Sacramento Kings: 2016 Holiday Season Wish List

3 of 7

Dec 21, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Arron Afflalo (40) shoots against the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz 94-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

WISH 2: Improved Guard Play

The Sacramento Kings’ guards have had a rough early season run statistically. They rank 27th in the NBA in assists per game only averaging 11.6. The Sacramento guards have a plus/minus of negative 1.1, which currently ranks 19th in the association. They also struggle in 3-pointers made (28th in NBA), field goal percentage (18th in NBA), rebounds (28th in NBA), and points (26th in the NBA).

More from A Royal Pain

That goes without saying they are a team without a standout point guard. The NBA has never had more teams with point guard talent from Steph Curry to Chris Paul to Russell Westbrook to James Harden and the list goes on. The Kings are still searching for their point guard and offensive leader. Imagine, DeMarcus Cousins running the pick and roll with a star point guard.

That is a pipe dream, but actionable change is improving the guard play on both ends of the floor and/or making a move to improve the play. The Kings have some pieces they could move to stabilize the backcourt play or just getting Darren Collison back to his usual efficiency and defense will go a long way. Another change would be settling on a two guard and getting consistent production from that spot (harder to come by than the Collison change because Darren has shown that ability in the past). I am hopeful this improves naturally, but the Kings players and coaches need to make it happen.

Home/Kings News