Matt George here, the host of the daily Locked On Kings podcast, with your daily Locked On Kings newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Kings and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Some Mild, Hot & Spicy Sacramento Kings Season Predictions
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
Oct 17, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) runs down the court after scoring against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images
As a Canadian, I only really think of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s nationality when I see that he’s spending time here in the summers – I mean this as a positive. The Olympics were a patriotic anomaly (that unfortunately flamed out), but the fact of where he’s from is not relevant to his player and star profile, because Gilgeous-Alexander has made himself universal.
This is a rarity for all NBA athletes, think of the handful of transcendent and globally embraced stars: Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant. It’s even rarer, ironically, for international players, who seem to have to shake the gravity of where they’re from to be embraced as bonafide stars (I was going to make a comment about American imperialism, but this is only our second newsletter).
Steve Nash is the last Canadian athlete who comes to mind, for his recognition but also his unique skillset, individual style and how, reacting to match and adjust to him, the game necessarily shifted. That’s another trait of the universal star: they bring lasting changes to the way basketball is played.
I think of the way Gilgeous-Alexander works the floor, like his personal metronome is three beats ahead. He’ll drive to the basket only to pirouette out from under the rim, fake a wide side-step to lose his defenders, then slide back for an underhanded feathery lob up and in. He knows which way everyone is going and for a few rare seconds, watching him, you too feel like you’ve been granted the gift of basketball foresight. He’s crafty, quick, and the bane of rival team scouting staff for his off-balancing ball handling and smooth-but-juddery footwork. Like a magnet, defenders get drawn to him, defensive schemes go out the window, he upends calculable order.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Preview
There will be plenty of points this year for the Kings, but who’s making the stops? According to Stadium Rant, Keegan Murray is the team’s X-factor, especially on defense. (Stadium Rant)
Odds
Looks like Vegas isn’t as excited about the Kings as we are. ESPN Bet thinks the team will win fewer than 48 games this season.
Contract
Kevin Pelton of ESPN+ looks at some of the biggest rookie-extension deadline deals from yesterday (plus Aaron Gordon), analyzing the salary structure and impact for each team’s future cap flexibility.
Preview
Ready, set, chaos. Shaun Powell of NBA.com gives us 10 clues for what he says is a truly unpredictable season. Some intriguing storylines for the coming season include an array of comebacks (Lonzo Ball and Ja Morant, among others), the unheralded rookie class, burgeoning NBA rivalries, and much more.
Analysis
Leonard Solms writes for ESPN about Godwin Owinje, an NBA scout working to broaden the Africa-NBA pipeline, and how the continent will play a major role in the league’s next era.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Week One: Navigating Waiver Wire and Schedule Strategies
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) reacts in the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
|Photo by Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
As we dive into the first week of fantasy basketball, it’s crucial to approach the waiver wire with a strategic mindset. The initial week often sees a flurry of activity, with managers eager to make moves based on early performances. However, it’s important to remember that the best waiver wire pickups often emerge from the worst drops. This week, there might be a player or two who unexpectedly rises to prominence, but it’s essential not to hastily drop proven performers after a single poor game.
Strategic Streaming and Schedule Insights
Streaming can be a valuable strategy, but in week one, it’s less critical. I’m comfortable taking a loss early on if it means avoiding rash decisions. Many managers will panic over injuries or subpar performances, leading to valuable players being dropped. This is where patience pays off. If a player like Isaiah Hartenstein is dropped due to a minor injury or a bad game, consider adding them to your roster.
Understanding Quality Games
Understanding the concept of quality games is vital. These are games played on days with fewer than ten matchups, allowing you to maximize your roster’s output. This week, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday are quality game days. Teams like Boston, Minnesota, and Oklahoma City play on two of these days, making their players valuable streaming options.
Conversely, teams like Charlotte, Chicago, and Cleveland don’t have any quality games, meaning their fringe players might not see much action. It’s essential to evaluate your roster and determine if adding a player from a team with more quality games could benefit you.
As we gear up for the season, remember that fantasy basketball is a marathon, not a sprint. Making informed decisions and staying patient will set you up for success. For more insights and a deeper dive into fantasy basketball strategies, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Kings podcasts.
Sacramento Kings Fans Shouldn’t Be Concerned by De’Aaron Fox’s Contract Comments Can De’Aaron Fox’s contract comments reshape the Sacramento Kings’ future? As the Kings’ star player, Fox emphasizes the need for long-term competitiveness before committing to an extension.
What Have the Sacramento Kings Kept Hidden this Preseason? Sacramento Kings superfan and the Kings Herald’s Jill Adge joins Matt George to discuss what the Sacramento Kings didn’t show us in preseason that we will hopefully see on opening night. Plus, thoughts on De’Aaron Fox’s comments about his future in Sacramento
The Sacramento Kings Preseason Shooting Problem will Work Itself Out Matt George is joined by Sacramento Kings coaching & broadcast legend Jerry Reynolds to break down the 0-4 preseason to this point. Jerry separates real concerns from things that will work themselves out in the end.
