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Sacramento Kings: Does Skal Labissiere Have A Future In Sac?

By Rafe Wong

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 31: Skal Labissiere #7 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 31, 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)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 31: Skal Labissiere #7 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 31, 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) /
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With the Sacramento Kings having a bevy of young talent on their roster, is there a place for Skal Labissiere in the mix?

The Sacramento Kings have a ton of young talent on their roster, especially at the big man positions. As of today, the group of young bigs for Sacramento contain Marvin Bagley III, Willie Cauley-Stein, Harry Giles, and Skal Labissiere.

Although it is nice that the Kings have a lot of promising bigs on their team, it also creates a logjam at the position. Not all of them can play significant minutes at once, which means that it is inevitable that at least one of the guys in the group will have to part ways with the purple and white in the near future. Skal Labissiere seems to be that guy.

Why Is Skal The Odd Man Out?

With the Kings selecting Bagley in this year’s draft and hyping up Giles since last season, the two seem to be guys that the Kings want as their main core going forward. There is also Cauley-Stein who is still young and holds maybe the most potential out of all the young talent Sacramento has.

Even though Skal has played alright for the last two years, there has not been much excitement coming his way compared to his other teammates. Because of this, it leaves me to believe he may be the odd man out. But how can he overcome it?

How Can Skal Remain Relevant?

Right now, I have Skal as a bench player to start the year. But he can definitely make his way up the depth chart by simply playing better.

In order to get promoted, Skal needs to dominate training camp and preseason. If he is able to beat out Bagley, Giles, and others in the upcoming months, I believe it will convince Dave Joerger to grant Skal opportunities to shine. And if those opportunities come, Skal cannot mess up. Even the tiniest of errors can steer Joerger the wrong way as I think Skal has a shorter leash compared to his counterparts.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Skal Labissiere can definitely play a part in the Kings’ comeback to relevancy. In my mind,  he has all the makings in becoming the stretch four that Sacramento has greatly needed in recent past.

The problem for Skal, however, has been his lack of strength as he struggles on both ends of the floor against NBA bodies. Fortunately, Skal has recognized this deficiency and has addressed it this summer. Kings fans are hoping his hard work pans out.

No matter what happens to Skal Labissiere and the Sacramento Kings this year. Let us hope that there is great competition during training camp, preseason, and the regular season.

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