The decision to remove DeMarcus Cousins from the equation has brought a sense of happiness and hope around the moribund Kings franchise, Nick Zappulla of RealGM opines. The pieces are now in place for a quick turnaround via the acquisition of Buddy Hield in the trade with the Pelicans along with four promising rookies taken in the draft, particularly floor leader De’Aaron Fox and forward Harry Giles, Zappulla continues. Big men Skal Labissiere and Willie Cauley-Stein showed progress once Cousins was removed from the picture and the club also brought in three veteran free agents to facilitate the development of the young players, Zappulla adds.
In other items regarding the Pacific Division:
- The league’s television partners certainly have Lonzo Ball fever, as evidenced by the Lakers’ 35 nationally-televised games next season, Bill Oram of the Orange County Register notes. That’s the fifth-most national broadcasts among all teams despite the franchise coming off a 26-win season. Much of it can be attributed to lottery pick Ball, both for his passing skills and the hype-man routine of his father LaVar, Oram adds.
- The Warriors’ center rotation is unlikely to change next season despite the presence of some promising young players at the back end, Anthony Slater of The Athletic opines. Zaza Pachulia will continue to start with JaVale McGee backing him up and David West getting minutes there at the start of second quarters, according to Slater. Damian Jones, who was inconsistent in summer-league play, or rookie Jordan Bell could force their way into the rotation at some point, Slater adds.
- Center DeAndre Jordan realizes the Clippers won’t be the same team without Chris Paul, but expects point guard additions Patrick Beverley and Milos Teodosic to keep the franchise among the best in the West, Jovan Buha of ESPN.com reports. “Those guys are going to come in and play their style of basketball, and it’s going to be fun,” Jordan told Buha.
Everyone is high on this Kings team, however it’s likely that Hield Scal and WCS will come down to earth as they just scream role player to me
I don’t think expectations are very high, at least not from NBA pundits, fans, nor the rest of the media nor sports outlets…
I just think the Kings feel revitalized and for once they finally have hope for the future. Fox and Giles could both turn out to be real steals, and if one or two more of their youngsters work out, then this very well could be a playoff team in two years…
Hield should, and very well could, become a solid scoring option putting up 13-18 a game for the Kings, and WCS should be a fierce, high-energy low post defender. Cauley-Stein could very well average around 8-12 points, 8-12 rebounds, and 3-5 assists, to go along with 1-2 blocks and maybe averse about a steal per game. Those numbers, plus strong defense in the post, would be more than enough from WCS for him to meet or even exceed his exoectations for the Kings…
Fox, Hield, Giles, and WCS could very well end up becoming a strong, young and talented force in the West, but they are all going to have to mesh well together and they are all going to have to reach their collective potential for this team to ultimately succeed…Like I said before, I can see the Kings actually making the playoffs in 2 years, but how far they go will depend on whether or not these young players truly maximize their potential…
As the great Charles Barkley says: “Stop putting the Lakers games on TV, they’re terrrble.”
I believe that is spelled turrible!! lol
Nah, it’s Trbl, terrible
Team may stink but their fans and ratings dont
Can we please stop making Lavarr Ball famous. His son is the athlete, give him the attention not his moron of a father
I don’t follow college basketball. What is the ceiling for Lonzo Ball? Jason Kidd (light) maybe? Or Scott Skiles?
Who are their vets? Can’t remember.
1 is Vince Carter I think ??