National Basketball Association

Sacramento Kings: Best Rotations- Bench

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:31 p.m. ET

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Dec 8, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) collides into the Sacramento Kings bench after a three point basket during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

This article discusses the Sacramento Kings’ best rotation if they have to go with five reserve players. This is the next installment in our best rotations series.

The bench plays a pivotal role on any successful team. Sure the starters get most of the accolades and glory, but the bench players come in, do a job, and exit often unnoticed, but are an integral part of the team’s success. No NBA player plays all 48 minutes, so the bench is necessary to be successful. Even if just to maintain the starters big lead until they are rested and ready return.

Today, we take a deep dive into the Kings best bench rotation. My colleague Rafe Wong wrote a great piece about which five players would make up the best starting line-up for the Sacramento Kings here. I excluded those players for my article and will now take a look at who makes up the best bench only rotation.

Oct 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Ty Lawson (top) is fouled while shooting by Miami Heat shooting guard Tyler Johnson (bottom) during the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Point Guard- Ty Lawson

Sacramento Kings fans have heard a lot about Ty Lawson since his signing. You know the story by now, coming off a bad season and looking to revitalize his career in Sacramento. He is going to be the starting point guard to open the season with Darren Collison suspended. Let us examine some recent positive signs of the return to form for Mister Lawson.

DeMarcus Cousins had very positive, yet interesting words to describe playing with Ty Lawson. Below is the video, so you can hear it straight from Cousins’ mouth courtesy of the Sacramento Bee. (WARNING: Cousins swears in the video and it is bleeped out, but it is not difficult to discern what he says, so please tread lightly on the video.)

Here is another piece courtesy of the Sacramento Bee with quotes from both Coach Joerger and GM Vlade Divac praising Lawson. Having the coach and the general manager both singing your praises shortly after you arrive is always a good early sign.

Clearly, Lawson is a talented player with the ability to be a serious contributor to the Kings this season. He needs to shake off last season and take charge of his career. Early signs have been positive for Mister Lawson. I am hoping Kings fans get the best Ty Lawson of his career and he puts on a show for every basketball fan to enjoy this season.

Dec 8, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) drives in against Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guard- Ben McLemore

I wrote an in-depth piece on if the Kings should still believe in Ben McLemore recently that can be found here. It chronicles last year’s struggles and reasons for why that bad year may just be an outlier in the history book of McLemore’s career. Feel free to give it a read if that topic interests you.

I believe McLemore and Lawson can create a really dynamic backcourt. They are both athletic, physically gifted players who possess great quickness. McLemore needs to sink his 3-pointer. He shot 36.2% last season, so already above league average (League average was 35.4% according to Basketball-Reference). That could create a drive, space, and dish backcourt combo that could be difficult to guard for any opponent.

Mar 17, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger tries to restrain forward Matt Barnes (22) after tempers flared during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks beat the Grizzlies 96-86. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forward- Matt Barnes

Matt Barnes brings a lot of assets to this rotation. Barnes has the motor and defensive capabilities to guard multiple positions. He is grit and grind type player who you know what you are going to get from. I wrote an in-depth article about Matt Barnes signing with the Kings and valuing his on-court abilities to his contract here if you care to read more about Mister Barnes.

Note: Matt Barnes sat out the first preseason game with a knee issue, which you can read more about here. The issue is not believed to be serious and he is expected back this week, but it is something to monitor in a player who is 36 years young.

Apr 1, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi (18) reacts beside Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) in the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forward- Omri Casspi

Omri Casspi fills the power forward position on the best bench rotation. He helps space the floor on any lineup and is not afraid to play some defense. I expect his defense to improve under Coach Joerger this season. Couple that with his 3-point shooting and Casspi should take another step forward this season.

Below is a video released by the Sacramento Kings Youtube Channel about Casspi’s great 3-point shooting exploits, so please sit back and enjoy.

The advanced metric win shares per 48 minutes rated Casspi at 0.091 and 0.092 the last two seasons. I believe this is the year with his improved defense and freedom to fire from distance, Casspi surpasses 0.100 and in turn becomes a better than league average player by that metric.

Mar 11, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) completes an alley-oop against the Orlando Magic in the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Orlando Magic defeated the Sacramento Kings 107 to 100. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Center- Kosta Koufos

First, I will start off by saying Koufos may shortly be disqualified from this rotation. He started the first preseason game next to DeMarcus Cousins and in place of Willie Cauley-Stein. It was just the first preseason game and things could change as we head toward the regular season, but since I was working in conjunction with Rafe’s article, Koufos still qualifies for this rotation.

Kosta Koufos is not a flashy player. He does a job, plays a role, and does not try to do too much. Koufos does not need to start or be the team’s superstar. There is an endearing quality in that for me. I enjoy watching Koufos play because he is going to just play his game and not try to do anything spectacular.

The advanced metrics rate Koufos very highly, as well. I think the fact that plays his game and does not try to be some other player is a big factor in those rankings. He has rated as an above league average player in every season since 2011-2012 according to win shares per 48 minutes. All stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference unless overwise noted. Koufos can be on my team anytime and should have a successful season with Kings this season regardless of his starting status.

Summary

Sacramento Kings fans rejoice. This has to be the deepest team in Sacramento in a few years and that is important heading into a viscous 82 game regular season. The Kings have the depth to run out a very dynamic and potent bench rotation this season.

My best bench rotation features Ty Lawson, Ben McLemore, Matt Barnes, Omri Casspi, and Kosta Koufos. The toughest omission was Garrett Temple, but he is shaping up for a Swiss Army knife type role with the Kings so he should see minutes at multiple positions and be a contributor this season.

Here is to hoping that the improved depth leads to an exciting and successful Sacramento Kings team in the 2016-2017 NBA season. Thank you for reading.