Position Preview

Kyle Ramos

At shooting, the Kings have a trio of young talent who look poised to make a sizeable impact in the coming season. Below, we break down the position on Sacramento’s roster and delve into what each could contribute in 2017-18.

Following a midseason trade, Buddy Hield’s time in Sacramento proved to be a welcome change in scenery for the 2016 first round Draft selection.

Hield closed out his first season in strong fashion, starting 18 of his 25 games with the Kings where he averaged 15.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting a scintillating 42.8 percent from three-point range.

The most notable effort from the Oklahoma product was against the Phoenix Suns in Sactown’s final home game of the season, where he racked up 30 points in a runaway victory for the Kings.

No. 24 was also recognized for his efforts and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2017.

As a player who already exudes bundles of confidence on the hardwood, the positive momentum from his rookie campaign should only continue to propel Hield who will be looking to lock down a starting role in 2017-18.

Though Richardson was the first rookie to see game action last season, an unfortunate injury in February ended his season early.

Richardson will be ready to bounce back this season after showing glimpses as to what he’s capable of against elite competition. No. 23 logged his two highest scoring outputs as a rookie against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, where he dropped 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The New Jersey native will face competition at his position to crack the rotation, but as he’s demonstrated as a rookie, he appears to be up for the challenge.

Bogdanovic may technically be classified as a rookie in the NBA, but he’s bringing a wealth of professional experience with him heading into his debut in the Association.

Aside from the impressive numbers he’s posted in international play (including 14.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game in his most recent Euroleague season), the Serbian guard possesses a clutch factor that has been crucial to his team’s successes recently.

After winning a Euroleague Championship with Fenerbahce Istanbul, No. 8 followed it up by leading his Serbian national team to a silver medal in EuroBasket 2017. Bogdanovic also earned the honors of being named to FIBA’s All-Star Five, which recognizes the top players from the duration of the biennial tournament.

While it might take time to adjust to the NBA style along with meshing with new teammates, Bogdanovic will definitely be an exciting component for the Kings this season and has the resumé to back up what could be a lengthy and successful career in the Association.

kings-positional-preview-shooting-guard

Kings Positional Preview: Shooting Guard

A busy offseason for Sacramento has resulted in a reinvigorated roster heading into the 2017-18 campaign, giving Kings fans plenty of reason to be excited for the future.

Among the new acquisitions is a completely revamped stable of players at the point guard position. Below is a breakdown of each floor general and what you might expect to see from them heading into this season.

The veteran leader of the point guards is on the heels of his highest scoring season ever and should be a crucial component on both sides of the ball for the Kings.

Hill, now entering his 10th season in the Association, brings experience to the table in addition to his versatile skill set. No. 3’s length and basketball IQ allow him to protect the perimeter and defend either of the guard positions effectively. On offense, Hill has proven himself as a reliable scoring option, especially with his shooting ability. Over the past two seasons, the IUPUI product has eclipsed the 40 percent mark from three-point range, knocking down a total of 94 triples as a member of the Utah Jazz last season.

Recently, Hill was ranked in Sports Illustrated’s annual Top 100, clocking in at No. 63, where he was tabbed for being among the NBA’s best.

"Hill is the best of his kind: a smart, disciplined player who pairs perfectly with a playmaking wing," wrote Rob Mahoney in Sports Illustrated. "What really cements Hill’s universal appeal, however, is his defense...Everything that he is and does creates possibilities."

Being touted as one of the top prospects heading into the NBA Draft, De’Aaron Fox was selected by the Kings at No. 5 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. Carrying the weight of high expectations, there’s reason to believe that the former Kentucky guard can live up to them and then some.

As Fox displayed during his sole college season, his blazing speed serves as one of his greatest weapons on either end of the court. Whether it’s blowing by defenders off the dribble or stalking the passing lanes to pick off passes, No. 5’s quickness can strike in a multitude of ways on the hardwood.

In addition to his physical characteristics, many have praised Fox’s ability to be a franchise cornerstone with his ability to lead a team - including Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo.

“Fox is an intelligent kid with a vibrant personality that lends itself to on-court leadership, and his energy on both ends of the floor is often contagious,” wrote Woo.

After playing four seasons for the Kansas Jayhawks, Frank Mason III finished his career as one of the most decorated players in a storied program.

In his senior season, No. 10 took home several notable honors including the John R. Wooden Award, the Naismith Award, and was named National Player of the Year, to boot. Mason III also finished as the sixth leading scorer in Kansas history, dropping 1,885 points over his time as a Jayhawk.

After being selected at No. 34 overall, the 23-year-old will have the opportunity to make his mark with Sacramento, with his scoring punch and playmaking abilities serving as a valuable asset to the young core of the Kings.

“Mason, who recently turned 23 at the end of April, is older than most prospects in this draft, but brings a wealth of winning and big game experience that most NBA rookies cannot compete with,” wrote Julian Applebome of DraftExpress.

Position Preview

Kings Positional Preview: Shooting Guard

Kings Positional Preview: Point Guard