Kings Training Camp

Kings Rocket Department

The Sacramento Kings will tip-off its 2019-20 training camp with a morning session on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the team’s downtown practice facility inside Golden 1 Center. Training camp will run through Monday, Sept. 30 before the team travels to India to tip-off a historic preseason schedule with the NBA India Games 2019 against the Indiana Pacers from Oct. 4-5 at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai. These will be the first NBA games played in India and the first games staged in the country by a North American sports league.      

The Kings annual Media Day will take place on Friday, Sept. 27 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Kings Practice Facility, where players, coaches and select basketball personnel will be available for interviews and head shot photographs. Additionally, Kings Head Coach Luke Walton will address media in the Golden 1 Center Press Conference Room at 1 p.m.

The preseason calendar continues when Sacramento returns home to face the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, Oct. 10 followed by a matchup with the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Monday, Oct. 14. To conclude the preseason slate, Melbourne United of Australia’s National Basketball League will visit Golden 1 Center on Wednesday, Oct. 16 as the Kings will play against an Australian opponent for the first time.

kings-to-open-2019-20-training-camp-on-sept-28-at-golden-1-center-practice-facility

Kings to Open 2019-20 Training Camp on Sept. 28 at Golden 1 Center Practice Facility

Shahbaz Khan

The excitement has reached its peak at Golden 1 Center as newcomers and veterans alike are itching to see game action.

With just two days left until that time comes, head coach Dave Joerger and staff have honed in on increasing workload and implementing a wide variety of sets.

Although rapid learning may seem like a daunting task for a group as young as Sacramento’s, between a solid group of veterans and a returning coaching staff, it’s been anything but an area of concern.

"It’s been three positive practices in a row," said Joerger. "We’re looking long term at how to get guys better everyday."

Yet again, a notable name that’s impressed in that regard was rookie Bogdan Bogdanovic.

It’s not just shooting that’s stood out from the Serbian 25-year-old, either.

"He’s picked stuff up pretty quick – I’m impressed with his ability to make plays on the move whether he’s running and passing or dribbling, passing, and cutting," shared Joerger.

Between Bogdanovic and an exciting group of new and returning Kings players, the anticipation for the team’s first exhibition contest is at an all-time high.

"I’m as excited as everyone else is," concluded the team’s head coach.

training-camp-recap-day-5-a-positive-practice

Training Camp Recap Day 5: A Positive Practice

With several days of Kings Training Camp in the books, Sacramento’s focus has shifted from learning to executing.

While intensive two-a-day practices allowed the team to build chemistry, conditioning, and learn team needs and desires, Friday’s session combined all pieces from the previous days of camp.

An all-encompassing afternoon allowed newcomers such as rookie Bogdan Bogdanovic thrive.

"He had his best day today – he can really make plays with the ball, he’s a good cutter off the ball and with the ball he can play in pick-and-rolls and give-and-go’s," said head coach Dave Joerger. "It could be a nice addition to our playmaking."

Bogdanovic’s experience in professional basketball, despite not being within the NBA, greatly helped the rookie’s performance – something that second-year guard Malachi Richardson can attest to.

"That year of experience makes a huge difference," said Richardson. "Especially knowing the terminology and having a great idea with how Training Camp will already go, I’m already ahead of the curve."

The leadership of the veterans has allowed young Kings players to quickly become accustomed with expectations, making for an exciting final two days of Kings Training Camp.

With the team’s first exhibition contest in just three days, Sactown will look to close out camp on Sunday afternoon.

training-camp-recap-day-4-ahead-of-the-curve

Training Camp Recap Day 4: Ahead Of The Curve

nbaplatformservices

hard-work-kings-training-camp-day-two

Hard Work: Kings Training Camp Day Two

Kyle Ramos

As the team becomes acclimated with each other, the Kings have started to pick up speed with the new season looming in the coming weeks.

Conditioning continued to be a focus for the squad during the third day of training camp and for good reason, as Coach Joerger and rookie De’Aaron Fox provided insight into the fast-paced style we can expect to see from Sactown during the 2017-18 campaign.

“We’re just trying to run in a way that gives space to our speedy guards,” Coach Joerger told the media following Thursday’s session.

Joerger also touched on the abilities of the team’s big men and how they can be incorporated into the speed-focused offense.

This style is nothing new for Fox, who is touted as one of the speedier rookies in his Draft class, and he echoed those sentiments following practice.

“My whole life I’ve played on teams that either pressed or got out and ran, so it’s much of the same on a bigger scale now,” said Fox. “We have young guys and we have bigs that run the floor.”

The Kings roster is well suited for this increase in pace, with a slew of young talent and high-motor players ready to run.

“The energy is there with a young team,” said Coach Joerger. “It’s going to take time and a lot of energy and it’s a fun task to be working with everyday.”

training-camp-recap-day-3-picking-up-speed

Training Camp Recap Day 3: Picking Up Speed

On Saturday, the Kings hosted the team's first-ever Fan Fest at Golden 1 Center. During the event, Sacramento scrimmaged for 30 minutes, putting on an exciting showcase for fans. DeMarcus Cousins and Skal Labissiere traded late three pointers, with the rookie’s three clinching a scrimmage victory.

Following the fun-filled Fan Fest, the Kings had an off day and then returned to the court on Monday morning.

Now, with six days of Training Camp completed, Head Coach Dave Joerger reflects on Saturday’s event and what to expect from Sacramento during Tuesday’s preseason opening contest versus the Lakers.

“I have not seen a team play as hard as they did during the scrimmage the other night,” said Joerger. “I was impressed – the ball is moving and that’s a good feeling since guys are trying to help each other. That’s going to carry over from offense to defense and defense to offense.”

For Tuesday evening versus the Lakers, Coach aims to use the squad’s initial preseason game as a means to continue learning which lineups mesh well together in addition to seeing the team’s schemes in play for the first time.

Meanwhile, Kings All-Star DeMarcus Cousins is thrilled to have a chance to get back on the court following what he deemed an exciting first six days of Training Camp.

“The offense is different and I think this is a good look for our team, I think this will get this team to the next level,” said Cousins. “Is about getting this system down.”

“You can feel the energy and buzz throughout the city. It’s an exciting time for Kings basketball and I’m ready to get started.”

Watch the complete Fan Fest scrimmage, dunk contest and rookie dance-off below:

training-camp-day-6-ready-to-get-started

Training Camp Day 6: ‘Ready to Get Started’

Four days into Training Camp, Coach Joerger has been continually filling his 18-man roster with new information, schemes and sets. Starting at the defensive end of the court, where the team spent a majority of its initial sessions, players have been instilled with perimeter and paint protection techniques that emphasize the importance of getting opponents to take the least efficient shots possible.

“Every action we have, hopefully we have an answer, an idea or a scheme of how we want to cover something,” said Joerger. “There’s as many defensive actions that we have to cover as offensive sets that we have to put in. That’s what’s fun about Training Camp – you get to try new techniques and I’m having a great time.”

New Kings addition Ty Lawson spoke about the team’s recent learnings following today’s afternoon practice.

“We’re getting concepts down and making sure everyone is on the same page," said No. 10. "There’s already a level of comfort here and the competition level is at an all-time high.”

Rookie Malachi Richardson has continued to lean into the team’s veterans in Garrett Temple, Darren Collison and DeMarcus Cousins to absorb the new schemes and sets being put in place. “They make it a lot easier for me,” said Richardson.

Kings fans will get their first chance to witness the play of the team’s new additions in the new Golden 1 Center on Saturday evening in front of a full capacity arena.

training-camp-day-4-theyre-playing-hard

Training Camp Day 4: ‘They’re Playing Hard’

24 hours removed from the beginning to the 2016-17 campaign, the team has already completed three Training Camp sessions. With two-a-days underway, Sacramento has largely focused on the fundamentals of the game starting at the defensive end of the court.

“We’re getting in a stance, we’re communicating and we’re trying to get better,” said Head Coach Dave Joerger.

Despite a late session on Tuesday evening to cap Day 1 of Training Camp, several members of the roster stayed long after the closing team huddle of Wednesday’s afternoon instruction, working with coaches on various offensive techniques.

Skal Labissiere spent nearly an hour with Player Development Coach Larry Lewis on turnaround jumpers while DeMarcus Cousins, Ben McLemore, Ty Lawson, Malachi Richardson, Garrett Temple, Lamar Patterson and Willie Cauley-Stein worked on perimeter shooting for an extended period.

Rudy Gay showcased post footwork with assistant coaches Bryan Gates and Bob Thornton following the practice, discussing Day 2 with media thereafter.

“It was good and we’re learning a lot – it’s going to be a lot of learning and a lot of teaching in the beginning,” said No. 8.

Planning to be a versatile piece in the squad’s offensive and defensive schemes this season, second year center Willie Cauley-Stein attested to the learning that’s taken place thus far during Training Camp. “There’s multiple positions you have to know,” said Cauley-Stein. “Every guy probably needs to know two positions, if not three, so it’s a lot of making sure you’re watching the people ahead of you.”

With six days remaining until the Kings first preseason game, the team will continue their two-a-day routine with an evening session to cap Day 2 of Training Camp.