NBA Schedule 2016-17: 5 toughest schedules

By John Buhler | Aug 12, 2016

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 08: Brook Lopez #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Denver Nuggets at the Barclays Center on February 8, 2016 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Nets defeated the Nuggets 105-104. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

5 of 6

Mar 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) argues a call with referee James Williams (60) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Kings 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. player. 67. . West. Pacific. Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings may have made a great hire in bringing in former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger as their next head coach and already have a top 10 talent in the NBA today in USA Olympian center DeMarcus Cousins.

While the offseason rebrand heading into brand-new Golden 1 Arena in downtown Sacramento might have the Kings faithful feeling a bit more optimistic than normal, the Kings are one disgruntled Cousins forcing his way out of town away from being the worst team in the Western Conference.

Sacramento doesn’t draft well and failed to make any major overhauls in 2016 NBA free agency. While the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns aren’t great teams either, the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers are two of the Western Conference’s elite clubs coming out of the Pacific Division.

The Kings might struggle with their slate of games against an improved Northwest Division. Sacramento will have to face an upstart Minnesota Timberwolves team four times, another on the rise team in the Utah Jazz four times, Russell Westbrook’s Oklahoma City Thunder three times, and Damian Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers three times.

The Southwest Division is always a beast. Each of the last two years, the Southwest Division sent four teams to the Western Conference Playoffs. If the New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis returns to All-NBA form in 2016-17, the Kings will have a hard time beating any of the five clubs in the Southwest Division.

Next: 1. Brooklyn Nets.

Home/NBA