The Sacramento Kings have plenty of big men on their roster. But which one should start at center come opening night?
The Sacramento Kings do not have a clear hands-down guy at the starting center position. When training camp comes in a couple of months, all positions must become about “may the best man win”. Rebuilding the Kings is a process, but depending on how it is done determines how fast they get there.
The Kings did clean the whole house from top to bottom after the DeMarcus Cousins trade. The fact that no present King has been with the team before the 2015 season proves it. That is a short time to have so many new players on one team. Someone needs to earn the starting center position period. Just for fun, who else would love to see the Kings start a team with all centers and forwards? During the preseason of course.
Willie Cauley-Stein needs to own starting role
Last year the Kings used Willie Cauley-Stein, Kosta Koufos, and sometimes Zach Randolph at center. Randolph played center when the Kings wanted to go small ball. Z-Bo is the team’s oldest player and their leading scorer last year, and without him on their team, the Kings could have competed for the worst record in the NBA.
Kosta Koufos is solid at playing his game. Well rounded and nothing fancy, but the most consistent center when it comes down to playing the same every night.
Willie needs to own the center position this year. The Kings want him to own the center position too as he is still young and holds the potential to be the ideal big man in today’s NBA.
Harry Giles has no NBA experience even though he practiced with the team last year. So playing him at power forward will help him get adjusted to the strength and size of the NBA. Let him build up some confidence.
Who is next in line coming off the bench?
Kosta is consistent enough to be the starter, but the Kings want younger players. Kosta is a player that any team would want. He shows up, gets his numbers, and is not a distraction towards the team. All players want to start, but being a solid professional is what Kosta is all about. It is more important to contribute to the team and get wins. You could not ask a player for anything more than that. Kosta being a role player off the bench would be ideal for the Kings.
The Kings have plenty of options
With the coaching staff having players who can play multiple positions, it makes the Kings better suited to switch players around depending on the other team’s starting lineup. Or if injuries occur, the Kings can just plug the next guy in line. Good teams are not devastated by one player getting hurt.
Do the Kings trade any of their big men?
As the season takes shape and the chemistry comes into focus, the Kings will have a better idea of who they want to keep for the long haul. So if a deal comes to Vlade and it works for the benefit of the team, then yes, some of them could be traded. Only Marvin Bagley III would be safe from a trade unless it is a blockbuster deal, which I do not see happening.
All of the other bigs could be traded, especially veterans who might want a chance to play for a contender if they are not getting minutes with the Kings. There is just not enough minutes to go around to play all of the bigs. Talent is like a savings account. Use it when you need it.
Final Thoughts
It is time for the Kings to pick their starting center and the reserve bigs to go with it. Let the core group play a ton of minutes together and develop chemistry. The center position has to be set in stone, and then move forward to other areas of concern. Rebuilding has stages, and the Kings need to hit the next stage.
Any of the big guys that are not part of the future, need to be traded for a small forward so the Kings can shore up that position. When the Kings have a solid starting group, they can concentrate on bench and role players.