There are two types of teams in the NBA. The first type of team is the one builds from the ground up. Through draft picks and efficient development of young players, this type of team works its way to a championship (See San Antonio Spurs).
Then, there are those teams that go for the shortcut.
By loading its roster with washed-up superstars who are no longer coveted by other teams, this type of franchise looks for the short road to a championship. Often, this method is an epic failure (See current Knicks, 1999 Houston Rockets, 2003 Lakers).
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In recent years, the Sacramento Kings were one of those teams that tried to take the short cut. We saw the best example of that in the 2015-16 season when the Kings acquired Rajon Rondo, hoping he would lead them back to the playoffs.
Obviously, that experiment didn’t work. This season, the Kings have taken a different approach.
Instead of going for the big names, the Kings have brought in some solid veterans to go along with promising young players.
Although it’s been hard to be patient as a Kings’ fan, the young players have shown us growth every time they take the court.
Their growth is thanks in large part to how the Sacramento Kings have used the Development League this season. Especially when it comes to Kings’ rookies Malachi Richardson, Skal Labissiere and Georgios Papagiannis, the D-League – now G-League – is paying off big time.
For much of the season, these three players were literally dragged back-and-forth between the NBA and the D-League on a weekly basis, sometimes daily.With the Kings having moved on from Cousins and a few other veterans, the rookies are now getting more consistent minutes in the NBA.
As a result, the Kings’ three rookies finally get to show how they developed from their time in the D-League. Richardson, who was acquired in a trade with the Hornets on draft night, was averaging three points in nine minutes per game before being sidelined with a hamstring injury in February.
Richardson’s fundamentals and poise has been a strong indication of the bright future ahead for the young man.
Skal Labissiere, also acquired in a trade on draft night, finally found his opportunity after the Kings traded Cousins. In 16 games since the Cousins trade, Labissiere is averaging 10.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. His best game came against Phoenix when he totaled 32 points and 11 rebounds.
After initially looking like he had no business being on an NBA court, Papagiannis has also recently made strides. In back-to-back games against the Thunder and the Spurs, the rookie posted double figures in rebounding. Giannis also had a career-high three blocks against Phoenix.
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The three rookies, along with newly acquired rookie Buddy Hield and second-year center Willie Cauley-Stein, have given Kings fans a lot to hope for. Of course it’s going to take a while for the Kings to get it all together. But Sacramento Kings fans shouldn’t complain.
After all, this new approach to developing young players is a far contrast from previous years.