If you ever take a quick look at the Sacramento Kings' box score after a competitive game, you may notice that the team only gives significant minutes to eight players. When they are completely healthy, the Kings roll with their starters (De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis) and then three guys off the bench (Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, and Trey Lyles).
This sort of phenomenon isn't atypical when it comes to the late regular season or the playoffs. However, it is a little surprising to see in the first couple of weeks of the year.
The fact that head coach Mike Brown – a coach who isn't known for Thibodeau-ian tactics – would go with such a shallow rotation so early in the year says something. It says that the Kings aren't a very deep basketball team.
The Sacramento Kings have one of the lowest scoring benches in the NBA
As we always try to hammer home here at A Royal Pain, scoring doesn't tell the whole story. But in this specific situation, it does provide some insight into the Kings' bench situation. As it stands, the Kings are tied for the third-lowest points per game provided by their bench (they are tied with the Dallas Mavericks).
Team | Bench Points Per Game |
|---|---|
Los Angeles Lakers | 20.3 |
New York Knicks | 23.6 |
Dallas Mavericks | 24.3 |
Sacramento Kings | 24.3 |
Denver Nuggets | 25.2 |
The Kings are getting 24.3 points per game from their bench, but over half of that is coming from their elite sixth man Monk (who is averaging 13.3 points per game). Could you imagine how rough it would be without him?
Keon Ellis is averaging six points per game, Trey Lyles gives you 3.8 PPG, Doug McDermott is at 3.0, and Len is at 1.3. Jordan McLaughlin, Isaac Jones, and Colby Jones have played a total of 29 minutes combined between the three of them and scored zero points.
To be fair, the trio of Monk, Lyles, and Ellis is all the Kings really need from their bench. Despite not posting huge scoring figures, they give the Kings the blend of shooting, ball handling, spacing, and defense that you need from your bench.
The problem is: what happens to the Kings if one of their top eight players has to miss a significant period of time? Will the Kings fall apart?
The good news is that the Kings could be adding some key depth when their rookie guard Devin Carter recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. Carter may be entering his first NBA season, but analysts are very pleased with his potential to be an immediate contributor.
The Kings are a good team with a lot of strengths to hang their hat on. But as of right now, their regular season depth is clearly a weakness.