The Sacramento Kings Will Finally Break Their Playoff Drought This Season
On Tuesday night, the Sacramento Kings took advantage their rare appearance on national television as they slaughtered the Brooklyn Nets 153–121. Despite all of the dysfunction that surrounds the Nets this season, this was a statement win to the world that Kings basketball could potentially have a sunny season for the first time in almost two decades.
As of today, the Sacramento Kings are currently on a five game win streak with a 8–6 record, sitting at the 8th seed in the Western conference. The Kings are averaging the second most points per game of all 30 teams with 120.3 points per game while opponents are averaging 116.6 points per game against them, the fifth worst in the league. The Kings currently sit at the 12th spot in Bleacher Report’s latest power rankings, higher than the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Golden State Warriors.
The organization has made some big additions over the past couple of years, the biggest one being the trade that sent young guard Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for all-star big man Domantas Sabonis around the 2022 trade deadline. During the latest offseason, the team was able to reel in a number of offensive-minded players such as Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk, as well as drafting college standout forward Keegan Murray with the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Recently on retired NBA player JJ Redick’s podcast “The Old Man And The Three,” former Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton called the organization out for “having no culture or structure.” The culture or structure of a team is heavily dependant on the head coach of the team. The Kings decided to hire Golden State Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown as their head coach, someone with a championship pedigree and with a strong sense of knowledge when it comes to basketball and a team. The presence of Mike Brown can already be felt as the Kings’ offensive identity has been very consistent and strong throughout the first 14 games.
If there’s any yer where the Sacramento Kings can finally break that long lasting playoff drought, this feels like the year. They have beaten very good teams through the play of their strong offense and their togetherness is looking stronger than ever. If all of the core players stay healthy and the team continues to build chemistry, the 17-year playoff drought will be over come April.
