Sacramento Kings: Projecting The Starting Five (Early Edition)

Who will be part of the starting five for the Sacramento Kings come opening night? Here are my thoughts on the topic.

The Sacramento Kings’ 2018-2019 campaign is still months away. But let us have some fun and make predictions on who will be part of the starting lineup for the purple and white.

With brand new additions and a lot of young talent on the roster, Dave Joerger will face some tough decisions in the near future. Even though training camp and the NBA preseason have not started yet, listed down below are my thoughts on who coach Joerger will start to begin the new NBA season.

Point Guard: De’Aaron Fox

SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 11: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets at Golden 1 Center on April 11, 2018 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

There is no question that De’Aaron Fox will be the starting facilitator for Sacramento. The team invested the #5 pick on him in the 2017 draft and he has the potential to be a top-tier NBA point guard.

Although Fox did not have the best of rookie seasons, he did show enough flashes that he could be a core player in the Kings’ rebuild. To me, Fox has the athleticism and intangibles to be the leader of the team. So if he is able to improve his jump shot and continue to gain strength, expect a good sophomore year from the Kentucky comet.

Shooting Guard: Buddy Hield

Just my opinion, but Buddy Hield was one of the best players on the Kings last season. And I think Vlade Divac, Vivek Ranadive, and Dave Joerger think this notion as well.

I believe Joerger will input Buddy as the starting shooting guard in his lineup. Last season, Hield showed he is a reliable shooter as he made 43.1% of his perimeter shots. He also showed last year his improvement in handling the ball as well as showing maximum effort on the defensive end.

Overall, Buddy is a great shooter and someone who is going to give his best effort on both ends of the court. If Buddy continues to produce the way he has, I believe Joerger will definitely make him a starter.

Small Forward: Bogdan Bogdanovic

Although Bogdan Bogdanovic’s pure position is two guard, he is the best option for the Kings at small forward. And if the Kings are truly about winning games this season, then I think Joerger will start his best guys.

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 7: De’Aaron Fox #5, Bogdan Bogdanovic #8, and Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings attend the game against the Phoenix Suns during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

In his rookie year, Bogi showed that he definitely belongs in the NBA as he averaged 11.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game while making 44.6% of his shots from the floor and 39.2% from the perimeter. Not only were Bogi’s numbers impressive, but watching him live his skillset and on-the-court instincts were noticeable too.

With Bogdan being one of the best players on Sacramento, he has definitely earned a spot in the starting five. However, the main knock for Bogi starting at small forward is that he is a bit undersized. But I think he is athletic and skilled enough to be effective offensively and has the length where he can be a good defender as well.

Power Forward: Zach Randolph

Although I do not believe Zach Randolph is the best option at power forward, I think Dave Joerger does. For Randolph, he was one of the Kings’ top contributors on offense.

SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 14: Buddy Hield #24 and Zach Randolph #50 of the Sacramento Kings react during the game against the Miami Heat on March 14, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

With Randolph’s skilled post moves and newfound three-point shot, he was able to average 14.5 points per game while shooting 47.3% from the floor and 34.7% from the perimeter.

With Randolph in the starting five, he will bring a veteran presence on the court that the young guys can look to during rough times. He also can create his own shot which is a skill that few have on Sacramento’s current roster.

Center: Willie Cauley-Stein

Although the Kings have a ton of young big men, I do not believe they have given up on the Willie Cauley-Stein experiment. In fact, I think Willie will become a focal point in the Kings’ system this year.

With Cauley-Stein’s contract expiring soon, the Kings need to know whether he fits their ideal version of a big man before deciding to extend him. The best way to find out is by playing him a lot of minutes and seeing how he meshes with the rest of the starting lineup.

Even though the Kings have guys like Marvin Bagley III and Harry Giles, Willie Cauley-Stein is a guy that still holds a high ceiling and can be a huge asset for Sacramento if he is part of their main core for the future.

Kings fans, what are your thoughts on what I believe will be the starting lineup for your team on opening night? To express your opinions on the topic, feel free to comment on our website, Facebook page, or Twitter account.

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