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5 Moves Sacramento Kings Need to Make This Offseason to Become Contenders

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5 Moves Sacramento Kings Need to Make This Offseason to Become Contenders

rudy gay demarcus cousins
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The Sacramento Kings went through three head coaches this season, and are headed for a dubious ninth straight trip to the draft lottery. But there is hope, as there is real talent on this team. The challenge this offseason will be putting together a roster that complements the talented but flawed core of Demarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay. Here are five moves I think the Kings need to make to take the next step as a franchise.

5. Acquire a rim protector

Kosta Koufos
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5. Acquire a rim protector

Kosta Koufos
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Demarcus Cousins took strides on defense this season, but he will never be the sort of elite defensive anchor that often characterizes championship teams. Someone like the pictured Kosta Koufos would do wonders for their defense and allow Cousins to focus more on offense, his strength. The Kings have tried to find rim protectors -- Aaron Gray, Ryan Hollins and Sim Bhullar, to name a few -- but the quality of those players is far from ideal.

4. Bolster the coaching staff

george karl
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4. Bolster the coaching staff

george karl
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It appears the Kings are rolling with George Karl for next season, which seems like a good plan. The next step is hiring supporting coaches to help best implement his system. The Kings, especially Demarcus Cousins, have had some of the most volatile coaching situations in the entire league. A well-balanced staff all on the same page will be crucial in giving the roster an identity and stability they need to contend for a playoff spot in the West.

3. Turn Ray McCallum into a three point threat

Ray McCallum
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3. Turn Ray McCallum into a three point threat

Ray McCallum
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This isn't technically a roster move, but to me it's a change that has to happen. The Cousins/Gay core is deadly when surrounded by shooters, but this ideal has for the most part not been realized. McCallum is shooting just 30 percent from deep this season, a really underwhelming mark for a point guard. Fellow point guard Andre Miller is a non-shooter too, but McCallum is young and could see big improvement from extended summer shooting practice.

2. Deal Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams
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2. Deal Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams
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Williams just doesn't quite fit with the Kings because everything he does, Rudy Gay does better. But he's still a nice player, and I imagine there are plenty of teams that could use an athlete like Williams on the wing. The Los Angeles Clippers come to mind, and they could be looking to make a host of moves should this playoff run not work out. I'm not sure what the Clippers would have to offer in return, but it's something to monitor.

1. Just don't do anything insane, Vivek!

Vivek Ranadive
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1. Just don't do anything insane, Vivek!

Vivek ranadive
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Yes, the most important move for the Kings may just be not making a ridiculous move that torpedoes everything. The Cousins/Gay core, and potential for growth from youngsters Ben McLemore and Nik Stauskas, provides promise enough as it is. The worst thing Vivek Ranadive (who has already made a series head-scratching moves as owner) could do is make some roster overhaul that robs the Kings players of the chance to prove themselves.

Casey Sherman is a writer for RantSports.
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