The Kings enter training camp with one of the more interesting rosters in the NBA. Only one of the club’s three first-round picks from the 2017 NBA Draft, however, makes sense as a starter on opening day. Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes that Justin Jackson boasts the length and offensive awareness to make an impact out of the gates.
In particular, Jones writes that Jackson impressed the Kings’ coaching staff with how quickly he picked up the team’s offensive and defensive schemes. The fact that he doesn’t need the ball to be effective on offense is another bonus, too.
The fact that Jackson may be the only Kings rookie ready to break the starting lineup right away is merely a product of circumstance. Jones notes that De’Aaron Fox could still be instrumental in his first season with the club, despite the fact that he’ll likely cede starts to veteran George Hill.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Earlier this week, the Lakers announced that they had come to terms on a jersey sponsorship deal with Wish, John Lombardo and Terry Lefton report for the Sports Business Journal. The team specifically sought a sponsor that would appeal to a younger audience and did so with the company behind one of the fastest growing e-commerce apps available.
- It won’t be easy for the Clippers to maintain their status as a 50-win team in the Western Conference, Elliott Teaford of the Orange County Register rights. This offseason the roster saw a substantial amount of turnover.
- The Warriors are heavily favored to repeat as NBA champions after maintaining the bulk of their historically successful core, Shaun Powell of NBA.com writes. Many other teams, however, made dramatic moves to try to catch them.
Fox, Hield, Jackson, and Cauley-Stein, future is looking good for the Kings
*Yes, the Kings have their future team captain and future all-star PG, D.Fox.
*Yes, they have the continuously improving, scoring threat in Buddy Hield.
*They have a versatile, high IQ and solid rookie SF, in Jackson.
*They have a continuously improving defensive force in Cauley-Stein.
Yes, they do have all those talented guys as their main core, but DO NOT forget, that is not all the young and talented guys on their roster.
*They also have the recently signed draft pick and an excellent shooter in Bogdan Bogdanovic.
*They have an all-around, young, and athletic role player in Malachi Richardson.
*A very promising young big in Skal Labissiere, who seems to be adapting and growing game after game, *Also, if he can stay healthy, they will have a HUGE draft day steal, in Harry Giles. He is an immensely talented, offensive big, and one that very well could eventually replace the production of Boogie Cousins. Again, he has to be able to stay healthy though, and right now, that is a BIG IF!!
*Finally, the Kings also have a young, but talented big man and current work in progress in Georgios Papagiannis. He seems like he could find a consistent role as a big off the bench, capable of getting a few points here and there, while providing adequate defense.
Not to mention, they also have a nice mixture of some solid veterans, that can help mentor their awesome and talented young core.
*George Hill can help mentor Fox and Hield..
*Vince Carter can help work with and mentor Jackson and Richardson.
*The Kings also brought in Zach Randolph and they have Kosta Koufos, and both could have a significant impact as mentors and teachers to all four of their group of young and talented big guys, Cauley-Stein, Labissiere, Papagiannis, and Giles.
Both players can help in a myriad of ways, and here are a few examples:
*They can first help them develop their fundamentals, and then build from there.
*They can definitely help these young guys improve their low-post games, and work on developing an array of post-up moves
*Help them box-out better
*Help with their positioning for rebounds
*Help them improve their help defense
*Help them learn the team’s defensive concepts and their collective assignments
*Help them with their passing and giving them hints on what to look for in certain situations,
*Just help them greatly improve their overall basketball IQ’s.
Neither Randolph nor Koufos were ever really athletic, so these young rookies and second-third year guys can take the lessons from both veterans, and add in their own natural talent and far superior athleticism…And if the Kings can successfully pull off this rebuild in a season or two, then they will have certainly developed one of the most promising young cores currently going in the NBA…
I cannot believe I am saying this, but people need to watch out for these Vlade Divac built and De’Aaron Fox led Kings!! Well, I mean, actually allow me to pump the brakes for a minute, let me slow it down a notch, and get back to reality for the here and now..With that being said, most likely, it will not be this season that these Kings will burst onto the scene, but they unquestionably will continue to slowly but surely make some improvements as this year goes on.
Now, by acquiring a little more veteran leadership and talent here and there, before the 2018-2019 season, I think the Kings very well could be fighting for a playoff spot, and come 2019-2020, I strongly believe the Kings will become a young force to be reckoned with!!
You gotta feel so proud of yourself for taking the time to write all of that
And basically having a conversation with himself
I feel like Blake might be the next superstar to leave his team. The clippers will not be a top five team in the west with GS, SA, OKC, Houston, Timberwolves, and the Pels, Denver, Portland, and other following behind. However, the clips could be a sneaky good team. I’m definitely interested to see what they do with the front court as well with Gallo, Griffin, and Jordan.
Blake is under contract for the next 4 years. He is not going anywhere.