For the latest Kings
news, blogs, interviews,
and highlights.Kings Season in Review 2014-15
Kings Coach Michael Malone deserves much of the credit for the improvements the Kings made last seasonW-L: 40-42 (33-49 in 2013-14)Best Performances:Points: R. Gay:
38 PTS vs. BKN Rebounds: D. Cousins:
21 REB vs. GSAssists: I. Thomas:
14 AST vs. UTABlocks: D. Cousins:
6 BLK vs. MILD. Cousins -
22 PTS, 21 REB, 5 AST, 5 STL, 5 BLK vs. GS -
28 PTS, 19 REB vs. MIAR. Gay -
38 PTS, 8 REB vs. BKNR. Jackson -
35 PTS, 6 AST vs. BKNB. McLemore -
28 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 4 STL vs. IND -
20 PTS, 9 AST, 8/10 FG vs. OKCQ. Acy -
23 PTS, 10 REB, 10/14 FG vs. LACJ. Henson -
12 PTS, 20 REB vs. ATL -
14 PTS, 5 BLK, 6/9 FG vs. DETA. Crabbe -
30 PTS, 5/9 3PT FG vs. GSD. Williams -
29 PTS, 11/15 FG vs. ORLR. McCallum -
17 PTS, 6 AST vs. LALThe 2013-14 season saw the Kings begin their new era under new owner Vivek Ranadadive and new management including GM Pete D'Alessandro and coach Michael Malone. The team underwent significant roster turnover, which began by executing a sign-and-trade with the Pelicans of Tyreke Evans for PG Greivis Vasquez. Multiple trades throughout the season saw a host of players including Vasquez, Patrick Patterson, Chuck Hayes, Marcus Thornton, Jimmer Fredette, and more sent out of Sacramento. In a trade that crucified the Kings in the media, they acquired slumping volume scorer Rudy Gay from Toronto. Gay regained his confidence in Sacramento and entered last season as a leader for the Kings next to Demarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas.
That trio performed very well for the Kings last season, each putting up at least 18 points a game for most of the year. Sacramento was playing .500 basketball on a consistent basis and seemed to be a threat for the postseason. At least they did until the trade deadline when they shocked Kings' fans by trading Isaiah Thomas. Thomas was in the midst of a career year and had made a large jump in his playmaking ability before heading to the defending champion Thunder. In exchange for Thomas and Carl Landry, the Kings' return was headlined by Reggie Jackson. The Kings were high on Jackson's athleticism and aggressiveness from the lead guard position in today's NBA game and instantly gave him the keys to the team. The results were initially mixed for the Boston College product as his inconsistency and turnovers cost Sacramento wins in their playoff chase. But eventually Jackson found a rhythm with his new team, especially in the final month of the year. In what was essentially a playoff-clinching win in Minnesota, Jackson capped off his improvement with an 18 point, 8 assists, and 4 steal performance. Add the fact that he never turned the ball over that night and shot 70% from the floor, and Jackson showed his teammates and Kings' fans what he could bring as a leader of the team.
Thanks to the consistent production from Cousins and Gay to go with Jackson's late-season improvement, the Kings snapped their miserable postseason drought with a #8 seed and an appearance in the first round. Ironically, their opponent was the defending champion Thunder, who brought former Kings Isaiah Thomas and Carl Landry with them. The outstanding and yet still young core of the Thunder had their eyes set on a repeat and made quick work of the Kings overall in the series. Except for game 4, Oklahoma City easily cruised past the Kings and won the series 4-1. But despite the double-digit losses and the 5-game exit, the Kings had a lot to celebrate. Aside from their much-improved season record and the end of their playoff drought, their game 4 performance at home was a special night. Sacramento put everything together that night and dominated all 48 minutes. The Kings have a decent young core of their own and every Kings that stepped on the floor reminded everybody what they have the potential to become. The Sacramento fans deserved a playoff win so desperately, and to do it in a manner that left them excited and hopeful for the entire game was a huge positive for the Kings as a franchise.
Realistically, very few would consider the Kings' season anything besides a rousing success. Their trade of Isaiah Thomas is even starting to look better considering Jackson's improved play, not to mention additional assets like Bismack Biyombo, Devin Hopkins, and a 1st round pick in the upcoming draft. But this offseason must also be successful in order for the Kings to maintain their upward momentum. Rudy Gay is a free agent and will at least listen to other offers. Gay has repeatedly has very positive things to say about Coach Michael Malone and also witnessed the incredible atmosphere and fan support by securing a postseason appearance, so the Kings are encouraged by their chances to retain their star wing. Along with Gay's free agency, addressing the defensive holes on the roster should be another priority this offseason for a Kings' team hopefully on the rise.
Demarcus Cousins: Cousins had a much-improved season statistically in 2013-14 and posted very similar numbers once again. His scoring and rebounding dropped slightly, but by less than 1 a game. His assists rose, while everything else was fairly equal. His role as the leader and primary option was questioned by many, but Cousins performed admirably enough. His maturity and leadership mentality made many positive strides, but the question of if he can be the #1 option on a contending team still very much remains.
Rudy Gay: Gay improved his efficiency in 2013-14 after the trade to Sacramento, and that efficiency remained high last year while improving his scoring overall. He scored over 18 points a night while shooting 47% from the floor. As he showed in Memphis, Gay has the ability to play off of a dominant post player very well. Cousins replicated much of what made Rudy successful with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, as he can both score inside and is an underrated passer. His overall contributions go deeper than his 18, 5, and 3 and is probably a must-resign for the Kings. Rudy is the best small forward to come to Sacramento in a long time and if he does walk, it will be very difficult for Sacramento to replace him.
Reggie Jackson: As mentioned, Jackson came from Oklahoma City in exchange for Isaiah Thomas and had a bumpy adjustment period with his new team. His playstyle and per-36 stats reflect reasonably to Eric Bledsoe, which is the tier of lead guard that the Kings are hoping Jackson develops into. He displayed that ability more frequently down the stretch of the season and in the playoffs with over 6.5 assists a night in the last month of the season. Maintaining that passing ability and playing under control will go a long ways toward securing his spot as the starting PG of the future.
John Henson: Henson was acquired from Milwaukee last offseason in exchange for the #9 pick in the draft. Henson was expected to fit in next to Demarcus Cousins and provide the length, athleticism, and shot-blocking that Cousins lacks. In that role, the UNC product performed to perfection. Henson secured over 8 boards and blocked 1.8 shots per game, while not forcing anything offensively. He shot over 50% from the field and gradually displayed more confidence in his midrange jumpshot. His ability to space the floor for Cousins can still improve, but his first season in Sacramento was a solid one and he fit his role resoundingly well.
Ben McLemore: After an uneven rookie year, Ben McLemore did perform better in his sophomore season with small improvements in almost all statistical categories. But those improvements were relatively small, and he actually performed worse in arguably the most important area. His 3PT percentage dropped from 36% down to 33%. Everybody knew his athletic abilities would translate to the NBA, but he was expected to be a lights-out shooter as well. His shooting form is excellent but maybe McLemore won't be the kind of shooter and double threat that some first thought. He did make some very solid improvements defensively, which was a welcome sight to coach Malone, who gave McLemore over 34 minutes a night, which was the most on the team besides Jackson's smaller sample size.
Derrick Williams: Acquired from Minnesota in exchange for Luc Mbah a Moute in 2013-14, D-Thrill brought athleticism off the Kings' bench. The trouble is that he didn't bring much else consistently. The knocks on him as a tweener without a consistent jumper and a player who requires the ball to be productive showed up regularly last year. He did muster a respectable 36% from behind the arc due to much better shot selection and a low number of 3PT attempts yet his jumpshot still lacked the polish and consistent results required from someone playing the small forward. It is become clearer that his best position is the power forward spot, especially in today's NBA with small-ball and a focus on athleticism. At the 4 he would probably be considered at least an average shooter. The trouble is that the Kings are very high on Henson as well as Quincy Acy at the 4. Derrick is understandably relatively well-liked by fans due to his athletic ability, but he will be a free agent along with Gay and many would argue that his $6M could be better spent on other needs.
Ray McCallum: Very quietly, RayMac had an excellent season. If not for his sub-40% shooting, his year would have been even better. He was a consistent player off the bench, which was sometimes missing for Sacramento. His defensive abilites are excellent for a young player thanks in large part to being a coach's son. The late-season loss of Allen Crabbe also hurt McCallum, who was frequently without consistent shooting in the rest of the bench unit. His need to create for the bench drove his shooting percentages down, but he has kept improving his game and could make a case for a larger role next season if he can improve his shot selection.
Quincy Acy: A favorite of both the fans and coach Malone, Quincy has settled into a good role in Sacramento. He came back from last offseason with a relatively consistent 3pt shot to go with his hustle and angry dunks. He brings the perfect package for a bench player of versatility, energy, and defensive focus. His role and playing time are probably right where they should be, but don't expect anybody to come in and take his minutes easily.
Jason Thompson: It is no secret that the relationship between Thompson and the Kings have deteriorated in the past few seasons. JT posted his lowest MPG total of his career last season by a wide margin, and lost most of his playing time to the combination of Henson, Acy, Landry, and Biyombo. His largest value was as the only player on the roster who could consistently play center aside from Cousins, but he lost that distinction when Bismack Biyombo was acquired from Charlotte in the 3-team deal of Isaiah Thomas. He was reportedly on the trade block for most of 2013-14 as well as last season. Despite a pair of solid performances in the postseason when his consistency was desired, Thompson is at the bottom of the frontcourt rotation and would likely welcome a move, especially if the fit between him and the Kings is beyond repair.
Bismack Biyombo: He came to the Kings from Charlotte in the Isaiah Thomas trade as Kendrick Perkins went to the Hornets. Instead of taking Perkins' expiring deal, the Kings essentially flipped him for the youth of Biyombo. The former #7 overall pick in 2011, ironically made by the Kings, remains a raw prospect who has not developed offensive moves or a consistent free throw stroke. His only skill is as an athletic rim-protection, but it is something that the Kings liked enough to expand the Thomas trade in order to land him. It remains unclear if he will be a long-term piece for the Kings or used as a trade chip for another team who wants to gamble on his potential.
Allen Crabbe: Crabbe performed excellently for most of the year as a reliable spot-up option off the bench. For the first month or two of the season, Crabbe averaged 15 minutes a night thanks to his consistency and McLemore's early season struggles. He was a consistent 40% shooter from downtown before a hip injury sidelined him for the last 2 months of the season. He also missed the Kings' playoff series against the Thunder. Like most of the Kings' reserves, his spot on the roster is not set in stone despite how much the Kings' FO and coaches like him simply because his primary skill can be replaced by most perimeter specialists.
Devin Hopkins: A throw-in of the Thomas deal, Hopkins is an undersized combo guard who has a flashy style. He has mediocre defensive skills and questionable shot selection, but loves to create off the dribble and shake defenders with a solid handle. Yet despite his isolation and shot-creation skills, his 36% and 28% shooting marks and his undersized frame make it a hard sell to keep him long-term, much less to give him a larger role.
Travis Outlaw: Outlaw received DNPs for a decent amount of the season, especially down the stretch of the year. He only played in 60 games and averaged just 5.4 minutes in those appearances. Despite Williams' shortcomings, he was far ahead of Outlaw in the rotation and received the vast majority of the backup minutes behind Rudy Gay. Outlaw's $3M contract expires this offseason and it is very unlikely that he will be a Kings next year.
