Pre-Season NBA Power Rankings

Sacramento Kings

The first time was at 13 to get Greece’s 7-foot-2 center Georgios Pappagiannis, who many had going late in the second round. The second time was for center Skal Labissierre. Had the team not gone for Pappagiannis at 13, the pick for labissierre may have some logic behind it.

You see, the Kings still have center DeMarcus Cousins, who is a standout in the NBA.  Why would any team park two first round draft picks at the position?  Who do they think they are, the Philadelphia 76ers?

All kidding aside, the Kings appeared to have not addressed the loss of Rondo adequately, With that, the team will have a much greater chance of losing the interest of Cousins at center, who sees a team flailing at building a team around him to carry him to the playoffs.

Small forward Rudy Gay is already asking to get out.  Cousins won’t be far behind him.  The Kings need to pull the plug, trade the assets now, and try to rebuild for down the road. For the fan of the Philadelphia 76ers, this is good news as they retain the right to swap first round picks with the Kings this year.

Atop all of this, the Kings had the NBA’s worst defense last year, and it may be worse this season.

Key Losses: Rajon Rondo
Key Gains:   Malachi Richardson
Key Statistic: Team Defense
NBA Power Rankings: 27th

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27

Sacramento Kings (27-55)

Last rank: 21st

The Sacramento Kings lost point guard Rajon Rondo in free agency, but addressed the center position in the NBA draft. Not just once, but twice.

The first time was at 13 to get Greece’s 7-foot-2 center Georgios Pappagiannis, who many had going late in the second round. The second time was for center Skal Labissierre. Had the team not gone for Pappagiannis at 13, the pick for labissierre may have some logic behind it.

You see, the Kings still have center DeMarcus Cousins, who is a standout in the NBA.  Why would any team park two first round draft picks at the position?  Who do they think they are, the Philadelphia 76ers?

All kidding aside, the Kings appeared to have not addressed the loss of Rondo adequately, With that, the team will have a much greater chance of losing the interest of Cousins at center, who sees a team flailing at building a team around him to carry him to the playoffs.

Small forward Rudy Gay is already asking to get out.  Cousins won’t be far behind him.  The Kings need to pull the plug, trade the assets now, and try to rebuild for down the road. For the fan of the Philadelphia 76ers, this is good news as they retain the right to swap first round picks with the Kings this year.

Atop all of this, the Kings had the NBA’s worst defense last year, and it may be worse this season.

Key Losses: Rajon Rondo
Key Gains:   Malachi Richardson
Key Statistic: Team Defense
NBA Power Rankings: 27th

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