3 reasons why the Sacramento Kings will make the playoffs

#1. Different pieces, different rotations

The Sacramento Kings are not the same team they were at the beginning of the season. Not only have players progressed and regressed, but the Kings cut ties with a few guys as well. In the process of dumping the newly acquired Trevor Ariza and Dewayne Dedmon, the team was able to come away a couple of players that would become regulars in the rotation.

Both Alex Len and Kent Bazemore have turned heads in their short times in Sacramento. Len provided a much-needed big body to fill in for a depleted Kings frontcourt in February and March, and impressed fans with his length, strength, and hustle. With Richaun Holmes returning to good health, it remains to be seen just how much playing time Len receives.

Bazemore has provided more much-needed depth, this time out on the wings. He fits the Kings style of play far better than Ariza ever did and has seen a noticeable boost to his numbers since arriving in Sacramento. After averaging less than eight points on abysmal shooting percentages, Bazemore upped his scoring output to over 10 points per game while shooting nearly 39 percent from deep.

The Kings are 9-5 since the acquisition of Len, and 13-7 since that of Bazemore.

There was, however, one other rotation shift that took place around the time that Bazemore arrived. In what will surely go down as head coach Luke Walton’s savviest move of the season, Buddy Hield was benched in favor of Bogdan Bogdanovic, which remains the case to this day. The Kings turned their ugly season around, and the move has played a big part in the Kings being in the position they are in today.

The new faces and new places depend on the longevity of our second reason, however…