Charles Barkley wants more national TV games for Sacramento Kings, but he has a warning

Charles Barkley has a lot to be optimistic about these days.

He has lost about 65 pounds. He enjoys being a grandfather of two. He has improved his golf game and savors the fruits of a nine-figure contract as one of TNT’s lead personalities covering the NBA.

Another thing he’s optimistic about: the future of the Sacramento Kings.

“They got some good young players,” Barkley told The Sacramento Bee on Thursday on the driving range at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in South Lake Tahoe. “Mike (Brown) is a terrific coach and they should have won the Golden State series, but that was a learning experience for them. But they got a really bright future.”

Barkley knows as well as anyone the star-driven nature of the NBA. And he believes the Kings have the star power in De’Aaron Fox to become a contender in the crowded Western Conference.

Fox broke out last season. He made his first All-Star team, earned All-NBA Third Team honors and was presented with the inaugural Jerry West Clutch Player of the Year award.

Next steps

So what does Fox have to do to take the next step in his stardom?

“Well, he’s there,” Barkley said. “He’s just got to do it again because with success comes expectations. Now they really got to do better next year. Last year was a great year, but now it’s got to get even better because expectations are going to be higher. They’re not going to be able to sneak up on people and that’s when the fun (starts). That’s when you get to show your true greatness.”

Forward Keegan Murray is also a cause for heightened expectations heading into his second NBA season. He played in two summer league games during the California Classic earlier this month in Sacramento, scoring 29 and 41 points, working predominately as a point guard and initiator of the offense.

During the regular season, Murray was known more as a knockdown shooter. This year, the Kings are expecting his game to evolve, which means creating more of his own shots off the dribble and creating for others.

“I love Keegan Murray,” Barkley said. “That was a great pick. I saw him a little bit the other night (at the California Classic) and he’s got a great future. I love that kid.”

Must-see TV

The Kings finished last season with the best offensive rating in league history. They earned the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference before bowing out in seven games in a first-round series against the Golden State Warriors.

And with the Kings playing one of the most exciting and watchable brands in the NBA, Barkley is a proponent of them getting more looks on national broadcasts.

“I think the main thing is we got to start putting Sacramento on TV more,” he said. “They proved last year they deserve to be on TNT and hopefully they’ll get more games next year.”