4. Playing time for the young guys
One of the positives that come with negative results in the win/loss column is the opportunity for development. Down the stretch of the season, the Kings will likely be resting players or holding guys out of certain games with “injuries”. Not only will this aid in the pursuit of a top pick in the 2021 Draft, but it will also give playing time opportunities to guys who haven’t gotten much run during the first half of the season.
Second-year guard Kyle Guy has been given minutes in certain spots this season and could see more if Cory Joseph is traded away or if De’Aaron Fox deals with any ailments. But the real opportunities would come for guys like Robert Woodard or Jahmi’us Ramsey, who have yet to see any real significant playing time so far. Woodard has been making quite the name for himself in the G League, and fans are eager to see what he can do in the NBA.
Due to an unfortunate injury on a dirty play by the Grizzlies’ Jonas Valanciunas, Kings rookie Chimezie Metu will have to wait to be the beneficiary of extra minutes. His fractured wrist will keep him sidelined for several weeks and is a blow to his development. But should he rehab and heal quickly enough to make it back into the rotation by late March or early April, Metu could have an expanded role. The immediate future of both of the centers in the Kings’ rotation are question marks, and should either of them be sent packing, it could be Metu’s time to shine.