{"id":41880,"date":"2025-11-07T03:13:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T03:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/41880\/"},"modified":"2025-11-07T03:13:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T03:13:09","slug":"the-sacramento-kings-mid-range-habit-three-point-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/41880\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sacramento Kings Mid-Range Habit, Three-Point Problem"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the modern NBA, the ideal shot profile prioritizes attempts at the rim or from three-point range. But each team must play to the strengths of its roster, and the 2025-26 Sacramento Kings aren\u2019t a typical roster.<\/p>\n

Just having DeMar DeRozan on the roster leads to a heavy dose of mid-range jump shots. The 36-year-old veteran leads the league in mid-range attempts with eight per game, while second-place Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is nearly two attempts behind at 6.1 a night.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m certainly not about to advocate for the 28th all-time leading scorer in NBA history to alter his game in year 17.<\/p>\n

DeRozan\u2019s ability to create and convert those looks is the key skill that bolstered his Hall of Fame career and remains viable now.<\/p>\n

He has led the league in average mid-range attempts in each of the last four seasons as well. Everyone knows what DeRozan brings; it\u2019s just about formulating ideal spacing with the remaining roster.<\/p>\n

But he\u2019s not the only King to prefer that shot. In 2020-21, the last time DeRozan didn\u2019t lead that category, it was now teammate Russell Westbrook with the Los Angeles Lakers.<\/p>\n

Per Cleaning the Glass, 47 percent of Dennis Schroder\u2019s attempts have come from the mid-range. Zach LaVine, a true three-level scorer, takes a fair share as well.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where the complications lie and why the 2025-26 Sacramento Kings are leading the NBA in mid-range attempts as a team (15.9). Boston, 13.3 attempts per game, is in second place.<\/p>\n

For what it\u2019s worth, they led the league in that category last season as well. It may simply be a result of the current roster\u2019s composition, but it\u2019s a challenging formula when trying to keep up with teams that shoot a high volume and a solid rate of triples.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end of the game, normally we talk about how many threes that have been passed up,\u201d Kings head coach Doug Christie said before Wednesday\u2019s win over the Warriors. \u201cI\u2019m still at about that 40 (three-point attempts) number.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kings head coach Doug Christie talks about hosting the shorthanded Warriors tonight without Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine, the addition of Precious Achiuwa and looking for more 3-point attempts. pic.twitter.com\/RsGMmSQFwY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) November 6, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Well, Sacramento is dead last in 3PA\/g (29.3) while their opponents average 36.1 a night. Most of the other \u201cgood\u201d teams with limited long-range looks are equipped with high-caliber defenses on the other end.<\/p>\n

The Pistons (31.0 3PA\/g) are currently the third-ranked defense, but their shot profile has also been an early point of concern. Orlando, who attempts the third fewest triples, is another example.<\/p>\n

Houston (30.1 3PA\/g) owns the 6th-best defensive rating, but they\u2019ve also managed to put together the best offense so far. Having Kevin Durant certainly helps that.<\/p>\n

The Kings don\u2019t have the defense or elite bucket-getter of that caliber. DeRozan remains phenomenal, but he\u2019s no Durant.<\/p>\n

Eight games into the year, Sacramento sits 25th in defensive rating and 19th offensively, per NBA Stats<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Plenty would point to their apparent defensive inefficiencies as the obvious area to clean up, but I\u2019d argue that they\u2019re roster isn\u2019t built for that. Yes, defense is primarily about effort and effective communication. Yet, the roster that general manager Scott Perry inherited and slightly altered lacks a baseline of defensive instincts, lateral movement, size, and athleticism.<\/p>\n

It all comes back to what they can consistently do well. Right now, there\u2019s no obvious answer. Getting Keegan Murray back will help with all of the above. He\u2019s one of their best three-point shooters and only consistently reliable forward on the roster (unless Russell Westbrook falls under that category at this point).<\/p>\n

Their roster is catered towards offensive success with an aging shot profile. Again, I find it to be more of a roster problem rather than taking issue with specific players \u2014 I\u2019m never going to be a \u201cDeRozan needs to take more threes\u201d type of guy.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s a curiosity as to whether the Kings will sometimes be unable to keep up with their opponents, sporting a combination of minimal threes and abysmal defense.<\/p>\n

Currently, converting 37.6% of their looks from deep certainly helps. They attempted\u00a0twenty fewer triples than Golden State on Wednesday night, but still managed to come away with the win.<\/p>\n

Ultimatley, if they can find ways to win games, it won\u2019t matter, but the impact of their unique roster construction has been apparent early in the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n

More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

After only eight games with the Sacramento Kings, Russell Westbrook is already becoming a fan favorite.<\/p>\n

The Athletic\u2018s Sam Amick<\/a>\u00a0joined\u00a0The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross\u00a0on Thursday to share his thoughts on Westbrook\u2019s impressive play to begin the season, dive into the Kings\u2019 performance as they navigate injuries, and much more.<\/p>\n

Plus, Sacramento is listed as a favorite to trade for Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant. Will Memphis move the guard by February\u2019s trade deadline?<\/p>\n

Read More:<\/p>\n

Sam Amick on Russell Westbrook\u2019s impact & Ja Morant\u2019s situation in Memphis<\/a><\/p>\n

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?<\/p>\n

Sacramento will continue a five-game homestand on Friday night when it faces the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden 1 Center.<\/p>\n

On October 28th, the Kings dropped a close 107-101 contest in Oklahoma City, one that saw Sacramento lead for 39 of the 48 regulation minutes before the Thunder pulled away late.<\/p>\n

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Thunder action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on\u00a0The Drive Guys\u00a0before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.<\/p>\n

Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Friday, November 7th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nSunday, November 9th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves \u2013 6:00 PM PT
\nTuesday, November 11th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Denver Nuggets \u2013 8:00 PM PT
\nWednesday, November 12th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Atlanta Hawks \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nFriday, November 14th\u00a0\u2013 @ Minnesota Timberwolves \u2013 1:00 PM PT
\nSunday, November 16th\u00a0\u2013 @ San Antonio Spurs \u2013 1:00 PM PT<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n

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