Sacramento Kings 2008 Season Preview

With rising star Kevin Martin & a cast of explosive talent, the Kings hope to make big strides in the 2008-09 season.

Sacramento Kings: 2007-08 Overview

In the 2007-08 NBA season, the Sacramento Kings ushered in a year of changes, starting at the head coach position. Eric Musselman and the Kings parted ways to welcome in new head coach Reggie Theus to lead the young Sacramento Kings. Much to the delight of fans with Sacramento Kings tickets, the explosive Kevin Martin inked a five-year deal worth $55 million and would take his place as the cornerstone of the franchise. The Sacramento Kings brought in C/F Mikki Moore from the New Jersey Nets and Beno Udrih, who would run the point while veteran PG Mike Bibby was injured.

At midseason, the Sacramento Kings traded fan favorite Mike Bibby to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Anthony Johnson, Lorenzen Wright, Tyronn Lue, Shelden Williams, and a second-round draft pick. The trade signaled that the Sacramento Kings were entering a rebuilding phase. The Sacramento Kings were able to stay fairly competitive, tallying a 38-44 record on the season, but the Kings would miss the playoffs for the second-straight year. The rebuilding efforts would continue in the offseason for the Sacramento Kings.

Sacramento Kings: Offseason

The Sacramento Kings shipped controversial forward Ron Artest, along with No. 43 draft pick Patrick Ewing, Jr., and No. 42 draft pick Sean Singletary to the Houston Rockets in exchange for former Sacramento Kings PG Bobby Jackson, explosive rookie Donte Greene, a future first-round draft pick, and cash. No. 12 draft pick Jason Thompson and free agents Bobby Brown and Bobby Jones joined the Sacramento Kings, while free agents Anthony Johnson and Lorenzen Wright will suit up with the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers, respectively. Veteran Shareef Abdur-Rahim retired during the offseason after 11 years in the league.

Sacramento Kings: Offense

After much offseason shuffling and roster changes over the past couple of years, the Sacramento Kings have a bright future ahead. Stepping into the role of ‘franchise player,’ two guard Kevin Martin (23.7 PPG) has plenty of upsides – he can score with the best of them, strike from the perimeter, knock down mid-range jumpers, bully his way to the free throw line, and finish around the basket. Fans with Sacramento Kings tickets know that Kevin Martin is one of the hardest workers around and will only continue to get stronger and better. With Ron Artest off to the Houston Rockets, the scoring reins will be in Kevin Martin’s capable hands.

Kevin Martin will lead a young explosive corps, which includes crafty point guard Beno Udrih (12.8 PPG), John Salmons (12.5 PPG), and Francisco Garcia (12.3 PPG). Add in Donte Greene, who exploded for 40 points during Summer League play with a flurry of treys, drives, and solid free-throw shooting. The Sacramento Kings youth will be balanced by veteran leaders, including Brad Miller (13.4 PPG), Mikki Moore (8.5 PPG), and fan favorite PG Bobby Jackson who can once again spark the Sacramento Kings offense coming off the bench.

Sacramento Kings: Defense

The Sacramento Kings’ best defender, Ron Artest, will now suit up in Rockets red. With no elite defenders, John Salmons will get more playing time and will likely take the defensive reins. John Salmons can do it all on the defensive side of the ball – deflecting passes, putting a body on defenders, and fighting through screens. Although on the wrong side of 30, big man Brad Miller still has the stuff to be a beast on the boards (9.5 RPG) and swat away shots (1.03 BPG). The Sacramento Kings have plenty of length to intimidate in the paint, including youngsters Jason Thompson, Donte Greene, and Spencer Hawes.

Sacramento Kings: Lineup

Point Guard: Bobby Jackson, Beno Udrih
Shooting Guard: Kevin Martin, Quincy Douby
Small Forward: John Salmons, Francisco Garcia
Power Forward: Mikki Moore, Kenny Thomas
Center: Brad Miller, Spencer Hawes

Sacramento Kings: Outlook

The trade of Ron Artest in 2008 was proof that it’s a new era for the Sacramento Kings. Kevin Martin will headline a talented cast of rising stars, budding rookies, and battle-tested veterans to show the youngsters the ropes. Fans with Sacramento Kings tickets know this is a team built for future success. As for success in the present, the Sacramento Kings have plenty of talent, but they will need to use the better part of this year to gel together. That’s not to say that the Sacramento Kings won’t stay competitive in the Pacific Division and in the Western Conference at large. Led by Coach Reggie Theus and built around capable scorer Kevin Martin, the Sacramento Kings will look to surpass their 38-win total of last season, and they could certainly challenge for one of the last playoff spots in the West.