3. The Sacramento Kings playing over their heads.
While Sacramento Kings fans are always in need of good news, the team’s 4-0 preseason record is almost certainly a mirage. The Kings do have some momentum on their side. Keegan Murray, the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft, continued to show why he’s considered to be among the most NBA-ready rookies. He played very well in the summer league and averaged 16 points per game on 70% shooting in the preseason, albeit in two games, but still.
The fans will also get to see more of De’Aaron Fox, specifically when paired with recently acquired two-time all-star Domontas Sabonis. The two formed an effective pick-and-roll/pop pairing late last season, and that’s the basis for a good offense. Meanwhile, former lottery pick and defensive ace Davion Mitchell should continue to show improvement as an offensive player, which would be yet another encouraging sign for the Kings.
Put Fox, Mitchell, Sabonis, and Murray together, along with solid vets like Richaun Holmes and Harrison Barnes, and the team might have something this season, though things might not be as rosy as their preseason play and record might suggest.
The San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets are all vying to be a bottom-three team in hopes of landing the number one pick in the 2023 NBA draft. That means that the Kings really only need to beat out one team to make the play-in tournament (the Los Angeles Lakers?).
Would making the play-in tournament almost by default be progress? Technically, yes, though Five-Thirty-Eight projects them to finish with only 30 wins and as the 11th-worst team in the conference. I don’t think they’re that bad, but we’ll soon see.
Overall, with the regular season just around the corner, we’ll soon see new surprising trends emerge. Therefore, fans shouldn’t put much stock in the Bucks, Rockets, and Kings’ preseason successes or failures going forward.