Sacramento Kings: 2017-18 NBA season preview

Storyline 2: The veteran experience

With the majority of the roster lacking a good amount of experience on the NBA level, it was clear that the Kings needed some mentors to help steer the ship within the locker room and on the court. Those veterans came in the form of George Hill, Zach Randolph and Vince Carter, all signings the Kings made within about a 56-hour window just a few days into free agency.

Considering the level of commitment and money that helped lure all three to Sacramento, the Kings came away with a good haul of players that will definitely do their part to help set the tone that will sorely be needed around an incredibly young and green roster.

With the season fast approaching, those objectives will be put to the test. For how successful as Hill, Randolph and Carter have been throughout their respective careers, this coming season will be a big departure that will likely have more lumps than triumphs along the way.

For as heralded as these signings have been in the eyes of many, there have been some that believe that picking up all three veterans could only lead to bigger problems (i.e. might make the Kings better than they should be, could take the bulk of playing time away from the youngsters).

While the latter is a very fair concern, it seems a bit of a stretch to paint the former in that light. Of the new additions, the veteran that stands as the biggest X-factor in that regard is Hill, considering he’s coming off of his best season and will be the biggest lock to be a regular in the starting lineup throughout the year (that is, if his health holds up in a big way).

Between Hill, Randolph and Carter as well as Garrett Temple and Kosta Koufos, the Kings have fortified their veteran presence and through their collective experience, they will do what’s necessary to set the standards on the floor and in the locker room.