Head coaches face thousands of decisions over a season. They must decide whether to call timeouts, when to utilize challenges, when to deliver a motivational speech, etc. Of course, they must decide who will and will not be in the starting lineup.
Mike Brown, the Sacramento Kings’ head coach, has found it difficult to decide who should start. Four of the five positions are obvious: De’Aaron Fox, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis. The problem is that there is no definitive answer as to who should start at shooting guard.
As we’ve talked throughout the offseason, Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, and Kevin Huerter all have strong reasons for starting games at two-guard. Unfortunately, only one of them can get the job.
After playing coy all summer, Brown finally disclosed who the starting shooting guard will be heading into training camp, and based on his answer, it appears like he made the right decision.
Sacramento Kings Starting Shooting Guard
At media day on Monday, Brown revealed who will be the starting shooting guard for training camp. Here’s what he said:
UPDATE: Mike Brown tells @Sactown1140 Keon Ellis will run with the starting unit at the 2 guard position.
Mentioned Kevin Huerter being hurt and the desire to keep Malik Monk as the 6th man. pic.twitter.com/9KoAVFCCsh
— Allen Stiles (@The_StilesFiles) September 30, 2024
“[Ellis] will, by default, begin training camp,” Brown told Sactown Sports at media day.
According to Brown, the reason for this is that Huerter is still recovering from the shoulder injury that cut short his 2023-24 season, and the team wants to maintain Monk in the 6th man/Manu Ginobili role.
Regardless of how he got here, Brown is making the right decision. Both Monk and Huerter are offensive-minded players. The Kings already have enough of that in their starting lineup with Fox, DeRozan, and Sabonis.
The Kings need another guy like Murray, a two-way player who can defend, shoot, and attack from close range. And, as we’ve emphasized throughout the offseason, it is exactly what Ellis brings to the table.
Now, we’re not saying Ellis is the one that ends games at that position. That is a completely other discussion for a totally different topic. But, given this club and personnel, he should undoubtedly start the games.
If he sticks with it, Brown’s first decision of the season will be a huge success. Now, let’s hope he continues this pattern for the rest of the season.
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