How much does an NBA team mean to a city? Just ask the residents of Seattle Washington that question.

In 2008 the Seattle Supersonics ceased to exist and overnight became the Oklahoma City Thunder. That's right, the Oklahoma City Thunder that just hoisted the Larry Obrien trophy and became the reigning NBA champs.

I wonder how many Seattle residents could even watch the finals on TV.

Ever since that ominous decision was made, Seattle has been knocking on the door of the commissioner's office, demanding that the NBA give back what was taken from them. Allow Seattle an expansion team, because with a degree of certainty the NBA is going to expand, and don't be surprised if Seattle doesn't get their wish.

That very same city came within a gnat's eyelash of taking the Kings from Sacramento to Seattle in 2013, and it may well have happened had commissioner David Stern not stepped in, along with the help of then city mayor Dennis Johnson.

It took a change in ownership and the building of the Golden One Center to keep the Kings in Sacramento, and Vivek Ranadive suddenly stepped into the picture.

The Sacramento fans have been largely appreciative of Ranadive, and have shown a high degree of patience, having only tasted the playoffs one time since he took over the team.

But over a decade has passed, and basketball fans want what the Oklahoma City Thunder have, a championship team. At the very least a team that can be counted on to make the playoffs every year.

This year's draft portents a favorable outcome, as both Nique Clifford and big man Maxime Raynaud displayed skills in the NBA summer league that gave Kings fans good reason to be excited.

Few NBA teams in history have had a less favorable draft history than the Sacramento Kings, and it's become a moniker that the team and fans alike would like to kick.

Why do some franchises have such consistent success drafting players, why other teams seem to struggle.

In the case of Sacramento Kings, it's likely you need to look no further than the owner himself.

Vivek Ranadive has been a savior to the city and for that he deserves praise. But when it comes to assisting with draft selections, most fans would like Vivek to find something else to do.

The ominous Marvin Bagley III selection was not so long ago, and as most fans know, Luca Doncic was overlooked by the Kings, only to be drafted by the Atlanta Hawks one pick later. Inexplicably, Atlanta traded Doncic to the Dallas Mavericks immediately, demonstrating that Sacramento is not the only franchise that has difficulty judging talent.

But looking back won't help the Sactown boys today, as new head coach Doug Christie has a big job ahead of him.

If we are to listen to the pundits, the Sacramento Kings will be lucky to win 30 games, and that I say, bunk!

Dennis Schroder has yet to make a single assist, and I expect Schroder to join this talented group of players and be the ball distributor that Scott Perry believes he can be.

Sacramento's starting five will stand up to any team in the NBA, and the real question remains how strong the bench will be, and how much can they be counted on to contribute every night.

OKC just provided an illuminating script to show what a championship bench looks like, and its high time the Kings paid attention to how championship teams get things done.

I believe that the Kings have a trove of young talent, and the question is whether Doug Christie can be both teacher and coach.

If Doug Christie can find a way to add 10 bench points per game, look for the pundit's predictions to go out the window.

Last season's bench scoring of 26 points per game won't get it done, but 35-40 would be an instant game changer for Sacramento.

Where will this extra scoring come from? I hope Isaac Jones and Nique Clifford will help us get there, but I'm reminded that trade rumors may not just be rumors.

The Kuminga trade is not entirely dead, and with Russell Westbrook having announced his retirement, the Kings will need to find their bench help elsewhere.

By all means, do not give up hope Kings fans, because Scott Perry has yet to fully strut his stuff. We may hear something very soon!

All the best!

V.G. Harris