National Basketball Association

Sacramento Kings: Center Rankings

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:05 p.m. ET

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Jan 25, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during overtime in the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Sleep Train Arena. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Sacramento Kings 129-128 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

This article takes a glimpse into the center depth chart for the Sacramento Kings. This is the fifth installment in our positional rankings series.

The center position for the Sacramento King features arguably the best center in the NBA, an experienced backup center, and a lottery pick in the 2016 NBA draft. The Kings will be led by DeMarcus Cousins in many ways this season including him leading the center position. Without further ado, let us examine the Sacramento Kings’ centers entering training camp this season.

Mar 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during the second quarter of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Center- DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins is the Kings’ starting center and franchise player. He is coming off back-to-back All-Star and 2nd team All-NBA seasons. He is dominant on both ends of the floor and one of the league’s truly special talents. Below is a fun highlight video to remind you of Cousins’ phenomenal play last season.

I wrote an article taking a look at Cousins’ offensive game to find his most effective shot areas on the court. It also examines his newly found 3 point stroke last season. It can be found here if you care to read further about that topic.

We know Cousins and we love him, but just a few statistical notes on him from last season. Boogie set per game average career highs in field goals made, field goals attempted, 3 pointers made, 3 pointers attempted, free throws made, free throws attempted, steals, and points. It is scary to think about but I think that proves Cousins is still getting better and age 26 this season I would not be surprised if he took another step forward this season. Watch out NBA, DeMarcus Cousins is on a mission to be the best player in the league.

Jan 2, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) during warmup before the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 142-119. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Backup Center- Kosta Koufos

Kosta Koufos is an NBA veteran at only 27 years old. He is entering his 9th NBA season and has played for 5 different franchises. Last off-season, the Kings signed Koufos to a contract of 4 years for $33 million.

Koufos is the type of player most teams covet as their backup five. He is good defender and rim protector having created 11.1 defensive win shares for his career. He knows where he is successful on offense and he attacks those strengths. He shoots 89.3% of his shot attempts within 9 feet of the basket. He connects on 64.9% of his attempts from 0-2 feet and 43.2% from 3-9 feet from the basket.

Kosta Koufos is not the type of player who will create a lot of wow moments. He is going to play solid defense, protect the rim, and convert easy shots for himself. He always seems to be a positive for the team and the Kings are lucky to have him to eat the remaining minutes behind Cousins for the next 3 seasons.

One last note for Kosta Koufos, he is an underrated player in the NBA. Most people view him as a reserve center and feel so-so about him. According to the advanced metric win shares per 48, Koufos has been an above league average player each of the last 5 seasons and has a career win shares per 48 of 0.127, well above the league average of 0.100. All stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Georgios Papagiannis greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number thirteen overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

3rd String/D-League Center- Georgios Papagiannis

One of the true unknowns for the Kings this season is what contributions will be made by 13th overall pick in this season’s draft, Georgios Papagiannis. Papagiannis was born in Greece and has played professional basketball in his home country since 2011, except for one season where he came to Pennsylvania to play high school basketball. This is a man who has never played more 28 professional games in a season and only played 10.5 minutes per game in those games. Stats courtesy of Real GM .

He is just 19 years old and is listed a 7’2 and 240 pounds. Clearly, this is a big man with a big body, but everything else about him is tough to project. I suspect he gets sent to the D-League at the start of the season, so he can play big minutes and develop his game. If he is shining in the D-League, I would not be surprised to see him getting some run with the Kings during the regular season. He is a player worth monitoring as the season progresses for any Kings fan.

Summary

Any position group that is kicked off by arguably the best player in the league at his position is an outstanding asset. The Kings’ center position has a good mix of talent, experience, safety, and upside.

Sacramento will be running out Cousins 34 minutes a night and letting Koufos fill out the remaining minutes to begin the season. Don’t be surprised to see Cousins take another step forward this season and Koufos is a solid veteran that is predictable. Throw in the upside of a lottery pick and this is the Kings top position group.

I am hoping Cousins avoids the injury bug and can log 80 plus games, Koufos can remain a pillar of health and consistent production, and Papagiannis dominates the D-League into logging some minutes on the NBA roster in the new calendar year. Enjoy watching Cousins dominate because it is really one of the great NBA sights to behold.