Things are not going particularly well for the Sacramento Kings. They became the first team to part ways with their coach this season when Luke Walton was fired and Alvin Gentry was handed the reins on an interim basis.
Through the first quarter of the season, the Kings are 7-12, and just snapped a four-game losing streak. It’s quickly looking like it’ll be another year outside the postseason picture for Sacramento.
Top 3 Sacramento Kings players off to a hot start this season
Despite the Kings’ team struggles, some individual players are still off to a hot start. In fact, one player even ranks among the league leaders in total win shares (more on him in a bit).
It can be a little difficult to get excited about Kings basketball right now. This is a franchise that was supposed to be on the up-and-up in its rebuild by now. Instead, a playoff drought that somehow stretches back all the way to 2006 looks like it will continue for another year.
Still, there are reasons to be pumped about the future of this franchise. For starters, Davion Mitchell is looking like a shrewd draft pick after his own hot start to the season, particularly on the defensive end.
Players like Richaun Holmes and Harrison Barnes are also among those who have looked good in spurts. The team is developing young guards like De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, as well, who could play a major role in the future of the franchise.
They even have some players on the team preaching accountability, like center Tristan Thompson. It takes players like that to change a culture, which the Kings need.
Here are three Kings off to a hot start in 2021-22.