I'm making a prediction that if some players on this team develop and management doesn't do anything stupid, the Sacramento Kings can be a great team.
Jason Thompson is a great player that doesn't get the minutes he deserves, probably because the team has rookie DeMarcus Cousins and had Carl Landry for half the season. His stats don't look overly great because he only averages 23 minutes a game. He averages 13.4 points and 9.5 rebounds per 36 minutes.
Tyreke Evans was last season's Rookie of the Year, so he should blossom into an all-star with the right coaching and stuff like that. His averages are down this season, but that is because his minutes are down and he was injured for a good portion of the season. If you look at past ROY point guards of the recent past, the list includes Derrick Rose (who is in MVP talks this season) and Chris Paul (who has been an all-star starter multiple times). Hopefully, he turns out like them rather than Damon Stoudamire.
DeMarcus Cousins is having a stellar rookie season. His play isn't quite up to par with Blake Griffin and John Wall, but he should make the All-Rookie team. He's averaging 14 points and 8.6 rebounds in only 28 minutes a game.
Francisco Garcia and Beno Udrih have also played solid for the Kings for multiple seasons now.
Recent transactions the Kings have made have also contributed to the massive potential this team has.
They traded Carl Landry to the New Orleans Hornets for Marcus Thornton in February. It proved to be a very smart trade because they had too many power forwards and needed a good shooting guard. Plus, Thornton has played very well this season as a King. In 24 games this season with the team he's averaged 20.8 points per game, which leads the team.
They also traded a 2017 2nd round draft pick for Marquis Daniels, which was a smart trade. Though his stats don't look overly great right now and he is injured, he averaged 13.6 points per game with the Indiana Pacers two seasons ago.
Rookie Pooh Jeter and 2nd year player Jermaine Taylor show a lot of potential, but in order to see it, you have too look at their averages per 36 minutes.
Pooh Jeter averages 10.7 points and 6.8 assists per 36 minutes, which is pretty good for a rookie. Jermaine Taylor averages 16.3 points per 36 minutes which is also not bad.
I haven't even mentioned Samuel Dalembert, Darnell Jackson, Hassan Whiteside, Omri Cassipi, and Dante Greene, who are either good or have potential.
Let's focus back on Cousins, Evans, and Thornton. They are all very talented as I've proved, but look at how old they are. Thornton is 23, Evans is 21, and Cousins is 20! When this team fully develops, they will be a championship-caliber team. Mark my words.
If you remember, I made a similar prediction like this last season with the Washington Wizards. I was right in a few ways (I predicted they would get the 1st pick in the lottery and select John Wall) but, they let Mike Miller go and Josh Howard has been recovering from an injury this season.
Will the Kings be contenders? Not this season, but I think they will next season, or in a few years from now.
Disagree? Leave a comment below and tell me what you think.
And one more thing, I also think they should fire Paul Wetsphal as head coach. Peace out.
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