2009-2010 Finish: 41-41

What went well

GM Another season, another predictable pattern for Mlok and the Sacramento Kings. After the 2009 draft day bonanza, the GM went dormant, did very little to prepare the new squad for the upcoming season. Big fish Lamar Odom re-upped for a three year deal as new recruits Tyreke Evans and Jermaine O’Neal learned the ropes. The Kings splashed out and overpaid dearly for unretired point guard Jason Williams and the injury-magnet swingman Marquis Daniels. They also took on Travis Diener and Gm points from the Hornets and then waived Diener.

So the season choogled along until around the trade deadline, someone opened Mlok’s coffin enough to make a trade. In a deal that made no sense to anyone in the league, he sent Odom and Marco Bellineli to Bobcats for the struggling Ben Gordon and rookie point guard Eric Maynor. Why pick up Gordon when Evans and O.J. Mayo do the same thing for better and for less money? I dunno, but it DID mean that superstud Bill Walker got to start at small forward.

Deservedly, the Kings battled to the death for the last playoff spot. Ending the season tied with the Golden State Warriors, the Kings eked into the 8th seed on a technicality where Kobe, Dwight and the Nuggets waited for them in the playoffs.


What went bad

The Kings put up a valiant fight, but Nick’s Nuggies prevailed, putting them to bed 4 games to 3. Back to the drawing board for the Kings, but not before Mlok made another ruinous draft deal day.

Stars

- Tyreke Evans, GF-

Quite the season for the rookie Evans. Too bad Mlok kept him on the bench for more than half of it. Shooting 11.5 ppg is really good for a bench player. I guess Bill Walker is just infinitely better. Another Sacramento head scratcher.



- O.J. Mayo, G –

Mayo had a dominant sophomore season, proving he is the real deal. He hasn’t missed a game in two seasons and scored 20.7 points per game, a bit of a dip from his rookie season. No matter, he’s no longer on the Kings.


Goats

- Ben Gordon, G –

Gordon signed a big contract and showed up for the worst season of his career. Exiled after playing six years in Charlotte, Gordon arrived in Sacremento injured, out of shape and not worth his $10 million price tag. The team is now stuck with him for three years and it is doubtful he can move him. Let’s hope he starts to improve.


Looking to the future

On draft day, the Kings selected Paul George with the 15th pick. George, a sophomore from Fresno State, is sharpshooter that will probably wrest that small forward slot from Walker. However, he cannot create shots for himself whatsoever, so he’s going to need some seasoning.

SAC DRAFT DAY DISASTER® The NLL expected something bad, it happened every year. So this time? Anchor Luke Walton and stud Mayo (!!) to Spurs for the rights to Tiago Splitter and rookie Ed Davis. Some NLL GMs feel like potential is gold compared to actual talent. Mayo is the real deal and young. We don’t know a thing about the other guys. Score the board for the Spurs. Biggest draft day win since the last time Sacramento dealt this time last year. Who’s the best point guard in the league? Probably Deron Williams. But I digress…

So where do the Kings go now? They have some money (more than $35mil), so they will be big FA players. O’Neal will probably say sayonara and play for a contender. Meanwhile, Kings fans can pray (just like the Spurs fans have been doing for years) that Splitter will come to the NBA and be the next Great White Hope or even play if he does. Right now, the only position the Kings have locked down is shooting guard with Evans (if they don’t bench him again). Everything else is completely up in the air. Mayo could be playing the one right now but he’s in San Antonio. Beyond that, it’s open FA season in Sacto!