Why the Sacramento Kings are bonafide title contenders this 2024-25 NBA season?

The Sacramento Kings are a threat and a legitimate one at that. They may not have made the playoffs last season, but their productive offseason indicates a win-now approach. The addition to DeMar DeRozan may have shifted the balance of power out West— more so than the blockbuster trade that saw Klay Thompson join the Dallas Mavericks.

It isn't just that fact that Sacramento is looking to light the beam as often as they can with DeRozan on their side. They have all the ingredients for a potential dynasty run much akin to the Golden State Warriors. A seasoned campaigner and a certified bucked in Derozan, a young guard in De'Aaron Fox who has quickly cemented his case as a proven clutch performer, and an international star in Domantas Sabonis who has shown that he belongs in the league of successful centers in the modern-day NBA.

The new 'Big 3' is just one of the three advantages the Kings have as they head into the season. They were one among the five teams alongside the Denver Nuggets and the OKC Thunder as sides with the least injuries this past season. To lend better context, BB Index noted that the Sacramento Kings were in the top five teams that had their players miss less than 2500 minutes of game time during the season. Bottom line: The Kings have health on their side to add to their strengths if their key names manage to remain healthy.

The Sacramento Kings' role players are one to watch out for as well. Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, Trey Lyles, and Jalen McDaniels have enough firepower between them to keep their offense churning. Monk was in the running for Sixth Man of the Year honors last season and his three-point shooting adds immense value to a side in the non-Fox and DeRozan minutes.

---

The Sacramento Kings' muscled-up offense puts them in title contention

Re-signing Monk was the first move done right by the Sacramento Kings. Since joining the unit before the 2022-23 season, Monk climbed up the scoring charts to become one of the best off-the-bench players in the league. He averaged 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists to be the Kings' weapon when he hit the hardwood. The four-year, $78 million deal explains their intent to retain their vital pieces from the past couple of seasons.

They also have the services of Keegan Murray. The guard, entering into his third year was a solid backcourt option, propping up 15.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest. Expectations from him will be high for a third year, but they will be content to have a versatile scorer with ample talent after being part of the side for two seasons.

Malik Monk has been a reliable scoring option for the Sacramento Kings

Then comes DeMar DeRozan's acquisition. There have already been reports of impressive synergy between the veteran and Fox — both of whom have already made their intentions of winning a championship this season very clear. One of the biggest pluses with the new-look Kings is the fact that they can close out wins they failed to against some relatively easier teams last season. Sacramento was guilty of dropping contests which they now can reduce considering they have three players who can more than easily churn out wins individually.

In the past season, DeRozan averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists shooting 48 percent from the floor. He finished the disappointing Bulls campaign as the NBA’s minutes leader after playing 44 minutes in their narrow 120-119 overtime loss at New York. The forward logged 2,988 total minutes, the third most of his career and his most since the 2013-14 season — another reason why the Sacramento Kings are looking to go all-in with the offense.

While there was a debate that Lauri Markkanen was a better option for the Kings (which ideally is the case for most teams that looked to bag him) to help bolster their defense, the punt with DeRozan's addition provides an inkling of what's to come with an offense-first approach. His presence will see them increase their chances of better shot-creation, and absorb ample minutes.

Their approach is similar to that of the Mavericks after their Kyrie Irving trade, the lack of defense may be their Achilles heel, but the Mike Brown-led side is one of the teams that aren't midfield leaders in the West this time around. Whether this is the year of the Sacramento Kings is open for debate, but they cannot be ruled out as legitimate title contenders.