A Royal Pain
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Sacramento Kings: 3 Players Who Need To Step Up During Bagley’s Absence

By Rafe Wong

SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 26: The Sacramento Kings bench reacts during the game against the Washington Wizards on October 26, 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 - OCTOBER 26: The Sacramento Kings bench reacts during the game against the Washington Wizards on October 26, 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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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) /

Player #2: Skal Labissiere

This is a golden chance for Skal Labissiere. He probably will not receive a lot of playing time in this upcoming stretch of games, but I am still certain he will get called upon by Dave Joerger occasionally. When those opportunities come, he needs to take advantage of it by playing within himself.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 19: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Skal Labissiere #7 of the Sacramento Kings during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on October 19, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 19: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Skal Labissiere #7 of the Sacramento Kings during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on October 19, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

For Skal to be productive, he has to play to his strengths. Offensively, he is a good midrange shooter who can occasionally hit the three. He also has a pretty good game in the post as his athleticism and length can have him shooting over his competition. The ability to muscle his defenders, however, has been unsuccessful so far.

Defensively, Skal must be active around the paint. Again, his ability to defend in the interior has been subpar due to his lack of strength, but he has displayed flashes of being a good rim protector as well as a solid rebounder.

More. Is Skal Labissiere Still A Part Of The Kings’ Future?. light

Time is running out for Skal. His development has steadily declined since his rookie season due to both his inability to consistently produce and receive steady playing time. With Bagley out, it is time for Skal to prove his worth. He MUST play with urgency and with a motor if he wants to make a positive impact on the court.

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