Tyrese Haliburton and traded DeAaron Fox, and instead of adding another offensive minded player in Sabonis they should’ve gone for someone who could make an impact at both ends.
Just for an example let’s say they kept Heild and did Fox for Turner plus a pick.
Still did the Hueter deal and instead of adding Malik Monk got say Jae’Sean Tate.
They be starting the season with
Halliburton Hueter Barnes Murray Turner off the bench Mitchell Heild Tate Lyles and Holmes.
That would be a lot more promising moving forward. The team would be more well rounded and fit better, everyone would have clear roles to play and you’d actually probably have more success.
As I said above currently constructed at best they make the play in but I’d be looking at offers on Fox and Barnes
Pacers dont searched bad deals. Fox was not of the table. Hali or nothing. That was the situation. I mean we are trading for a 2* All Star for Hali and Indiana sended us a secondrounder. You see, McNair know the value from Hali.
The move was ok. Hali will be a good player (All NBA mabye) but not the level how Harden, Paul or Curry.
Please learn some better grammar
He’s not a native English speaker man, smh.
Your spelling and grammar also leaves a lot to be desired and you’ve no excuse.
The same thing happens to Sillivan. It’s obvious he is speaking a second language yet everyone makes fun of him.
Odd behavior.
Yeah but Curtis we ride Sillivan mostly because of his odd basketball takes. We love him and he gives us plenty of great posts but we’ll ride him too. The grammar part is sort of endearing to me actually.
How was anyone to know that?
As for myself never said I was perfect, also I’m from New Zealand so English and spelling is a lot different to USA.
Even if I was trying to be nice I have no idea what Pacers don’t searched bad deals means. After that I’m guessing when he says, wasn’t of the table means to say on. Then again guessing Hali, is Haliburton.
But If I don’t don’t understand what your saying in your first three lines when responding back to me then I’m going to say please try do better. Just as if it was in person and I didn’t understand what you said I’d ask you to repeat yourself.
The Kings are always too impatient to build a contending team. They’re forever trying to cut corners. Trading Haliburton was foolish – Kings foolish. Making Brown the coach was probably a good move, but unless he has players who will make the sacrifices (and have the talent) to play solid defense, it’s not enough.
Completely agree.
You have right with me. I understand and speak english but my grammar is bad.
I would like speak about Fox or Hali trade
I mean Fox have a low trade value and if you are maximize the team is Sabonis the right big men with his passing skills.
Indiane searching the rebuild. And then is Fox dont intresting
I agree with you on this post.
Look for Queta to be a factor this year, He has a lot of upside and can protect the rim. One of his strongest suits is his passing ability.
Thanks for the Queta part.Heisour best ring protector with good footwork in the zone. But he must working on his rebounding skills and foul troubles.
Sacramento is a team that’s not particularly deep, has no truly intriguing prospects outside of Murray, and is “built” around two players who have basically peaked as borderline All Stars.
This is a genuinely bad roster. And the icing on the cake is, as stated in the article, the lack of defense here.
Even a talent-poor team like NY two years ago was able to squeak by with just really solid team D. Almost impossible to imagine that happening with Fox and Sabonis logging major minutes.
C’mon man, you can’t act like Mitchell is a washed up bum lol Monk & Huerter are only 24 and growing as basketball players also
In todays NBA. You should always have a rim protector. They are easier to find. Even if they just play 20 mins a gm.
Mike Brown should help their team D. And I like their backcourt. Time for Fox to play like an all star. Huerter is a solid SG and good mix with Fox imo. Monk, Mitchell, Davis is solid very good depth.
Murray is a big time pick. He looks in better shape than in college. He’s got a big time future at SF. I think eventually they will move Barnes. I see them challenging for the playoffs.
I would go an sign Whiteside. I believe he’s a FA still. Was originally drafted by Kings.
I think Monte’s made some high level moves, and the roster is pretty solid right now. Although still missing 2 or 3 quality defenders. They will be good enough to battle Lakers and Blazers for 9th and 10th, but actually getting in the playoffs might be a different story…