Could this be the season that the Sacramento Kings make history?

The Sacramento Kings at present maintain the longest energetic playoff drought in the entire four major sports within the U.S. and the longest within the historical past of the NBA. Cowl your ears kings followers, however the Sacramento devoted haven’t gotten to watch their Kings in the playoffs in 16 seasons. The final King’s roster to seem within the postseason was headlined by guard Mike Bibby — a reputation that informal NBA followers may not even know. Regardless of the playoff drought, the Kings have seen some proficient gamers come and go up to now 16 years. Names like DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas, a younger Tyreek Evans, Tyrese Haliburton and extra have all handed by way of Sacramento, but none of them had been capable of get the kings to the postseason.

After dropping 153 factors in a win over the Brooklyn Nets, nonetheless, Kings followers and lovers of basketball all over the place are asking…

Might this be the yr that the Sacramento Kings attain the Playoffs?

It’s laborious to say with certainty that this would be the yr the Kings recover from the hump and make it to the playoffs, however there may be actually cause for optimism in Sacramento. To begin, this appears to be probably the most proficient workforce the Kings have produced in a while. Not solely are they led by De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, who each have began their seasons with All-Star-level basketball, however they’re flanked by proficient function gamers up and down the roster.

Capturing guards Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk have each confirmed to be dependable shooters to stretch the ground and can provide the Kings a lift in scoring when wanted. Combo guard Davion Mitchell is a pure jolt of power off the bench and a tremendous defensive expertise, and even the backup forwards like Chimezie Metu and Trey Lyles have been spectacular off the bench for the Kings. If all of this wasn’t sufficient, rookie Keegan Murray already appears to be like to be an NBA-ready expertise by way of his first few weeks {of professional} basketball.

It’s no thriller that the hopes and desires of the 2022 Sacramento Kings relaxation totally on Fox’s shoulders. The 24-year-old level guard has had an unimaginable starting to his season, averaging almost 25 factors per recreation on the very best effectivity of his profession. If the numbers aren’t sufficient for you, Fox has handed the attention check as effectively this season. Wanting extra comfy in his function and assured in his soar shot, this model of De’Aaron Fox appears to have taken a leap.

Take the Kings’ current recreation in opposition to the Golden State Warriors for instance. Deep into the fourth quarter with solely 4 minutes remaining, the Kings trailed the Warriors 113 – 110. Fox went into overdrive on the following three scoring performs, ending a layup by way of visitors, nailing a three-pointer and connecting on a step-back midrange jumper. After this fast takeover from Fox, the Kings had been capable of escape with a win in opposition to the defending champs. These sorts of shut video games are the sort that almost all Sacramento Kings followers have grow to be accustomed to shedding, however not this yr.

Sacramento has one other issue taking part in in its favor: the NBA’s coveted Play-In Event. The Kings will solely have to achieve the tenth seed to offer themselves an opportunity on the 2023 playoffs. With a proficient roster like theirs, in a single-game elimination format just like the Play-In Event, they are going to have nearly as good an opportunity as any to make out on high. After all, Kings followers can be dreaming of acquiring the sixth seed or larger, successfully locking themselves into the playoffs. Nonetheless, their most probably playoff look can be through the Play-In.

No matter how they get there although, the 2022 Sacramento Kings look energized, and lots of NBA followers can be rooting for them to make the Playoffs and finish their 16-year drought. It’s far too early within the season to make any definitive predictions, however at 7-6 (eighth within the west) and driving a 4-game win streak.

Nonetheless, it’s laborious to not daydream in regards to the prospect that this may very well be the season the Sacramento Kings make historical past.