Kings' Kevin Huerter on Cold Streak as Trade Season Approaches
The Sacramento Kings have won 12 of their last 17 games, but it has been a bumpy road. Despite beating the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night to extend their hot streak, one major concern has developed. In his last four games, Kings G Kevin Huerter averaged just 3.5 points per game with 19.2/20.0 shooting splits.
While the Kings have won three of their last four outings, their sharpshooter has not been very sharp. Is it time to worry about Huerter?
This is not Huerter's first cold streak of the season, but it is the most worrying. Through the first five games of the season, Huerter averaged just 6.8 points per game on 28.9/20.0 splits but looked like himself after that. Now that Huerter has slipped back into the ice, there is concern about his consistency.
All shooters have cold and hot streaks, but Kings HC Mike Brown has been given the challenge of whether or not to keep Huerter on the court while struggling. After averaging 27.9 minutes per game through Sacramento's first 19 games, Huerter has played just 17.6 minutes per night through his last four.
Luckily, the Kings have one of the best bench guards in the league to fill in for Huerter when he is struggling. In this same four-game span, Kings G Malik Monk averaged 15.0 points and 7.3 assists while playing 27.6 minutes per game.
With a trade window for Sacramento quickly approaching, the Kings' front office has to decide whether Huerter is more of a trade asset or a championship asset.
The Kings are a stronger team when Huerter plays at his best, but it is about finding that consistency. The Kings are 6-0 this season when Huerter scored 15+ points, so if the 25-year-old sharpshooter can get back on track, Sacramento is in a good position.
If the Kings are in the trade market, Huerter could be a top candidate to get shipped away, especially since the Kings are proving they can win even while he is practically unplayable.
Follow Inside The Kings on Facebook and X.
Subscribe on YouTube for breaking Kings news videos and live-stream podcasts!
