Docs Website

52 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

2022-23 Sacramento Kings Predictions and Futures Odds Picks

by Spencer Toth - 10/15/2022

Thanks to the recent playoff appearance by the Seattle Mariners, the Sacramento Kings now hold the longest active playoff drought in professional sports, at 16 straight years. Not only are they in the midst of the longest active drought, they also now hold the record for longest NBA drought of all time. The Kings haven’t made the playoffs since 2006 and will be hoping this season is the year the dubious streak is broken.

There is reason for optimism in Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox continues to grow into an NBA star. And after acquiring Domantas Sabonis near the end of last season, the Kings feel a long-awaited playoff push is certainly within their grasp.

Doc’s Sports offers NBA picks for every game on our NBA predictions page.

Sacramento Kings predictions Domantas Sabonis

Offseason Recap

The Kings were very active during the recent offseason and have retooled their team in the hopes of making the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. The biggest name addition came when they added Kevin Huerter to their lineup in exchange for Justin Holiday and a first-round pick. Huerter is a reliable 3-ball shooter. And coupled with Fox in the backcourt, his addition will make this Kings squad a tough team to face. While adding Huerter is certainly a plus, the Kings lost some key pieces in their rotation, including NBA Championship winner, Donte DiVincenzo. DiVincenzo is a 3 specialist, and losing his championship experience certainly hurts. However, all is not lost.

This Kings team has undergone a major shakeup that began last season and has come out the other side a better squad than before. Sabonis is a two-time All Star, Fox has proven he can win at an NBA level. And if the new pieces all click as planned, the Kings could suddenly be competitive again.

Season Expectations

The goal for the Kings is to make the playoffs. Plain and simple. The drought must be snapped. And considering the moves the Kings made, it certainly appears they have the tools to do so. Entering the season with a win total of 33.5, the Kings are expected to be competing in the bottom half of the play-in tournament. If the Kings could sign on the line for a 10th-place finish, and a spot in the tournament, they almost certainly would.

The Kings have the starting 5 to compete, with Fox, Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, and Sabonis expected to get the nod. However, the depth is a serious concern. The Kings picked up Malik Monk from the Lakers to give them some quality guard depth, but it quickly goes downhill from there. If any of their starters acquire serious injuries, the Kings play-in hopes could immediately evaporate.

Schedule Breakdown

The Kings start the year at home and have four of their first five in the cozy Golden 1 Center. Considering the shake up on the court, and the title of drought record holder being passed to them off the court, the Kings will be thankful to get the season started at home. Elsewhere on the calendar, the Kings have a six-game East Coast road trip before Christmas, followed by a six-game homestand in the final two weeks of 2022. It’s always a boost being able to spend the holidays at home, and the Kings will certainly be grateful for that.

Rounding off the season, the Kings will have to play crucial games in the home stretch, with a back-to-back in Portland, followed by a home game against the Spurs and a trip to New Orleans in the final two weeks. These late-season matchups against fellow play-in hopefuls could go a long way in determining the Kings playoff fate.

Sacramento Kings Odds

The Kings enter the year with a win total of 33.5 games, which is right in line with the low 30’s win totals we have seen from the Kings. Taking it up a notch, they hold +125 odds to make the play-in and +425 to make the playoffs. In a division featuring the Suns, Warriors, Clippers, and Lakers, there exists no real hope for the division crown at +15000. I think there is certainly value in the Kings both making the play-in and the playoffs. I’m not saying the Kings are going to dominate the NBA, and enter the postseason as a top seed, but they have a real chance to make the top 10.

The roster moves made this squad one of the better Kings teams in year’s past, and they are hoping the good on paper moves result in wins. If the Kings future is what you desire, take the playoffs prop at +425 over the play-in. If you have to lay down a portion of your bankroll for the entire season, the extra profit makes it a little easier to swallow.

2022-2023 Season Predictions

I believe the streak will live on. The Kings have improved since last season. However, in a very competitive West, the playoffs are one step too far. I expect the Kings to finish with a 33-49 record, right in line with the win total. This may be enough to squeak into 10th place, but a legitimate playoff berth will have to wait. I wouldn’t advise any bets on this Kings squad, other than a possible sprinkle on a playoff berth at the juicy +425 odds.

Going up against a top team in the play-in will probably not go well for the Kings, if they get that far. Sabonis will take time to adjust into his new team. And while Fox will continue to deliver, it will be in the middle of another losing season in Sacramento. Until a proven superstar emerges, the Kings will be left in the basement of the West for another season.

Get NBA picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

 

Most Recent NBA Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers