While De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Harrison Barnes are locked in as starters, two spots in the Kings‘ starting lineup remain up for grabs, head coach Mike Brown said this weekend.
“Obviously, Fox is going to start for us. Domas is going to start for us. HB is going to start for us,” Brown said, per Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. “But we’re kind of up in the air a little bit with the two and the four spot, and there are some guys that we feel have a real good chance to start for us in those spots, but we’re going to keep mixing those two spots around to see what we can get.”
Kevin Huerter started as shooting guard during the Kings’ presseason opener vs. the Lakers on Monday, while KZ Okpala got the nod at power forward. However, neither player had a big night, while Malik Monk and Keegan Murray – two other contenders for those starting spots – combined for 24 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals.
Brown won’t make any decisions based on one night, but with the start of the regular season just two weeks away, every preseason game will be an important one as the Kings consider their options.
Here are a few more notes out of Sacramento:
- Barnes, who is entering the final season of a four-year deal, isn’t oblivious to the fact that his name has popped up frequently in trade rumors over the last year or two, but he’s preparing to spend his full contract year in Sacramento, Anderson writes for The Sacramento Bee. “You know how the NBA is,” Barnes said. “I check Woj. I check Shams. They’ve still got me here, so as far as I’m concerned, this is where I’m supposed to be and I’m going to give it my best effort.”
- Speaking to Mark Medina of NBA.com, Sabonis discussed the Kings’ playoff chances, his chemistry with Fox, and how having the defensive-minded Brown on the sidelines will impact the team. “He’s a defensive coach, and he’s definitely trying to make life easy for us in terms of the terminology,” Sabonis said of Brown. “The defensive stuff we’re doing is going to help us out. It’ll depend on us. He’s giving us all the answers and the system of how we want to play as a team. Defense is about effort and competing. If we compete every game, it’s going to be tough.”
- Making the play-in tournament is a “completely reasonable goal” for the Kings, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic, who previews Sacramento’s season and projects the team to finish 10th in the Western Conference with a 37-45 record.
Kev is probably gonna start at the 2 but I def see Murray eventually starting alongside Barnes at forward sooner than later
Why haven’t you replied to yourself?
VT, or HG, find another hobby. Ignore this punk Sankara.
Claude, I think your posts are great.
Sankara, do you think that the Kings will eventually trade Barnes during the season?
Good question. I sorta think they should. Especially if they could get something like Duncan Robinson & a 1st. I also feel like they’ll only trade Barnes if they’re out of the playoff hunt around trade deadline time. They sucked this season but were still in the hunt as far as the play-in so it’s highly likely that they still see themselves as contenders at the deadline. Long story short I think they should but I’d put it at 50/50 that they will
I asked because I thought I had heard a trade was being considered for Barnes during the season.
Keegan needs to start.
He’s going to be great. Do you start him at the two? Or is the three the only spot to consider him?
He’s never a 2. Probably play more 3 to start his career & eventually become more of a 4 as he gets stronger/slower/older (similar to Barnes). He’ll probably play some 4 this yr too tho
Monk’s shot is ugly but it sure is pure. Monk in backcourt, Murray at the 4. Are we competing or not?
I think they definitely have taken a step forward this year with the offseason they’ve had. Let’s see how far it takes them in the standings.
The other 2 starters should probably be Huerter and Murray