2023-2024 NBA Season Preview: Sacramento Kings

2023-2024 NBA Season Preview: Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are trying not to be a one-year wonder. They have made some changes to the roster while keeping the main core of the roster intact. The Kings will have their work cut out for them if they want to be competitive in the Western Conference.

To continue our 2023-24 NBA season preview series, today, we will be looking at the Kings! Let’s dive into it!

What Happened Last Season?

The Sacramento Kings came into last season with a different vibe. They had a new head coach in Mike Brown as well as a full offseason with key pieces like Domantas Sabonis, Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk and then-rookie Keegan Murray. These players paired with returning Kings players like De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes and Davion Mitchell set out to change the Kings’ culture.

Also, there was a beam introduced to fans that would be lit after every Kings win. Interestingly enough, all these ingredients came together to create an amazing season.

The Sacramento Kings, who finished 48-34, snapped a 17-year playoff drought last season as they finished as the third seed in the West. The Sacramento Kings won a host of awards and accolades: Mike Brown won Coach of the Year, Fox and Sabonis were All-Stars and Fox won the inaugural Clutch Player of the Year award.

Also, the Sacramento Kings won the Pacific Division for the first time since the 2002-2003 season. Unfortunately, the Kings lost in the first round of the playoffs but the Kings were not predicted to even make the play-in games. Ultimately, last season was a dream come true for Kings fans and the end of a playoff drought nightmare. 

Offseason Overview

The Kings did not make any huge offseason trades or signings. However, they did pick up a lot of good rotational pieces as well as keep their core intact. Most importantly the Kings re-negotiated Sabonis’ contract keeping him in Sacramento through the 2027-2028 season. They also came to terms with an extension with Barnes, a veteran wing. The Kings focused on their backcourt by re-signing Trey Lyles and Alex Len as well as keeping young guard Keon Ellis. 

The other bigger moves were trading for Chris Duarte on July 6, who showed some promise as a rookie in Indiana. They got another solid big man with a lot of championship experience when they signed JaVale McGee on Sep. 2. The Kings will finally get to reap the benefits of talented big man Sasha Vezenkov, who was the EuroLeague MVP in 2023. He was traded to the Kings last offseason but decided to stay in Europe now he is headed to the NBA.

Finally, the Kings drafted Colby Jones out of Xavier and Jalen Slawson from Furman. Also, the Kings signed guard Jordan Ford. This is a feel-good story as Ford is a hometown guy playing high school basketball in Sacramento and now he got the call to be moved up from the G-League Stockton Kings to the NBA. 

Projected Starting Five

De’Aaron Fox PG, Fox is the engine that drives the Sacramento Kings. He has gotten better every year and will need to up his game again to help the Kings reach that next level. He is a talented scorer with good playmaking who will be a superstar if he can continue to improve his 3-point shooting and defense. 

Kevin Huerter G, Huerter was a blessing for the Kings last year with his fantastic three-point shooting. He works extremely well in the Kings offense and he provides Sacramento with solid defense at the shooting guard position.

Keegan Murray, F, Murray was in the Rookie of the Year conversation last year in part due to his elite three-point shooting. He has the potential to take an All-Star-level leap in year two. He is a good rebounder, a decent passer, and a versatile defender. Murray will need to be more aggressive next year and become the Kings’ third-best player.

Harrison Barnes, G/F, Barnes is the veteran of the group with real playoff experience. He is good in all aspects of the game and can score from all three levels. He can not carry the Kings to victories but he is the most reliable player to positively affect the game in one way or another.

Domantas Sabonis, C, Sacramento’s second star finally arrived last season in Sabonis. The big man led the league in rebounding and double-doubles while offering a huge boost in playmaking. He helped make the Kings offense among the best in the league last year now he will need to improve defensively. 

Rotation Players

Malik Monk G, Monk did phenomenally in his new role in Sacramento. He was in the sixth man of the year conversation with his massive scoring nights off the bench. He is the offensive anchor of the Kings’ second unit.

Davion Mitchell, G, Mitchell did well running the backcourt with Monk last year. Mitchell is an inconsistent scorer with the ability to get hot in any game. Nevertheless, he is elite defensively with a knack for making opponents suffer an off night.

Sasha Vezenkov, F, This is the Kings’ unknown player in the 2023-2024 season. He was phenomenal in EuroLeague with his finishing and great three-point scoring. It will be interesting to see if he can acclimate his game to the NBA.

X-Factor: De’Aaron Fox and Keegan Murray

Sacramento has a good roster with some depth at every position. However, a complete roster is not enough to make a deep playoff run because teams need stars. Sabonis showed the NBA that he deserves to be among the best centers in the league.

Now, it is Fox and Murray’s turn to put the league on notice next season. Fox had a breakout year last year finishing with averages of 25.0 points and 6.1 assists as well as winning the Clutch Player of the Year award. However, I believe he is not done improving and he can be a superstar in this league. The Kings will go where Fox takes them and he displayed he is a dangerous man come playoff time.

The other X factor is Murray because he can be the needed third option. Murray had an almost perfect rookie season demonstrating he was worthy of the No. 4 overall pick. It will be interesting to see how big of a leap Murray can take in his second season.

He showed he is capable of scoring at all three levels efficiently and that he has an incredibly high basketball IQ. Murray will need to develop more of a killer instinct and hunt for his shot a little bit more next year. Ultimately, the Kings have a good team that will make the playoffs. However, now the fans of Sacramento want some playoff wins which will only happen if these two X factors can continue to raise their game.

Season Projection

I am worried that the Sacramento Kings will not be able to replicate their virtual injury-free season last year. However, they have depth at every position and a lot of returning players from last season. The Kings finally have a great coach who is focusing on setting a great culture day in and day out.

While some people might think last year was a fluke, I believe there is more success to be had for the Kings. Unfortunately, the Western Conference might be even tougher this year. However, I predict the Sacramento Kings to finish 49-33 as the No. 4 seed in the West.

***

Subscribe to Vendetta’s Twitch

Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube

Check out the Vendetta Shop

Click here for more NBA content