SACRAMENTO -- Kevin Durant is getting in the habit of talking about the Kings.
First, he spoke glowingly of the team on the Bill Simmons podcast. Then, following shootaround Friday at Golden 1 Center, he was asked a few more questions about the team his Warriors were set to play later in the evening.
“I just like the growth of each player, I mean, you can see that these guys are getting better individually and they’re bringing it together as a unit and playing well off of each other,” Durant said.
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The nine-time All-Star and former NBA MVP was asked a follow-up question about whether or not the Kings have become an attractive free agent destination. After taking a moment to think, he gave a thoughtful answer.
“Sacramento’s usually been a team that’s always tried to build through the draft, and they always have some young pieces, young assets,” Durant said. “But I feel like this is the first time since I’ve been in the league that they’re starting to come together even more and present a great product of basketball on the floor.”
“Hopefully guys start to look at this place as somewhere they want to go -- new arena, fan base is pretty excited about the team,” Durant continued. “Anything can happen in the NBA. All you need is just one guy.”
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The Kings (15-12) are proving up a young core this season, and they are armed with an estimated $60 million in salary cap space for next summer when Durant and over 200 NBA players can become free agents.
Sacramento has the building, the fan base and talent, and the team is playing a fun brand of basketball. Like Durant said, “all you need is one guy.”
Expect to see that mantra printed on a purple T-shirt somewhere in Sacramento later this season.