Getty Image / Thearon W Henderson
This past NBA season, the Sacramento Kings brought an end to the longest playoff drought in league history.
The success was a pretty big surprise for a franchise that had won 30 games the previous year.
Next season, the league will know what to expect from the Kings and fans will be hoping they can improve upon their first round exit from the playoffs.
The team has already begun making moves this offseason to try and make that improvement.
The organization gave up a first round pick to trade Richaun Holmes to the Mavs and clear cap space. They are also not expected to bring back Harrison Barnes, which will create some more cap space for them.
With those moves clearing space, the expectation is that they intend to do something big this offseason.
According to Yahoo’s Jake Fischer, there is momentum building for the Kings to bring in Kyle Kuzma this offseason.
Fresh intel notebook just dropped @YahooSports. The forward market is crowded after John Collins' trade to Utah, including Indiana, Orlando, Sacramento. The latest on Kyle Kuzma and KJ Martin. Plus other dominos teams are waiting to see fall in succession: https://t.co/xW7AiAj1CX
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 27, 2023
Kuzma put together another strong season for the Washington Wizards last season, averaging 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game and would definitely be an upgrade over Barnes on offense.
However, a Kuzma signing doesn’t do much to help the Kings in the area where they need it most. Their defense was bad last year. Kuzma was statistically a below-average defender last season with a defensive rating of 116.6.
A lineup that starts Kyle Kuzma with De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, and Kevin Huerter and then can bring Malik Monk off the bench would certainly be formidable on offense, though.
Maybe the Sacramento Kings will make this move hoping that enough offensive firepower can overcome their defensive woes.
Even if it doesn’t work, it would definitely be fun for fans to watch.