Four reasons why 2023-24 Kings could be better than last season’s team – NBC

The Kings are hoping to turn their 2022-23 cinematic masterpiece into long-term success in the NBA, and next season will be telling if they’re on the right track.

Some fans aren’t convinced, though. Was it luck? A fluke? A one-hit wonder?

They say they’re hungry for more, but that will be on the Kings to prove, and that mission began as soon as last season ended. Sacramento didn’t make a huge splash this offseason, but the Kings’ subtle yet sturdy moves should brace them for an even more magical 2023-24 season.

That requires a number of factors, though, starting with a look at their new roster. Things can change before or even throughout the season, but here are four reasons why the Kings’ roster for the upcoming season could be better than last season’s.

Continuity

This might be the most important component.

In a league that constantly is changing and looking for the next big thing, continuity is extremely rare in today’s game. Sure, the Kings didn’t land a big-name player in free agency, but by extending Harrison Barnes and bringing back a number of familiar faces, it goes to show the amount of confidence that remains in the same squad as last season’s. That matters.

In comparison, take a team like the Phoenix Suns for instance. A star-powered team with an immense amount of undeniable talent. Devin Booker. Kevin Durant. Bradley Beal. But continuity and team camaraderie clearly lacks on the roster.

We’ve seen this with other “super teams,” such as the Dallas Mavericks led by Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, or the failed amalgamation of Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles with the Lakers.

It takes more than skill – no matter how many stars you have on your team – to win games and be a true championship contender.

That doesn’t mean these super teams won’t win a lot of games, but lacking chemistry and togetherness will expose even the best teams in the end. It’s a tale as old as time.

And it’s one thing the Kings won’t have to worry about, at least not next season.

Deeper depth

While the league continues to sleep on Sacramento’s offseason moves, the Kings’ depth might come as a surprise, too.

Sacramento arguably has one of the best benches in the NBA for the upcoming season.

The starting five presumably will remain the same as last season’s: De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes, Domantas Sabonis. If that is the case, Malik Monk likely has the Sixth Man spot on lock, and the rotations and different lineups Mike Brown implements thereafter will be interesting.

Guard depth includes Davion Mitchell, Chris Duarte, Colby Jones and Keon Ellis (two-way).

Duarte and Jones are new to Sacramento, but Mitchell and Ellis have shown in glimpses what they are capable of. Mitchell, in particular, is poised for a big jump in Year 3 with the Kings. His defensive intensity was huge for the team last year, especially in the Kings’…