Let's evaluate the progress of our young players - i.e. rookies and 2nd and 3rd year players. To date, we've played 17 games out of 82, so that means we've reached the 20% mark of the 2017-18 season. I left Harry Giles and Georgios Papagiannis off the list for obvious reasons. I also didn't include Cooley and Sampson.
Bogdan Bogdanovic - he's a player. Versatile, capable, seems like he can play 1-3. If he can find his shot, I think we're going to be very excited about Bogie.
Willie Cauley-Stein - tremendous potential, but unable to put three good games together (in a row). His offense is showing signs that he might develop into a good 2-way player. But he's only had a handful of games this year where he has played with energy and focus. The guy's a hard one to figure out. Wish he'd shut up about how good he thinks he can be and just do it. Don't tell us; show us.
De’Aaron Fox - has all the tools to become an All-Star and the leader of the next great Kings team. His stats have tailed off recently, probably because of scouting reports. But I'm confident that he will adjust his game accordingly.
Buddy Hield - showed his full potential (as a King) when Joerger move him to a 6th man role where his explosive offense can be best utilized and most appreciated. I think Buddy will be our Jamal Crawford. But he's not going to become our Klay Thompson. He's a good rebounder, but otherwise is a liability when he's doing anything but shooting.
Justin Jackson - he rarely has impressive stats at a glance, but he plays solid. He's slight and not particularly quick, but uses what he has well. As a rookie, he may already be one of our best defenders.
Skal Labissiere - is not living up to expectations in his 2nd year, but there is still time. It might be a good strategy to send him to Reno for 20 games to build up his confidence. I still like his potential, but his weaknesses are clear and many.
Frank Mason III - really enjoy watching him play on offense and defense. Vince Carter called him a "Bulldog" to which I think he meant fearless. If the draft had gone differently and Mason had been our lone point guard pick, I'd be feeling good about him in a young Ty Lawsen sort of way.
Malachi Richardson - not enough PT to evaluate properly. He's had a few bright moments, but not enough of them. He had one quick Buddy-like sequence where he hit 3 shots in a row. Don't know if there's more of that to come, or if blew his quota of big shots.
Bogdan Bogdanovic - he's a player. Versatile, capable, seems like he can play 1-3. If he can find his shot, I think we're going to be very excited about Bogie.
Willie Cauley-Stein - tremendous potential, but unable to put three good games together (in a row). His offense is showing signs that he might develop into a good 2-way player. But he's only had a handful of games this year where he has played with energy and focus. The guy's a hard one to figure out. Wish he'd shut up about how good he thinks he can be and just do it. Don't tell us; show us.
De’Aaron Fox - has all the tools to become an All-Star and the leader of the next great Kings team. His stats have tailed off recently, probably because of scouting reports. But I'm confident that he will adjust his game accordingly.
Buddy Hield - showed his full potential (as a King) when Joerger move him to a 6th man role where his explosive offense can be best utilized and most appreciated. I think Buddy will be our Jamal Crawford. But he's not going to become our Klay Thompson. He's a good rebounder, but otherwise is a liability when he's doing anything but shooting.
Justin Jackson - he rarely has impressive stats at a glance, but he plays solid. He's slight and not particularly quick, but uses what he has well. As a rookie, he may already be one of our best defenders.
Skal Labissiere - is not living up to expectations in his 2nd year, but there is still time. It might be a good strategy to send him to Reno for 20 games to build up his confidence. I still like his potential, but his weaknesses are clear and many.
Frank Mason III - really enjoy watching him play on offense and defense. Vince Carter called him a "Bulldog" to which I think he meant fearless. If the draft had gone differently and Mason had been our lone point guard pick, I'd be feeling good about him in a young Ty Lawsen sort of way.
Malachi Richardson - not enough PT to evaluate properly. He's had a few bright moments, but not enough of them. He had one quick Buddy-like sequence where he hit 3 shots in a row. Don't know if there's more of that to come, or if blew his quota of big shots.
