A Royal Pain
Fansided

Three Players the Kings Should Try to Pilfer From the Pacers

By Zach Ciavolella

Dec 8, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis (11) celebrates with teammates during a timeout in the second half against the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis (11) celebrates with teammates during a timeout in the second half against the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Dec 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Caris LeVert (22) in the second half against the Miami Heat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Caris LeVert (22) in the second half against the Miami Heat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sacramento Kings hardly have a small forward on the roster. They’ve been forcing guards and power forwards into that small forward role for some time, and it ends now, sort of. Both Jeremy Lamb and Caris LeVert have played the majority of their minutes at the three this season, but Lamb, traditionally, is much more of a shooting guard. LeVert, on the other hand, has a long history playing the role of a small forward, but his play-style is not that of a typical modern-day small forward.

Caris LeVert is a ball-dominant “hooper,” he’s not some two-way 3&D type (the prototypical NBA wing). In fact, his shot has been a question mark for some time now, but regardless he’s seen as a curious player with untapped potential.

Levert had a solid season last year, and the hope is that a change of scenery would help him find the success he’s had over the past two seasons. His length and athleticism would also be a welcome addition defensively and a major improvement over the offensive-focused guard.

Jeremy Lamb would fill the role left behind by Buddy Hield. His highs won’t be as high, but his lows certainly won’t be as low either. Lamb is also an improved defender over Hield and would be a smart part of the effort to turn the Kings into a respectable defensive team.

Moving both Marvin Bagley and Buddy Hield makes sense for Indiana as Hield (and Bagley recently) would be able to help the team compete this season. If the team decides to truly tear things down, they will be able to easily be able to flip Hield for draft capital and either let Bagley walk or resign the former second overall pick. Either way, the 2022 lottery pick is a nice asset for a team in flux like the Pacers.

Levert and Lamb would improve the Kings’ defense, but the next target would transform it:

Home/Kings Rumors