As Western Conference powers up, the Kings could be left in the dust next season
The Sacramento Kings are 13th in the Western Conference standings with a record of 21-33. They’re seven games out of the playoffs with only 28 left to play. The Kings would have to leapfrog five teams in order to change their fate.
Let’s call a spade a spade. That’s a wrap on this season.
Disappointment, failure, disaster, nightmare – any number of negative terms could be used to describe what is happening in Sacramento. But there’s something that Kings fans should be even more worried about.
Next year could be even worse.
THE BOTTOM OF THE WEST IS RISING
An aggressive move at the trade deadline and the impending return of several superstars could lift the only two teams worse than the Kings.
The Golden State Warriors are dead last in the conference, but it’s no secret that their losing ways won’t last. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson have combined to play just four games this season. They are expected to be back at full health next year, adding two All-NBA players to the roster.
The Warriors also have the best odds at the top pick in the NBA Draft. So add to that the best college player or whatever veteran upgrade the team might acquire in exchange for the pick. There’s no question the Warriors are headed back to the playoffs next season.
The other team is the Minnesota Timberwolves. They just landed their man by adding an All-Star point guard, D’Angelo Russell, through a trade on deadline day. Minnesota also managed to keep its first round pick in the upcoming draft.
When the Kings are looking for teams they can feel confident in finishing ahead of next season, they’ll have to look up in the standings.
THE TOP IS STILL AS STRONG AS EVER
Obviously both teams from Los Angeles are fine. The Lakers and the Clippers are going to be elite for a while. One of those teams will probably win a championship this year, next year or both.
The Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz are deep with talent and well established near the top of the West. No one in their right mind thinks Sacramento can approach the success of either franchise anytime soon.
The Houston Rockets have James Harden and the Dallas Mavericks have Luka Doncic. With those MVP candidates leading their squads, it’s best to scratch them off the list as well.
That’s six teams, plus the resurgent Warriors, that will be in a different stratosphere than the Kings for the foreseeable future.
THE BEST OF THE REST
Neither the Oklahoma City Thunder nor the Portland Trail Blazers are a complete lock for the playoffs next season, but the odds are decent one of them will take the final spot. Both have All-Stars running their offense and strong coaching staffs with plenty of experience.
The Thunder and the Trail Blazers have made the playoffs nine times a piece since 2009. Maybe they fall off in a few years, but for now the Kings should look for different teams to overtake.
It wasn’t long ago the Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans felt similar to the Kings. They all had big-time prospects, but only time would tell which young players would break out. But it seems as though Sacramento’s growth has lagged behind both.
Brandon Ingram is an All-Star after a huge breakout in the Big Easy and Zion Williamson is the fastest-rising star in the sport. Ja Morant is on track to win Rookie of the Year as he and Jaren Jackson Jr. lead Memphis on an incredible run to the playoffs this season.
Finally, there are the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns. Both currently reside just a few spots above the Kings in the standings this year. This is where there could be a glimpse of hope.
WHO COULD THE KINGS OVERTAKE?
Only three teams in the West look to be remotely on the same level as the Kings: Minnesota, Phoenix and San Antonio.
The Timberwolves now have Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns as their young duo of stars, while Phoenix has Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. Both pairs have a head start on De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley.
Part of the problem is Bagley can’t get on the court, as injuries have sidelined him much of this season. But the other concern is that the Kings simply don’t have many other young players. The Suns and the Timberwolves both have 11 players under 25 years old on their rosters. The Kings have only five, and of that group only Fox and Bagley get regular playing time. Odds are Phoenix and Minnesota grow more quickly than Sacramento.
The best bet to finish below the Kings next season is San Antonio. There is a chance the Spurs hit the reset button and let some of their established veteran players walk. But even then it’s hard to bet against a team coached by Gregg Popovich.
It’s going to be an uphill battle for the Kings to finish anywhere but the bottom of the Western Conference. Unless there’s a major roster overhaul, the team deserves to be projected even lower next season than this year.
Things are hard in Sacramento right now. And as tough as the present is, the future of the Kings might be even tougher.