5 reasons the Sacramento Kings can make the playoffs

2. DeMarcus Cousins

A major reason that the Kings can reach the 2017 Western Conference Playoffs is that they have the best pure center in the NBA in the enigmatic DeMarcus Cousins. He’s every bit as talented as Derrick Coleman was in the 1990s, and every bit as frustrating. Could this be the year that Cousins puts it all together and gets the Kings to the playoffs?

Cousins is owner Vivek Ranadive’s crown jewel in Sacramento. He will likely garner a max contract here soon to stay in Sacramento for the foreseeable future. Cousins would look pretty good in the royal purple at Golden 1 Center for the next few years.

Sacramento could trade Cousins to teams like Denver, the Boston Celtics or the Orlando Magic, but will have to get a boat load in return for its superstar player. Cousins has undeniable talent and could finally lead the Kings to the playoffs with the right supporting cast and coaching staff around him.

Let’s not forget that Cousins played on the 2016 US Men’s National Team that won Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro. Most players that haven’t won before pick up great habits by being around other star players. Maybe his experience playing in the Olympics manifests in Cousins getting Sacramento to 35-plus wins and into the Western Conference Playoffs as the No. 8 seed.