Sacramento Kings
The Kings had an opportunity to be one of the play-in teams but like the Pelicans failed to capitalize on an easy strength of schedule which was the third easiest with a cumulative opponent win total of 272.
Factor in the games they won came against the Pelicans (twice) and the very end of the Lakers bench.
De’Aaron Fox still demonstrates star potential but losing Marvin Bagley yet again opens up the whole ‘why didn’t you pick Luka Doncic?’ narrative. Bagley is a solid young star but injury has kept him off the court far too often in his brief career.
This Kings’ crew who thought they could follow up the previous campaign with a playoff appearance this year didn’t come particularly close. Harmony on the club is also up for debate. Buddy Hield wasn’t happy with the contract extension discussions though he eventually acquiesced only to find himself relegated to a bench role.
Moving to the offseason the team has plenty of contracts to address with Joe Dumars replacing Vlade Divac as GM he’ll be thrown in the fire immediately.
First, a decision on Nemanja Bjelica must be made. Although he signed a three-year deal with the club they can waive him (by October 17th).
And, the Kings might be forced to waive Bjelica just so they can address re-signing Bogdan Bogdanovic. Sacramento holds his rights but he isn’t a player they want to lose or be put in a position where he only accepts a one-year qualifying offer and enters the next offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
Dumars will also have to deal with restricted free agent Da’Quan Jeffries who performed well in the bubble and five unrestricted free agents with Kent Bazemore and Harry Giles III being the most pressing.
Seeding Game Results:
Spurs 129 – Kings 120
Magic 132 – Kings 116
Mavericks 114 – Kings 110
Kings 140 – Pelicans 125
Nets 119 – Kings 106
Rockets 129 – Kings 112
Kings 112 – Pelicans 106
Kings 137 – Lakers 122