Bold predictions for the 2023-24 Sacramento Kings season

Sacramento Kings fans, the 2023-24 season is finally here.

No longer are we yearning for a playoff berth. That goal was achieved last season. Unfortunately, it was cut short by the Golden State Warriors, but the Kings ended the drought!

What’s next for the Beam Team? First, a matchup with the Jazz in Utah. Then, a return home and a fight against Steph Curry and those pesky Warriors.

Are the Kings built for a longer run in the postseason? Will they be able to avoid major injuries again this year and place within the top three of the Western Conference by the end of the season?

Here are some Sacramento Kings bold predictions from Sactown Sports:

Frankie Cartoscelli

Last season, the Sacramento Kings ranked 25th in defensive rating and 25th in opponent points per game.

Mike Brown was known as a defensive specialist upon his hire, but the Kings surprisingly turned in the best offensive rating in NBA history.

This season, Brown and the rest of Sacramento’s coaching staff are taking a much more aggressive approach to the defensive end and have constantly preached physicality during training camp and preseason.

My bold prediction for this season is that the Kings will finish in the league’s top half in defensive rating (15th or higher). For reference, last season’s 15th-ranked quad in defensive rating was the Brooklyn Nets (113.5).

The Kings finished last season with a DEF RTG of 116.0, meaning that cleaning some things up on the defensive end can put them in a good spot this year.

Jason Ross

I have so many thoughts as to how this Kings season can go. I have been saying on the show that I can see this team finishing anywhere from 1st to 11th in the West. That sounds crazy but I don’t think the Western Conference will have a team that runs away with things. I also think the top seed may win somewhere around 50-52 games. That means there will be a long jam and not much separation between the top spot and the rest.

Anyway, with that said, this is asking for a BOLD prediction, and I do have one of those. I am going to go with the Kings getting a repeat award winner. Last year, De’Aaron Fox won the first-ever Clutch Award handed out by the NBA. I think he is going to do it AGAIN. I think the Kings will play in a lot of close games and he really shined in the 4th quarter metrics a year ago and I anticipate more of that again in 2023-2024.

Kevin “Whitey” Gleason

How’s this for a “bold”? The Kings will break an NBA record that has stood for nearly three decades.

With improved depth, scoring balance, and superior passing, the Kings will break the record for most players scoring in double figures for one team in a single game.

The current record of 10 players has been accomplished seven times, most recently by the Phoenix Suns in November 1994. Wesley Person scored 19 to lead the Suns over the Clippers, 140-109. With scoring up league-wide and the Kings employing a very democratic attack, conditions are perfect for them to bust this record wide-open, like an overripe melon.

When? Probably Jan 2, 2024, at home, against the Hornets.

Amiliano Fragoso

Colby Jones will play at least 15 minutes a game by the end of the season and play meaningful rotation minutes in the playoffs. His two-way versatility is undeniable for Mike Brown and will be the reason he plays in crucial moments down the stretch.

Joe Jarosz

Last year, I predicted Keegan Murray, if he came off the bench all season, would be the second rookie to win the NBA’s 6th Man of the Year award. Well, I was wrong cause Murray’s stint coming off the bench only lasted a handful of games.

But, compared to Malcolm Brogdon, last year’s winner, Murray would have been in the conversation. Brogdon averaged 14.9 points, 3.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds on his way to securing the award while Murray 12.2 points, 1.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds in his rookie year.

I’m staying in the 6th Man of the Year award category for this year’s prediction. Malik Monk walked away with several nominations — three second-place points and 13 third-place points — finishing fifth in voting results last season. Not only will he win this year’s award, but another King will receive votes when voting tallies are released. My heart wants to say it’ll be newcomer Sasha Vezenkov, but I believe Davion Mitchell will make a big leap and finish with multiple third-place votes for the 2023-24 6th Man of the Year award.

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