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The Sacramento Kings finished the 2022-23 NBA season with the best offensive rating by a team in NBA history, but their electric offense only took them so far. Despite a record-breaking season on offense, the Kings had the third-worst defensive rating in the league.
The Kings hope to contend for a championship as early as 2024, but a ring will remain a dream if they cannot step up on defense.
Sacramento knows they have to improve on the defensive side of the ball, and they started by bringing in a few defensive anchors this off-season.
Their first move was trading up in the 2023 NBA Draft to select G Colby Jones. Jones, 21, out of Xavier University, was a league-ready prospect on both sides of the ball. While Jones will be a third-string guard entering the season, in time, he will contribute consistently in the second unit.
In limited preseason action, Jones has shown intense on-ball defense with impressive awareness and positioning. Jones has struggled on offense to start his career, but once he finds his rhythm, his impressive play on both sides will force the Kings to give him regular season minutes.
Absolutely love Colby Jones, man. Really want to see his get minutes at some point this season.
— Kings Film Room (@SacFilmRoom) October 12, 2023
High IQ, high effort guy. Defense is already a + and connects well offensively. Tough to keep guys like that off the floor. pic.twitter.com/2pP266XPDM
The Kings' next off-season move was trading for G Chris Duarte . The former Indiana Pacers wing is entering his third year in the league with much to prove. Following an injury-ridden season in Indiana, Duarte comes to Sacramento wanting to improve himself and the team.
Duarte has already shown the high intensity he plays with on the defensive end. Through early preseason action, Duarte looks to be one of the Kings' most valuable defenders.
The 26-year-old wing still has room to improve on both sides of the ball, and his development could be valuable to Sacramento's success. Duarte has shown promise to be another defensive anchor on the bench unit. A backup guard rotation of Duarte, Jones, and Davion Mitchell will give opposing ball handlers nightmares.
Coach Brown broke down what he saw defensively from Chris Duarte in preseason game two:
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) October 13, 2023
“I thought he was really really really good on the ball in the pick and roll game…” pic.twitter.com/BhTw6bJzQk
The Kings capped off an impressive 2023 off-season by signing C JaVale McGee . McGee, 35, was waived by the Dallas Mavericks before being picked up by Sacramento, as he gets a chance to rejuvenate his aging career.
McGee is an anchor in the interior, as he holds down the paint with force. The 7-footer uses his size and long wingspan to intimidate players who try to get looks at the rim.
If McGee can contribute 15 minutes per game off the bench for Sacramento, his interior presence will be enough to help the Kings' defense significantly.
JaVale protecting the rim to create a Duarte fast break ⛹️
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 9, 2023
@JaValeMcGee @C_Duarte5 pic.twitter.com/LhCDMQ9kB1
The additions of Jones, Duarte, and McGee will help bring defensive intensity to the Kings' bench unit. While these might not be the pieces that take the team to the next level, they are a step in the right direction.
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