The King of Sacramento is currently in a moment of crisis after a difficult-to-form run.
2025 began in turmoil for King Sacramento when Mike Brown was fired midway through the NBA season.
The team gathered around interim head coach Doug Christie to run in an impressive form, urging the King to comfortably replace Dearon Fox, who had been in and out of the lineup until the February deadline.
The Kings got an informed Zach Labine, who enjoyed a career year with the Chicago Bulls, but perhaps it is the Eastern Conference team who is pleased with the trade side.
The situation in early April is not beautiful for the king. They were overtaken by the patched Dallas Mavericks who returned from death and are now 10th in the Western Conference.
The Kings have lost three consecutive games, 3-7 in the last 10. Their season is at risk of falling apart.
There was one negative slope in the Kings’ acquisition of Zach Labine. He was reunited with Demar DeRozan, who he played with at the Chicago Bulls. The talented duo ultimately failed to move the needle.
But individual pairs are amazing talent. DeRozan recently joined the 25,000 Points Club and established himself as one of the game’s elite scorers.
Currently, the king is in panic mode, and they need more than a scorer. They need a leader.
Lavine knows that Demar Derozan can have a positive impact when it is needed. He expressed his admiration for his attributes during the 2022 All-Star break.
At the time, Labine commented: “Demar was great. I added another guy who was in these situations at the top level of these big time games before coming here and joining the team before I added.
“He’s been to the Eastern Conference Finals a few times and was in a big moment. His calmness has always been something that has helped our team.”
Calmness is exactly what King Sacramento needs and the ability to offer in a big, must-see game. The Kings are currently set to go their way to the Mavericks in a victory or play-in tournament contest.
It is also necessary to stop the Kings season from being revealed. The Kings’ next game is on the roads of the absolute must-see Charlotte Hornets. Because all subsequent games are against current playoff competitors.
The final game of the season comes against the Phoenix Suns, who have the narrow potential for a play-in spot at the Kings’ expense.
Demar Derozan has remained consistent despite the ups and downs the King has experienced this season.
He averaged 22.7 points per game since the All-Star break, a slight rise from a 21.9 pg split in advance.
Derozan and Lavine may need to be sure about the direction of the Summer King. This is a declining team and is looking for a new head coach.
Attribute Lavine, which I quoted about his teammate three years ago, is extremely important. Delozan must remain calm and if Sacramento endures the chance to end the 2024-25 season with a happy spirit, achievement and sense of direction, he must convey that to the rest of his team.