Season Record: 40-42

Season highlights: Making the play in tournament, Sacramento found their identity late into the season, winning games over some quality opponents and forced their way into the play in game after looking like the season was done with 4 weeks to go.

Season lowlights: They had an up and down year and had trouble with consistency. Shown by their inability to get it done at their own home court. Unfortunately this year for Sacramento was no different to last. While winning an extra 4 games on the year they finished up 10^th again and fell short losing to the Warriors for the 2^nd straight season in the play in tournament.

 

Trading:

Sacramento may have set a team record this season with their least amount of trade transactions. GM Klemmelo appeared to have discovered an identity he wanted to build upon that and set out for role players that fit with his core and identity.

 

 

Best trade:

This trade really set up the Kings season, landing a floor general and 2 quality wings for a relatively low price. I thought the acquisition of Lowry would really unlock big man star Nikola Vucevics game.

Sacramento sends: Goran Dragic, Delon Wright, Will Barton, Robert Covington and DeAndre Bembry.

Sacramento receives: Kyle Lowry, Enes Freedom, Timothy Hardaway Jr, Nassir Little, Nick Richards, Memphis 2023 1^st, Charlotte 2023 2^nd.

 

Worst trade:

In the end I don�t actually think this trade was that bad, I just struggled to find a bad trade that I really didn�t like for the team. Sacramento are not known to use their draft picks and the pickup of Otto Porter was a good one to sure up that defense around the smaller guards of Lowry and Curry. Kenrich I also believe has some potential.

Sacramento sends: Jeff Green, Memphis 2023 1^st

Sacramento receives: Otto Porter Jr, Kenrich Williams, Chicago 2023 2^nd

 

Other notable trades:

A great pick up for the Kings, recently acquiring Kyle Lowry and having no need for TJ and Cody Zeller did not have an NBA contract at the time. Seth Curry is a perfect off ball option next to Lowry and Vucevic.

Sacramento sends: Cody Zeller, TJ McConnell, SA 2024 1st

Sacramento receives: Seth Curry, Gary Clark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Agency:

Sacramento have always made it a point to be a big player on free agency day where they fill out 60% of their roster. This upcoming year is going to be no different, heading into free agency with only 6 players on guaranteed deals. With only 75 GM points it is going to be a tough ask to fill out the roster. Sacramentos saving grace is that they do well with the free agent algorithm, a lack of 1sts and top tier talent due to the low numbers on the roster it usually has them at the top of the pecking order. Klemm will guarantee to pump those points up before free agency so he can drop a 99 and then go to work on picking up minimums and MLEs with 0 bids.

 

Blake Griffin � UFA: A piece I believe Klemm would like to bring back and shouldn�t be too hot of a target. Should retain.

Otto Porter � UFA: Otto will be big target for those in the MLE tax payers bracket. Sitting in this tier will make him to retain with the big dogs all eyeing off 3&D in that bracket. Otto walks.

Kyle Anderson � UFA: Another one that might be hard to retain, fits into the non tax payers MLE and will be a hot target for many being a quality 3&D type and a more than competent secondary ball handler. Slowmo walks.

Brodric Thomas � UFA: Know nothing on him, likely to retain.

 

Star:

Kyle Lowry was brought in to set this roster up for as much success as he could bring. Lowry did exactly that leading this team from the brink and into the play in tournament. Lowry finished up the year with averages of 18.3ppg, 4rpg, 5apg on 39/32/92 splits. Thicc Lowry then went to work in the play in game but was unsuccessful putting up averages of 24ppg, 4rpg, 10apg game with 1.5spg but was not successful in advancing the Kings.

 

Flop:

Nikola Vucevic had a fall from grace year. No longer looked to be that dominant post big, averaging only 15ppg, 13.1rpg on 54/14/73 splits. Well down from his previous year of 21ppg, 14rpg on 64/36/93 splits. With Klemm going all in on Vucevic and making him the face of the franchise he had a really poor year which had to be disapointing.

 

Draft Grades:

Sacramento held no draft picks in this years draft.

 

The Future:

The Kings could be in trouble, they have 1 of their own 1sts over the next 5 years, 2 of their stars in Vucevic and Westbrook have one year left on their contracts and Westbrook may not cut it as a #1 option star anymore, pair all that with the fact they are already right at the lux tax apron with only 6 players guaranteed on their roster a perfect storm could be brewing for disaster. If you�ve been here in the NSL long enough you will know this is just how Klemm likes to play it. He�s fast and loose and takes chances. However things could go very badly if both Vucevic and Westbrook are UFAs end of this season and they don�t have a good record to help them retain their guys. Free agency and a good year is where the Kings hopes lie. Pray 4 Klemm

PG: Russell Westbrook/George Hill

SG: Buddy Hield/Malik Beasley

SF: Jae Crowder/Garrison Matthews

PF: TBD

C: Nikola Vucevic/Nick Richards