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NBA Season Preview 2019-20: The 5 biggest questions for the Sacramento Kings

By Brandon Jefferson

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 9: De'Aaron Fox #5 and Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings shake hands during the game against the New York Knicks on March 9, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 9: De'Aaron Fox #5 and Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings shake hands during the game against the New York Knicks on March 9, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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We answered five questions that will provide the best look at what to expect from the Sacramento Kings during the 2019-20 NBA season.

1. What does the best-case scenario for the Kings look like this season?

The best-case scenario for the Kings this season is them stealing a playoff spot in the 6-8 seed range.

They actually weren’t far off the trail of accomplishing that a year ago, but they couldn’t hold onto the rope at the end of the season and ultimately fell short.

Last year, their young core and the uptempo pace they played at caused trouble for opposing teams who had grown accustomed to viewing Sacramento as an easy win on the schedule.

Powered by the pace of De’Aaron Fox and the shooting of Buddy Hield, this team was much more worthy of the cowbell cheers that once rang throughout California’s state capital.

Head coach Luke Walton was brought in this summer and he will surely want to rid himself of the stink that was the worst stretch of basketball in the modern-era of Los Angeles Lakers basketball. Getting the Kings back into the postseason would do exactly that.

2. How much does De’Aaron Fox miss Willie Cauley-Stein this year?

Not as much as it would seem. Willie Cauley-Stein was Fox’s dance partner in the pick-and-roll for the majority of last season, but he left in free agency for the Golden State Warriors, where he’ll be two-stepping with Stephen Curry and D’Angelo Russell.

Instead of leaving a hole, Cauley-Stein’s departure has created an opening for more of Sacramento’s young players to get a shot. Last season’s second overall pick, Marvin Bagley III, is one of them. He could see some time at center, but he’ll most likely spend most of his time at power forward. The person who could really explode is Harry Giles. In high school, Giles was the top-ranked player in the nation (ahead of Jayson Tatum, Markelle Fultz and others). He was a versatile center who could do it all on the court.

It’s unlikely he slots in as the team’s starter — that most likely will be Dewayne Dedmon’s role — but he should see a lot more action this year than he did last season. If he is fully recovered after dealing with three knee surgeries in five years, he could be this team’s diamond in the rough and a new favorite for Fox.

3. Does Buddy Hield get anything besides buckets this year?

Nope. Buddy Hield was born to do one thing: Get buckets.

4. What percentage of his minutes should Marvin Bagley be playing at the 5?

Marvin Bagley should play about 15-20 percent of his minutes at the 5 if Walton is doing his job correctly. A season in the NBA likely let him know just how much stronger he’ll need to be able to handle playing center more often.

Sacramento also re-upped with Harrison Barnes, who has proven that his best position is the 4. A Bagley-Barnes frontcourt with Fox, Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic surrounding them could be truly potent.

Next. Meet the 2019 NBA 25-under-25. dark

5. The Kings are down 3 with the ball and five seconds left in the game. Buddy Hield has fouled out. Who should they play be drawn up for?

Fox. Not because he’s the best shooter left without Hield — that would likely be Bogdanovic — but because that guy is cold-blooded and I have the utmost faith that if I need a bucket I can put the ball in Fox’s hands and he’ll get me something good.