Sacramento, CA – Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown made it clear that De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Harrison Barnes are the only players with guaranteed starting jobs. But after Friday’s practice, the new coach said Kevin Huerter is separating himself from the other shooting guards.
Huerter is competing with Malik Monk, Kent Bazemore, and Terrence Davis for the starting job. The battle has been intense but healthy for the Kings.
“The more I watch, I think Kevin might be the right fit at that two-guard spot,” Brown told Sideline Sources.
In Huerter’s first appearance wearing a Kings jersey, he scored 5 points on 2-of-5 shooting from the field. He also knocked down one three-pointer. Monk scored 8 points, Bazemore 5, and Davis 4, respectively.
One game isn’t what’s separating him from the others, but one game didn’t hurt either. If Huerter locks up the shooting guard spot during the preseason, one more starting position will be vacant. The power forward position.
The other battle
“Right now, that power forward spot is wide open,” Brown explained. “It can be wide open to the standpoint of tonight we need this, and tomorrow night we need that. Having the versatility on the team to be able to do that is positive being the head coach.”
In the Kings’ first preseason game, the 6-foot-8 forward KZ Okpala received the start. He registered 2 points and two rebounds in the win, but the biggest standout in the game was rookie forward Keegan Murray, who tallied 16 points to lead all scorers.
Making a final decision on a starting lineup will be a challenge. After practice, Brown told the media this training camp was one of the most competitive camps he has coached. The Kings have many unanswered questions regarding this roster, and Brown isn’t looking forward to answering some of those. But, for now, the coach and his troops are enjoying the process.
Sunday will be Game 2 of the Kings’ preseason. They will face Damian Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers. Last season both teams dealt with stars having significant injuries, and both clubs missed the postseason. So separating themselves from the outside of the playoffs is something both parties plan to do.
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