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Chicago Bulls: Ranking the NBA’s top 10 young cores

By Aaron Peterson

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 27: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots over teammate Lauri Markkanen #24 against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center on January 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 104-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 27: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots over teammate Lauri Markkanen #24 against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center on January 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 104-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Ranking the Kings all the way down at number ten on the NBA’s young core rankings is very misleading, as Sacramento has a phenomenal young squad in place.

Keeping in mind that these rankings only include the players currently on the roster under the age of twenty-five, the many Kings just miss this threshold. Sacramento was very close to making the playoffs this season, and if the Western Conference wasn’t so tough they likely would have.

The crown jewels of this Sacramento core are De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III. Both of these young men have the potential to be All-Star caliber players. Both Fox and Bagley had relatively quiet seasons, despite their individual and team success, posting very solid numbers and a very surprising win total. Harry Giles is also a nice young piece who could be huge for the Kings if he is able to remain healthy.

The only issue with this Sacramento team is that many players considered to be a part of this young core are around the age of 26, some of which include Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic. With both of these players still on rookie-scale deals and likely already as good as they’re going to get, both will be owed a lump sum of cash next summer, possibly even more than they are worth.

Sacramento didn’t do much to its lineup this summer but rather focused on retaining the talent that is already on the roster and possibly saving cap space for Buddy Hield in 2020-2021. Although possibly a very wise move, Sacramento’s lack of offseason activity could move them behind in both playoff contention and in the young core rankings.

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