The Sacramento Kings have been a pleasant surprise this campaign. The team has posted a record of 18-15 and is still firmly in the playoff hunt as we approach the midway point of the season. With this success, the Kings are no longer dependent on draft picks and could actually be an enticing free-agent destination this offseason.
In an interview with Sam Amick of The Athletic, Kings general manager Vlade Divac doubled down on that prevailing idea and expressed no desire to trade for picks this season.
“Well, I have room to do that (by taking on another team’s ‘bad’ contracts in exchange for the pick),” Vlade Divac said. “So if I can convert (that into a pick), yes. But it’s not something (where) I’m desperate to do it. If it comes, great. If it doesn’t, I’m fine. I have other things to do.”
Before the season started, the Kings were expected to be in the hunt for next years number one pick instead of a lower playoff seed in the ultra-tough Western Conference. Now that they have fast-tracked their way back to relevancy, Divac has exactly the right mindset.
The Kings are built around a young core with plenty of potential. Instead of wasting this young talent that has blossomed this year on draft picks, the team should be patient and see where this group can take them. While they might not contend for a championship this year or even next year, with additional growth and some free agents, the team could be a legitimate contender much sooner than expected.
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