Matt George here, the host of the daily Locked On Kings podcast, with your daily Locked On Kings newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Kings and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Sacramento Kings Bring In Jae Crowder After More Injury Issues
The Sacramento Kings are navigating a challenging period marked by injuries and roster adjustments. With Trey Lyles and DeMar DeRozan sidelined, the team is grappling with the impact of these setbacks on their performance and strategy. Lyles, who has been dealing with recurring injuries since signing his contract extension, is out for three to four weeks due to a grade one right calf strain. Meanwhile, DeRozan is facing lower back muscle inflammation, adding to the team’s woes.
Injury Impact and Roster Adjustments
The absence of Lyles and DeRozan is a significant blow to the Kings, who have struggled with consistency and health. Lyles has been a key player, especially when DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis were unavailable. His recent performances highlighted his potential, but his inability to stay healthy has been a recurring issue. DeRozan, known for his durability, is now dealing with a back issue that could linger, affecting his availability and the team’s overall performance.
The Kings’ management is taking steps to address these challenges. The addition of Jae Crowder, a veteran wing, is a move aimed at bolstering the team’s depth. Crowder’s experience and defensive skills could provide the Kings with much-needed stability. However, it’s important to temper expectations, as Crowder’s current form may not be the game-changer the team needs.
Offensive Struggles and Identity Crisis
The Kings are also facing an identity crisis on the court. Their offensive struggles have been evident, with key players like Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter underperforming in shooting. The team’s offensive identity, once characterized by a fast-paced, high-scoring style, seems to have been lost. This has led to inconsistent performances and a lack of cohesion on the court.
The Kings need to rediscover their offensive rhythm to compete effectively. The solution may lie in improving their shooting percentages and regaining their offensive identity. The team has the talent, but they need to execute consistently to achieve their goals.
The Kings’ management and coaching staff have their work cut out for them. They must find ways to integrate new players like Crowder while addressing the team’s existing issues. The road ahead is challenging, but with the right adjustments, the Kings can still turn their season around.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Sacramento Kings’ current challenges and strategies, tune into the Locked On Kings podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Kings Podcast:
- Analysis of the Kings’ recent performances and upcoming schedule
- Discussion on potential trades and roster moves
- Insights into the coaching strategies and team dynamics
Nov 26, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) shoots the basketball over Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro/Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Here’s the thing, Scary Terry has hops. At 30-years-old and with a decade of play under his belt, Terry Rozier can cut like a knife, shake loose defenders, deflect, drive, and kick the ball out to the wing on a layup with the court vision still 20/20. He shoots, too. Tidy jumpers, deep and swooning corner threes, tricky little one-handed layups, fastbreak two-handed deliveries, Rozier runs through them like a personal rolodex.
Perhaps it’s a good reminder, for you as much as me, that age really doesn’t have anything to do with it. For one, despite what we’re led to believe by watching NBA basketball and listening to people talk about it, 30 isn’t old. Besides age, there’s a more important personal factor: whether an athlete keeps up. NBA basketball gets pushed in new directions every season as competitive teams break the mold and not yet competitive teams try to keep up.
Optimization is an unfortunate word in our modern and decidedly capitalist lexicon, but it’s what good athletes do. If there’s a skill to develop, they figure out what it is. Giannis Antetokounmpo in the mid-range this season is a perfect and very successful example. The bigger thing these smaller improvements add up to are teams with a depth of different weapons to pull out against the seemingly unbeatable juggernauts at the top. Occasionally, front offices identify what their unique skillset or style of play can be — think the decidedly big Cleveland Cavaliers, or the micro, play-every-position, Thunder — and build toward it.
For an athlete like Rozier, who many were quick to call a Kyle Lowry 2.0 when he arrived in Miami, the improvisation he’s shown with the Heat was born out of necessity but also an aptitude for reading the room. The Heat are a workaholic organization with a next-man-up mentality they don’t just talk about as an inspirational soundbite, but is twined through the fibre of all that they do.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis The point guard position is in good hands. Shaun Powell takes stock of the position and what the future looks like. (NBA)
Opinion The NBA can tinker with the All-Star Game format all it wants, but there’s only one fix. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Feel Good What happens with the money collected from fines? How the league turns bad moments into good deeds. (SB Nation)
Injury In a setback for the Sacramento Kings, Trey Lyles will be out for 3-4 weeks due to an injury. Additionally, DeMar DeRozan will miss at least one game. (The Kings Herald)
Rumor The Kings are reportedly nearing a deal with Jae Crowder, potentially adding a veteran presence to the roster. (The Kings Herald)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Injury Concerns and Player Updates
Joel Embiid’s ongoing knee issues are another significant concern. With a history of multiple meniscus surgeries, Embiid’s situation remains precarious. His recent absences highlight the risks associated with drafting him early in fantasy leagues. The high failure rate of such surgeries suggests that Embiid’s availability might be limited, making him a risky trade target.
Donovan Clingan’s grade 2 MCL sprain is also noteworthy. The Portland Trail Blazers plan to reevaluate him in two weeks, but this type of injury typically requires a longer recovery period. With Clingan sidelined, players like Ayton and Rob Williams are expected to see increased playing time, making Williams a valuable addition to fantasy rosters.
Lauri Markkanen’s Injury Impact
Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury adds another layer of complexity to fantasy basketball strategies. Markkanen, who has been dealing with back and knee issues, was helped off the court after a knee knock. While the injury doesn’t appear to be a severe ACL or MCL tear, it could sideline him for at least a week, if not longer. This development opens up opportunities for players like John Collins to step up and fill the void, potentially increasing their fantasy value.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Kings podcasts.
The Sacramento Kings Have Lost Their Identity Matt George reacts to the Sacramento Kings loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where Malik Monk returned, Keon Ellis started, and the Kings still ran into the same problems, especially on offense.
Time to be Concerned About the Sacramento Kings Matt George breaks down the Sacramento Kings loss to the Brooklyn Nets and a new concerning trend of slow starts and losses.
The Sacramento Kings Offense Doesn’t “Go Cold”, It Freezes Matt George reacts to the Sacramento Kings loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, where the Kings offense managed just 29 total points in the first half.
