Overview of their 2021-2022 season
The Sacramento Kings had a couple of fun moments last season: the Harrison Barnes game-winner versus the Phoenix Suns, this De’Aaron Fox poster, the flashes of Davion Mitchell’s brilliance, and the midseason trade that got them Domantas Sabonis.
With that said, the Kings won only 30 games as they went cold, then hot, then cold again towards yet another early offseason. It’s been 16 seasons since the Kings last made the playoffs–the longest playoff drought ever in the league. The Kings are playoff-thirsty, they have been for quite awhile. But after three coaching changes in three years and a couple of savvy roster moves, it’s looking better for Sacramento.
What’s new this season?
The Kings have new weapons this season to complement the young talent of Fox and Mitchell. They stocked up in ammo by picking up Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk, who are two gunners who will try to make up for what the Kings lost from Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton.
The addition of Sabonis in the bottom half of last season definitely looked promising, and now he’s got more time to settle in his new office. The Kings also have a new coach in Mike Brown, a familiar name who’s also familiar with winning. If and when he gets to establish a winning culture in Sacramento, this team with a five of Fox, Huerter, Barnes, Sabonis, and rookie Keegan Murray will be very fun to watch.
Plus, they got Monk, Alex Len, and Richaun Holmes ready to create havoc off the bench.
THE Guy
Fox certainly acts like he’s THE guy in Sacramento. But Barnes will always be taking the last shot for the Kings. But…Sabonis is the two-time All-Star who will lead to Kings perhaps farther than they’ve ever been in the last decade. With the right pieces around him, Sabonis will be the key to getting Sacramento over the huge hump. Fox can get all the highlights, Barnes will be clutch, but Sabonis will deliver the much-needed Ws.
Sneaky fun get
The Keegan Murray draft pick will be interesting to watch, but snatching Kevin Huerter from the Atlanta Hawks is the sneaky fun get. The Kings gave up Justin Holiday, Maurice Harkless, and a 2024 first-round pick to get Red Velvet, so expect him to get a whole lot of touches on offense.
Vibe check
At this point, a legit shot at the play-in tournament is what the Kings are aiming for, and that’s progress from how they’ve been performing in the last couple of years. Things are looking steady now, they got a former Coach of the Year in Brown, a two-time All-Star in Sabonis, and a healthy mix of talent.
The Kings aren’t a top 8 team in the West just yet, but–on paper–they’re already looking better than San Antonio, Houston, Oklahoma City, and Utah. That should be good enough for now.
