With the 2019-2020 NBA season fast approaching, Our First Draft is providing team previews for all 30 NBA teams. These are intended to inform the reader about important roster changes for all teams, as well as summarizing the outlook of the team ahead. This includes the Vegas Over/Under line, OFD’s recommendation on which side to take, as well as a projected record for the team.
Team: Sacramento Kings
Conference: Western
Wins O/U: 37.5 (Over -120, Under +100)
Last Year’s Record: 39-43
Projected Roster (Projected Starters marked with asterisks): T. Ariza, M. Bagley III*, H. Barnes*, N. Bjelica, B. Bogdanovic, D. Dedmon*, Y. Ferrell, D. Fox*, H. Giles III, K. Guy, B. Hield*, R. Holmes, C. Joseph, T. Lydon, C. Swanigan
Key Offseason Moves: Signed D. Dedmon, Lost W. Cauley-Stein, Signed T. Ariza, Signed R. Holmes, Lost A. Burks
Overall Summary: Sacramento was one of the exciting surprises in the NBA last season; projected to be a bottom-dweller, they instead stayed in the playoff hunt until the last month and had their best season since the 2005-2006 Kings made the playoffs. They were not particularly active in the offseason, and the same team returns, having swapped out centers. While I do think that Dwayne Dedmon will be better than outgoing starter Willie Cauley-Stein, I would prefer that the Kings put Marvin Bagley III at the center position, so that Harrison Barnes could slide up to the 4 and swingman (and current co-star with Nikola Jokic of the Serbian team, the favorites in the FIBA World Cup) Bogdan Bogdanovic could then play the 3. I think this would best allow the Kings to feature their best player, star point guard DeAaron Fox. Fox, who I believe will one day be an all-NBA player, is not only the fastest player in the league, but also an emerging passer and shooter – and already a leader on this young team. With Fox and fellow guard Buddy Hield bombing from three and running up and down the court, the Kings may not yet be a contender, but there are clearly positive signs.
Verdict: I could see the Kings taking a step back, but I think that would require an injury to one of their guards. While they aren’t ready to be a playoff team, I’m not sure why the line is lower than last year’s record, considering that most of Sacramento’s core is young and therefore development should be assumed. Take the over – I project a record of 41-41.
