Will the 2017-2018 season for the Sacramento Kings be the year they gain a playoff spot? Who will start and who will come off the bench?
This article will state my opinion on who I think will be on the Sacramento Kings team next season, and what the depth chart of the roster will look like.
Starting Five
Willie-Cauley Stein (Center): After early struggles this previous year, Trill later proved that he’s got game. Willie has shown in the last couple of months that he is more than a rim-protector on defense. He has unleashed his abilities to score, rebound, and distribute the ball as of late which gives him the potential to becoming a double-double machine going forward in his career.
Skal Labissiere (Power Forward): It’s hard to tell how efficient Skal Labissiere will be next season, but based on his small sample size so far, there is a lot promise for him to becoming a great player going forward
Rudy Gay (Small Forward): Due to the unknown of his Achilles injury, I think Rudy will resign (to get his $13.3M player option salary) with the Kings next season. But will be traded before the next year’s deadline?
Darren Collison/Ty Lawson/Garrett Temple? (Point Guard): It’s hard to determine who starts at point guard for the Kings next season. Either Ty Lawson or Darren Collison can start, but both are free agents. Lawson has had off-the-court problems and is a poor perimeter shooter, but is a terrific floor general. For the case of Collison, the last three years have been great. But does he wish another year in Vivek Ranadive’s sandbox? Garrett Temple might start if Lawson and Collison both say adios.
Buddy Hield (Shooting Guard): Buddy Hield is for sure the starting two-guard next season. His rookie jitters all got played out when he was with the New Orleans Pelicans. Kings fans got a look at the real thing after the DMC trade. All-Star potential?
The Bench
Kosta Koufos/Georgios Papagiannis (Centers): These guys delivered the kind of bench depth that most teams lust for. Both have shown to be bruisers in the interior which could give the big men of their opponents fits going forward.
Anthony Tolliver/Arron Afflalo/Potential Rookie & Veteran (Forwards): Tolliver had a great year shooting 39% from beyond the perimeter. He was the ideal stretch-four for the Kings off the bench and overall was a solid contributor. For the case of drafting a forward, the Kings should take a look at 7’0″ Lauri Markkanen out of Arizona. At only the age of 19, Markkanen shot 42% from the three-point line. His game resembles a similarity to Kristaps Porzingis. Or maybe he’s the next Dirk?
Draft Pick? (Point Guard): The Kings need to draft a point guard. Cross your fingers, fans, North Carolina State’s 6’3″ Dennis Smith should be available. Or how about a wild card? Belgium-born Frank Ntilikina who is only 18 years of age and is 6’5″. In his past season (24 games), Ntilikina shot 50.6% from the floor and 45.7% from the perimeter for Strasbourg (France). He is young, raw, and wildly athletic. Could he be the next Tony Parker?
Malachi Richardson/Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Langston Galloway (Shooting Guard): Loads of young talent to choose from at the two-guard position. Folks, it’s a treasure trove.
Who Leaves the Fold?
Tyreke Evans: With all the shooting guards already on board, the Kings will most likely let Evans become a free agent this summer. (Don’t worry, he’ll be back again someday.)
Ben Mclemore: After four years (much of it as a starter), McLemore’s 9.4 points per game average says it all. He did shoot 38% from the three-point line this season, so most likely someone will sign him. But the Kings will say bye-bye.