2015-16 Finish: 45-37

Season Highlight:

The Kings haven’t missed the playoffs since the 2007/08 season, and new GM Klemmelo continued that tradition as the kings snuck into the 8^th seed out west. Klay Thompson continued on his development into one of the best 2 way players in the NLL. The Kings also collected a nice batch of young big men in Miles Plumlee, Dwight Powell and Cristiano Felicio. The Kings have a good core and they had their ups and downs this season, but you can’t help but feel positive about this team moving forward.

Season Lowlight:

After 3 top place finishes out west and 2^nd place finish in 4 years, it was a kind of fall from grace for the Kings this season, finishing in 8^th. New Gm Klem was putting his imprint on the team and changes can be expected. What hurt him the most though was probably Kevin Love’s continued struggles to contribute at an efficient rate. Yes, he’s still a top rebounder, but his scoring and shooting were big let downs and when you’re the second option on offense, that’s not really something to be poor at.

Best Trade:

The Denver Nuggets send Dwight Powell and Cristiano Felicio to the Sacramento Kings. The Sacramento Kings send Jerryd Bayless to the Toronto Raptors. The Toronto Raptors send Kent Bazemore to the Denver Nuggets.

The Denver Nuggets send a 2nd-Rounder (Atl) and 2nd-Rounder (Den) to the Toronto Raptors.

Not a really a knock it out of the park type trade, but when you’re receiving 2 up and coming big men and all you’re giving up is a shoot first point guard or undersized sg, however you want to look at him, it’s a real quality deal. Powell has developed into a very solid rotation big and Felicio continues to show highlights of his ability. I like this one for the Kings.

Worst Trade:

The Memphis Grizzlies send Tayshaun Prince, James Jones and Jeff Green to the Sacramento Kings. The Sacramento Kings send Corey Brewer, Mike Scott, Jordan Adams and Darrun Hilliard to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Sacramento Kings send a 2nd-Rounder (Sac) to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Memphis Grizzlies receive 6 GM points. The Sacramento Kings trade -6 GM points.

At the time and on paper this isn’t a horrible trade. The Kings landed the best player and a solid vet in Prince, but we look at this now and Jeff Green is likely to leave via free agency, Prince is retired (I think) and James Jones has been renounced. Whereas Brewer is likely to re up in Memphis and Mike Scott will stick around. At the time not a bad trade, but in hindsight, hasn’t really worked out.

Other Notable Trades:

The San Antonio Spurs send Miles Plumlee to the Sacramento Kings.

The Sacramento Kings use their trade exception over $ 2,109,293.

The San Antonio Spurs receive 8 GM points. The Sacramento Kings trade -8 GM points.

I like this. A solid big in a good NBA situation for just 8 gm points? Nice business for the Kings here.

The Chicago Bulls send Andrew Bogut to the Sacramento Kings. The Sacramento Kings send Channing Frye and Meyers Leonard to the Chicago Bulls.

The Sacramento Kings send a 1st-Rounder (Sac) to the Chicago Bulls.

Frye and Leonard are almost carbon copies of players. Big enough to be tough but prefer to grab the easy boards and shoot jumpers. Soft as cotton wool is a good expression. Bogut is the opposite, doesn’t know what the 3-point line looks like and is as tough as they come. Klem wanted defence, tough defence and that’s what Andrew brings. Yeah his injury record is poor, but when he plays he makes such a difference. Just ask the 2016/17 NBA Warriors how opening night went without him ;)

Best FA Signing:

Kevin Love

I know he was a resigning, but when a players NBA free agency is cloudy and you bring him, that’s a win right there. Love wasn’t great on the offensive end, but he’s still a top class rebounder. He was easily their best free agent signing. I would’ve said Klay, but he was always expected to return, Kev had a couple of question marks.

Worst FA Signing:

Drew Gooden

He got himself a $3.3m contract and did bugger all. Was bought out before Christmas. Normally if you make a commitment of a decent amount of coin, you expect some return. The kings were ok though, they had plenty of bigs on the roster to make up for it.

Star:

Klay Thompson

Klay was great last season. Is he the best 2-way player? He’s a stud on offense, from outside, inside and mid-range he hurts you. On defence he has the ability to lock up the best opposing offensive player on any given night. 22.3ppg 4.5rpg 3.0apg 1.2spg 0.9bpg 46%FG and 36%3FG and a ridiculous 99% at the free throw line! His stats aren’t the most mind boggling, but his impact on the game on both ends of the court is undeniable.
 
Surprise:

Jordan Clarkson

Not sure he’s a big surprise, the improvement was inevitable, but the most surprising part was his impact in just 23mpg. 14 points, 4.5 assists and a few rebounds on a nightly basis in 23mins? That’s solid work. Clarkson will be in the mix for most improved again next season and will look to build on an impressive 15/16 season. Jordan has taken baby steps each season and the most recent was his biggest leap, let’s see him take it to another level!

Goat:

Kevin Love

Sorry Kev, you know I love ya bud, but your offensive showing was abysmal. 14.6ppg on 40% shooting and 34% from three as the supposed second option? Not good enough. His 11 boards a night were great but he needed to assert himself more on the offensive side. Maybe if he did they could’ve got further than the 1^st round in the playoffs? Maybe. Rumors say King’s management has lost patience and he’s on his way out the door? If that’s the case this becomes Klays, Mike’s and Jordan’s team.

Draft Report Card:

The Kings resisted the hype of the draft and had no picks this season.

Looking to the Future:

What is coming back for Kevin Love? If the rumours are true, how will this team look? It is said they would potentially have the best defensive unit in the NLL. Starting with Bogut, Klay and Conley, 3 of the better defenders at their position is a great start. Still these are only rumours, I guess we won’t know until the free agency has settled a bit. They also need to fill out the rest of the roster. Right now they only have 5 contracted players with 4 free agents but all four are expected back and after they’re signed the Kings will pretty much have no space at all to add to the roster. Is the Love move saving coin? We’ll find out I guess. I like the look of the Kings team. Klay, Mike, Jordan, Kevin and Andrew is a great start and if the rumours are true about Love moving what will the new guy bring? Klem knows what he’s doing and I’m looking forward to seeing what he has planned.

Upcoming Free Agents:

Mike Conley (UFA) – Conley is the heart and soul of this team. Klay is the best player, but this team goes Conley leads them IMO. He’ll be back, and he will be getting paid.

Jordan Clarkson (RFA) – Jordan is restricted and there is no way the Kings let him go. He’ll be getting paid quite a bit but in a couple of years it could be seen as bargain deal. Clarkson will be back and will be in the conversation as 6^th man/most improved for the season.

Miles Plumlee (RFA) – Miles is a solid big man, more athlete and hustle than skill. His jump shot is poor but he’s tough around the hoop. Add him to the mix, no way he leaves the Kings. He’s going to be overpaid so maybe the King’s may move him too.

Dwight Powell (RFA) – Really come along last season in the NBA, had a breakout type season. With breaking out though, comes getting paid and Dwight will be asking for around 8.5m a year. The Kings have made him restricted and I expect him back Sacramento.