The Sacramento Kings are stocking on young talent, giving fans reasons to be excited about the team’s future. Here are my five players to go crazy for!
The NBA Draft is merely underway so let us take some time off the excitement on new player arrivals and focus on what the team currently have. The Kings are in no doubt rebuilding with fresh talent. Every time a player gets drafted or acquired (via free agency or trade), excitement permeates the air in Sacramento.
That is the case here. The Kings have players that they have drafted and acquired (on the roster) to be excited about next season. So without further ado, here are my Top 5 players to look forward to!
5. Georgios Papagiannis
At #5 is Big Papa. To me and almost everyone, confusion arrived quickly once his name was called at the 2016 NBA Draft. Even DeMarcus Cousins subtweeted the Kings when Papa was drafted. And Papa’s start to his NBA career was not exactly helping him either.
In fact, Papagiannis’ first NBA point came on February 15, 2017, against the Warriors. However, it was impossible to put the blame on him as he was a player very low on the depth chart. Sitting behind Cousins (until the trade), Kosta Koufos and Willie Cauley-Stein meant he was not getting on the court anytime soon.
However, the Cousins trade impacted many including Papa. His first breakout game occurred March 18, 2017, when he racked a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) against the Thunder. He finished the season with another double-double along with four other games where he had double-digit scoring numbers. The potential is there, but just like any other player, you need playing time to show it.
4. Willie Cauley-Stein
Here is a player I am really high on. He was also another player impacted by the trade of Cousins and it showed. The first game after the trade, Cauley-Stein went off on the Nuggets scoring 29 points and notching 10 rebounds.
Cauley-Stein is exactly the type of player the Kings (and all teams) need. He is a capable power forward and center, proving he is a versatile big man. We know he is an explosive dunker as well throughout his time at Kentucky and Sacramento.
He should be a key player next season with increased confidence as a big who can do it all inside the arc (he can’t hit threes) and that is a type of player fans should be excited about regarding Willie Cauley-Stein.
3. Malachi Richardson
This is a risk putting Richardson at #3, but it’s easily backed up. Let’s take out the fact that he was injured and missed the rest of the season and focus on what he did while healthy.
Let me tell you, I was really ecstatic when the Kings drafted him. Coming from Syracuse, Malachi brings in a plethora of assets. A hard work ethic makes him stand out but he is also a shooter.
He’s a knockdown, straight up shooter in which he is not afraid to put up the three ball. He showed promise both in Sacramento and at his time in the D-League playing for the Reno Bighorns.
If he can manage to stay healthy, get excited Kings fans!
2. Buddy Hield
Woah, did he come earlier than you predicted?! Yes, Buddy Hield is my second most exciting player for next season. Acquired from the Pelicans in the DeMarcus trade, Hield was easily the most hyped up player that the Kings received in that acquisition.
He was fantastic in college and had plenty of hype during the draft. The Kings couldn’t land him there but they found a way to get him anyways, and it has worked.
He definitely has a lot to work on, especially his defense, but his offense makes him stand out even more. He’s another fantastic three-point shooter and scorer in general. No wonder some have compared him to Stephen Curry.
He has shown he can be a great asset to the team but there is still one more player that is more exciting.
1. Skal Labissiere
The Haitian Sensation comes in at #1! Among all of the players I have listed, Skal is the one that garners the most excitement heading into next season.
Did I mention the Cousins trade impacted many players on the roster? Skal is one of those players. Cousins’ departure paved the way for Skal and he came along fantastically (if you watched, you would know). How could you not forget the 32 point, 11 rebound performance he had against the Suns? He even hit a three-pointer that had Grant Napier going crazy! He also was close to a triple-double (10 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists) and had a 25 point performance against the Rockets.
I cannot tell you how fun it is to watch Skal play. Going forward, Skal at power forward and Cauley-Stein at center should definitely be a fun pair to witness.
Do you agree with my list? If not, come up with your own top five and let’s wait until next season!