Predicting the Kings’ Starting Lineup for the 2023-24 NBA Season

The Kings have loads of talent, but who will step up in their starting lineup?

Logan Struck | Aug 16, 2023

Predicting the Kings’ Starting Lineup for the 2023-24 NBA Season /

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Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings have welcomed multiple new additions to the squad this off-season as they gear up for a highly anticipated 2023-24 season. Following a disappointing first-round loss in the 2023 playoffs to the Golden State Warriors, the Kings have retooled their roster.

Sacramento's GM, Monte McNair, did an exceptional job keeping the core group of guys together following a 48-win season. As they look to build upon the regular season success of last season and make a deep playoff run, it all starts with who head coach Mike Brown puts on the floor.

The 2022-23 Kings starting lineup, barring injuries, consisted of De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis. These starters led Sacramento to break the longest playoff drought in the NBA, so the Kings' front office is heading into next season with the right mindset: If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

Here is the projected Sacramento Kings 2023-24 starting lineup:

Point Guard: De'Aaron Fox

De'Aaron Fox is coming off the best season of his career, earning All-NBA 3rd Team honors and catapulting into the top 5 NBA point guard conversation. Through 73 games, he averaged 25.0 points, 6.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game with 51/32/78 shooting splits.

The All-Star proved to be one of the premier rim finishers in the league, if not the best. Shooting an exceptional 76.5% on 285 attempts at the rim last season, Fox's elite finishing combined with elite speed and athleticism makes him such an effective floor general on this Kings squad.

Fox has continued to make leaps year after year, as Kings fans can think about what improvements the 25-year-old guard will make for next season. The 6'3" point guard is an elite finisher, but will we see him improve his three-point shooting?

Shooting Guard: Kevin Huerter

The battle for the starting spot at shooting guard is as competitive as ever for the Sacramento Kings as Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk fight for the starting spot.

Kevin Huerter should win the position battle because of how valuable he proved to be last season. Averaging 15.2 points per game while shooting 40.2% from deep, Huerter put the league on notice on his way to a three-point contest appearance during the 2023 NBA All-Star weekend.

The 24-year-old guard started all 75 regular-season appearances and all 7 playoff games.

Malik Monk was incredible off the bench, averaging 13.5 points per game with 44/36/89 shooting splits in the regular season, and proved to be an impressive playoff performer with 19.0 points per game in the first round. Monk finished 5th in the 2022-23 Sixth Man of the Year voting and should continue to provide off the bench.

Small Forward: Keegan Murray

In the 2022 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings took a chance on a kid out of Iowa with the 4th overall pick. A year later, Keegan Murray is a premier rising star in the league and a proven sharpshooter.

The 22-year-old forward broke the NBA record for most threes made in a season by a rookie on his way to NBA All-Rookie 1st Team honors. One year after winning the 2022 NBA Summer League MVP, Murray showed out in the 2023 NBA Summer League California Classic with an all-time 41-point performance.

His outstanding rookie year put the league on notice, as Murray was selected to the USA Select Team for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Keegan Murray's talent was on display while competing with some of the best.

Kings fans and NBA scouts expect Murray to take a sophomore leap as he looks to become a third star in Sacramento.

Power Forward: Harrison Barnes

While the re-signing of Harrison Barnes this off-season surprised many Kings fans, it was a fantastic move by Monte McNair. The veteran forward is one of the most consistent players in the NBA, as he has not averaged less than 14 points per game in a season since 2016.

The 31-year-old forward might stand out on a Kings team full of young talent, but Barnes is the only NBA champion on Sacramento's roster.

Harrison Barnes will have the starting job, but not without some competition. The Sacramento Kings brought in 2023 EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov, and he will give Barnes some trouble for this spot.

While Vezenkov will likely not start opening day, Kings fans should not be surprised if he is the starting power forward mid-season.

Center: Domantas Sabonis

Domantas Sabonis, a three-time All-Star, could go down as one of the best acquisitions in Sacramento Kings history. The Kings traded for Sabonis in February of 2022, and he immediately made a difference. Sabonis is 52-42 as a King and led Sacramento to their first winning season since 2006.

The 27-year-old center joined De'Aaron Fox on the 2023 All-NBA 3rd Team, becoming the first Kings All-NBA center since Demarcus Cousins.

Sabonis led the NBA in total rebounds last season while averaging 19.1 points per game and shooting a career-high 61.5% from the field.

Domantas Sabonis will continue to improve, and with more playoff experience, he will lead Sacramento to championship contention. Kings fans should be excited by the future of their young core, centered around Sabonis, Fox, Murray, Huerter, and Monk.

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Published Aug 16, 2023

LOGAN STRUCK

Logan Struck is the Deputy Editor for Inside the Kings - SI.com's team website following the Sacramento Kings.