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Three Goals For De’Aaron Fox In His Rookie Season

By Rafe Wong

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: De'Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: De'Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
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What goals should De’Aaron Fox have for this upcoming season? This article will state three objectives that the rookie should keep in mind.

The Sacramento Kings have a bevy of young talent going into their new season. And recent first-round draft pick, De’Aaron Fox, highlights the group.

With Fox’s previous success and high ceiling, he looks to be a top candidate to help turn the Kings franchise around into a competitive culture. Here are three goals he should follow in order to get himself onto the right path.

Goal #1: Improve Defense

At the college level, Fox was known as a solid on-the-ball defender while having a good nose to steal the ball, making himself an attractive two-way prospect in this year’s NBA draft. There’s hope that Fox will help the Kings’ perimeter defense in the upcoming years, but with that being said, it will be a gradual process for the Kentucky speedster.

Being able to lock down on collegiate basketball players is great, but it’s not comparable when going up against the speed of the NBA. Players at the NBA level are much quicker, stronger, and smarter than players in any other basketball league.

For Fox to show promise in his rookie season, he must improve his defense. He doesn’t have to earn any type of defensive honors this campaign, that would be stretching it a bit. But he does have to show he will not get overwhelmed when competing against NBA-caliber guards and offenses.

If Fox is able to handle his own as a defender, Kings fans should be excited about his future.

Goal #2: Finish In The Paint

Another strength Fox showcased at Kentucky was his ability to slash and finish at the rim. Due to his incredible athleticism, Fox excelled last season to shake by his defenders and finish well when shooting in the paint.

Although Fox showed to be a great slasher with the Wildcats, again, it’s production which happened at the college level. The power of the NBA is going to be much different for Fox, and he will need to make physical adjustments if he wants to replicate similar scoring results like he did while at Kentucky.

Goal #3: Fight Hill For Minutes

With the Kings signing George Hill this summer, it was an indication that Fox would take a backseat this season and learn from the nine-year veteran. Although Hill will take most of the point guard minutes to start the season, Fox is capable of making his way up the depth chart.

Unless an injury happens, Fox will likely not overtake Hill for the starting facilitator job, but the rookie can still receive an upgrade in minutes as the year progresses. If Fox is able to gradually improve and produce results comparable to his collegiate campaign, it may force Dave Joerger to play him more.

Achieving the two goals above will increase Fox’s chances of more playing time. Him proving he can be an effective two-way player will give the Kings and their fans the belief they have found the future point guard, and potential centerpiece, of their franchise.

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