Return of the Roar: Inconsistent Kings, Fox’s comments on his future, and more

Dec 17, 2024, 3:06 PM

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 16: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after the...

Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after they lost to the Denver Nuggets in the second half at Golden 1 Center on December 16, 2024 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

Brenden Nunes, Chris Watkins, and Frankie Cartoscelli are back with another episode of the Return of the Roar Sacramento Kings podcast one day after their narrow 130-129 loss to the Denver Nuggets Monday night in Golden 1 Center.

Having won four of their last five games coming into the night, things seemed to be trending upward for the Kings. It was Malik Monk’s seventh game in the starting lineup, while Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter, and Trey Lyles were unavailable due to injury.

Only about a week removed from head coach Mike Brown’s viral “possession after possession” rant, his larger point resurfaced against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.

In this Return of the Roar episode, we discussed trends concerning Sacramento’s quarter-to-quarter inconsistencies. Given the nature of their roster construction, is this simply who they are?

During the recording, we became aware that De’Aaron Fox had some comments on his future with the Kings when joining The Draymond Green podcast. Is there a reason for long-term concern, or is it just a typical desire to win at the highest level?

Topics discussed on this Return of the Roar episode:

Trying to make sense of Sacramento’s variance quarter-by-quarter
A lack of fourth-quarter excellence this season despite adding DeMar DeRozan
Has moving Malik Monk into the starting lineup worked out?
What lineup changes could be made if the Kings were to make a trade? Monk back to the bench? Sixth-Man DeRozan?
De’Aaron Fox’s comments about his future on The Draymond Green podcast
More defensive struggles…
And PLENTY more!

The full episode is available on the Sactown Sports YouTube page using the link above and on all listening platforms.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will continue a five-game homestand on Thursday night in the first of two straight games against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Earlier this season on October 26th, the Kings fell short in Los Angeles, losing to the Lakers by a final of 131-127 as LeBron James took over in the fourth quarter (16 points, five rebounds, six assists in the period).

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Lakers 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 7:00 PM PT from downtown Sacramento.