The 2020-2021 season for the Sacramento Kings was one that had its ups and downs. On one hand, the Kings had an exciting mix of young guys and were a good offensive team, but they were one of the worst defensive teams in the league and there is uncertainty with the roster going forward. Head coach Luke Walton is back for another season and there is not much reason to believe that he is a good NBA coach. The Kings have missed on some picks recently and this is a tough organization to feel good about.
Still, not everything is so bad. The Kings almost made the playoffs last season and nearly broke what is currently the longest playoff drought in the NBA. Star point guard De’Aaron Fox took another step forward and is one of the most exciting players in the NBA. Rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton looked like a steal in the draft and could be a star in the future. They re-signed center Richaun Holmes, who had a bit of a breakout season and he is looking to take the next step forward.
Many questions exist about this year’s Kings squad and we’ve got you covered with our Fact or Fiction series. It features the boldest and biggest claims being made about the Pacers and offers you the answer with a decisive fact or fiction.
Make sure to check out all of our other Fact or Fiction Articles
Davion Mitchell was the Steal of the Draft Lottery
The Kings were picking on the back end of the NBA Draft lottery but got one of the more interesting draft prospects in Baylor guard Davion Mitchell. It was a bit of a surprise considering that the Kings just spent a high pick on Haliburton, but Mitchell is a scoring guard who could make an impact right away for the Kings.
Mitchell went about where he was supposed to go in the draft, although it was surprising that the Kings were the ones that took him. Mitchell had a good career at Baylor and was instrumental in leading the Bears to the national title this past season. While the case could be made that Mitchell was the most talented player on the board at that point in the draft, it would be a stretch to say that Mitchell was the steal of the draft lottery.
Verdict: Fiction, Davion Mitchell was not the steal of the draft lottery
This is a Make or Break Season for Marvin Bagley III
It is never a good sign for your franchise when your number two overall pick is being questioned heading into his fourth season. However, that is what is going on with Marvin Bagley III. Bagley III has become a bit of a punchline amongst NBA fans for being drafted over superstars like Luka Doncic and Trae Young and other solid players like Jaren Jackson Jr and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Bagley III has had an uneven start to his career and this is going to be huge in seeing if he can stick around in Sacramento.
If Bagley III wants to make strides this season, it is going to have to come on the defensive side of the ball. Bagley III is one of the worst defensive players in the league since he was drafted and is almost unplayable at times because of it. He has had the offensive game since the time he was at Duke and he is a solid rebounder, but he is atrocious on defense.
With seemingly everyone on the roster but Fox and Haliburton potentially on the trading block, this is the definition of a make-or-break season for the talented big man. If he can make necessary improvements, it could be a big boost to the King’s playoff hopes for the season.
Verdict: Fact, this is a make-or-break season for Marvin Bagley III
Luke Walton is on the Hot Seat Entering the 21-22 Season
As discussed earlier, it is honestly unclear why Luke Walton is still a head coach in the NBA. He was the former top assistant with Steve Kerr on the championship team in Golden State before getting the job with the LA Lakers. His Lakers tenure did not go well and he was let go, but it was not long before the Kings thought it would be a good idea to hire him as the next head coach. The Kings have been an ok offensive team under Walton, but player development and defense have been missing.
The Kings got hot late in the season and made a bit of a push to get in the playoffs, but came up short. It is not the craziest idea to think that the Kings could make a push to get into the play-in tournament again this season if they can make improvements on defense. It is a big year for Walton and that is going to put him squarely on the hot seat.
Verdict: Fact, Luke Walton is on the hot seat entering the 21-22 season
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