There is currently no franchise in the NBA that has not been in the playoffs in more years than the Sacramento Kings. The Californian organization has not played in the postseason since 2006, Rick Adleman’s last year at the helm. Since then the team has wandered through a desert where continual dances for the squad, benches, offices and property take place. Even in recent times the option of relocation has been toyed with. This is not to say that there were no glimpses of illusion along the way, especially based on DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans. The good start to the season – even though they march 5-6 – brings Monte McNair back to optimism about the current project. Of whose leader there is no doubt. “We are all after D’Aaron Fox.”
On his talk with Sam Amick para The AthleticMcNair has reviewed virtually his entire career since taking over from Vlade DIvac as the Kings’ general manager. But the executive’s eyes were especially bright when talking about his star base. Fox has started the season somewhat erratically and perhaps has been somewhat displaced from the main focus by the growth of Harrison Barnes, Tyrese Haliburton or the arrival of Davion Mitchell. However, his GM is clear. “We have no doubts that he will return to his level,” says McNair, looking forward to the combination of outside talent the team has.
Entertaining Fox is not difficult within the fence of differential talent the Kings are accustomed to, although things get more difficult to defend Luke Walton. “There are many things you need to be a coach today. We drew some positive conclusions from last season. Luke already knows that we want to win games and his work is already paying off. We are all on this boat.
McNair also took the opportunity to talk about two players who have been in the trigger during the last offseason. Especially the frustrated transfer of Buddy Hield to the Lakers. «I don’t know if people know how focused [Buddy] is in winning. He does not care about the situation around him, he continues to work hard. He’s one of the two best shooters in the league, he just lets it flow. Hield has at least started in shape, which can’t be said for Marvin Bagley… because he’s only played ten minutes in eleven games. Luke makes his own decisions. Obviously, we are going to need all the players at a certain point in the season. But we have talked about the importance of Davion Mitchell in this team, and maybe that is closing the doors to other players. “
(Cover photo by Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
