The Sacramento Kings Summer League season is about to kick off on Friday against the Toronto Raptors Summer League team. The Summer League is a terrific opportunity for NBA hopefuls to make a lasting impression on coaches both from the league and Europe. It also gives NBA rookies their first taste of NBA action, and allows fans their first view of their teams newest players.
Other then the rookie first rounders, everyone is competing for a roster spot, and the harsh reality is that many of these players won’t make an NBA squad. Despite this there are still some very talented players and it seems there are always a few unheralded players that breakout. The Kings have a diverse group of players, and while they will likely have few roster spots available, there could be a few that wind up on the Kings D-League squad.
Meanwhile, the Kings are the defending Vegas Summer League champions and are expected to defend the title. They will be without two of last years biggest contributors, Ben McLemore and Ray McCallum. However, they still have a terrific group of young players that should be very exciting to watch.
The player that will garner the most attention is rookie big man Willie Cauley-Stein. The former Kentucky Wildcat was selected 6th overall by the Kings in this years draft. Regarded as one of the best athletes and defenders in the draft, Cauley-Stein’s impact will be very interesting to watch. One thing to watch will be how his rebounding and shot blocking ability translate to the big league.
While not totally on par with the NBA, Cauley-Stein will be playing against players that are far more physically developed then those he man-handled in college. One of the knocks on Willie’s game was his rebounding ability, and it will be important to see how he manages against stronger and more athletic opponents.
Another thing to watch is Willie’s offensive ability, and what position he lines up at. While capable of guarding all five positions, his offensive ability limited him to the center position in college. There was talk that Caulie-Stein’s offensive game was much more advanced than he showed in college, and that he had been putting in a lot of work leading up to the draft. If the Kings hope to have Willie and DeMarcus Cousins on the court at the same time, some offensive spacing is essential, and it will be important to see how he performs during summer league.
One of the biggest players to watch, and the biggest player in the NBA, Sim Bhullar is an interesting prospect for the Sacramento Kings. At 7’5″ and 350 lbs, Bhullar is a mountain of a man and possesses a developing game. After going undrafted out of New Mexico State in 2014, Bhullar signed with the Kings D-League squad and even made on appearance this past season in the NBA.
With incredible size, Bhullar is easily able to out-rebound opponents and block anything near the rim. He is also able to easily finish over opponents given his hulking size. While his size does provide great benefits, it also limits him from an athletic standpoint. He does not move around very well and possesses below-average athletic ability. Bhullar has reportedly lost 20 lbs since last year and improved his quickness and agility.
This could go a long way into maximizing his career potential. It seems unlikely that Bhullar would make the Kings roster, especially after the recent signing of Kosta Koufos. However, if he manages to impress in the Summer League, and continue to improve during training camp, Bhullar could manage to find a way onto the squad.
Eric Moreland will be entering his second year in the NBA after going undrafted in 2014. The talented big man was one of the best shot blockers in the nation while at Oregon State. The Kings had high hopes for the 6’10” forward after a strong start in the D-League, but unfortunately a torn labrum cut his season short.
Little is known about Moreland, but reports on his development have been promising. Should Moreland impress in summer league and continue through training camp, he could very well earn himself a spot on the Kings roster as a hustle/depth big man.
One of the Kings best D-League players last season was undrafted rookie David Stockton. Son of the Hall of Fame point guard John Stockton, David was one of the best players in the entire D-League.
| Tm | G | MP | FG% | 3P% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REN | 43 | 30.5 | .461 | .398 | .824 | 4.2 | 9.4 | 2.5 | 0.1 | 3.4 | 20.1 |
| 43 | 30.5 | .461 | .398 | .824 | 4.2 | 9.4 | 2.5 | 0.1 | 3.4 | 20.1 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/10/2015.
He also made over two three’s a game. Stockton’s play was so good it earned him a 10-day contract with the Kings. Stockton played little in his three NBA games, but that NBA experience could be very important for him earning a roster spot.
After trading away Ray McCallum, the Kings have little depth behind Rajon Rondo and Darren Collison. Given both their injury history as well as George Karl’s tendency to run a two point guard system, Stockton’s presence could be a welcome addition. His playmaking ability and proficiency from behind the arc could go a long way in earning Stockton a roster spot. Look for the young Stockton to put up a big performance in this years’ Summer League.
The last player to really keep an eye on is shooting guard James Anderson. The 26-year-old was recently signed by the Kings and is expected to add depth to the backcourt this coming season. After stints with the Spurs, Rockets, and 76ers, Anderson played overseas this past season. Anderson was selected by the Spurs with the 20th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, but has been unable to stick in the league. His best season came with the 76ers, where he averaged 10 points and three rebounds per season.
At 6’6″, Anderson is a physical player on the perimeter and is a more than capable defender. He is also a competent, if not erratic three-point shooter. Despite one season where he shot 45% from behind the arc, Anderson has a career average of 33% from behind the arc, an unimpressive number.
However, at 26 years old, it is impressive to see Anderson’s willingness to improve himself. While he may not have a real high potential, Anderson can be an important 3 and D player for the Kings, especially if an injury is to occur in the backcourt.
The Sacramento Kings have a number of talented players and should once again contend for the Vegas Summer League title. While there should be limited roster spots available, it will be important to see how the Kings youngsters get their season started.