The Sacramento Kings are a bunch of King Josiah’s out here. [King Josiah became the king of Judah at just eight years old.] Okay, maybe they aren’t that young, but they are super young. A couple of years down the road, this death lineup could be in the upper half of the league. But due to the inexperience, there will be a lot of learning going on this season.
The Kings won’t be pushing for a playoff spot this season just because there will be 10-11 teams better than them fighting for the eight spots in the West. With the Lakers getting LeBron, the Nuggets getting a healthy Millsap and the Grizzlies getting a healthy Conley, there just isn’t room for the Kings to have even hope for the playoffs.
If the front office and fan base both understand heading into the season that winning won’t be in the cards, this will be a season of development for their young guys. Imagine another year under the belt for Fox, Hield, and Bagley while also being able to draft someone like Zion Williamson on RJ Barrett in next year’s draft.
For once, the future of the Sacramento Kings looks bright. But let’s look at the now.
Projected Starting Lineup
PG: De’Aaron Fox
SG: Buddy Hield
SF: Bogdan Bogdanovic
PF: Marvin Bagley III
C: Willie Cauley-Stein
De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley on the fast break in the open court is going to be a problem. That is an unfair amount of athleticism on the floor at once. Buddy Hield continues to grow and improve while Bogdanovic had an excellent rookie season of his own. Cauley-Stein is still only a threat on the roll, but his defense behind Bagley will be vital this season.
Unlike years past, this Kings team has options for the starting lineup. Justin Jackson could easily start at the three over BB, and Harry Giles might just push Cauley-Stein for his job by season’s end. The King’s have entirely too many players in their frontcourt, and their two highest paid players won’t see the floor all that much.
Dave Joerger will have a fun time experimenting with his own version of a death lineup with speed available for him.
Projected “Death Lineup”
PG: De’Aaron Fox
SG: Buddy Hield
SF: Bogdan Bogdanovic
PF: Justin Jackson
C: Marvin Bagley III
What a young group of basketball players. There is a lot of speed on the bookends but not nearly as much amongst the other three players in this lineup.
Yes. Marvin Bagley’s high motor will provide a mismatch for almost any traditional center that attempts to guard him. However, Bagley sadly has a glaring hole in his game which is the main contributor to their 28 ranking. He is notedly, not a good defender. He’s such a bad defender that Duke had to run a zone to make up for his defensive deficiencies.
Hield, Bogdan, and JJ will be able to spread the floor while Fox and Bagley run the pick and roll, but on defense, this team will struggle all season mightily.
