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Sacramento Kings: More Threes, Please

By Anthony Cardenas

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 1: Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings shoots a three pointer against the Indiana Pacers on December 1, 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 - DECEMBER 1: Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings shoots a three pointer against the Indiana Pacers on December 1, 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 Kings
Sacramento Kings Bogdan Bogdanovic (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Head coach Luke Walton’s introductory press conference included the quote, “We’re going to shoot a lot of threes this year.” For the Kings’ sake, he’d better be right.

Believe it or not, the Sacramento Kings have been one of the best three-point shooting teams over the last few seasons. Each year since ’16-’17, they have finished in the top-5 in 3-point field goal percentage and placed 10th in ’15-’16.

Unfortunately, former head coach Dave Joerger’s system was unable to produce a high volume of three-pointers attempted. Despite the solid percentages, the Kings under Joerger never finished better than 20th in 3PA. In ’17-’18, Sacramento was 3rd in the league in 3P% and ranked 28th in 3PA.

Last year’s numbers were slightly better, finishing 20th in attempts while being 4th in percentage. For comparison’s sake, the Golden State Warriors finished 3rd in 3P% but also shot the 8th most threes leaguewide.

Expect this to change. Not only should we take Walton’s word for it, but the way that the front office has filled out the roster indicates that it will be bombs away for the Kings this season.

Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings Buddy Hield (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

There will be no shortage of able-bodied shooters. The center position will be manned mostly by Dewayne Dedmon, who shot as many threes (18) in his final 5 games last season as recently-departed Willie Cauley-Stein did in four years in Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox greatly improved his 3P% last year and has been working on his shooting this summer as well. Nemanja Bjelica has shot better than 40% in each of the last two seasons and might not even crack the regular rotation.

There is reason to believe Walton’s prediction. Last season, his Los Angeles Lakers were the 2nd worst three-point shooting team in the league, and still attempted the 17th most of any team. The Lakers shot more threes per game than the Kings with players like Lonzo Ball (32.9%) and Kyle Kuzma (30.3%) getting 5+ attempts per contest.

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With a roster loaded with deadly shooters and guys who have the potential to be deadly shooters, look for the Kings to crack the top ten in three-point attempts this season. A good season from beyond the arc could result in a playoff berth.

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