Who should the Sacramento Kings start at point guard once the NBA regular season is in session?
With summer league officially over, it gives the Kings and their fans a better perspective of where players should be placed on the depth chart. With that being said, this article predicts which player on the Kings should start at the point guard spot.
Listed down below are the possible candidates.
De’Aaron Fox:
The Kings invested the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft on De’Aaron Fox out of the University of Kentucky. In his lone season of collegiate play, Fox was one of the top point guards in college basketball as he was an asset for his team on both ends of the floor.
For the year, Fox averaged 16.7 points, 4.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals a game while shooting 47.8% from the floor, 24.6% from the three-point line, and 73.9% from the charity stripe.
Fox has the potential to become a star facilitator in the NBA someday. The only question is when will he reach that potential?
Frank Mason III:
Prior to being drafted by the Kings in the second round, Frank Mason was an All-Pro player in his senior year at Kansas.
Not only were the numbers excellent for Mason, but his leadership helped the Jayhawks become a top-tier team throughout the entire 2016-2017 basketball season.
Despite being picked the second round, Mason seems to be ready to play at the NBA level. If he is able to translate the production he displayed with the Jayhawks onto the NBA hardwood this season, he could be the ultimate steal of this year’s draft.
George Hill:
After the NBA draft concluded for the Kings, the team only had two point guards on their depth chart. As a result, the Kings were in search of a point guard during free agency and decided to sign nine-year veteran George Hill to a three-year contract.
Throughout his career, Hill has been a solid two-way point guard on many playoff-contending teams. His career numbers (per game) are 11.8 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.2 rebounds. Hill also has made 45.3% of his career shots from the floor, 38% from the perimeter, and 80.2% from the free throw line.
Who Should Start?
It’s clear that the starting point guard for the Kings on opening night (if healthy) should be George Hill. There’s a good argument that Hill is the best player on the Kings’ roster right now, considering that the team is filled primarily of young potential talent and veterans.
If starting, Hill would help the Kings on both ends of the floor. On offense, he can distribute the ball but also find ways to create his own shot. On defense, he has been solid throughout his career in locking down on opponents’ point guards.
Although Fox and Mason are the future for the Kings, there is no need to rush their development. If Hill is the best point guard when training camp concludes, and he probably will, then he should be the starting facilitator for the Kings.
Not only will starting Hill be beneficial for the Kings this season, but he can also be a plus going forward as Hill will also be playing the role of a mentor who the young guards on the team can learn from.