Sacramento Kings: 2015-16 Season Outlook

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Jan 7, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings small forward Rudy Gay (8) speaks with shooting guard Ben McLemore (16) at the line against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 123-119. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Best-Case Scenario

DeMarcus Cousins turns in his greatest season yet, burying the hatchet with his head coach and emerging as a bonafide leader for a franchise that needs him to take on that role. Rondo has a resurgent year facilitating to Boogie, Gay and McLemore, and Karl’s up-tempo offense is the key to unlocking this roster’s potential.

Marco Belinelli helps spread the floor, alleviating the spacing issues that arise with Koufos or Willie Cauley-Stein on the floor. Cauley-Stein proves himself to be a terrific future complement to Boogie on the defensive end. The Kings win 40-45 games and finish 10th in the Western Conference playoff race.

Worst-Case Scenario

This Boogie-Karl drama blows up when the Kings get off to a rocky start and the front office has to choose between the two of them. Rondo also clashes with Karl as he grows frustrated with his fit in the new system, escalating the drama and derailing what might have been an improved season for Sacramento.

Marco Belinelli steals too many minutes from Ben McLemore and Kosta Koufos does the same for Willie Cauley-Stein. Karl is fired or even worse, the Kings explore trades for Cousins as the team wins around 30 games and enters full tank mode after the All-Star break.

Next: Predictions

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