Did The Kings Rush Judgment On Dewayne Dedmon?

Have the Sacramento Kings given Dewayne Dedmon, who signed a $41 million contract, a fair shot at proving himself in his new home?

Last offseason, the Sacramento Kings decided they wanted to go in a different direction at the center position. Willie Cauley-Stein, who had been a King for four seasons, walked away as a free agent, signing with the Golden State Warriors. Sacramento’s number one priority for the summer was to find a big man who fit the system that they hoped to run, someone who could shoot the long ball as well as protect the rim.

Such a player would be the would that would allow Luke Walton to open up the offense without sacrificing defense. The idea was that the new center would be able to knock down open shots from the perimeter when De’Aaron Fox drew the defense in when he attacked the paint.

There was a player on the open market that seemed to fit the bill perfectly, and his name is Dewayne Dedmon. Sacramento signed the eight-year veteran to a three year, $41 million dollar contract. While the signing was certainly nothing sexy, it was seen as the perfect fit for the Kings.

How Much Blame Does Dedmon Deserve?

Another one of Sacramento’s off-season goals was to add depth to the team, which Dedmon would certainly be a part of along with the signing of Richaun Holmes. But within the first month of the season, Dedmon went from starting unit, to bench player, to out of the rotation completely. Things got so bad that he requested a trade out of Sacramento, and there is a chance that he will be dealt before the February 6th deadline.

So how much of the blame is to be put on Dedmon and his struggles for the underwhelming first half of the season? The answer is very little. From the opening tip of the first game of the season, the entire Kings team has looked out of sync, unprepared for their opponents and the NBA season in general. The blame was placed on things like the India trip and injuries to players like Marvin Bagley and De’Aaron Fox. Those factors may have contributed to Dedmon’s difficulties adjusting to Walton’s system.

The frustration from the fanbase is understandable. Dedmon was paid good money to come in and provide spacing for the offense and be a reliable shooter for the Kings. They want to see if the player that shot 38% from deep for the Hawks last season can snap out of his season-long slump. But the entirety of the roster needs to be put under the microscope before placing all of the blame on Dedmon’s struggles.

By the numbers: Others players have shooting problems too.

Multiple players have endured shooting slumps, including Buddy Hield. His shooting percentage is down after making 45% of his threes last season. Walton’s vision for Hield’s role has been continuously changing, when Hield is at his best when he can be a catch-and-shoot guy.

Cory Joseph is not known for his shooting, and even his numbers are down. Harrison Barnes has struggled for stretches. As for Dedmon, he is shooting a dismal 22% form deep, compared to 38% from 3-point land last season. His poor shooting was what led to his decline in minutes, which only hurts shooters like Dedmon. Until recently, he has been unable to find a rhythm for himself due to lack of playing time.

Final Thought.

If there is a bright spot for this season, it has been the play of Richaun Holmes. His relentless hustle and welcomed consistency have quickly made him a fan favorite. Did Holmes deserve to start over Dedmon? Absolutely, but as everyone struggled to start the year, no one took the heat as quickly as Dewayne Dedmon did.

Injuries have crippled the Kings and that might account for the losing record. It does not explain the overall bad basketball the fans have endured. This season could end in exactly the same spot we’re in now, with failure and disappointment.