A Royal Pain
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What Roles Will The Sacramento Kings’ Rookies Have Next Season?

By Jonathan Roberts

iJun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; De'Aaron Fox (Kentucky) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number five overall pick to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
iJun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; De'Aaron Fox (Kentucky) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number five overall pick to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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After drafting four players in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Kings did a nice job of filling holes in the roster. Two of the players figure to project as starters in year one, depending on what happens in free agency. If the rookies thrive in the roles they play next season, the Kings could push for a 40-win campaign. With that being said, it’ll be necessary to revisit this after free agency, as everything could change within a couple weeks.

De’Aaron Fox, Starting Point Guard:

This will come as no surprise. You don’t draft a player in with the fifth pick just to have him ride the bench all season. Fox is an elite athlete and playmaker that will immediately transform the Kings’ offense. Fox could be a legitimate contender for Rookie of the Year as well. A player with that talent isn’t going to be sitting his first year. Fox is the franchise point guard for Sacramento and he will play as such due to his large role this upcoming season.

Frank Mason III, Backup Point Guard:

Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) defends Purdue Boilermakers guard P.J. Thompson (11) during the first half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) defends Purdue Boilermakers guard P.J. Thompson (11) during the first half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Mason is an incredibly talented player. Despite this notion, however, he doesn’t project as a starter in the NBA. With that said, it doesn’t mean he cannot and will not be a productive role player.

Mason gives the Kings a solid offensive player who can lead the second unit off the bench. At 23, he’s old for a rookie, but very mature because of it. Mason can be the Kings’ rock off the bench to calm things down for a very young team.

Justin Jackson: Starting Small Forward:

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) cuts the net after the win over the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. North Carolina defeated Gonzaga 71-65. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) cuts the net after the win over the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. North Carolina defeated Gonzaga 71-65. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

This one is tenuous because of free agency. Jackson is not a game changing player, but he’s solid and won’t make mistakes. Sacramento would be wise to have him start year one, but it’s possible they sign somebody else and have Jackson come off the bench.

Jackson is older, like Mason III, and while he doesn’t have the highest ceiling, he will be a solid player for the Kings. Most importantly, he doesn’t make mistakes, a trait which will be invaluable for a young team in need leadership, even if it comes from a rookie. Jackson should be the starter for the Kings, but this is the Kings. They’ve made worse shortsighted moves than this before.

Harry Giles, Reserve Big Man:

Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) shoots the ball against Troy Trojans forward Alex Hicks (30) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) shoots the ball against Troy Trojans forward Alex Hicks (30) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

A kinder way to say benchwarmer, Giles doesn’t figure to play a significant role in his first season in Sacramento. While the talent in undeniable, he’s coming off multiple significant knee injuries, and will likely spend his first year adjusting to the NBA and focusing on rehab.

Giles was a risky pick, but using their third first-rounder on him at 20th overall, it was a good risk to take. Giles, hopefully, will have a productive NBA career. But knee injuries have ruined careers as long as the NBA has been around. If Giles hopes to have a lengthy and productive career, the focus should be on health his first year and not on-court production.

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