Chapter 425: Maybe God Just Wanted to Play.
This year, the Kings used their 25th pick in the draft to select Keldon Johnson, a wing from the University of Kentucky.
Standing at 1.96 meters (6’5") and weighing 100 kilograms (220 lbs), Johnson entered the league as a prototypical 3-and-D player—a crucial addition for the Kings.
Reality isn’t a video game, but as a seasoned MyGM player in NBA 2K, Han Sen knew exactly what it took to build a true dynasty.
It wasn’t just about stacking a roster with high-rated players—it was about constructing a team with clearly defined roles.
The Kings already had enough primary ball handlers. Tatum would need to be developed as a shot creator in the future, so there was no need to continue chasing raw potential in every pick.
This philosophy carried into free agency. With Rudy Gay’s contract expiring and the salary cap rising, the Kings had nearly $15 million in cap space.
They used it to beat out the Clippers in a bidding war and signed Patrick Beverley to a 3-year, $45 million deal.
Previously, the Kings’ backup point guard rotation had been underwhelming. With this move, they addressed that need in one fell swoop.
And after acquiring Marc Gasol last season, Coach Lue had leaned more heavily into one-big, four-out, and even five-out lineups, giving Buddy Hield more offensive freedom.
While the expanded role allowed Hield to put up better numbers, it also exposed his defensive deficiencies—especially in the playoffs, when opponents specifically targeted that weak spot. That was part of why Han had to carry more defensive load than usual.
Beverley’s arrival would go a long way in patching that hole.