NBA: A Team-By-Team Look At The Western Conference’s Rookies

Mar 21, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Yogi Ferrell (11) drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) looks on during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Yogi Ferrell (11) drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) looks on during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 19, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings shooting guard Buddy Hield (24) leads a fast break during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings shooting guard Buddy Hield (24) leads a fast break during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Sacramento Kings

Buddy Hield, Skal Labissiere, Georgios Papagiannis, Malachi Richardson

The Kings recently acquired Buddy Hield in the Cousins trade with the Pelicans. In his time with the Kings, he’s had the chance to play more and his numbers are showing just what he’s capable of.

The numbers are good (15 PPG, 4 RPG since the move) and the Kings definitely have something to work with in Hield. The same can’t quite be said for the rest of the rookies on the team.

Labissiere only recently started playing more often and that was after the All-Star break, or after Boogie Cousins was moved. Richardson plays every once in a while and Papagiannis has only started playing more in the last handful of games.

It will be interesting to see if the Kings just let the rookies play more to close out the season since it’s highly unlikely that they’ll make the playoffs.