Kevin Huerter has shined in new, consistent bench role

Dec 9, 2024, 4:18 PM | Updated: 4:26 pm

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: Kevin Huerter #9 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball agai...

Kevin Huerter #9 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Golden 1 Center on November 13, 2024 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

Ten and two. That’s the Sacramento Kings record when Kevin Huerter contributes at least 10 points this season.

They’re 1-9 when he fails to reach that scoring mark.

The 6’7 guard had 26 points on six and made three Sunday night against the Utah Jazz, both of which were season-highs. It was a crucial factor in the Kings’ 141-97 win, their largest margin of victory this season.

Six games ago, Sacramento head coach Mike Brown elected to move Sixth Man of the Year candidate Malik Monk into Huerter’s spot in the starting rotation. The fanbase had been clamoring for this move for some time, but concerns existed about how it could affect the Maryland alum’s mental and subsequent on-court production.

The first two games after the rotational change were inideal outputs for Huerter. He managed four points, two rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three turnovers on 1/6 from three in under 20 minutes combined in those consecutive apperances.

He then missed a game against the Spurs due to an illness but has looked more like himself since.

Kevin Huerter over the last four games:

24.1 minutes
15.3 points
4.0 rebounds
2.3 assists
0.5 turnovers
57.5 FG%
50% from three on 5.6 attempts per game

After Sunday’s win, Brown emphasized the importance of their process and attention to detail rather than living and dying by their three-point rate. Despite Huerter’s offensive explosion, he highlighted everything else.

“I don’t know if he’s going to 6-for-9 from three every night,” Brown said postgame. “He did that tonight, and that for sure helped us win, but what I liked about Kevin is he did a lot of things for us. He had five rebounds. He had four assists, and he played defense in those minutes, and he took shots that were open, the right shots.”

With depth concerns surrounding the roster construction, the Kings rely on Huerter’s contributions, whether starting or coming off the bench. They’ve benefited from him finding a shooting rhythm once again, but he’s also embraced the details emphasized by his coaching staff.

When asked what he’s focused on aside from shooting, he said, “Just trying to play hard, honestly.”

“Just trying to fly around defensively,” Huerter continued. “Just being solid. Be in rotations and finish with a rebound. Playing fast. Just doing all the things that our coaches preach every day, but just trying to play with energy and be good on the defensive side of the ball.”

Knowing what to expect coming into a game also helps a player, and that’s become more consistent for Huerter over the last four games.

He checks into the game around the six-minute mark of the first quarter and remains on the floor for about 12 minutes straight. Rinse and repeat in the second half, and that’s about 24 minutes a night.

“It’s been consistent,” Huerter said. “Right now, I know when I’m coming into the game. I know when I’m coming out of the game… for me, it wasn’t about starting or not starting. I think when I’m on the court I can help this team and if I’m playing how I think I’m capable of playing, you see games like tonight and I’ve just got to continue to build on it.”

Sacramento needs his offensive production, particularly his three-point shooting, but they’ve also greatly benefited from his well-rounded contributions since embracing his new role.

When is the next game for Kevin Huerter and the Sacramento Kings?

With the NBA Cup’s knockout stage set to begin next week, Sacramento will play just one game over the next seven days, providing Mike Brown’s group a chance to regroup and get some much-needed practice.

The Kings’ lone game this week will be against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night at the Smoothie King Center, the building that witnessed the end of Sacramento’s season in the Play-In Tournament just eight months ago.

New Orleans has been the Kings’ worst nightmare lately, going 6-0 against Sacramento last season.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Pelicans action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before action tips off at 5:00 PM PT from New Orleans.