Kings’ Player Power Rankings Week 6: Fox Shines as Team Improves Record

Team Record (11-7) 4th in the West, 1st in the Pacific Division, & 1st in West Group C of the In-Season Tournament

Apologies for the delay, folks! The past couple of weeks have been quite eventful. Let’s get right into it: the Kings have improved to an impressive 11-7 record, with an even more remarkable 9-4 record with Fox leading the charge. With a winning percentage close to 70%, they would rank third in the league overall. I can’t stress enough how De’Aaron Fox is playing like a top-10 player this season. In a recent roundtable discussion, I highlighted his newfound confidence as the key differentiator. He knows he possesses a versatile skill set that allows him to create any shot he desires, while also demonstrating improved court awareness and a better understanding of running the offense. His career-high 16 dimes from last night exemplify his growth in these areas.

After witnessing De’Aaron Fox’s remarkable career-high in assists last night, it’s worth mentioning the positive impact of Mike Brown’s tighter rotation. In recent weeks, the team faced challenges as Brown experimented with various player combinations and struggled to find the optimal lineup. However, the return of Keegan, Sasha’s improved performance, and Keon earning the trust of the coaching staff have brought stability and boosted confidence.

Looking ahead to tonight, the Kings will once again face their kryptonite of the early season, Zion Williamson, and the New Orleans Pelicans. While the Kings have suffered defeats in both previous matchups against the Pelicans, it’s important to note that those games were played primarily without the availability of Keegan Murray. Another important factor heading into this game is the increase in Monk’s playing time, averaging over 27 minutes per game in his last five, which is likely to continue against the Pelicans. As Monk eloquently put it after the Nuggets win, “They can’t stop both of us — it’s pick your poison”  The last thing I’ll point out is that with CJ McCollum expected to return, the Pelicans will lose the defensive advantage of utilizing Herb Jones and Dyson Daniels to contain Fox. Even if they do focus on Fox, Monk will be there as a reliable release valve. Here’s hoping we have a long prosperous run to the inaugural championship of the mid-season NBA Cup thingy! 

Malik Monk on tonight's win over the Nuggets, bouncing back from the loss to the Clippers, the 26 points he scored off the bench and career high 16 assists from De'Aaron Fox. pic.twitter.com/LayGwxKwAI

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) December 3, 2023

1. De’Aaron Fox: Fox is ELITE! He’s absolutely crushing it this season with 30 plus points, 6.6 assists on 48.6% shooting, and 37% from deep on over jacks 8 per game, which is over 3 more attempts than last year. Career efficiency on career attempts = one happy Kings fanboy.
2. Domantas Sabonis: So, Sabonis had a bit of a “down” week… if you can even call it that. He put up 12 points, 9 boards, and nearly 7 assists per game which would be a pretty solid week for most other centers in the association. I’m not saying it’s a problem or that I’m worried long-term term but getting punked in back-to-back games by the likes of Ivica Zubac and Kevon Looney feels like getting stuck on the Great Sky Island in the Tears of the Kingdom before even really exploring the map — where my Zelda dorks at?!? And now, our guy is gearing up to face the towering force that is Jonas Valanciunas, who not only recently Domas’s lunch in their last two encounters but also bears an uncanny resemblance to a fearsome Lynel from TOTK. 
3. Malik Monk: Monk, oh Monk, the hero we didn’t know we needed. That game-winning shot against the Warriors was sweeter than a scoop of Tillamook ice cream on a hot summer day. It put those cocky Dubs in their place and sent a clear message: the Beam Team is here to stay! And while he’s at it, Malik is having a career-high season in points, shooting an impressive 41.3% from downtown. He’s like a sniper out there, picking off defenders one by one. Plus, he’s dishing out assists like a generous deli serving up delicious slices of Tillamook’s delightful aged cheddar. I may or may not be on a diet so forgive the back-to-back Tillamook references. In just 24.5 minutes per game, Monk is leaving his mark and making sure the league takes notice.
4. Keegan Murray: After a couple of weeks on the sidelines, Keeg’s made his return last night and made an immediate impact. Putting up 8 points and 4 boards in 23 minutes, he showed that he’s ready to contribute. We can expect his presence as the primary defender against Brandon Ingram in the upcoming Pelicans game to make a significant difference for our team.
5. Kevin Huerter: Red Velvet is back and better than ever! While his shooting may have struggled early on, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It gave him the chance to focus on other aspects of the game, resulting in him playing the best defense of his life and rebounding at a career-high level. This newfound versatility allows us to play him more at the small forward position, which is a massive pin in our play Monk more cap!
6. Harrison Barnes: It seems like Harrison Barnes used my two-week hiatus from this column to shake off any rust and get back into top form. In his last 7 games, he’s been averaging around 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting an impressive 50%.
7. Trey Lyles: Folks, let’s officially welcome Trey to the player rankings! It’s early but Trey is off to a solid start averaging 8 points and 6 rebounds in 21 minutes per game. 
8. Sasha Vezenkov: Now, I’m not saying running Sasha at the 3 is the most sustainable strategy, but hey, the guy’s got some pep in his step! He’s been competing on the defensive end and racking up some impressive plus-minus numbers. In fact, in two out of the last three games, he led the team in that department. Who knew Sasha had some secret defensive skills up his sleeve? Keep surprising us, Sasha.
9. JaVale McGee: JaVale might not be getting a ton of minutes regularly, but when he does hit the court, he’s exactly what we expect him to be. And for this team, that means a lot. I for one want to see more minutes of Trey at the five and Sasha at the four which would spell even less time for JaVale. But hey, in certain matchups, he can go out there and have an impact like he did against the Nuggets, earning the defensive player of the game honors.
10. Keon Ellis: Keon might not have eye-popping numbers, but he brings versatility on the defensive end. And hey, he knows his role when it comes to taking shots – only when he’s open. That’s totally fine when he’s sharing the court with Fox or Monk, who can light it up. But you know what’s even more interesting about Keon? It’s how his contract situation will play out. Two-way players only get to play in 50 games per season.

On the bubble – Colby Jones – Okay, hold on tight because Colby Jones is tearing it up in the G-League! He’s averaging a whopping 21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4.5 steals per game. I can’t wait for this dude to get called up and give Keon and Harrison a run for their minutes. Watch out, fellas, Colby’s coming for you!