Will Kings Have Dress Rehearsal in Preseason Finale?

Coach Doug Christie may reveal the Sacramento Kings' regular-season starting lineup in Friday's preseason finale against the San Antonio Spurs.

Teams often treat the final preseason game as a dress rehearsal, giving fans a glimpse of what the rotation will look like on opening night.

Darius Acuff Jr., Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis are penciled in as four of the five starters. The fifth starter spot has been an open battle since training camp, and Christie will choose the winner on Friday.

Senior NBA writer Marc Spears reported that Ben Simmons is expected to be Sacramento's fifth starter in the regular season.

Simmons starting would be a unique decision made by Christie. He'd leapfrog De'Andre Hunter and Precious Achiuwa, two returners, in one month after signing a one-year deal last month.

The 30-year-old doesn't space the floor like Hunter; he's never been a three-point shooter, which Sacramento needs. Simmons thrives as a playmaker, running the pick-and-roll and surveying the defense while driving downhill.

Acuff, LaVine and Sabonis want the ball to run the offense, which makes Simmons a clunky fit. The 6-foot-10 forward is a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions.

It may take time for Christie to maximize the lineup, but that's what dress rehearsals are for. The starters will play close to their typical minutes and build chemistry ahead of a grueling 82-game season.

Sacramento's rookie point guard has gotten a lot of run next to LaVine. Their time together is crucial to establishing an effective dynamic that lets them thrive without stepping on each other's toes.

Acuff played with Sabonis in their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, and their pick-and-roll connection looked strong. The three-time All-Star center set solid screens, freeing up his rookie to create space for easy mid-range jump shots.

Their two-man game creates easy offense for Sacramento, and they've only worked on it once.

The Kings can't afford to start the regular season slow like they did last year. They were 8-25 entering the new year, and that's with LaVine and Sabonis trying their best to carry the team.

Friday's game against the Spurs is the perfect time for Christie to trot out his best players and cement his new rotation. He could be on the chopping block this season, as performance expectations rise for the second-year head coach after a disastrous year.

Sacramento is aiming for its first preseason win, but the process and how the starting lineup fits is something to look out for in the finale.