Kings Best and Worst Case Scenarios for the 2023-24 NBA Season
The Sacramento Kings are coming off a 48-win 2022-23 NBA season, earning the third seed in the Western Conference. Despite a first-round playoff exit, having a winning record and making the playoffs was the best-case scenario for a franchise coming off 16 straight losing seasons.
The Kings got over the playoff hump and are looking to make a deeper run next season. Sacramento reloaded their roster this off-season, bringing back their entire starting lineup and adding bench pieces in G Chris Duarte, F Sasha Vezenkov, and C JaVale McGee.
While the Kings might have reached their ceiling last season, they have set the bar higher heading into the 2023-24 NBA season.
Best Case Scenario
Record: 53-19
A five-win increase from last season to the 2023-24 season would be ideal for Sacramento, as that would practically lock them in for a top-two seed in the Western Conference. This would match the Denver Nuggets' record from their 2022-23 championship run.
The Kings have the pieces to make their way atop the conference, and a 53-win season would assume that every player reaches their full potential.
Standings: 1st Seed in Western Conference
The Kings would ideally want to secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, given they have one of the best home crowds in basketball.
Playoffs: Championship
While the Kings' franchise has not made an NBA Finals appearance since the 1950-51 season, 2024 could be their year. A team of young players with limited playoff experience typically does not win the championship, but the Kings have proved they have all the pieces necessary.
The All-NBA duo of G De'Aaron Fox and C Domantas Sabonis has the potential to will this Sacramento squad to their first championship and Finals appearance since they were the Rochester Royals.
Worst Case Scenario
Record: 42-40
While the Kings could see a five-win increase from last season, they could also see a six-win decrease. There should not be a scenario where the Kings do not go above .500, but they could certainly slide down the standings. While Fox and Sabonis might perform, it is possible some of the young guys do not make their expected leaps.
While F Keegan Murray is expected to skyrocket in his sophomore season, it is possible that we do not see any improvement. It is also possible G Kevin Huerter has a down year shooting-wise. While 42-40 is not a bad record in the NBA, many factors can lead to a team taking a hit from season to season.
Standings: 9th Seed in Western Conference
After achieving the 3rd seed in the West last season, Sacramento could find themselves on a slippery slope as they head back to the bottom half of the conference.
With a 42-40 record, the Kings would likely be looking at the 8th or 9th seed, but regardless, it would be an uphill battle from there.
Playoffs: First Round Exit
If the Kings finish as the 8th or 9th seed, they are talented enough to win a play-in game and sneak into the playoffs. Facing a team like the Nuggets or Phoenix Suns in the first round would likely result in another early exit for Sacramento, and it would be time to start focusing on the 2024-25 NBA season.
While the Kings are realistically going to increase their win total by a couple of games and make a deeper playoff run, it is impossible to predict the factors that might affect a team's season.
After such a strong off-season, Kings fans should be excited about what is to come for Sacramento in the 2023-24 NBA season.
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