Can Kevin Huerter Thrive in Sacramento?
In one of the less-heralded moves of the 2022 NBA Offseason, the Atlanta Hawks traded guard Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Justin Holiday, Moe Harkless, and a future first-round pick per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The 23-year-old shooting guard has four years and $65 million remaining on his contract. He averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game last season.
Sacramento Is Getting a Fantastic Role Player
It’s a clear attempt by Sacramento to add three-point shooting they desperately needed. The NBA is a shooter’s league and Huerter is a career 38% shooter from three. He converted on 41.9% of his catch-and-shoot three-point attempts last year, which will be very beneficial for a Kings team that ranked 22nd in the league in C&S 3P%. He also provides a fair amount of playmaking on the wing, averaging 3.2 assists per game for his career. Huerter isn’t a star, but he’s the type of role player every NBA team should want.
Huerter is also no slouch on the defensive end. He may not be an all-world defender, but his effort and length at 6-7 mean he can hang out there.
Not only should the former Maryland Terrapin get plenty of touches in Sacramento, but there will also be very little expectations given that the Kings have missed the playoffs in 16 consecutive seasons. However, Huerter is very capable of handling any pressure. Atlanta fans may remember him as “Game 7 Kevin” after he poured in 27 points to clinch an Eastern Conference Finals berth in 2021.
Kevin Huerter is also an excellent culture guy with a good head on his shoulders. He showed that with his comments after signing his rookie extension with the Hawks. It would be easy to phone it in now that he is on the Kings, but Huerter can be trusted to give full effort and be a leader in the locker room.
Sacramento acquired Kevin Huerter for two vets on expiring contracts and a protected first-round pick. They should consider that a huge win; Red Velvet has the game and the personality to thrive with his new team and help them end their playoff drought. A new-and-improved young group of De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, and Keegan Murray has the Kings headed in the right direction.
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