In the new NBA model, where star players get together and make up their own championship caliber rosters, small market teams have only way to build to be competitive. They must do it through the draft. The Kings have no chance of signing a top free agent, or acquiring a star via trade. The money is just not there, and top players only go to the top teams. Even if the Maloof’s had all the money in the world, and were willing to spend it, players like Deron Williams and Dwight Howard would never come here. Luckily for us, we have one of the best drafters in the NBA in Petrie. If the Kings sign there own free agents, and pick up roll players via trades and free agency, and continue to draft well, they will be continue to improve and compete for a playoff spot for years to come. That’s all you can ask for as a fan.

The future is very bright. Bleacherreport.com’s article "Predicting the NBA's Top 100 Players of the 2012-13 Season" by Maxwell Ogden,

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1230680-predicting-the-top-100-players-of-2012-13-season#/articles/1230680-predicting-the-top-100-players-of-2012-13-season

lists five players on the Kings roster:

Isaiah Thomas Age 23 (Honorable mention) "a very efficient point guard."

Thomas Robinson Age 21 (96) "He'll contribute in every facet of the game, effectively forming one of the best young frontcourts in the NBA."

Tyreke Evans Age 21 (86) "If we're basing this off of talent alone, Tyreke Evans may be a top-30 player in the league."

Marcus Thornton Age 25 (70) "talented enough that he could one day compete for a scoring title."

DeMarcus Cousins Age 21 (15, 5 spots ahead of Blake Griffin at 20) "as unstoppable as any big man in the NBA. He's a dominant interior and low-post defender and versatile scorer whose shooting range spans from the paint to the three-point line. He's also a monster on the defensive and offensive glass, enabling the Kentucky alum to alter the pace of any and every game he plays in."

That’s a lot of respect for a team that went 22 -44 last year. One man’s list isn’t another’s but the Kings are heading in the right direction and people are starting to notice. Along with Fredette, who, in time, will gain his confidence and become one the best scorers off the bench in the NBA, at age 23, and Thompson, if we can resign him, a very consistent big who had 13 double doubles last year and at least 15 rebounds 5 times, at age 25, the Kings are young and loaded. Yes, it’s good to be a Kings fan… finally. (38-44 next season and 43-39 and fighting for a playoff spot in 2013/2014.)