NBA Notes: Kings, Zach LaVine, Mavericks, Daniel Gafford, Pacers
Sacramento Kings Struggles
The early season narrative around Sacramento has taken another hit after the Bulls defeated the Kings 126-113 on Wednesday. Sam Quinn of CBS Sports commented that the old “Kings turning into the Bulls” joke no longer fits. Chicago’s team is younger, faster, and more modern, with a young rotation aside from Nikola Vucevic. Meanwhile, Sacramento remains stuck in mid-range shooting, ranking twenty-second in shots at the rim and fifth worst overall on offense. Their play resembles more of an All-Star nostalgia team than a cutting-edge NBA offense.
“Teams are not exactly lining up for LaVine,” noted Quinn.
Sam Amick of The Athletic added on The Carmichael Dave Show that he "cannot name one team" currently monitoring Zach LaVine with certainty. Although Keegan Murray’s return will help, Sacramento needs much more than just a boost. The Kings tried to hold onto success with older players and now appear to have lost their identity.
Daniel Gafford's Return
Daniel Gafford plans to make his season debut on Saturday in Mexico City against Detroit, according to reports by Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News and Christian Clark of The Athletic. Gafford has been sidelined since spraining his ankle on the first day of training camp.
Other Player Updates
- D’Angelo Russell is questionable for upcoming games.
- Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Dante Exum remain out due to injuries.
Author’s summary: The Sacramento Kings face significant challenges as key players struggle with injuries and the team works to redefine its style amid early-season setbacks.