4. Sacramento Kings
It shouldn’t really be a surprise to see the Kings here; they haven’t been higher than third in
Mar 30, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives past Los Angeles Lakers forward Antawn Jamison (4) in the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Lakers defeated the Kings 103-98. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
the conference in almost a decade. This season likely won’t be any different. The Kings let sign-and-traded Tyreke Evans for Grievis Vasquez, a second round pick, and another second round pick consideration, signed Carl Landry, drafted Ben McLemore and Ray McCallum, traded two second round picks for Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, and hired Mike Malone this off-season.
The Kings seem to be going in the right direction, but a lot of it depends on how players like DeMarcus Cousins adjust their attitude. This Kings team is going to be terrible on defense, but the offense shouldn’t be horrible with Cousins, McLemore, Landry, Marcus Thornton, and Isaiah Thomas. The Kings have set themselves up better for the future than the present.