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Sacramento Kings: 5 goals for De’Aaron Fox’s rookie season

By Josh Cornelissen

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2017 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2017 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 10: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 10, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 10: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 10, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Total 20 combined points, assists and rebounds

De’Aaron Fox is entering a situation where his role is uncertain. Veteran point guard George Hill was brought on in free agency, presumably to start. That means that the path to minutes  — and touches — will have to be earned, at least early in the year.

The Kings are loaded with young players, and eventually the youth movement will take over next season as they transition from playoff hopefuls to maximizing their draft odds. But Fox’s goal will be to contribute to both objectives, and that will come by filling up the box score.

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No Sacramento player averaged more than 4.8 assists per game last season, and both Hill and Fox should have a reasonable chance to eclipse that number. Fox also has the size and motor to attack the glass, and could meet the 3.9 rebounds per game he pulled down in college.

That would leave point totals around 12 per game, an attainable goal for a rookie point guard sharing time with a $19 million a year starter. Hill’s size and shooting ability would allow him to play off-the-ball alongside Fox at times — another path to both minutes and stats. If Hill misses time, then even more opportunity opens up.

In an age where advanced stats are growing in popularity and accuracy, counting stats such as points and rebounds are still the bread and butter of the league. Fox demonstrating through the box score that he can be an impactful player will be a way to show the league he was worthy of the fifth pick.

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