A Royal Pain
Fansided

3 Reasons Why Justin James Deserves More Minutes

By Ryan Ritter

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 13: Justin James #10 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Orlando Magic on January 13, 2020 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 13: Justin James #10 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Orlando Magic on January 13, 2020 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings Justin James (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

There Is Nothing To Lose

With the Kings sitting at 17-29, the 2019-20 NBA season is effectively over in Sacramento. Yes, technically speaking, the Kings are only five games out of the playoff, a gap that is mathematically possible to make up. However, given how much turmoil the team is currently under, it’s not likely they are going to be able to close that gulf before the season ends, especially when one considers the caliber of the teams in front of them.

All of this to say that the name of the game for the rest of the season should be asset evaluation.  Presumably, the front office and coaching staff have a firm grasp of what they have in their Fox-Buddy-Bogdan-Barnes-Bagley core. However, now is the time to get a good look at what some of a player at the end of the rotation can bring.

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In short, players like Justin James should not be kept out of the rotation in favor of other vets in a desperate attempt to stay in the playoff race. It is what it is at this point. Let the guy drafted in the second round who has done everything he can with the minutes he has been given get rewarded.  The locker room looks lost at the moment; giving guys like James some burn is a small way to start getting it back.

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