Is 3-Point Shooting an Early Preseason Concern for the Kings?

The Sacramento Kings tied with the Brooklyn Nets for the worst 3-point shooting team last season, and the preseason has not shown much improvement.

Sacramento has shot 14-for-59 (23.7%) beyond the arc in two games against the Los Angeles Lakers. Rookies Darius Acuff Jr. and Emanuel Sharp have combined 7-for-28 from three (25%).

While they haven't knocked down their threes, it’s an encouraging sign that Acuff and Sharp are confident shooters; the makes will soon follow.

Los Angeles’ defensive intensity and physicality forced Acuff to take difficult sidestep threes, and Sharp struggled to convert catch-and-shoot attempts.

These shooting woes have contributed to a 0-2 preseason record. Sacramento’s offense becomes clunky when the team can’t make threes.

It bogs down to Acuff isolation possessions or Maxime Raynaud post-ups when the veterans aren’t playing. Floor spacing is essential for any NBA offense, and the Kings desperately need to improve.

That requires a philosophy for coach Doug Christie. Sacramento shot a league-worst 30.3 threes, and Christie aims to change that.

He acknowledged that the team needs to run more half-court plays to create catch-and-shoot opportunities. Those chances may come from the dribble handoff action or a structured pick-and-roll.

Domantas Sabonis and Ben Simmons are playmaking X-factors. They will make Sacramento's offense run smoothly when healthy, and the ball is in their hands.

Sabonis is an elite screen setter. His strong base slows chasing defenders, and the Kings' guards create separation with Sabonis' help.

Acuff got easy shots on Monday, but struggled to replicate that success on Thursday when Sabonis sat.

Simmons sees the entire court at 6-foot-10. He can grab-and-go off a defensive rebound or whip a cross-court pass from the post to an open shooter.

His playmaking is a significant reason general manager Scott Perry took a risk and signed the 30-year-old, aiding his NBA comeback.

Sacramento missed that playmaking last season since Sabonis underwent season-ending surgery in February. The team hasn’t seen Simmons take the court for two preseason games either.

Christie wants to win games in his second full season as head coach. Health and the Kings’ ability to become a respectable 3-point shooting team, like they were in the 2022-23 season, will be a key factor in their success this season.

They must increase their shot attempts to place themselves in a position to improve. Veteran shooters like Zach LaVine, Malik Monk and Keegan Murray will help.

Acuff and Sharp will also help Sacramento get threes up during the regular season.