Divac with his new additions from left to right:

Butler - Koufos - Bellinelli - Casspi

The real Chef (Curry #30)

Cousins and Karl share an awkward handshake. The Karl-Cousins beef has been this off-season's most drawn out saga.

It's safe to say that the Sacramento Kings have been one of the most (if not the most) active teams this off-season. There were also a lot of rumors leading up to the draft that George Karl was actively trying to find buyers for the team's franchise player Demarcus Cousins. To make matters even worse, it is clear that the franchise has somehow managed to alienate the one piece that we know the team needs to focus on building around. The fact that all of this locker room drama is information available to the public is beyond me. When Vivek decided to make the mid-season hire of Karl, it is known that he explicitly put in the contract that Karl would have no say in the decision making process, yet here we are. If the Kings want to see any sort of success next year, the most important thing that needs to happen before the season starts is for Karl and Cousins to get on the same page. It needs to be made abundantly clear that Divac is the one and only decision maker of the team. Vivek needs to know his limits as an owner, and Karl needs to know his limits as a coach.Let us take a look at what the Sacramento Kings front office have done so far this off-season.(2015 6th Overall Draft Pick)Based on the Kings' needs, they decided to pass up on Emmanuel Mudiay, Justise Winslow, and Stanley Johnson. There is a lot I like about this pick. I can see Willie Cauley-Stein being a legitimate DPOTY contender within the next few years. I have never seen a 7-footer get down the court with as much speed as Willie does. With a ridiculous balance of length, size, and athleticism, this guy can guard any position, and he did guard just about anyone under Calipari's defense at Kentucky. He has been impressing at Summer League, and I have nothing but good things to say about what I have seen so far. It would have been nice to see us take a chance on drafting a possible future franchise point guard in Mudiay, who I frankly see a lot of John Wall in, but I can't complain with this decision. I can't help, but Demarcus played a part in this. Former Kentucky players all seem to be pretty tight-knit already, and it has been noted that Boogie wants to play as a stretch 4. Cauley-Stein would allow Cousins to focus more of his attention on the offensive end of the court. All in all, I think it was good and conservative pick. When I see Cauley-Stein, I see a hybrid of Serge Ibaka and Tyson Chandler, both of whom have been big contributors on competitive teams.(FA)What a lot of people don't know is that Koufos actually rates very highly in interior defensive metrics. He has played in the Karl system and will be an efficient player. When I see Robin Lopez making about $13 million a year, the $9 million a year that the Kings spent on Koufos doesn't seem so bad.(FA)The three point shooting that the Kings displayed last season was absolutely abysmal and that is putting it lightly. Ben Mclemore led the team in 3PFG% with 35.8%. Bellinelli will certainly help spread the floor with his career 3PFG% of 39.2%. On a team where Boogie is the offensive centerpiece, it should be easy to see why spacing is of utmost importance. At a decent price of 3 years $19 million after the lucrative contracts that wing players have been getting this off-season, I must say I really like this pick-up.(FA)A truly mercurial talent, after seeing his embarrassing display with the Mavericks last season, he has deservedly gotten a lot of stick. It is also probably true that no other team was willing to offer close to the $9.5 million that the Kings gave him for a one-year contract. People forget that Rondo is a four time all-star, a champion, and that he nearly averaged a triple-double during the 2009 playoffs. He's still only 29 and will play with a chip on his shoulder this season. I can't wait to see what Rondo will do with the Kings. Rondo is a tough competitor, and I'm certain he will bounce back this season. I can't think of anyone else that is more suited to run the fast-paced George Karl offense than Rondo. The only big knock here is the fact that he will not help with spacing for Demarcus whatsoever. After missing out on Wesley Matthews, the Kings needed to use the cap space that they cleared up with the trade with the 76ers. I don't see the risk in going for a one year trial on a proven star. (Random note: this signing helped appease my sadness of not selecting Mudiay in the draft, because I don't think Collison has the skill-set of a true starting point guard). I remember in a Bill Simmons - Cousins interview a couple years back, Bill asked Cousins who he thought was the best point guard in the league. Cousins responded with Rajon Rondo. Just some food for thought.(FA)Played in Europe last season. Not sure why the Kings thought he was good enough to play in the NBA. Whatever.(FA)A solid, veteran presence who can still provide scoring when called upon. Not bad.(FA)The beard is back. When I see Acy, I almost see an identical twin of Reggie Evans. Will dive for loose balls and you need energy guys like him on a team. Sure.(UDFA)He has performed remarkably well as a stretch 4, shooting 10-24 (good for 42%) for 3's in the Las Vegas Summer League and has been rewarded with a guaranteed contract with the Kings. If you can shoot the basketball, you will find a home in the NBA somewhere.Re-Signed:Re-signed for a relatively cheap amount considering his decent production last season. He seems to really like it here in Sacramento, and he gets along with the squad, so I'm all for it.(Traded to Spurs for 2nd Round Pick)Don't think he was ever going to be a great point guard and didn't really have a place on the team with Rondo and Collison in front of him on the depth chart. Now I feel like the Spurs are going to utilize him better than the Kings ever did and make me regret everything that I just said(see Cory Joseph, Patty Mills, Gary Neal, Tony Parker, etc.).(Traded to 76ers along with Jason Thompson, Carl Landry, 2 rights in the next 2 drafts to swap picks, and a future 1st rounder for 2 European prospects)(see above)(see above)The trade that the Kings have faced so much public backlash on. This trade was straight salary dump on the Kings part. One would have to imagine that Divac was trying to make a play for Wesley Matthews or Monta Ellis with the freed up cap space.(FA)LOL(FA)Cousins has said many times that he sees Evans as a big brother figure. Will definitely be missed in terms of a great locker room guy. Won't be missed for his dyslexic offensive abilities.(FA)Was a solid veteran presence last season. Knew George Karl's offensive system inside and out. Offered absolutely nothing on the defensive end last season as his age has clearly caught up to his physical abilities. Literally was a sieve on defense last season in terms of letting opposing point guards get into the paint at will. Could see him taking on an assistant coaching role in Sacramento.Update: Andre just signed a deal with the Timberwolves.(FA)Led all players in scoring during the Las Vegas Summer League with the Pelicans. Agreed to sign with the Kings, because he felt that he had a better chance to get minutes with Sacramento. Vivek has always envisioned the Kings to enjoy the same sort of success that the Warriors have. No better decision than to sign the MVP's little brother. But in all seriousness, the Curry's can shoot the ball, and the Kings need shooters. So why not?﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿From an outsider's perspective, I think it is easy to jump to conclusions and just say that all the moves that the Kings have done are irrational. Right, I understand, the Kings ransomed their future for the present, and the present still seems pretty bleak. It seems like most of the moves were catered around making Demarcus Cousins happy. Looking at the Kings roster from top to bottom, I see Cousins as the only piece that this team cannot afford to lose. Divac has made some bold moves this off-season. Cousins has been used to winning all his life. He played in one of the programs in the nation at Kentucky. Ever since he has been in the NBA, he has endured losing season after losing season. No one can blame him for possibly wanting to move on out of this situation. If the Kings front office can truly show Boogie that they mean business, I don't see how these moves weren't in the best interest of the organization. Of course, every bold move has certain risks attached to it, and these moves are no different. The Kings could ransom their future, fail to make the playoffs still, and Cousins could push for a trade next year. Potentially, several future draft picks have been given up through the trade with the 76ers. However, we have seen again and again that the draft lottery is no sure thing (see Stauskas, Robinson, Fredette). Kings cannot afford to lose Cousins, and I believe that all of these moves were made with this key interest in mind.- Rajon Rondo- Ben McLemore- Rudy Gay- Demarcus Cousins- Willie Cauley-SteinWhen the starters played together last season, they were actually near the top in terms of offensive and defensive efficiency. There is actually even more talent now than there was last season. Rondo is replacing Collison as the new start point guard. Darren Collison will now likely assume the 6th man role, which he excelled at with the Clippers two seasons ago. Willie Cauley-Stein will be replacing Jason Thompson. Thompson was primarily played for his post defense. Cauley-Stein will undoubtedly be a better rim protector than Thompson ever was. Besides these obvious upgrades, McLemore should only be improving year to year. He had a nice increase in production in his sophomore year, and this trend should continue as he is still a raw athletic guard with a lot to prove. The bench is still a weakness of the team, but it definitely better than last year's bench. With a bench of Collison, Bellinelli, Koufos, and Casspi, I see a lot of talent all-around on the Kings roster.- I would not be surprised if the Kings snuck into the Western Conference playoffs as a 7th or 8th seed. Don't sleep on the Kings. There is no doubt that this team is talented, and it's up to Karl to make it work.