Predicting the Kings Record and 2023-24 Season Outlook
The 2023-24 NBA season is underway Tuesday night with two fierce Western Conference matchups. The reigning champion Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Phoenix Suns visit the Golden State Warriors. NBA fans will finally get regular-season basketball for the first time since April.
The Sacramento Kings kick off their 2023-24 campaign on Wednesday night as they visit the Utah Jazz. Led by All-Stars G De'Aaron Fox and C Domantas Sabonis, the Kings have higher expectations heading into this season.
Despite a 48-win season, Sacramento suffered a first-round exit in the 2023 playoffs. The Kings expect more from their talented squad and have made it clear that they all have one goal for this season: a championship.
Record Prediction: 46-36
Seeding Prediction: 4th in Western Conference
Playoffs Prediction: Second-Round Exit
A two-loss decrease from last season would not be ideal for Sacramento, but it is realistic. Sustaining a record-breaking offense and efficiency is a difficult task for the Kings, but HC Mike Brown has proven he will try his best.
Even if the Kings do not reach the same level of offense, their defense should improve as they develop a two-way presence overall.
The Western Conference continues to get more challenging, as the Nuggets, Suns, Warriors, Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Oklahoma City Thunder will all be giving the Kings a run for their money. Achieving a home-court advantage for the first round of the 2024 playoffs should be the goal for Sacramento.
With rising star F Keegan Murray expected to leap to be a third-option threat in Sacramento's elite offense, he could be the X Factor for the Kings. Off-season additions of G Chris Duarte, C JaVale McGee, and F Sasha Vezenkov give the Kings the necessary depth that they have lacked in the past.
The Kings have valuable returners from last season's squad, as G Kevin Huerter, G Malik Monk, G Davion Mitchell, F Harrison Barnes, and F Trey Lyles should all be important pieces for a deep 2024 playoff run.
While the Kings have a championship mentality heading into the 2023-24 season, this young team might not be ready to take that step. With limited playoff experience outside of 2015 NBA Champion Barnes and three-time champion McGee, the Kings will likely need more time together to reach that next step.
The Kings have the potential to be a championship contender, but with a competitive Western Conference, their time may have to wait.
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