Huerter Named Kings Starting SG, But PF Competition Remains ‘Wide Open’

Oct 7, 2022, 2:22 PM | Updated: 2:33 pm

Kevin Huerter speaks to the press during Kings media day....

(Sactown Sports)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

One of the Sacramento Kings’ positional competitions has come to an end.

Recently-acquired guard Kevin Huerter will likely become De’Aaron Fox’s backcourt partner to open up the season as head coach Mike Brown told the media on Friday that the former Atlanta Hawk is in line to become the team’s starting shooting guard.

“The more that I watch, I just think that Kevin might be the right fit at that two-guard spot,” Brown said of the starting shooting guard position following Friday’s practice.

Huerter started alongside Fox, Harrison Barnes, Domantas Sabonis, and KZ Okpala during Monday’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 24-year-old’s size (6’7) and shooting ability (career 38 percent shooter from three-point range) will give the Kings offense a legit perimeter threat that can space the floor for the team’s distributors in Fox and Sabonis.

KZ Okpala is still included with the starting group here at Kings practice. pic.twitter.com/vp5PXGKkuU

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 7, 2022

Huerter and fellow newcomer Malik Monk were the two leaders for the shooting guard position, but it looks like Brown will opt to bring Monk off of the bench in a group that will include versatile guard Davion Mitchell and talented big man Richaun Holmes.

As for the final question mark in the starting lineup, Brown said that the power forward position is still an open competition as we move to within two weeks of opening night.

“For me right now, that power-forward spot can be wide open. It could be wide open from the standpoint of, one night we might need this, one night we might need that. Having the versatility on the team to be able to do that from time to time is a positive for being a head coach.”

Although Brown said that the starting power forward spot is still up for grabs, KZ Okpala was seen getting reps in with the starting group on Friday, with all signs pointing towards the 23-year-old logging his second-straight start on Sunday when the Kings face Portland.

Okpala’s defensive presence in a lineup that features more of an offensive punch is likely something that Brown finds important as the 6’8 forward will be often tasked with defending the best opposing player on the floor when in the lineup. Thanks to his impressive 7’2 wingspan, the Stanford alumni can effectively defend any position on the floor.

“Defense is my strength. Guarding the best player on the floor,” Okpala said during Thursday’s practice when asked what he expects from himself in a starting role.

Rookie forward Keegan Murray had a very impressive preseason debut on Monday as the fourth-overall pick scored a game-high 16 points (seven-of-11 shooting from the field), six rebounds, and two steals over just 20 minutes of action. Although Murray has shown that he possesses enough talent to slide into a starting role, it appears as if Brown has decided to prioritize Okpala’s defensive versatility in the lineup–for now.

“I know that I need to learn right now,” Murray said earlier this week when asked about his current role as a reserve. “If I take care of things on the court, things will take care of themselves.”

Brown says that the door isn’t closed on the starting power forward role, so don’t be surprised if you see Murray start in one of Sacramento’s final two preseason games against Phoenix and Los Angeles.

Roster Cuts Are On The Horizon

As for roster cuts, Brown said that he and his staff have some “really tough decisions to make” in the coming days, but added that no changes will be made for at least the next “one to two” preseason games.

Sacramento must trim its 20-man training camp roster down to 15 players by October 17th.

Two-way players (will split time between Sacramento and G-League affiliate Stockton) like Neemias Queta and Keon Ellis do not count against the team’s roster limit, so Brown will have to cut three players before opening night.