I'm not too worried about the Kings but I was never expecting to get a top 4 pick in the draft either. The Kings are a lot like the Magic at the beginning of last year. They are winning games because they are shooting 3s at close to a 40% clip. That will regress, and when it does, they will start to lose. They have a deep team and a nice, talented young core to build around but atm it lacks top talent. Fox and Bagley have the potential to get there, maybe even Hield.
I think Memphis is good enough to not be a bottom 8 team but also not good enough to make the playoffs. A lot of their early season success has been because of a very easy schedule. They are the reverse of the Kings in that they have some top talent but no depth around it and outside of JJJ, don't have much in the way of potential or improvement.
If it plays out that way, that means 2 mid to late lottery picks next year. If the Clippers squeak into the playoffs as an 8 seed, that would be 3 picks in the top half of the draft, and their own pick still left. They'd be in a position to move up in the draft or make a big time trade. Something would have to happen anyway, there is no room for 4 more rookies. That's something to worry about if/when it happens. It'll be interesting if the Celtics keep their 2nd round pick too, protected 31-55. Maybe Memphis will get our 58th pick in the draft for their 9th or 10th.
I'm guessing most people are rooting for Memphis to be a bottom 6 team so the pick doesn't convey though. I'd rather have a lottery pick this year than hope for the best in 2020 or 2021. In a scenario where we get all 3 picks, I could see why some may be rooting against it and rolling it over for 2 more seasons but that scenario offers Ainge a lot of options.
It's amazing really. The team is already loaded and still has the potential to add 2 more lottery talents in the next few years. It's fun contending for a championship and drafting in the lottery.