5 reasons Sacramento Kings fans should have hope
By Connor Learn
1. There are other players worth developing on the roster
Owner Vivek Ranadive has asserted that he thinks that Buddy Hield is the next Stephen Curry. This is untrue; the already 23-year-old Hield was is only four months younger than fifth year veteran Andre Drummond. This suggests that Hield won’t improve dramatically. However, he should become a good role player in the league. He is shooting 37.5 percent on 3-pointers as a rookie, which should rise as he gains experience. Lauded for his work ethic, Hield will find a way to become a positive contributor for the Kings.
Malachi Richardson is younger than Hield, he has only recently turned 21. He has came along slowly during his rookie season, and rightfully so. Richardson suffered a partial hamstring tear in February. However, he had been earning more and more minutes on the wing rotation prior to that injury. Richardson has shown the ability to create his own shot and though streaky, has a good shooting stroke. He also has a 7-foot wingspan, rare for a shooting guard, which suggests he could become a good two-way player as well.
Rookie center Georgios Papagiannis is yet to get the chance to prove himself on the NBA level as well. The 7-foot-2 Greek native is only nineteen years old, so Kings fans will need to be patient with him. However, he has played well in D-League play and has averaged 13.4 points and 8.0 rebounds on 50 percent shooting. He has good athleticism for his size and should be a force around the rim because of that. Papagiannis has also shown range extending out to the three point line this season. He has the potential to made his draft slot reasonable. Kings fans will have to continue to be patient, but should find a way to buy in to this plan.