After defeating the Thunder, the Kings climbed to third place in the Western Conference standings. Ahead of them were the San Antonio Spurs, bolstered by an offseason that had made them arguably the strongest team on paper in history, and the Golden State Warriors, who had been steamrolling the league since opening night.
The Spurs boasted a mix of veterans and new stars, including the legendary GDP trio, Kawhi Leonard, and LaMarcus Aldridge. Their bench, featuring players like David West, Danny Green, and Patty Mills, only added to their depth. Meanwhile, the Warriors, led by the fully-formed Splash Brothers, had started the season with a 24-game winning streak, losing only five games to date.
In Sacramento, Coach Mike Malone sat in a quaint breakfast diner, reading the sports section of the newspaper. "Golden State won again. They might actually break the Bulls' 72-win record," he muttered, shaking his head in amazement.
Across the table, Jake sprinkled pepper onto his scrambled eggs, the aroma of the sizzling bacon on his plate lifting his spirits. This breakfast ritual was a tradition for Jake and Malone, a rare chance for the two to discuss the team's development in a more relaxed setting.
"If nothing unexpected happens, they probably will," Jake replied confidently, digging into his meal. Despite the diner's mediocre rice, Jake loved their breakfast, especially the wok-fried bacon and eggs. He still remembered his first bite—it was enough to make him almost shout for joy.
"You're that certain?" Malone raised an eyebrow.
Jake swallowed a bite and took a sip of coffee. "Partly because the Warriors are strong. And partly because Adam Silver has his own motivations."
Malone perked up at the mention of Silver. "Are you saying Silver wants to give the Warriors a push?"
"Whoa, whoa! I didn't say that," Jake quickly waved off the suggestion. "Don't put words in my mouth. But think about it. Since taking over, Silver has been keen to step out of David Stern's shadow. The greatest commissioner in league history left some enormous shoes to fill."
Jake leaned back in his chair. "What were Stern's biggest accomplishments? The golden era of centers and shooting guards, Michael Jordan's dominance, global expansion, and iconic draft classes like 1996 and 2003. Those are mountains Silver has to climb. To surpass Stern, he needs something historic to put his stamp on the league."
Malone nodded, intrigued.
Jake continued, "Take the 2014 draft, for example. It was hyped as the next 2003 class under Silver's watch. Now, with the Warriors on the rise, he probably sees their potential record as another opportunity. It wouldn't surprise me if a little nudge here and there came from the top."
Malone frowned. "So, you think this season is aligned perfectly for them—talent, health, and...favorable circumstances?"
"Exactly," Jake said. "No historic record is achieved without a bit of luck. The stars need to align—great team chemistry, minimal injuries, and the right narrative at the right time."
Malone leaned back, his expression turning grim. "If they're going to be this dominant, that means we're in for another brutal playoff run. Spurs, Warriors, and us. It's a bloodbath in the West."
Jake sighed. "It's going to be tough. This is arguably the most competitive era in Western Conference history. But we don't have time to wait. After this season, our salary cap space will lock up. If we don't make a deep playoff run now, it'll only get harder to stay competitive in the long term."
Malone shook his head. "And with our market size, we can't rely on free agency to save us."
"Exactly. That's why I closed the trade channel," Jake explained. "We need to stay unpredictable. Let other teams keep guessing. And we need those two systems I talked about. When it comes to the playoffs, surprises will be our biggest weapon."
Jake drained his coffee in one gulp and leaned forward. "Sacramento's market is too small. Our owner isn't going to spend big or approve any crazy poison-pill contracts to lure free agents. If we want to thrive in this league, we have to build something sustainable and different."
Malone nodded, the weight of the conversation settling in.
Jake didn't voice his final thought aloud—that a deep playoff run would also give him leverage. If they succeeded this season, Jake planned to push for more control over the team's direction. It wasn't just about winning now; it was about securing Sacramento's future—and his own.