Is Sacramento this season’s Chicago Bulls?

[Godymas]

Sacramento had a questionable all in move that gets a ton of hatred from the outside because of what they give up.

However this season Sacramento has proven to be very good and a big part of it is the elite offense that the team has. They are currently the 3rd seed with a solid 29-21 record. It isn’t mind blowing and they might be a sub 50 win team.

You look at this team and from the outside there is a ton to get excited about. Sabonis has been a complete stud offensively. Fox has been doing what’s expected and has been unusually clutch. They got nice pieces like Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter. Harrison Barnes is still a good all around player and Keegan Murray has fit in well as a shooter.

However, this team lacks something very important to be a contender and that is defense. None of the players on this team have been very good defensively historically and today the team isn’t very good overall defensively. They don’t have a guy that can suddenly be a defensive anchor like Gobert/Draymond/Simmons/Embiid/JJJ etc.

The regular season success this team has is nice, but could this team actually contend? They aren’t built as nicely around their stars as New Orleans and Memphis. Both of their stars aren’t exactly superstars or #1 guys. If anything a team with Sabonis as it’s second best player and Fox third is a legit contender.

Is this team the Bulls of last year? Exciting regular season team with low likelyhood to do well in the playoffs? What’s the next move for them? What could they do to get over the treadmill ceiling Sabonis has had?

[iLLmatic860]

No Kings are in much better position going foward

[Bulliever2020]

If they are, strap in for a nightmare last few months of the season Kings fans.

[GeorgeMarcus]

It's possible, but IMO Sabonis is better than people realize. If they make the right moves they can build on what they have more easily than the Bulls could in their situation. Plus I bet Kings fans would be happy enough to make the playoffs for once

[pillwenney]

Right now, we'd definitely be happy enough to make the playoffs. The path towards contention is a pick package for the perfect fitting frontcourt player next to Sabonis. If we can manage that and maintain or make some right FA signings to improve our depth, I think that's the path.

[baldur]

no defensive holes like derozan, vucevic or lavine. much younger team. doesn't rely on too many one way players like caruso or ball.

sacramento's could be similar only the atlanta's fluke season in worst case scenario if anything. otherwise, they are in a better position than Atlanta as well.

[Godymas]

I think Sac is the kind of team where they get viewed to be well because they’re young, but having a young core isn’t amazing if they can’t have a true superstar.

Is Sabonis that superstar? Even if Sabonis is a superstar, it’s hard for a team with a superstar to make noise in the west (see Portland)

[Kabaum]

I dont see the Kings making a big splash before the trade deadline but I do like the idea of getting players Thybulle, Plumee or Mo Bamba. Defense has been the issue all year BUT this is a brand new team getting use to playing with each other and our defense is getting better as the season goes on. We were very close to last in defense and now we're 21st. Not good but its getting better which is a good sign. Also, I really hope we're not this seasons Bulls.

[Pointgod]

The Bulls blew their pick wad on two past their prime allstars who are #2a and #3 guys. Kings traded for a 25 year old multiple time allstar. Sure you can 100% make the argument that they should have kept Haliburton who’s another allstar and traded Fox, that’s the preferred option, but Fox’s stock was way down and him and Haliburton absolutely could not coexist. The biggest difference for the Kings between end of last year and now is Mike Brown who deserves all the flowers. And the Kings still have assets to make a big move considering they have their own pick this year, Davion Mitchell, Harrison Barnes expiring, Keegan Murray (although I try to keep him out of trade talks) and future picks.

In comparison Bulls traded Wendell Carter Jr, Lauri Markkanen, #8 pick, two future first round picks and 2 seconds for Derozan and Vucevic. Kind of a really bad use of assets when you put it into perspective especially when we know what Donovan Mitchell, Dejounte Murray went for.

[BoogieTime]

I think Sac is the kind of team where they get viewed to be well because they’re young, but having a young core isn’t amazing if they can’t have a true superstar.

Is Sabonis that superstar? Even if Sabonis is a superstar, it’s hard for a team with a superstar to make noise in the west (see Portland)

Sabonis is top 7-8 impact with some of the old heads still around. He’s more impactful than anyone on the grizzlies or pelicans who you cite as the next teams

[Warriorfan]

Mike Brown is a defensive coach and the young team should get better.

If they only drafted Luka hindsight

The are not contenders but can be treadmill playoff.

They may slip a bit in rankings but I'd try to get value from Barnes who is a little outside age profile of key players

[ImSlower]

I suppose there's a rough comparison to the tempoary-#1 Bulls last year before injuries and other teams adapting to Donovans poor schemes.

I'd take Sacramentos position right now easily over where the Bulls are. You could argue their trajectory might follow the Bulls' doomed course if they suffer a major injury or two and plummet in the standings and anyone's logical outlook on the future.

[Scalabrine]

The Kings have a ton of roster flexibility, no unmovable contracts, a foundation built on some nice young players, and they have all of their own picks (outside of next years first). The comparison starts and ends with both teams are/were great offensive teams with below average defensive players. The Bulls went all in with that, the Kings have ways to keep improving.

[kodo]

I think a key difference is Sacramento can improve because the Sabonis/Fox combo is 25/26 years old. Financially, they only have 1 player making more than $20M and can add talent, while Chicago is capped out financially an can only add vet min talent at this point.

And of course the entire downfall of Chicago was Lonzo Ball's injury and Ball was the highest impact player, not Derozan/Lavine/Vucevic.

The other issue dragging Chicago down is a terrible coach who just got extended when he should have been fired, and Sacramento hasn't taken a stance of keeping the coach no matter how badly he performs. All the indicators of good coaching/preparation such as consistent performance and late game execution Chicago is near the bottom of the league. They have a better record against winning teams than the Memphis Grizzlies, and yet are almost out of the play-in because of how wildly inconsistent the team executes.

Sacramento is in a significantly better position than Chicago. If Chicago had not given away 2 of their next 3 picks, they should be tanking.

[giberish]

I'd say that this year's Kings team is a bit 'overrated' in that they've been very healthy - which is a great way to win a few extra games compared to teams with average injuries.

As others have noted though, they're in a better position than last season's Bulls team due to having a younger roster and better financial position (those often go together). They have more ways to improve into the next few seasons, both from internal improvements of young or even youngish players and also possibly getting another guy.

[Godymas]

I think Sac is the kind of team where they get viewed to be well because they’re young, but having a young core isn’t amazing if they can’t have a true superstar.

Is Sabonis that superstar? Even if Sabonis is a superstar, it’s hard for a team with a superstar to make noise in the west (see Portland)

Sabonis is top 7-8 impact with some of the old heads still around. He’s more impactful than anyone on the grizzlies or pelicans who you cite as the next teams

based on what, RAPTOR has Sabonis just as impactful as Ja Morant

Zion hasn't played but the Pelicans were a much better team than Sac when healthy even if technically Zion isn't the same as Sabonis due to advanced stats (and I think most of that is just because of Zion not being healthy)

[OxAndFox]

It's tough to compare the Bulls to the Kings. Injuries have played a massive part in the Bulls chances.

On the Kings' side they have been healthy and every other team in the West is tripping over themselves losing games they should win. It's been one of those seasons.
It would be nice to get a defensive upgrade for sure, but they won't burn what they already have.

Let's see how the team ends this road trip first off and have a nice AS break to freshen up.

[BoogieTime]

I'd say that this year's Kings team is a bit 'overrated' in that they've been very healthy - which is a great way to win a few extra games compared to teams with average injuries.

As others have noted though, they're in a better position than last season's Bulls team due to having a younger roster and better financial position (those often go together). They have more ways to improve into the next few seasons, both from internal improvements of young or even youngish players and also possibly getting another guy.

Attrition to other teams - namely warriors/clippers/Chris Paul as well

[payton2kemp]

No, defensive anchors are over-rated. There is no defense in the league anymore with the way the rules are, plus their trade for Sabonis is much better than the Vuc trade. They have all their draft picks and their core is younger.

[Statlanta]

I hope their GM doesn't over react to the success of this year.