3 most important players for Sacramento Kings and their potential playoff run in the 2022-23 NBA season
With just 17 games remaining this season, the Sacramento Kings are 39-26 and second in the West. They are well on their way to securing a playoff berth.
If they do, it will mark the franchise's first playoff appearance since the 2005-06 NBA season. It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Kings as they finished 12th in the West (30-52) just last season.
The Kings have turned their franchise around on the back of their league-best 118.6 team offensive rating. However, things will likely be much more difficult come playoff time when defenses start to tighten up.
So on that note, here are the three players who will be most important to Sacramento’s chances of making a deep playoff run.
#3. Kevin Huerter
The Sacramento Kings' acquisition of sharpshooter Kevin Huerter from Atlanta was one of the most underrated moves of the offseason.
Huerter has provided the Kings with a lethal shooter who can also score off the dribble when needed. Huerter is leading the Kings in 3-pointers per game (2.7) while ranking second in 3-point percentage (40.0%).
Huerter also has the best on-court offensive rating on the Kings. This comes as Sacramento’s league-best offensive rating of 118.6 improves to 120.7 whenever Huerter is on the court. Meanwhile, it drops to just 113.3 with him on the bench.
Overall, Huerter’s ability to knock down big shots could be a major deciding factor in many of the Kings’ playoff games. Huerter also has 23 games of playoff experience dating back to his time with Atlanta.
#2. De’Aaron Fox
Sacramento Kings All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox is poised to make his first career playoff appearance. This comes as he has played all six of his seasons in Sacramento.
Fox’s performance in the playoffs will strongly affect the Kings’ success as he is the team’s leading scorer at 25.5 points per game. Fox also leads the NBA in clutch scoring at 5.5 ppg.
Overall, the Kings will be relying heavily on Fox to score big buckets down the stretch of close playoff games. Whether or not Fox can be a legitimate No. 1 scoring option in the playoffs will likely determine whether Sacramento advances past round one.
#1. Domantas Sabonis
Finally, the Sacramento Kings’ other All-Star, big man Domantas Sabonis, will likely be the most crucial factor in the Kings' playoff success. This comes as Sabonis has been operating as the focal point of the team’s offense all season.
Sabonis’ ability to operate as a point center has opened up a ton of spacing for Sacramento. Sabonis is leading the Kings in assists per game (7.0). He is also the league leader in rebounds per game (12.3). He is third in the league in triple-doubles at nine, trailing only superstars Nikola Jokic (25) and Luka Doncic (10).
Sabonis has only played in 13 career playoff games with OKC and Indiana. However, the Kings' playoff success will ultimately come down to whether or not their elite offense centered around Sabonis carries over to the playoffs.