Sacramento Kings: 30 Teams in 30 Days

2008 Statistics

Finished 17-65, fifth in Pacific Division, 15th in Western Conference, missed the postseason.

Key Additions

Tyreke Evans via draft, Omri Casspi via draft, Jon Brockman via trade, Sergio Rodriguez via trade, and Sean May via free agency.

Key Losses

None

There was no doubt about it last year, the Sacramento Kings were the worst team in basketball. No arguments about it. They had a decent offensive squad, but having no defense is the reason why you would lose 65 games in a season. The 65 loss season last year was their worst record in the team's 60-year history as an NBA team.

It's hard to believe that less than 10 years ago, the Kings were one of the most dangerous squads in the league and made a number of championship runs throughout the early 2000's. In the 2001-'02 season, they had their best record at 61-21 and made it seven games into the conference finals and is regarded as one of the best teams to not a win a championship.

My, have times changed.

The Kings were pitiful last year, and this upcoming season is not going to be a huge turnaround either. Sacramento did not make any major moves when it comes to trades and free agent signings, but they did have a impressive draft, which should show some upside in the future.

They took one of the top point guards in Tyreke Evans with the fourth pick in the draft, which probably was the safest move among drafting a top point guard. Evans has great size at 6'5" to be a point guard and shooting guard and has a good knack for scoring as well, he averaged 17 PPG last year. He's also a great rebounder as a guard, which could cause trouble for opponents at the next level.

There's not really much downside to him either, aside from his weak three-point shooting which could improve later down the road. Overall, the Kings pulled the right move by drafting Evans and he's going to be a reliable point guard or shooting guard.

The Kings also made history in the draft by taking the first Israeli player. They took 6'8" Omri Casspi who can finish around the basket and play good defense due to his tremendous wingspan, but he's going to have trouble in scoring when he has little to no shot. His shot and passing ability could come into question, but it seems that he's going to be a decent rebounder and defender.

The Kings only have one potential All-Star on its team and we saw him have the best year of his young career last year. Despite playing in only 51 games, he averaged a career high 25 points and two three-pointers and is also near the top in the league when it comes to getting to the free throw line. He averaged nearly 10 free throw shots per game.

Martin has the potential to become a superstar in this league due to his size as a shooting guard (6'7") and the ability to score at will. Paired up with Evans, we could see the next top duo in the league in a few years. Martin's scoring ability, as well as Evans scoring and passing ability could bring the Kings back from obscurity.

It won't come next year, but we could see a .500 team very soon.

The factors holding the team back is the supporting cast. There is none. Andres Nocioni is probably the most reliable, which is still a stretch, and averaged 14 points and six rebounds per game in his first season with the Kings, which only lasted 23 games. He is expected to be the team's starting small forward next year and will see a bigger role in Sacramento than what he had in Chicago.

The Kings will see Spencer Hawes as its starting center again and could see his breakout season coming soon. Last year was huge for Hawes when he got the minutes to prove himself and he put up good numbers in his time on the floor. The 7'1" 10th pick out of the 2007 draft averaged 11 points and seven rebounds last year in 29 minutes per game.

It appears that Hawes could be breaking out of his shell as soon as next year and might be a potential 20-10 guy. Hawes is also the only true center on the team which means that he should have no problem getting in plenty of minutes as a starter.

Beno Udrih, who was the team's starting point guard last year, might be sent to the bench due to the pickup of Evans. Udrih has been reliable since he came to the Kings three years ago and averaged 11 points and five assists last year. Right now though, the Kings are going to need more than a "reliable" anything at any spot.

Evans might become one of the top point guards soon and should have the chance to prove himself as soon as next season. Udrih and Evans will most likely share time as point guards this season, but next year Evans will probably get the start.

Sacramento is not used to seasons like this, they've never endured a 60-plus loss season and I am sure they don't want to experience it again. With youth on its side, the Kings could be at a spot where they were 10 years ago in the next few seasons, but we won't be too confident about that.

The Kings need all they can to develop and need to bring in true veteran leadership to bring this team out of the hole they dug themselves into.

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Beno Udrih/Tyreke Evans

SG-Kevin Martin

SF-Andres Nocioni

PF-Jason Thompson

C-Spencer Hawes

This is Pt. 24 of a 30-day series of 2009-10 season previews of each NBA team. My profile will contain every other team that has been previewed before.