So with Dallas and Portland falling out of the playoffs presumptively, do you think the Kings stand a chance of actually making the Western Conference playoffs?
Their lineup is going to be something like:
Cousins
Bargnani?
Rudy Gay
Ben McLemore (or maybe Belinelli?)
Rondo
Bench:
Darren Collison
Marco Belinelli
Kosta Koufos
Willie Cauley-Stein
Casspi (actually plays somewhat passable basketball in Sacramento)
Its a totally strange lineup with 4 guys in the top 9 that can play center, but you could think they have a "Big 3" with Cousins, Gay, and Rondo. Bargniani is a stretch 4 and maybe McLemore gets better this year. You got Willie off the bench to provide some defense and hope for the future and Collison is a solid backup PG. Koufos isnt shabby either.
They would definitely be in the playoffs in the East I think. It was an admirable "win now" offseason for them considering how badly lots of other teams did outside of San Antonio and how low the expectations were.