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Sacramento Kings: Richaun Holmes Should Be The Second-String Center

By Rafe Wong

SACRAMENTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Richaun Holmes #22 of the Sacramento Kings poses for a portrait during media day on September 27, 2019 at the Golden 1 Center & Practice Facility 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Richaun Holmes #22 of the Sacramento Kings poses for a portrait during media day on September 27, 2019 at the Golden 1 Center & Practice Facility 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Even though the Sacramento Kings are currently playing in the preseason, they should already know who will be Dewayne Dedmon’s backup to begin the regular season.

The Sacramento Kings are currently in preseason mode as they are still a couple of weeks away from beginning their 2019-20 campaign. So far, in two games, the Kings have been up and down. They have showcased flashes of their lethal offense and potential to be elite defensively. On the other hand, they have also been a team that struggles in their halfcourt offense and collective defense.

The Kings still have three games left to get a better idea of what to do with their roster. But one conclusion that should already exist is making Richaun Holmes their backup center.

Richaun Has Been A Bright Spot

With Harry Giles still recovering from injury, Holmes has been given a great chance to showcase his worth. If I had to evaluate the Kings’ first two preseason matches, one of the bright spots has been the play of Holmes.

Just like how he showcased himself with the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns, Holmes has been a ball of energy with the purple and white. On offense, he has been a good rim runner and cleanup guy for when his teammates miss their shots. Defensively, he is an agitator towards his opponents as his energy and athleticism help him get rebounds and block shots.

In his lone preseason game, Holmes recorded 10 points, four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. He also was able to record a +/- of +14. Although the numbers are not mindblowing, Holmes’ presence on the court was noticeable on both ends of the floor.

Holmes Has Done Enough

Before the preseason, my prediction on what the Kings should do at the center position was to start Dewayne Dedmon, have Giles be his backup, and then have Holmes be the third-string big. Now that needs to change.

It has only been one preseason game, but Richaun Holmes deserves to be the first guy Luke Walton turns to when Dedmon gets called out. Not only has he shown he can be a good second-string big, but he has been more reliable than Giles in terms of health.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Holmes has been impressive during his Kings tenure. He has been a guy that has displayed great energy on both ends of the floor which is exactly what Sacramento wants from their big men.

Next. The National Media Does Not Care For The Kings. dark

With that said, it would be unfair for Holmes to take a step back for Giles who has not even played in preseason yet. Do not get me wrong, I hope Harry can get back to being healthy and fights his way up the depth chart. But for him to do that, he needs to prove he is capable of being an asset like the way Holmes has done so far.

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