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NBA: 2016-17 Predictions For The Pacific Division

By Carter Johnson

Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; A large welcome Kevin Durant digital billboard is displayed outside of Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; A large welcome Kevin Durant digital billboard is displayed outside of Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 28, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during a free throw attempt by the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won 114-105. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Sacramento Kings

2015-16 Record: 33-49 (3rd in Pacific Division)

2016-17 Prediction: 31-51 (4th in Pacific Division) 

Much to star center DeMarcus Cousins’ chagrin, the Sacramento Kings did not get any better this offseason.

The team created a frontcourt logjam by selecting Greek center Georgios Papagiannis and Kentucky big Skal Labissiere to a rotation that already included Cousins, sophomore center Willie Cauley-Stein and journeyman big Kosta Koufos. In addition, the team lost point guard Rajon Rondo after he had a resurgence in Sacramento last season and also let go of quality role players in Seth Curry and Quincy Acy.

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1 advantage the Warriors have over each Pacific Division team
1 advantage the Warriors have over each Pacific Division team /

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    • That’s a mess already before adding in that the Kings will have their fourth head coach in five years with Dave Joerger and that solid wings Rudy Gay and Ben McLemore are both on the trading block.

    It’s a perfect blend of instability and lack of direction to cause the Kings to be in for an even worse season in 2016-17.

    Cousins’ individual dominance will once again be a bright spot as the big man is coming off of a season where he averaged a career-high 26.9 points per game along with 11.5 rebounds per game. He will only continue to rise after gaining valuable experience as a member of Team USA.

    However, unless the Olympic experience has a drastic impact on his demeanor, his lack of leadership will still hurt the Kings in 2016-17 and with lots of inexperience and mid-level veterans flanking him, it’s hard to see a scenario where Sacramento puts out anything more than a subpar product once again next season.

    Next: No. 3