ESPN projects the Sacramento Kings to return to the NBA Playoffs

A new NBA season is upon us, and expectations are high for a Sacramento Kings team that made a head-turning move during the offseason.

With six-time All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan just six days away from making his preseason debut in a Kings uniform, ESPN has released its win projections for the 2024-25 season. Sacramento, a team that missed its second-straight NBA Playoff berth by just one game last season, grades out well in ESPN writer Kevin Pelton’s projection system.

Here’s how the system works:

My annual projections combine box score numbers from my SCHOENE projection system, adjusted plus-minus data and my guesses at rotations for every team based on current injuries.

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton – September 28, 2024

That being said, let’s take a look at where Pelton’s system places the Kings in the Western Conference this season:

Western Conference:

1) Thunder [53.7 wins]

2) Grizzlies [51.1 wins]

3) Mavericks [49.7 wins]

4) Kings [49.4 wins]

5) Nuggets [47.4]

Is it surprising to see Sacramento this high? It’s fair to say yes–but also reasonable to say no.

The Kings will enter this season with a load of talent, as DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter, and Keon Ellis provide Sacramento with the offensive depth to battle with the best in the league on any given night.

However, some–Pelton included–will view this projection as a potential error, meaning that it will be on the Kings to prove the numbers right:

After averaging 47 wins over the past two seasons, the Kings have their most talented roster yet after moving Harrison Barnes for DeRozan in a sign-and-trade.

The question is whether these players will fit as well on the court given DeRozan, like De’Aaron Fox and sixth man Malik Monk, is best with the ball in his hands. I remain skeptical the Kings will finish quite this high in the West.

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton – September 28, 2024

Sacramento Kings 2024-25 Schedule

Preseason

• Wednesday, October 9th – vs. Golden State Warriors – 7 pm PDT
• Friday, October 11th – @ Golden State Warriors – 7 pm PDT
• Sunday, October 13th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 3 pm PDT
• Tuesday, October 15th – @ Utah Jazz – 6 pm PDT
• Thursday, October 17th – @ Los Angeles Clippers – 7 pm PDT

Regular Season

• Thursday, October 24th – vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – 7 pm PDT
• Saturday, October 26th – @ Los Angeles Lakers – 7:30 pm PDT
• Monday, October 28th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 7 pm PDT
• Tuesday, October 29th – @ Utah Jazz – 6 pm PDT
• Friday, November 1st – @ Atlanta Hawks – 4 pm PDT

Thank you for reading sactownsports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Related

DeMar DeRozan Reportedly Agrees To Deal With DenverJerry Reynolds Names His Favorite Free Agent Linked To KingsZach LaVine has a chance to rebuild his value in SacramentoReport: Kings bringing veteran PGs in for workoutsPotential 2027 NBA Free Agent Targets for the Sacramento KingsMaxime Raynaud’s 3-Point shooting could be his ‘golden ticket’ with Kings