Sacramento Kings: Blueprint For Turning Around The Franchise

The Sacramento Kings have been in disarray for a number of years. Gone are the glory days of the late 1990s-early 2000s, when Chris Webber led the Kings deep into the playoffs on multiple occasions.

Nowadays, the Kings are not even guaranteed to be playing in Sac-town come next season–let alone making the postseason. The franchise faces the threat of relocation from a Seattle-based group–something that no set of fans deserves to go through.

However, for the purposes of this article, we’ll assume that the Kings will be staying in Sacramento and that Mayor Kevin Johnson‘s efforts will have been worth it.

On the court, Sacramento is in just as bad a place as off it. They finished last season with a poor 28-54. They have some decent pieces on the roster and a rabid fan base. How should the Kings turn it around; what is the blueprint to bring success back to the capital of California?

Bring in the right coach

With new ownership on the horizon, Keith Smart‘s services are unlikely to be retained. So, who to hire?

Well, with his former relationship with the franchise and recent firing, Byron Scott could be a good candidate for the job. Despite leading the Cavs to the lottery three seasons in a row, Scott is still pretty respected among NBA executives. A new coach brings new ideas; something the Kings are in desperate need of.

Could Phil Jackson provide the Kings with a vision? (Photo by Keith Allison/Flickr.com)

Sort out the front office

Who in their right mind sanctioned the trade of Thomas Robinson? That knucklehead move is enough to suggest that a front office restructuring is needed in Sac-town. Luckily for the Kings, president of basketball operations and general manager Geoff Petrie’s contract runs out at the end of the season. Hire someone that has experience and a clear vision–Phil Jackson perhaps?

Kansas freshman Ben McLemore won’t be on the board very long on draft night–he is projected to go within the first five selections. (Photo by Ashleigh Lee/Flickr.com)

Draft well

The Kings finished with the sixth-worst record in the NBA. They should have a reasonable shot at a decent player in the draft. For me, Otto Porter should be the player they are targeting in this year’s draft. However, if he is off the board, players like Shabazz Muhammed and Ben McLemore should looked into: athletic wing players that can put the ball in the hole. With a history of drafting poorly, it’s time for the Kings to get their act together.

Re-sign Tyreke Evans… but only for the right price

Tyreke Evans hasn’t really lived up to the hype after his stunning Rookie of the Year season, when he averaged 20 points, five assists and five rebounds per game. However, he’s still a very solid player and one that has a big future in the NBA. It’s easy to forget he is only 23. The Kings should see how the market plays out; if someone offers him too much money — let him go. If not, match it and build around him.

The enigmatic DeMarcus Cousins. (Photo: Scott Mecum, Flickr.com)

Bring in Patrick Ewing to help DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins is one of the most gifted big men in the NBA. His touch, athleticism and sheer strength combines to create a 22-year-old man-child that is waiting to break out into an all-star caliber player. With that being said, he’s immature, rash and cocky. Bring Patrick Ewing in–currently unemployed–as an assistant coach, to work with him in particular. Ewing would command respect from Cousins. If Ewing can’t help him, who can?