Sacramento Kings’ Summer League: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
By Rafe Wong
The Bad
Unable To Close
Although the Kings had a mediocre record of 2-4 in summer league, all their games were competitive. The most the Kings lost by in a summer league game this year was by a margin of seven points to the Dallas Mavericks.
Yes, the games were all close for the Kings this summer, but they still were unsuccessful four times in closing the contest the right way. Hopefully, when training camp comes along, the veteran players of Sacramento can help teach the young guys how to finish games and take that next level to being successful.
Malachi Richardson
After suffering a hamstring injury past February, summer league was a chance for Malachi Richardson to shine. Unfortunately, Richardson suffered another injury to his hamstring in the first game which sidelined him for the rest of summer league. Malachi just can’t catch a break. Hopefully, his bad luck will end.
Harry Giles
Prior to summer league, it was expected that all four rookies for the Kings would be participating in the games. But when the Kings suited up for their first match, Harry Giles was in street clothes watching from the bench.
It was unknown why Giles wasn’t playing at the time, but then the news came out that the former Blue Devil would not be playing in summer league due to the Kings not rushing him after having knee problems in the past.
Harry Giles will not play in Summer League. He's not hurt, the Kings are allowing him to get stronger and develop with the team.
— Carmichael Dave (@CarmichaelDave) July 8, 2017
Although it seems like the Kings did the right thing by making sure Giles is completely healthy, it still was a bummer not to see him rocking the purple and white on the hardwood.