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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 26: Kosta Koufos #41 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball against the LA Clippers on December 26, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 26: Kosta Koufos #41 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball against the LA Clippers on December 26, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Player #3: Kosta Koufos

Kosta Koufos is definitely the most reliable option on this list. He is not going to blow anyone away with flashy and athletic plays, but the Kings know what they are getting from their 10-year veteran.

ORLANDO, FL – OCTOBER 30: Kosta Koufos #41 of the Sacramento Kings gets the rebound against the Orlando Magic on October 30, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – OCTOBER 30: Kosta Koufos #41 of the Sacramento Kings gets the rebound against the Orlando Magic on October 30, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Koufos plays like the traditional NBA big. He is going to do most of his work in the interior as he will utilize his size and strength to outplay his competition. On the offensive end, Koufos is going to be productive by setting unshakable screens and giving his team extra possessions with his ability to rebound. He also has a go to half-hook shot which has been pretty automatic throughout the years.

On the defensive end, he is mostly going to be in the paint area as his strength allows him to be a bruiser inside and has made him a decent rebounder as well.

Even though the Kings are young, they are a team that has the vision of being in the postseason this upcoming April. It is now about winning over giving their youth more experience.

Although the purple and white have other options that have the potential to be better than Koufos, the 10-year veteran is still the safest choice for Coach Joerger to replace Bagley.

Hot. Kings should be leery of signing Willie Cauley-Stein long-term. light

Unless guys like Harry Giles and Skal Labissiere start to rise, expect Koufos to take the bulk of minutes that would originally belong to Bagley when healthy.

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