With training camp coming up fast, lineup rumors and projections will run wild. With that said, let’s try and project the Sacramento Kings 2017-18 rotation.
As training camp inches closer and closer, it’s time to speculate on the Sacramento Kings roster. While matchups, injuries, and performance will impact this on a game to game basis, this should be what the Kings rotation looks like heading into the season (roughly). We all know players like Buddy Hield, Skal Labissiere, George Hill, and Willie Cauley-Stein figure to start, but what about everyone else?
So what is the Kings’ minute distribution?
"Point Guard: George Hill (29), De’Aaron Fox (22)Shooting Guard: Buddy Hield (31), Vince Carter (10), Garrett Temple (3)Small Forward: Bogdan Bogdanovic (26), Garrett Temple (20), Justin Jackson (8)Power Forward: Skal Labissiere (29), Zach Randolph (15)Center: Willie Cauley-Stein (30), Kosta Koufus (17)"
Takeaways:
Frank Mason III, Harry Giles, and Malachi Richardson Don’t Crack The Rotation:
Giles out of the rotation shouldn’t shock anyone. He is a project coming off a serious injury.
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Mason, who showed flashes in the Summer League, still needs to prove he can contribute on an NBA team. He could greatly benefit from some time with Sacramento’s G-League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns.
Richardson is coming off an injury-shortened campaign and must prove he’s healthy. He also needs to improve his game enough to be an everyday player.
The Young Players Will See Plenty Of Action:
The core-four of Hield, Fox, Labissiere, and Cauley-Stein will get plenty of chances to contribute nightly with plenty of playing time.
While Hield leads them all in minutes, they all figure to see 20 plus minutes on the court. Adding George Hill, Zach Randolph, and Vince Carter figures to take minutes away from some of the young guys and rookies. If the core four play well in limited playing time and practice, they’ll force themselves into the rotation.
Versatility Will Be King (pun intended):
This Kings team is almost position-less from the 2-3. Coach Joerger will have plenty of freedom to plug and play any of these guys wherever he sees fit. Just about everyone at shooting guard or small forward can play the other position save for Buddy Hield and Justin Jackson.
This type of versatility all throughout the roster will give the Kings an exciting group of players, who can move around the court with ease. While they won’t compete for a title, they will be exciting.