The Sacramento Kings have made it clear what path they are going to take to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The path is through the NBA Draft, and the players who could possibly take them there is the potential inside-outside power combination of Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins.

Evans, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year and Cousins, a potential steal with the No. 5 draft pick out of Kentucky, are the foundation of this team. Evans looks to be a legitimate star in the making while Cousins has even more potential, but also plenty of critics because of his attitude.

Picking Cousins was a no-brainer; the Kings have finished in last place in the Pacific three out of the last four years and any so-called "safe" draft picks were not going to help get this team out of the basement. Risks had to be made.

The Kings are doing everything they can to ensure that those risks pay off. Sacramento hired Cousins’ high school coach, Otis Hughley, as an assistant and they have handed over the point guard duties to Beno Udrih, a move that will free up Evans to potentially thrive as a two-guard or small forward. Udrih is coming off a career year and behind him in terms of depth is a healthy Francisco Garcia.

Forward Omri Casspi averaged 10.3 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game last season. If he can just maintain those numbers this season it will be a big boost to the team’s already strong frontcourt that includes Carly Landry, who was second on the team with 18.3 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game last season, Jason Thompson who led the team with 8.5 rebounds per game, Cousins, and newly acquired Samuel Dalembert.

The Sacramento Kings schedule gives the young team a chance to start off strong. The schedule opens with a three-game road trip against teams expected to struggle, Minnesota, New Jersey and Cleveland. After that the Kings are home for eight of their next nine games.

Sacramento Kings Offseason Moves
The Kings took a chance on Philadelphia rebounding machine Dalembert. They shipped Andrew Nocioni and Spencer Hawes to Philadelphia to acquire the veteran center. They signed wing Antoine Wright (Toronto). In the draft the Kings not only acquired Cousins, but also another highly rated big man, Hassan Whiteside out of Marshall. Even though Cousins is a rookie he is by far the biggest addition to the team in the offseason.

2010-11 Sacramento Kings Futures Odds
Only the Timberwolves, Pacers and Raptors have worse odds than Sacramento to win an NBA Title this year. The Kings’ odds are +10,000. Their odds to advance to the Western Conference Finals are +3000 and to win the conference their odds are +7000. NBA odds are courtesy of BetUS.

2010-11 Sacramento Kings NBA Picks and Predictions
This team is built around a 21-year old second-year player and a 20-year old rookie, so we can expect all the headaches and pitfalls that come with that. There are veterans in the mix, however, so do not expect this train to completely derail like it did at times last season when the team struggled through five five-game losing streaks. The frontcourt has plenty of depth and the ability to bang with the best of them, but someone besides Evans will need to step up in the back court. The Kings will improve from 25 wins last season but a major playoff push still looks to be two years down the road.

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