For many years, the Sacramento Kings have been starved of top NBA talent.
They had an outstanding team in the early 2000s with Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic and Mike Bibby coming close to winning the world championship in 2002, but ever since that team broke up they have been a laughing stock.
But that all ended this season when they finished third in the Western Conference and made the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
The Kings got there thanks to the All-Star seasons of guard De’Aaron Fox and big man Domantas Sabonis, and both were rewarded Wednesday with spots on the All-NBA Third Team.
The 2022-23 Kia All-NBA Third Team:
▪️ De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
▪️LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
▪️ Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
▪️ Julius Randle, New York Knicks
▪️ Domantas Sabonis, Kings of Sacramento pic.twitter.com/HLhSlCzszN— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 10, 2023
Fox has been a rising stallion for several seasons, but this was his best year yet, as he averaged 25.0 points per game and hit a career-high 51.2% from the field in the regular season. .
He was also named the recipient of the NBA’s inaugural Clutch Player of the Year award, and although the Kings lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Golden State Warriors, he showed his clutch abilities at a few times in this series.
Sabonis was acquired in a big trade last season that sent out guards Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton, and it was the trade that ultimately transformed Sacramento.
Averaging 19.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game while shooting 61.5% in the regular season, he earned his third trip to the All-Star Game.
For the first time in a long time, the Kings actually have a bright future and are a team that deserves rightful respect.
FOLLOWING:
Kings GM wins a well-deserved award
