The official start of the NBA season is less than 60 days away, so do the Sacramento Kings have any idea what their starting lineup will look like?
After thoroughly disrespecting both Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis by constantly telling the listening world that neither of these players can play defense, and attempting to trade both to any team interested, it looks likely that both will be announced in the starting lineup opening night.
I have stated my disgust with the organization’s rhetoric as it relates to what either of these past All-Stars can’t do, and it’s about time to start beating the drum and telling the Sacramento faithful what they can do.
For starters, both Sabonis and LaVine are talented enough to start on 90% of the NBA teams today, and as for playing defense, it’s high time the coaching staff stood up and took a bow. Defense just doesn’t automatically happen, it has to be taught, and it appears that this coaching staff is short on teachers as to how NBA defense should be played.
The knock on Sabonis is largely without foundation, and although not a rim protector, Sabonis is more than an adequate defender.
Bottom line is that LaVine has been thrown under the bus and never have Sacramento Kings fans stood for that type of coaching. Time to change the game plan, start appreciating what you have, and start coaching what you want to have.
As for the rest of the starting lineup, it would appear that alongside Sabonis and LaVine will be fifth-year starter Keegan Murray, this year’s first-round draft choice Darius Acuff Jr., and a player that the Sacramento fan base probably doesn’t recognize. His name is De’Andre Hunter and sadly played in only two games last season, after coming to the Kings by way of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Hunter sustained an eye injury that required surgery and sidelined him for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
The good news is that Hunter has been reasonably durable over his career and played his first five-plus seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. A career 14-point-per-game scorer in the NBA, Hunter was awarded the NABC Defensive Player of the Year in his sophomore season with the Virginia Cavaliers while in college. That bodes well for a Kings team begging for defensive help.
The fourth overall pick in the 2019 draft, Hunter may have slightly underachieved his draft status thus far, but he is no stranger to the starting lineup, and Kings fans won’t get any deer-in-the-headlights looks from newcomer De’Andre Hunter.
If, in fact, the starting lineup presents itself to be Sabonis, LaVine, Murray, Acuff and Hunter, there remain a couple of significant questions.
Number one, can the Kings find chemistry early with these five players and avoid injuries while they are learning to play together?
Does this coaching staff have the acumen to teach the defensive strategies that they are so good at giving lip service to? So far, I’ve seen nothing to lead me to believe Coach Christie knows how to coach NBA defense, but I’m open to being wrong and glad if I am.
Lastly, can the coaching staff develop an aggressive bench? This is not an insignificant thing. First and foremost, recognize the talent sitting on the bench and develop it!
Play Malik Monk and start giving him the respect he deserves.
After Monk, my No. 1 concern is finding minutes for second-round draft choice Emanuel Sharp, who was drafted 45th overall and was an absolute steal in this year’s draft.
Leaving a stellar college career behind, Sharp set the record for the Houston Cougars in 3-pointers made and was highly acclaimed for his high-intensity defense and attack-style offense. Play him!
Find minutes for first-round draft choice Alex Karaban. Don’t waste valuable draft choices and send them to the G League.
Don’t look now, but Ben Simmons was just in town for a workout, and I for one have absolutely no interest in an injury-ridden player with a highly questionable interest in playing basketball. Please, take a pass on this guy and let’s pay more attention to the draft class that just entered the building.
Stay tuned, Kings fans, because anything can change between now and Oct. 20.
All the best!
V. G. Harris
Vince Harris is an area resident and the author of Kings Corner, in which he contributes to Folsom Times, giving readers a look at the happenings on the court and behind the scenes of the Sacramento Kings.
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