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Sacramento Kings: Looking Into The Future Of Kings vs. Lakers

By Jacob Hammond

Feb 28, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Thomas (22) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar (1) at Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Kings 126-122. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Thomas (22) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar (1) at Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Kings 126-122. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Free Agency

L.A. Lakers

The Lakers have been a hot spot for free agents since free agency began. Now most Laker fans believe that every possible free agent is going to choose L.A. over every other team in the NBA. However, many players right now do not want to play for D’Antoni and Bryant is not the easiest player to play next to. It will be interesting to see if players like Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love and other will be willing to play for D’Antoni and with Bryant. But the Lakers are one of the premiere teams in the NBA and they will find players who want to play there just because it is the Lakers, so you have to believe they will improve quickly with a couple of big signings.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings have not signed a big free agent since Vlade Divac and it feels like it could be a long time when they do again. Just last summer, the Kings offered Andre Iguodala more money than the Golden State Warriors but Iguodala thought about it then decided the Kings were not a good fit. Unfortunately, the Kings will need to build through the draft and by signing smaller free agents to fill holes.

Draft

L.A. Lakers

Feb 25, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) goes up for a shot against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 129-103. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) goes up for a shot against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 129-103. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

The last time the Lakers had a lottery pick was 2005, when they selected Andrew Bynum. At the time the pick was looked at very poorly, however, Bynum was very effective for the years he was with L.A. The Lakers can only hope the next lottery pick is anything like Bynum, the Lakers would consider themselves lucky. Yes, I know that Bynum started to have health injuries, but at one point he was considered one of the best centers in the NBA. The Lakers are currently sitting with the fifth pick and with their recent play it could get them into the top three.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings have had seven straight lottery picks and the fact that they are still in the lottery tells you they have not quite selected the right players. Cousins seems to be the only player with All-Star potential. Now McLemore could still turn into an above average player, but so far he is not that close. If the Kings are able to get a top five to seven pick they need to get this pick right with this deep draft class. It feels like the Kings really need to make a run at a .500 record next season especially if Gay and Thomas are back in the fold.

Conclusion

The Kings have not had a winning record since 2006 and without being able to add big time free agents they will need to find a way to hit the jackpot in the draft. In addition the Kings need Cousins to mature into a team leader on and off the floor if they want to make a playoff run in the next four years. Then you have the Lakers who will be able to sign a big time free agent and possibly have a top three pick to play along with Bryant. Again the biggest question will be around Bryant’s health, if he is healthy the Lakers could compete for a title as early as next season. But if Bryant is not able to return to form the Lakers will struggle again. I believe that the Lakers will be able to figure it out sooner than the Kings due to the fact that free agents will always choose L.A. over Sacramento and many other NBA cities.

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