KINGS: Gay’s status pending
“We have great fans here,” Labissiere said. “Once we start winning it’s going to get even crazier. So it’s all about us making the most out it, and then go into the summer working individually and as a team to get better for next season.”
Here are some other takeaways from the season
The Kings finally cut ties with Cousins in February after deciding his temper and difficult attitude outweighed his stardom on the court. Hield, one of the key players acquired in the deal, played much better after arriving in Sacramento and was named the league’s top rookie in March. Sacramento hopes he can be a building piece for the future.
“I just want to get better allaround and be more explosive,” Hield said. “I want to develop where I want to be like James Harden and how he handles the ball dribbling. I want to be able to do all of that, be more of an efficient scorer, get to the foul line more, and get my body strong so I can be explosive around the rim.”
The Cousins trade also gave more opportunities to Cauley-Stein and Labissiere and they made the most of it. CauleyStein averaged 12.9 points and 8.1 rebounds after the trade, more than doubling his scoring average and tripling his rebounding totals. Labissiere played just eight games before Cousins left but averaged 10.8 points and 6.0 rebounds over the final 25 games.
The Kings lost second-leading scorer Rudy Gay to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in January. Gay now has a big decision to make this offseason on whether to exercise a $14.3 million player option or become a free agent. Gay is expected to be ready for the start of next season but might have a hard time getting a big contract this summer with questions about his health. So he could choose to return on the one-year deal.
The Kings should have two first-round picks barring something crazy happening in the lottery. Their own pick is currently slated for eighth and they would only lose it to Chicago if three teams below them jump into the top three. If the Kings jump up and move ahead of Philadelphia, they would have to switch picks with the 76ers.