While loads of uncertainty surrounds the Kings' 2022-23 NBA season, one thing is for certain: They want to win, and they want to win now.
That "win-now" mentality is being emphasized by new head coach Mike Brown, who summed up his goals for the season perfectly as the team desperately hopes to end its NBA-record 16-year playoff drought.
"The reality of it is, that's what we’re here to do," Brown told reporters Tuesday (h/t Sean Cunningham). "We love the fans, we do. They’re great fans. But even if the fans didn’t feel like we need to make the playoffs, I'm not here to coach regular season games. It’s just as simple as that."
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In addition to Brown, Sacramento made a number of moves this summer. The Kings traded for Kevin Huerter, signed Malik Monk and drafted Keegan Murray, who was named the NBA Summer League MVP after shining in Las Vegas.
Those offseason additions, combined with De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Davion Mitchell, are why players like Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George predicted the Kings will be a "challenging" opponent this season.
But Brown doesn't want to get too ahead of himself.
"Having said all that, we have [the] Portland [Trail Blazers] tomorrow. I’ll answer that because I know the fans and the media are curious, but that’s not my focus right now," Brown said. "If we do what we need to do, this thing is a journey, it’s a marathon. It’s not a sprint.
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"If we do what we need to do to get better, all that stuff, I truly believe, will take care of itself at the end of the day."
RELATED: Fox ready to help Kings get over hump, break playoff 'curse'
The Kings went undefeated in the preseason (4-0) but Brown knows all too well how long the road is to get to the postseason.
It will all start Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center. It's early, but we all know what's on the Kings' minds.