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Sacramento Kings: How To Solve Their Summer League Woes?

By Rafe Wong

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 09: Vice president Vlade Divac (R) of the Sacramento Kings is interviewed by the media before a game between the Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2017 NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 09: Vice president Vlade Divac (R) of the Sacramento Kings is interviewed by the media before a game between the Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2017 NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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Listed down below are some suggestions to helping the Sacramento Kings leave the summer league woes behind them.

The Sacramento Kings are 0-3 so far in the NBA Summer League, not the ideal start to say the least. Despite Sacramento being winless so far, they still have a chance to become the kings of the summer by winning the league’s tournament. Here’s what they need to do.

Ball Movement

There has been too much solo play from the Kings’ players in their last three games. Instead of players moving without the ball, cutting into the lanes, and passing, they are relying solely on themselves to produce on the offensive end.

The Kings need to move the basketball more. Not only pass more but make the smart passes in order to help the offense produce more efficiently. Quantity AND quality are necessary going forward.

Make Open Shots

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 09: Buddy Hield
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 09: Buddy Hield /

The shooting numbers have been atrocious for the Kings this past week. In the three games the purple and white have played in, the team has shot an overall three-point shooting percentage of 28.3 and a free-throw percentage of 68.1.

Part of the reason why the Kings have struggled shooting is that of their shot selection, but there have also been numerous times this week where the Kings have missed point-blank wide-open shots. Bottom line, the Kings need to make their makable shots, both from the charity stripe and beyond the perimeter in order to find more success.

Wake Up The Sophomores

Prior to summer league’s start, the Kings were considered a  legit favorite to win the tournament due to the fact that Skal Labissiere, Buddy Hield, and Georgios Papagiannis were on their roster. Unfortunately, the success the trio had in their rookie seasons has not translated to the summer league hardwood.

All three have underperformed, in my opinion. Hield has struggled in shot selection and efficient scoring. Labissiere and Papagiannis have struggled to be aggressive in scoring and rebounding. If the sophomores can find a way to knock off the rust and be the players they were last season, it would dramatically improve the overall team.

Final Thoughts

Yes, the Sacramento Kings have lost their first three summer league games, but all of their contests have been competitive and close. The worst defeat the Kings have had this summer league was by a margin of just six points.

Next: Sacramento Kings Projected 2017-2018 Depth Chart

If the Kings are able to improve on their current weaknesses, they could be a possible Cinderella story for this year’s summer league games.

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