2012/2013 Record: 57 - 25

Season Highlights: The Sacramento Kings had an outstanding season. They ended the season with the best record in the west, and tied for third best record in the entire league. They were able to do this despite Kevin Love missing 58 games, and trading away Andrew Bynum.

Season Lowlights: After having a great season, the Sacramento Kings went into play playoffs and did really well. They swept the Lakers in four games. Then they moved onto Denver and finished them off in six games. But the Kings fell short against the Dallas Mavericks, and were swept themselves out of the playoffs in the conference finals. This had to be very disappointing for all Kings owners, players, and fans. It was not the end everyone was dreaming of.

Best Trade: The Sacramento Kings send Andrew Bynum (and Eric Maynor in a separate deal) to the Golden State Warriors for Maurice Williams, Jordan Hill, and 1st-Rounder (GS).

This was a good deal for the Kings. Not only did they get some great value for an injured Bynum who might be bolting at the end of the season, but they also got the Warriors first round draft pick, which ended up being the fourth overall pick. Maurice Williams managed to play about half the season for the Kings, helping them in getting the best record in the west.

Worst Trade: The Sacramento Kings send Mike Dunleavy to the Chicago Bulls for Josh Childress.

Overall the Kings didnt do themselves any favors by trading Mike Dunleavy for Josh Childress. Childress only played in two games for the Kings and then was eventually waived. Whats worse is his 1.06 mil salary will still be on the books for two more years. Dunleavy on the other hand went on to play 48 games for the Bulls, averaging 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist a game. Then was traded to the 76ers.

Other Notable Trades: The Sacramento Kings send Ed Davis and 1st-Rounder (GS) to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Larry Sanders and 1st-Rounder (Por).

In the end this deal turned out to be Ed Davis and Nerlens Noel for Larry Sanders and Alex Len. Personally we think the Kings made a great deal here. Larry Sanders is an up and coming defensive specialist, and Alex Len looks like he has some really good tools to build on. Ed Davis hasnt been looking great in the NBA lately, and who knows if Nerlens Noel will even play next season.

Best FA Signing: JR Smith - Smith was a great pickup for the Kings last season. He played in all 82 games and led the Kings in scoring at 21.7 points a game. He also chipped in 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 34 minutes per game.

Worst FA Signing: There really weren't any bad signings.

Star: Chris Paul - Paul was the star of the Kings this season. Paul is the floor general that makes the Kings run. He averaged 17 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.

Surprise: JR Smith - Smith was the surprise this season. Smith declined his player option in the off-season, then decided to return to the Kings. He managed to put up career highs in points (21.7) and rebounds (4.7), while leading the Kings in scoring throuh out the season.

Goat: Kevin Love - I hate to do it again and give a star player the Goat, but there really was no player that stood out as much as Love. It wasn't that he played bad at all, but that he only played 24 games. Love is one of the best big men in the game, and without him in the lineup, it hurts the Kings a lot. The Kings did well without him, but we all have to wonder if they could have won it all if Love was healthy when it counted. Hopefully next season he can stay out there on the court, and make this Kings team even more dangerous.

Draft Report Card: A+,  I gave the Kings an A+ because they could have kept the 4th pick and selected Alex Len. But instead they traded the 4th pick, upgraded Ed Davis to Larry Sanders, and were still able to get Alex Len with the 12th pick. Maybe not who they would have taken at 4th, but still a quality pick at 12th.

They also traded the 30th pick to the 76ers for 41st, 44th, and the 46th pick. The Kings did a great job in the second round, drafting Andre Roberson at 41 and Nemanja Nedovic at 44. Both those guys were drafted in the first round in the NBA draft. Ryan Kelly at 46 was a solid addition and Janis Timma at 58 will be a nice stash overseas.

Looking To The Future: The Kings future is bright, but will cost them a lot of money. With only 44 mil under the luxury tax, they might have to make a few trades, or let some of their players walk. Paul, Splitter, Evans, Smith, Neal, and Webster will be asking for a total salary of around 54 mil. Are the Kings willing to pay the Luxury tax to keep all these players? We dont think so. They mgiht pay the penalty to resign all these guys, but I would be willing to bet they end up trading a few during, if not before the season starts. Also dont forget about rookie Alex Len who will be asking for about 2.9 million of his own. The Kings also have four second round rookies who might break the roster. Whatever the Kings do, I believe they will be one of the top teams in the west again this upcoming season.

Upcoming Free Agents: Tiago Splitter, JR Smith, Chris Paul, Tyreke Evans, and Gary Neal are sure to be staying in Sacramento. Which is a good thing because these are the guys that will keep the Kings on top in the west.

Martell Webster looks like he will be likely to come back, if the Kings wish to resign him.

Maurice Williams, Ronny Turiaf, DeSagna Diop, and Kevin Jones are probably not going to be resigned.