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Sacramento Kings: 5 things to look forward to in second half of season

By Anthony Cardenas

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 01: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings and Richaun Holmes #22 of the Sacramento Kings react after a score during the fourth quarter an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on February 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 01: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings and Richaun Holmes #22 of the Sacramento Kings react after a score during the fourth quarter an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on February 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Sacramento Kings (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

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.

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