As the Sacramento Kings gear up for another thrilling basketball season, it’s time to dive into some bold predictions. With the return of familiar faces and the addition of new talent, the Kings are poised for an exciting year. Let’s explore some mild, hot, and spicy takes on what we can expect from the team.
Mild Predictions: Steady Improvements
One of the more conservative predictions for the Kings this season is their potential improvement in free throw shooting. Last year, the Kings struggled at the line, finishing last in the NBA. With the addition of DeMar DeRozan, a career 84-85% free throw shooter, there’s optimism that the team can elevate their performance to at least average. If DeRozan’s numbers were factored into last season, the Kings would have jumped to 77%, tied for 19th in the league. This improvement could be crucial in tight games.
Another mild prediction is the Kings having three players averaging 20 points per game. De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and DeRozan are expected to lead the charge. While this might seem ambitious, the offensive capabilities of these players make it a plausible scenario.
Hot Takes: Rising Above the Competition
The Kings are set to be the best team in California, surpassing the Lakers, Warriors, and Clippers. With a strong roster and the potential for significant growth, the Kings are in a prime position to dominate their state rivals. The Warriors, in particular, might find themselves struggling to keep up, potentially fighting for a play-in spot.
Keegan Murray is another player to watch. The Kings will need him to get back to his rookie season shooting numbers, but how about even better than that? Four NBA players made 250 or more three-pointers last season; Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Luka Doncic & Dante DiVincenzo. Keegan Murray will reach that 250 threes threshold this season.
Spicy Predictions: Bold Moves and Big Wins
One of the spiciest predictions is the Kings sweeping the New Orleans Pelicans this season. With three matchups in a short span, the Kings have a chance to assert their dominance and exact revenge for losing six times to them last season. This bold prediction hinges on the Kings’ ability to stay healthy and show drastic improvement against longer, athletic teams that gave them trouble last year. Also, keep an eye out on the trade market. The Sacramento Kings may just be in the hunt for another all-star at the trade deadline.
For more insights and a deeper dive into these predictions, tune into the Locked On Kings podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Kings Podcast:
- The impact of DeMar DeRozan on the Kings’ offensive strategy
- Analyzing the Kings’ preseason performance and what it means for the regular season
- Potential trade scenarios and their implications for the team’s future
- A look at the Kings’ schedule and key matchups to watch
- Fan predictions and reactions to the upcoming season
