Sacramento Kings Team by Team

The Sacramento Kings stumbled through a disappointing season, finishing with a dismal 20-62 record. This marks a continued downward trend for the franchise, worsening from their 24-58 record the previous season and a promising 40-42 record the season before that. Despite aggressive roster moves orchestrated by the well-liked General Manager, Klemm, the Kings have struggled to find consistent success. Klemm, known for his strong connections and keen awareness of NSL trends, has yet to translate his insights into a winning formula for the Kings, leaving fans and analysts questioning the direction of the team.

Team Highlight

The acquisition of All-Star Bradley Beal sent shockwaves through the NSL. Landing a player of Beal's caliber ignited excitement and hope for a franchise desperate for a turnaround. Beal's scoring prowess and veteran presence brought a much-needed boost to the Kings' offense and provided a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.

Team Lowlight

Despite the excitement surrounding Beal's arrival, the Kings continued to falter, raising concerns about the team's overall direction. The substantial assets sacrificed in the trade could limit Klemm's flexibility in making future roster improvements, leaving the Kings with limited options to address their remaining weaknesses. The inability to build a winning team around Beal would be a significant setback for a franchise eager to return to playoff contention.

Team MVP

Terry Rozier, AKA "Scary Terry," earned Team MVP honors despite his departure in the Beal trade. Rozier's consistent scoring and steady presence provided a valuable offensive spark for the Kings, averaging an impressive 25 points per game. His contributions solidified his status as a fan favorite and highlighted his importance to the organization's efforts to one day return to the playoffs.

Team Flop

Jerami Grant, despite his athleticism and talent, underwhelmed this season, averaging just 14.9 points per game. Expectations were high for Grant to provide a consistent scoring punch, but he struggled to find his rhythm and make a significant impact on a Kings team desperate for offensive firepower. His inability to fully utilize his natural abilities makes him a candidate for the season's biggest flop.

Best Trades

The trade that sent Terry Rozier to Sacramento in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic proved to be a shrewd move by Klemm. Acquiring a dynamic, lead ball-handling guard like Rozier addressed a critical need for the Kings without sacrificing valuable assets. While Bogdanovic provided a reliable shooting threat, his limited shot creation hindered the Kings' offensive flow. Rozier's ability to both score and facilitate made him a perfect fit for a team searching for offensive consistency.

Worst Trade

The much-hyped trade that sent Bradley Beal and Marcus Sasser to Sacramento in exchange for Terry Rozier, Kyle Kuzma, and Lonnie Walker proved to be a costly misstep for the Kings. While Beal's talent is undeniable, his hefty 50-million-dollar salary severely restricts the team's financial flexibility. The loss of Rozier and Kuzma, who combined for an impressive 44 points per game, significantly weakened the Kings' offensive firepower. This trade, which also involved Sam Hauser and Julian Strawther, ultimately backfired and left the Kings with a bloated payroll and a diminished roster.

Other notable deals

Klemm continued his wheeling and dealing in the offseason, making two notable trades that could reshape the Kings' roster.

In a move aimed at bolstering their backcourt defense and playmaking, the Kings acquired veteran point guard Fred VanVleet from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Jerami Grant and Chris Boucher. VanVleet, a proven two-way player known for his leadership and hustle, provides a steady hand at the point guard position and a much-needed defensive presence. While his salary is substantial, his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates makes him an ideal complement to Bradley Beal.

In a more complex multi-team deal, the Kings landed a pair of solid rebounding centers in Jakob Poeltl and Orlando Robinson. Poeltl, acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers, is expected to step into the starting center role and provide stability in the paint. This trade, which also involved the Orlando Magic and the Washington Wizards, signals Klemm's commitment to addressing the Kings' rebounding woes and solidifying their frontcourt.

Draft Grade: B-

Despite entering the draft without a pick to their name, the Kings managed to snag a promising prospect in Kyshawn George. Acquired from the Charlotte Hornets, George, the 26th overall selection brings intriguing potential as a versatile guard with a smooth shooting stroke and impressive playmaking skills. While he may not make an immediate impact, his development could prove valuable down the line as the Kings continue to reshape their roster. For a team without a draft pick, acquiring a player with George's upside is a solid move that earns a B-.

The Future: Klemm's Kingdom

Klemm, with his infectious energy and finger on the pulse of the NSL, has never shied away from making a bold move. His deep understanding of the game and (occasional) flashes of patience suggest that a turnaround might be within reach for the Kings. Despite the recent struggles, Klemm has quietly begun accumulating draft assets, providing the potential for future roster upgrades. With a few shrewd moves and a bit of luck, Klemm could be the one to finally bring playoff glory back to Sacramento and reward the long-suffering Kings faithful.