NBA teams should take the Sacramento Kings seriously in the playoffs. 

The Sacramento Kings in the 2022-23 season have been running through a majority of the league one screen and cut at a time. Though many project the Kings to get bounced out in the first round or early in the second, this team is built to succeed in the playoffs. Though the defense needs massive improvement, the Kings are far from a full liability and show a lot of potential on both ends. On the offensive side of the court, the King’s offense is based around many capable shooters and finishers cutting and screening. Not to mention on any given night a bench player can drop 30 points. This has created one of the most efficient and overall best offensive teams in the league. 

On the defensive end, Sabonis is very capable of being the defensive anchor in the paint in necessary moments with Davion Mitchell developing into an elite perimeter defender and Keegan Murray showing great defensive instincts. Mike Brown was also a championship team’s assistant coach in which he orientated his coaching style around defense during his time with the Warriors franchise, so he knows what his guys need to work on and change in their game to improve even further on the defensive end.

Finally the most important element a team needs to develop while contending in the playoffs is chemistry. The Kings have quickly become a very close team; the Kings lead the league in dribble handoffs and are top 5 in assists overall. They’ve created a culture in Sacramento where players and fans alike are happy to go to the Golden 1 Center. Not to mention the long-time friendship between the star point guard De’Aaron and Malik Monk where they combined for over 80 points in a legendary game against an elite looking Clippers team.

Overall this Kings team is not only amazing to watch but can be lethal when underestimated. They’ve not only created one of the best offenses ever seen in this league, they have one of the deepest rosters in the league and created a culture around winning that hasn’t been seen since Kevin Durant was on the Thunder. This Kings team is absolutely a hidden threat for any team to face in the playoffs despite the holes in their game.