Training camp reports open thread 2022

All our roster speculation based on preseason playing time goes for naught.
Among other things, Mike Brown is about "buy in" - and a really good way to foster player buy-in is to try to give everybody run. Not every game, of course, but across games.

By my count, the Kings have 8 starter-quality guys - Fox, Sabonis, HB, Murray, Huerter, Monk, Davion, and Richaun. I expect those guys to be the staple of the rotation every night as long as they're healthy.

In addition, there're a bunch of guys who can and probably will alternate getting into each 10-man rotation depending on matchup - Davis, Okpala, Lyles, Metu, and Len. Queta might bump Len over the course of the season if her can get it together.
 

funkykingston

Super Moderator
Staff member

Looks like Brown has some serious pull. All his guys (Delly, KZ, Moneke) look like they're going to make the team, assuming Merrill is the last cut.
A bit surprised they cut Bazemore. I figured he'd make it and one of Metu or Moneke would be the final cut.

My guess on Merrill is that they are waiting until the deadline to increase the chances they can keep him in Stockton. But I doubt any team is looking to sign him to a 2-way.

C Sabonis/Holmes/Len
PF Murray/Lyles/Metu
SF Barnes/Okpala/Moneke
SG Huerter/Monk/Davis
PG Fox/Mitchell/Dellavedova

Is a pretty solid roster, though Lyles has been a disappointment so far and the wing/PF depth isn't great. I think we'll see a fair amount of 3 guard lineups since that's where the team's strength lies.
 
Yes our guard depth i really good. Center position darn good. Starters at the forwards is solid.
I can see huerter playing some SF and barnes the PF position In many games for stretches.
 
A bit surprised they cut Bazemore. I figured he'd make it and one of Metu or Moneke would be the final cut.

My guess on Merrill is that they are waiting until the deadline to increase the chances they can keep him in Stockton. But I doubt any team is looking to sign him to a 2-way.

C Sabonis/Holmes/Len
PF Murray/Lyles/Metu
SF Barnes/Okpala/Moneke
SG Huerter/Monk/Davis
PG Fox/Mitchell/Dellavedova

Is a pretty solid roster, though Lyles has been a disappointment so far and the wing/PF depth isn't great. I think we'll see a fair amount of 3 guard lineups since that's where the team's strength lies.
I'm not worried about Lyles yet. He showed a lot last season with us and I'll weight that significantly more than a few preseason games before saying hanging him out to dry.

I am curious who is going to cut out of the rotation though between Lyles/TD/KZ. Very much seems like Brown wants KZ to have a role, but Davis looks like he's ready to pick up where he left off before getting hurt last season. And Lyles has the best recent history where he was an adequate starter since he we acquired him.
 

funkykingston

Super Moderator
Staff member
I'm not worried about Lyles yet. He showed a lot last season with us and I'll weight that significantly more than a few preseason games before saying hanging him out to dry.

I am curious who is going to cut out of the rotation though between Lyles/TD/KZ. Very much seems like Brown wants KZ to have a role, but Davis looks like he's ready to pick up where he left off before getting hurt last season. And Lyles has the best recent history where he was an adequate starter since he we acquired him.
Agreed.

Honestly, if Brown is going to have Murray continue to come off the bench I wouldn't mind seeing him experiment with Huerter and Barnes at the forwards and start either Mitchell or Monk next to Fox to open up minutes for Davis. With Davion it would take some minutes staggering to work since you don't want Delly playing other than in emergencies, but I think you have to find a way to get your best players on the floor and the Kings have more quality depth at guard than forward.
 

Capt. Factorial

trifolium contra tempestatem subrigere certum est
Staff member
Kind of surprised Baze is gone, does that mean Delly will stay?
Unless there's a miracle signing of a guy not at training camp or somehow they keep Merrill, then, yeah, Delly is in.

I've maintained all along that we would absolutely keep one of Delly and Cook. With Cook cut, Delly is our 3rd string PG. We aren't going without one of those. No matter what arguments people might have made for going with no 3rd string PG and using Monk or Huerter or something in an emergency, we were not remotely going to do that.
 

pdxKingsFan

So Ordinary That It's Truly Quite Extraordinary
Staff member
Unless there's a miracle signing of a guy not at training camp or somehow they keep Merrill, then, yeah, Delly is in.

I've maintained all along that we would absolutely keep one of Delly and Cook. With Cook cut, Delly is our 3rd string PG. We aren't going without one of those. No matter what arguments people might have made for going with no 3rd string PG and using Monk or Huerter or something in an emergency, we were not remotely going to do that.
Fair enough but Delly is break glass in case of emergency at best, I don't know how we avoid playing someone else before him if it gets to that point.
 
Fair enough but Delly is break glass in case of emergency at best, I don't know how we avoid playing someone else before him if it gets to that point.
Delly has some gas left in the tank. He will be great for these guys in practice and in the locker room. If he’s needed, he’ll be prepared to make winning plays in the games.

But yes - not a good sign if he’s needed more than 10-12 minutes/game.
 

pdxKingsFan

So Ordinary That It's Truly Quite Extraordinary
Staff member
Delly has some gas left in the tank. He will be great for these guys in practice and in the locker room. If he’s needed, he’ll be prepared to make winning plays in the games.

But yes - not a good sign if he’s needed more than 10-12 minutes/game.
I am hoping no more than 6 if Fox and Mitchell are healthy.