The Sacramento Kings have a legitimate shot at ending their playoff drought. Here are three reasons why they can make the postseason.
Three Reasons Why The Sacramento Kings Will Make The Playoffs
At 31-28, the Sacramento Kings find themselves in an unfamiliar position: within reach of a playoff spot. Sacramento sits just a game behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the eight and final spot in the postseason. It has been 12 seasons since the Kings last tasted a playoff appearance.
Not many, perhaps even the Sacramento Kings themselves, thought they would be in this position at this time of year. Though they have a formidable schedule to end the season, we have seen Sacramento prove they are more than up to the challenge.
After a close loss to the Golden State Warriors and a hard-fought win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Kings are well-equipped to appear in the postseason. Here are three reasons why the Sacramento Kings will make the playoffs.
In prime position
The Kings are not currently holding onto the final eight seed, but they are in great position to snag the last spot. They are a game behind the Clippers and better yet, two games ahead of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. It is safe to say they control their own destiny moving forward.
The Western Conference has been wild this year, with playoff positioning likely in flux till the last game of the year. This bodes well for the Kings, who (like many other teams) could have found themselves with a record under .500. Instead, they are three games above.
The Clippers might have the incentive to tank in order to hold onto their 2019 draft pick (they must not make the playoffs). The Lakers (who are in playoff mentality according to LeBron) might have the best player on the planet, but their record is a hurdle to overcome. Both those truths play in favor of Sacramento.
End the drought!
It has been 12 seasons since Sacramento fans saw their franchise play in the postseason. That is four more seasons than the next active drought (belonging to the Phoenix Suns). This is the best motivation the Kings could ask for.
The chance at snapping their streak of playoff absences will be another leap forward for this franchise. The Kings are already ahead of schedule and the front office made this clear at the trade deadline. The acquisition of Harrison Barnes was meant to help go all-in for the postseason in 2019.
The Kings do not own their 2019 first round pick, so there is no logical reason to throw away the season. If Sacramento wants to attract free agents in the summer, a postseason berth is proof of a changing culture.
Built for this
The Kings’ recent performances help builds their case for the postseason. They lost to the Warriors by just three points and defeated the Thunder on the road. These are quality performances against top Western Conference threats.
As a matter of fact, the Kings have proven to be a fierce opponent to Golden State. In their four matchups, the Kings lost by just one, five, four and two points, respectively. Come first round, the defending champs likely hope they don’t see Sacramento.
Sacramento’s record hasn’t been the result of “luck.” They have proven to be a team on the rise, capable of beating elite teams. Through their drafting and front office moves, the Kings are all in for the playoffs this season. With just a game behind for the final spot, all eyes will be on how their season unfolds.
Main Photo
Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings with the ball against Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors during the Toronto Raptors vs Sacramento Kings NBA regular season game at Scotiabank Arena on January 22, 2018 in Toronto, Canada (Toronto Raptors win 120-105) (Photo by Anatoliy Cherkasov/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
