The official start of the NBA season is less than 60 days away, so do the Sacramento Kings have any idea what their starting lineup will look like?

After thoroughly disrespecting both Zach Lavine and Domantas Sabonis by constantly telling the listening world that neither of these players can play defense, and attempting to trade both to any team interested, it looks likely that both will be announced in the starting lineup opening night.

I have stated my disgust with the organization's rhetoric as it relates to what either of these past all stars can't do, and it's about time to start beating the drum and telling the Sacramento faithful what they can do.

For starters, both Sabonis and Lavine are talented enough to start on 90% of the NBA teams today, and as for playing defense, it's high time the coaching staff stood up and took a bow. Defense just doesn't automatically happen, it has to be taught, and it appears that this coaching staff is short on teachers as to how NBA defense should be played.

The knock on Sabonis is largely without foundation, and although not a rim protector, Sabonis is a more than an adequate defender.

Bottom line is that Lavine has been thrown under the bus and never has Sacramento Kings fans stood for that type of coaching. Time to change the game plan, start appreciating what you have, and start coaching what you want to have.

As for the rest of the starting lineup, it would appear that alongside Sabonis and Lavine will be 5th year starter Keegan Murray, this year's 1st round draft choice Darius Acuff Jr., and a player that the Sacramento fan base probably doesn't recognize. His name is De'Andre Hunter and sadly played in only 2 games last season, after coming to the Kings by way of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Hunter sustained an eye injury that required surgery and sidelined him for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.

The good news is that Hunter has been reasonably durable over his career and played his first 5 seasons plus with the Atlanta Hawks. A career 14 per game scorer in the NBA, Hunter was awarded the NABC defensive player of the year in his sophomore season with the Virginia Cavaliers while in college. That bodes well for a Kings team begging for defensive help.

The 4th pick overall in the 2019 draft, Hunter may have slightly underachieved his draft status thus far, but he is no stranger to the starting lineup, and Kings fans won't get any deer in the headlights looks from newcomer De'Andre Hunter.

If in fact the starting lineup presents itself to be Sabonis, Lavine, Murray, Acuff, and Hunter, there remain a couple of significant questions.

Number one can the Kings find a chemistry early with these five players and avoid injuries while they are learning to play together?

Does this coaching staff have the acumen to teach the defensive strategies that they are so good at giving lip service to? So far, I've nothing to lead me to believe coach Christie knows how to coach NBA defense but I'm open to being wrong and glad if I am.

Lastly, can the coaching staff develop an aggressive bench? This is not an insignificant thing. First and foremost, know the talent sitting on the bench and develop it!

Play Malik Monk and start giving him the respect he deserves.

After Monk my #1 concern is finding minutes for 2nd round draft choice Emanuel Sharpe, who drafted 45th overall was an absolute steal in this year's draft.

Leaving a stellar college career behind, Sharpe set the record for the Houston Cougar's in three pointers made and was highly acclaimed for his high intensity defense and attack style offensive. Play him!

Find minutes for 1st round draft choice Alex Karaban. Don't waste valuable draft choices and send them to the G league.

Don't look now but the Kings just signed Ben Simmons to a one-year deal — yes, that Ben Simmons. I had my doubts when he worked out in town, but as I wrote last week, any player attempting a comeback deserves his shot. Let's hope he stays healthy and proves the skeptics wrong.

Stay tuned Kings fans because anything can change between now and October 20th.

All the best!

V.G. Harris