Season Breakdown

Kyle Ramos

Coming into his rookie season, Willie Cauley-Stein carried heavy expectations that come along with a sixth overall pick and a seasoned college player who was poised to make an immediate impact on the professional level.

Trill posted a solid rookie campaign with the Kings, registering averages of seven points and 5.6 rebounds in his 21.4 minutes per contest. The rookie would play in 66 games, 39 of which he started.

Additionally, the former Kentucky Wildcat logged a total of 3.8 win shares this season, a metric used to estimate the number of team victories an individual contributes throughout the year. Cauley-Stein’s 3.8 win shares also tied him for fourth most on the team with Rudy Gay.

Beyond the stat sheets, Willie demonstrated his value on the defensive end by being a constant presence in the paint to block or alter opponents’ shot attempts while also having the length and quickness to match up against smaller positions on the perimeter.

As the season progressed, Cauley-Stein unveiled his ability to score in more ways than simply dunks or lay-ups by getting it done in the post with hook shots and even expanding his range to mid-range jumpers.

In just his second NBA game ever, Trill made his presence known with a strong performance against the rival Los Angeles Lakers. The Kings big man would record 17 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in Sacramento’s runaway victory over L.A.

Cauley-Stein would go on to top that performance with a career-high 26-point outburst against the Phoenix Suns in March.

Willie also showcased his unreal athleticism by rising up for a monster dunk against Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Trill on being labeled as a primarily defensive player: “I’m a hooper. I do everything – I do it all. So when that stipulation leaves, it’s going to be cool where you’re just not (a defender), but I don’t think it ever will. People don’t want to see that. People ain’t ready for that. They want it to be, ‘You’re a defensive stopper.’ Well, I’m a defensive stopper, and I’ll go get 20 on you if I get the chance.” (Via Sacramento Bee)

Cauley-Stein on his playing style: “When I (start), I do the same thing as when I come off the bench – play with a lot of energy. You can only control your energy and effort, so I fly around and be extra active, and it makes everybody else do it. It’s my game plan.” (Via Sacramento Bee)

Willie on what he his goals for his rookie season: “My whole mentality my rookie year is nobody outworks me. That’s going to build the foundation. As soon as I become a vet, I already have that niche on me, like, you’re not going to outwork him, so what do you do now? You can’t outwork him, so he’s just going to keep coming back -- he’s going to come with another wave, another wave and that’s the kind of thing I’m trying to build now. It’s like an unlimited amount of waves that’s just going to come and come and come.” (Via CSN Bay Area)

Following a solid rookie season, Trill will now set his sights on continuing to improve as his value to this Kings team continues to increase.

Cauley-Stein’s adaptability and desire to help the team in any way possible makes him an essential part of the Kings future moving forward. With a season in the Association now under his belt, Willie will continue to keep building his repertoire on offense while also refining his potential to be one of the elite defenders in this League.

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2015-16 Season Breakdown: Willie Cauley-Stein

Shahbaz Khan

Entering his eighth season in the League, Kosta Koufos signed with Sacramento in hopes to provide depth in the frontcourt while bolstering the team’s defensive presence around the rim. No. 41 has been a reliable 20-minute per game contributor since his early days in the NBA, and while Koufos’ box scores may not always capture the big man’s efforts, his savviness is always on display.

“If you’re rolling to the basket and you’re not getting the ball, you’re still getting other guys open on the wings. Little things like that carry over in the long run.”

In 19 minutes per contest in the 2015-16 campaign (second-most in his career), the Ohio State product averaged totals of 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and just under a block a game. Playing in 78 games during the season, of which 14 were starts, Koufos was just one of eight players in the Association to average above six points and five rebounds while averaging less than 20 minutes per.

During the season, Kosta surpassed double-digit scoring in 22 contests, including a season-high of 19 points  against the Phoenix Suns in the team’s second-to-last game of the season.

Koufos tallied five straight games of double-digit scoring in a late-November stretch of play, averaging 13.2 points and 8.2 rebounds, while clicking alongside Kings All-Star DeMarcus Cousins.

No. 41 would have another strong stretch of offensive performances to end the season, scoring 10 or more points in seven of the squad’s final 10 games and taking part in several highlight plays with Seth Curry in a season-high 19-point output in Phoenix.

Koufos on his mentality during each game: “I’m a professional. Whenever I’m going to play, I’m going to play hard. That’s always been my motto.”

Collison on Koufos after a win versus: Washington: “We just took advantage of their second unit – we’ve got good players off the bench for us that have been playing well all season long. Tonight it was our game where we had it going – 2K (Kosta Koufos) had a good game.

Koufos, who’s also a member of the Greek National Team, will be aiming for his squad to earn a bid to the Rio de Janeiro Games this August.

Serving as the team’s starting center, No. 41 will have an opportunity to add to his repertoire as Greece’s go-to option for low post scoring.

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2015-16 Season Breakdown: Kosta Koufos

Just because a player isn’t in the starting five, doesn’t mean that they can’t have a profound impact on the game. Kings guard and resident sixth man Darren Collison is Exhibit A.

In his second season in Sacramento, Collison had a standout campaign. The former UCLA Bruin averaged 14 points and 4.3 assists per contest in 74 games, 59 of which he came off of the bench.

On top of that, DC recorded career-high shooting percentages, knocking down 48.6 percent of his field goals and 40.1 percent from three-point range.

Consistency was also a strength for the former first-round draft selection, as Collison logged 48 games this season where he scored 10 or more points off of the bench. His 13.7 points and 4.2 assists per game off the bench also ranked fourth and fifth in the Association, respectively.

For his efforts, Darren also received a second-place vote for the 2015-16 Sixth Man of the Year award.

Though he may be in a reserve role during most games, Collison has demonstrated the ability to take over games with his scoring ability.

One of the most notable instances of this came during the emotional and thrilling game that was the final Kings home game in Sleep Train Arena history.

DC7 scored 10 of Sacramento’s final 16 points, including this clutch bucket that would help the Kings stave off a late comeback attempt by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Not to mention Collison’s lightning-speed quickness with the ball, which would often put defenders on the wrong end of a highlight reel.

Collison regarding his role as either a starter or reserve: “I just want to win. All that stuff doesn’t really matter to me. I’m going to give 110 percent regardless.” (Via Sacramento Bee)

Kings point guard Rajon Rondo on playing alongside Collison: “He’s a fast, up-tempo point guard who gets out and runs, plays defense; we can switch off who’s checking who, and I think we play well off each other.” (Via Sacramento Bee)

Kings center DeMarcus Cousins on playing with Darren: “He’s probably been our most consistent player. His energy off the bench is keeping us in a lot of games." (Via Sacramento Bee)

Darren has proven himself to be a valuable commodity for Sactown as he can both lead the second unit as a scorer and playmaker, while also playing along starting players in crunch-time situations.

Before being sidelined with an injury in the 2014-15 season, DC was averaging a career-high 16.1 points per game while starting all 45 games he played.

Regardless of which role he is asked to play next season – starter or sixth man – Collison will certainly continue to contribute.

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2015-16 Season Breakdown: Darren Collison

Fresh off of a career year, in which DeMarcus Cousins averaged 24.1 points, 12.7 rebounds and over three assists per game during the 2014-15 campaign, this past season No. 15 tallied averages that haven’t been seen from an NBA big man in over a decade.

In 2015-16, Boogie’s 26.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, three assists and one steal per contest were numbers that had only been accomplished by six other players in history, the last coming from Chris Webber in the 2000-01 campaign.

In January, a month in which the team went 8-7, Cousins averaged a ridiculous 31.5 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. In back-to-back games during the month, the Kentucky product recorded career-highs of 48 and 56 points, respectively.

In 65 games played during the season, the All-Star scored 30 or more points in 26 games, tying Mitch Ritchmond for the most such games in a single season in the Sacramento era.

To open the month of January, DMC scored 30-plus points in three consecutive contests, leading the Kings to a 2-1 record and the squad’s first ever win at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. Cousins continued his offensive onslaught in the late stages of the month, capped by a 56-point, 12-rebound performance versus the Charlotte Hornets.

Darren Collison on Cousins’ January play: “Oh man – amazing. Amazing, flat out amazing. I mean, I don’t see how you can stop him. He’s playing as one of the best players in this league right now. There’s not too much that you can say over and over, just look at his game, watch his production – he’s just taking strides and taking it to a whole nother level. I’ve never seen this in my career from any other player that I’ve played with; it’s a blessing to see this.”

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on Boogie’s development: “He’s grown tremendously. He’s always been a good basketball player but he’s a smarter player now and his leadership is something he’s concentrated on - it’s made him a more complete person.”

Former Kentucky teammate and current Wizards point guard John Wall: “I know how dominant he is. He’s a tough match-up and a great basketball player. He does so much on the court to dominate a game.”

With a possible Olympic roster spot on the horizon, DeMarcus will be facing some of the world’s best during the majority of the NBA offseason.

No. 15 will look to strengthen what’s already been an impressive career growth pattern while working on his long-range jumper, which he hit at a 33.3 percent clip this season.

The best is yet to come for the two-time All-Star, who’s looking forward to the opportunity to play for Sactown in its new home in ’16-’17.

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2015-16 Season Breakdown: DeMarcus Cousins

Since starting his second stint with Sactown last season, Omri Casspi has continually contributed to the Kings, but his 2015-16 season was his best campaign yet.

During this past season, Casspi averaged a career-high 11.8 points per contest, while also knocking down 112 three-pointers on 40.9 percent shooting. This marked the second time in his NBA career where he has hit the 40 percent mark, accomplishing this same feat during the 2014-15 season.

In 69 games, 21 of which were starts, No. 18 also pulled in a career-best 5.9 rebounds per game and finished with the fifth-highest rebound total on the Kings squad.

Casspi has been known to have long-range shooting capabilities, but during a December game against the Golden State Warriors in January, he engaged in a thrilling three-point duel against one of the best shooters of all time and defending NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry.

During the last three minutes of the 2nd quarter, the two would combine for nine made three-pointers in a thrilling back-and-forth affair. Casspi would go on to finish that game with 36 points, a new career high.

Kings General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Vlade Divac on Omri’s improved shooting: “His threes are like layups now.” (Via Sacramento Bee)

Casspi on what motivates him: “Every time I step on that court, I play my heart out, not because of the money, not because of whatever. It’s because of my teammates, it’s because I love this game, and I’m really blessed to be in a position to play in the NBA.” (Via CSN)

Kings center DeMarcus Cousins on playing with Omri: “If there’s one guy I know I can go into battle with, it’s Omri. He’s going to bring it every night, he’s going to play hard every possession, he’s going to leave it all on the floor. I respect those types of players.” (Via CSN)

On the heels of the best individual season of his career, Casspi has plenty of momentum to work with heading into next season.

Aside from what he’s displayed in scoring ability and shooting touch, No. 18 has proven that he can provide an energy boost to the entire squad when he’s in the game.

His crucial veteran leadership will certainly be fundamental for the Kings success heading forward as they prepare for an exciting 2016-17 season in their new home in downtown Sacramento.

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2015-16 Season Breakdown: Omri Casspi

When the Kings brought Rajon Rondo aboard this past summer, there was tangible excitement for the four-time NBA All-Star to suit up in the purple and black.

Though No. 9 has only played one season in Sacramento so far, he wasted no time making an impact, not only on the floor, but also on the franchise record books.

Rajon set new Sacramento-era marks for assists in a single game (22) and assists in a single season (839).

His total assists were a career-high and the most by any player in the NBA in 2015-16, marking the first time in Rondo’s career where he has led the League in that category – he led the League in assists per game during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, but not total assists. This was also the first time a Kings player has topped the Association in total assists for a season since Nate Archibald accomplished it back in 1972-73.

Additionally, Rajon’s six triple-doubles during his 2015-16 campaign broke Chris Webber’s previous Sacramento-era record for most triple-doubles in a season (5).

On an individual level, this was one of the best statistical seasons for No. 9 to date. He scored 859 points, his highest total since scoring 1,110 in the 2009-10 season. After already topping his career high for assists, Rajon also grabbed a career-high 435 rebounds this season, good for an average of six per contest. Rondo started 72 games, the most by any Kings player this season, and the most he’s started since the 2009-10 campaign.

There have been a plethora of highlight passes and plays made by Rondo this season, but these two are perhaps the most notable.

Making a good pass to bypass the defense can be an art form, and if that’s the case, this dish by the Kings floor general belongs in a museum.

Rajon has long been known as one of the craftiest passers around, but No. 9 shocked everyone (especially Quincy Acy) when he threw down a dunk with authority against the New York Knicks.

Kings TV Analyst Jerry Reynolds on Rondo’s play style: “In a nutshell, Rondo’s a basketball player playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. He’s two or three moves ahead of most people." (Via Sacramento Bee)

Indiana Head Coach Frank Vogel on Rondo: “He’s one the most gifted players, point guards in the game. There’s no player like him with the ability to pass the basketball. There’s no player like him in the NBA.”

DeMarcus Cousins on playing with Rajon: “It’s crazy – kind of get caught up watching him play. It’s just amazing to be able to watch that, just watch his efforts on a nightly basis. I don’t really have to say much – you guys see it.”

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2015-16 Season Breakdown: Rajon Rondo

It was yet another solid season for Kings forward Rudy Gay, who continued to contribute to the squad with his well-rounded skill set.

Gay averaged 17.2 points and a career-high 6.5 rebounds per contest. Additionally, Rudy would improve his field goal percentage from last season, knocking down 46.3 percent of his shots.

On top of that, No. 8 was also named as one of the finalists, alongside teammate DeMarcus Cousins, to be on the roster for Team USA during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

During the final game in Sleep Train Arena’s history, Gay would put his name in the Kings record books by scoring the first and final points of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. His last points sealed a close win for Sacramento, as Rudy drained a pair of free throws with one second remaining to give his squad the W.

Perhaps the most notable contribution the former UConn Husky made this season was his clutch shot to give the Kings the road win over the Utah Jazz.  This further added to his resume as one of the most reliable players in crunch time.

Over the past 10 seasons, Rudy leads the NBA in field goal percentage for game-tying/go-ahead shots during the final five seconds of a game among players with at least 25 attempts.

Speaking of clutch, here’s No. 8 dashing Utah’s hopes of coming away with a victory.

On being a scorer in the NBA: “Well it’s hard. Obviously, you have visions of what you can do, but it takes hard work. This is a blessing to even be here. I’m just happy I can still go out there and do it.”

After recording a career-high six steals against the Houston Rockets: “Just trying to be a contributor however I can, whether that’s on the defensive end or whether it’s scoring – just try to complete the team.”

On moving into Golden 1 Center for next season: “Brand new venue and chance to builds a legacy there. From what I hear, it’s state of the art – who doesn’t want to be a part of that?”

With another solid campaign under his belt, Rudy remains as a core piece of the Kings foundation.

Though there will be time to prepare for next season, Gay will now set his sights on  securing an opportunitiy to represent the United States during this summer’s Olympic Games.

Both Rudy and DeMarcus were a part of the Team USA squad that captured gold in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

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2015-16 Season Breakdown: Rudy Gay

The 2015-16 campaign was one of both ups and downs for the Kings third-year shooting guard Ben McLemore.

The sophomore guard finished a great 2014-15 campaign in which he saw improvements across the board statistically.

However, with injuries and rotation changes, No. 23 struggled to build on the success from last season. His streak of playing in all 211 career games also came to an end when he was forced to miss time on the court due a wrist injury.

There were bright moments though, as McLemore shot a career-high 36.2 percent from three-point range, while also recording a career-high 1.3 steals per 36 minutes.

Deron Williams of the Dallas Mavericks broke the hearts of Kings fans everywhere when he hit a buzzer-beating three to down Sacramento in double-overtime in January.

McLemore would exact a bit of sweet revenge, however, as he put the Dallas guard on skates during the Kings first win over the Mavs in Dallas since 2003.

McLemore on continuing to improve as a player: “I know what I need to do. I’m just trying to figure it out. Last year I figured it out pretty fast. Now I need to get over this hump and push from there,” said McLemore. “Just staying with the same mentality, just going out there, playing free, not thinking, not worrying about making mistakes, Just going out there and playing my game.”

Sacramento Bee’s Jason Jones on Ben’s defensive potential: “McLemore’s greatest value might be on defense… McLemore has the size and athleticism to be that player if he plays with confidence and tenacity.” (Via Sacramento Bee)

DeMarcus Cousins on McLemore’s value to the team: “Ben’s a big piece of this team, and we depend on him on a nightly basis. When he’s playing well, the team’s playing well.” (Via Sacramento Bee)

Though this year may not have gone as planned for No. 23, there is still plenty of reason to be hopeful for taking the next step in the upcoming season.

The 23-year-old guard will have this offseason to further develop his game and round out areas of improvement in preparation for year number four in Sacramento.

There were setbacks this season, but McLemore’s undeniable athleticism and improving shooting stroke from long range will serve as the foundation to make him an even bigger contributor for the Kings in 2016-17.