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Sacramento Kings: 5 things to look forward to in second half of season

By Anthony Cardenas

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 01: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings and Richaun Holmes #22 of the Sacramento Kings react after a score during the fourth quarter an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on February 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 01: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings and Richaun Holmes #22 of the Sacramento Kings react after a score during the fourth quarter an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on February 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Adam Silver (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Adam Silver (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

5. Chase for a top pick

As is usually the case for the Sacramento Kings, the silver lining on the poor season will be the team’s pick in the 2021 Draft.

By all accounts, the upcoming draft class is loaded with talent. There are potential franchise-altering talents towards the top of the board, and even guys who look like they could become future NBA MVPs. If the Kings keep playing the way they did to close out the first half of the season, then they will have a legitimate shot at one of the top prospects.

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There are still 36+ games to be played and there will likely be plenty of changes happening towards the top of the lottery before the end of the season. As of now, the Kings have the fifth-best odds of getting a top pick and could be an even less talented team after the looming trade deadline. A few of the veteran pieces who have been responsible for the minimal success that Sacramento has had this season will be on the block, and an already-thin roster could become even thinner down the stretch.

It certainly won’t be a pleasure to watch, and it could be the worst half of a season for any Kings team since the latter portion of the 2008-’09 season. Their streak of 7 wins in 8 games during January and February will likely keep them from finishing in the bottom 3 in the standings, but the lottery ping pong balls will be the ones that ultimately hold all of the power. The three worst teams will all have equal odds of getting the top pick, though the team at the bottom can finish no worse than fifth. For the Sacramento Kings to have an opportunity to nab a future all-star, they will need to finish in the bottom 4 or 5 in the league.

We won’t be rooting for losses, but there could be plenty of silver linings when Draft Day rolls around.

Next. 2021 NBA Trade Deadline: 10 trades we need to see. dark

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