Predicting the Sacramento Kings 2023-24 rotation: Finals contenders?
By Logan Struck
The Sacramento Kings are finishing a busy 2023 off-season highlighted by returning all five starters from last season’s team. While the Kings’ GM Monte McNair did a phenomenal job keeping the core group of guys together, the rotation for next season will look different.
Sacramento is coming off a historic season, achieving the highest offensive efficiency in the NBA of all time. The Kings finished with a 48-34 record and went into the playoffs as the third seed in the Western Conference. While they lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors, the Sacramento Kings now have a slightly revamped roster and look to build on last season’s success.
The Kings’ depth chart saw slight upgrades that could have a huge impact. The most impactful addition this off-season is expected to be the signing of EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov. The 6’9″ forward is NBA-ready after years of playing in Greece. While the star forward is 27 years old, he still has the potential to be an NBA star in Sacramento’s system.
Another breakthrough off-season move for the Kings was trading for Chris Duarte. The 26-year-old is heading into just his third NBA season and had flashes of greatness in his rookie year for the Pacers. The 6’6″ guard should fit right into the Kings’ bench unit and is excited to reunite with former Pacers teammate Domantas Sabonis.
The Sacramento Kings starting lineup heading into next season is in question, but we can assume they will keep the same starters from last year.
Here is our predicted Sacramento Kings 2023-24 11-man rotation:
PG: De’Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell
SG: Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk
SF: Harrison Barnes, Chris Duarte
PF: Keegan Murray, Sasha Vezenkov, Trey Lyles
C: Domantas Sabonis, Alex Len
Bottom of rotation: Colby Jones, Kessler Edwards
Two-way: Keon Ellis, Jalen Slawson
While we are predicting the Kings to primarily play those 11 players, they have the depth to run a 12 or even 13-man rotation featuring Colby Jones and Kessler Edwards.
The depth at the power forward position is outstanding. If Sasha Vezenkov reaches his potential next season, he could become a starting forward alongside Keegan Murray, which would move Harrison Barnes to the bench.
The most common bench lineup would likely feature Mitchell, Monk, Duarte, Vezenkov, and Lyles, but Alex Len will get valuable minutes when his size is needed, which pushes a 10-man rotation to 11.
The Sacramento Kings have an improved 2023-24 lineup, as their goal is a championship now.
