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.
Sacramento Kings’ Seven-Game Win Streak: The Blueprint for Sustainable Success
The Sacramento Kings are on fire, and 2025 is shaping up to be their year. With seven straight victories under their belt, including a recent win against the Chicago Bulls, the team has climbed above .500 for the first time in nearly two months. This turnaround is nothing short of remarkable, considering their 13-19 record on December 28th.
As I’ve been watching this team closely, I believe I’ve identified two key factors that Doug Christie has instilled in the Kings, which could be the foundation for lasting success throughout the remainder of the season.
Firstly, the Kings are demonstrating an impressive ability to win games in various ways. From defensive showdowns to offensive shootouts, from gritty overtime battles to dominant road performances, this team is proving they can adapt and excel in different scenarios. This versatility is a hallmark of great teams and shows that Sacramento doesn’t rely on a single style of play to secure victories.
Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, the Kings are playing with a newfound confidence. The joy is back in their game, evident in their ball movement, player interactions, and the smiles on their faces. However, it’s crucial to note that there’s a fine line between confidence and cockiness – a line the Kings have occasionally crossed in recent seasons.
The current roster is performing at an exceptional level, meeting and even exceeding pre-season expectations. Doug Christie is getting the best out of this group, and there’s a sense that they can improve even further. However, as the trade deadline approaches, the Kings face a delicate balancing act.
While the team is thriving, there are still clear areas for improvement, such as size mismatches, forward depth, and rim protection. The front office must carefully consider whether to make moves to address these issues or maintain the current chemistry.
The recent success under Doug Christie may have saved jobs in the front office and alleviated some of the pressure to make desperate moves. Now, any potential trades can be approached from a position of strength, focusing on taking the next step rather than merely staying afloat.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Kings’ recent success and potential trade scenarios, tune into the Locked On Kings podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Kings Podcast:
• De’Aaron Fox’s impressive return from injury
• Doug Christie’s rotation management in recent games
• Preview of upcoming matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
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
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Replay The Sacramento Kings edged the Chicago Bulls with a score of 124-119, marking their seventh straight win. Sacramento’s victory continues their impressive run, fueled by strong team dynamics. (Kings Herald)
Milestone De’Aaron Fox made Sacramento Kings history in their game against the Chicago Bulls. Fox’s achievement highlights his exceptional performance and contribution to the team. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis The Kings continue their climb up the standings with a seventh consecutive win over the Bulls. This winning streak reflects the team’s improved strategy and execution. (Sports Illustrated)
Trade Every NBA team has potential trades to consider, including the Sacramento Kings. Key trade proposals could influence the Kings’ future moves and roster composition. (Bleacher Report)
Rumor Imagining the worst trade landing spots for Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, the Sacramento Kings are mentioned as a potential destination. Speculative scenarios explore how such a trade might impact the Kings. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Kings podcasts.
Making Sense of This Sacramento Kings Season with Morgan Ragan Matt George is joined by Sacramento Kings television host/analyst & co-host of the Deuce & Mo Podcast Morgan Ragan to discuss the ups and downs of this Kings season, the incoming trade deadline, and how postseason expectations have/haven’t changed.
The Sacramento Kings are Exploring Trading De’Aaron Fox Matt George reacts to the breaking news that the Sacramento Kings have had trade conversations involving De’Aaron Fox and that Fox has a preferred destination in mind.
De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis Silence the Critics in Brooklyn Matt George discusses De’Aaron Fox’s bounce-back performance after facing heavy criticism, and another monster triple double for Domantas Sabonis, who continues to be disrespected around the NBA.
