The Kings could turn to either player to take charge and make an impact, and they often delivered. Hield shot 42.7 per cent from deep, while Fox averaged 17.3 points and 7.3 assists in a vastly more consistent second pro season.

They were joined by Marvin Bagley III – the No 2 overall pick in 2018 – who struggled early with injuries and the transition from college to big-boy basketball, not to mention coming off the bench for the first time in his life. Yet Bagley eventually found a productive groove on a team lacking talented bigs.

And then there was Bogdan Bogdanovic, who had solid moments as the sixth man. The Kings were among the league’s more pleasant surprises; in early March they had a winning record and an outside shot at making the playoffs. That was progress for a franchise that was derisively known as the “Kangs”, one that always seemed buried by poor front office decisions and players who lacked the desire or talent or both to elevate Sacramento into the land of the respected.