Kings' Mike Brown and De'Aaron Fox React to Kevin Huerter's Struggles

Almost six months after the Golden State Warriors sent the Sacramento Kings packing in an intense seven-game first-round playoff series, the Kings hosted the Warriors for their first home game of the 2023-24 NBA season, looking for revenge. In a highly-anticipated home opener in Golden 1 Center, Golden State beat Sacramento 122-114.

Despite an off-season full of trade rumors, the Kings kept G Kevin Huerter in Sacramento, as he proved to be one of the league's most valuable sharpshooters in their 48-win 2022-23 season.

Now, to start their 2023-24 campaign, Huerter has struggled. In their season opener against the Utah Jazz, Huerter played 24 minutes but shot 3-9 from the field and 1-5 from deep for a mere seven points.

In Friday night's loss, Huerter played just 16 minutes despite starting the game, shooting 0-5 from the field (all three-point attempts) on his way to a scoreless outing.

Huerter's struggles have not only caught the attention of Kings fans but players and coaches as well. After shooting a career-best 40% from deep last season, the 25-year-old guard is off to a cold start when the Kings need him most.

Kings All-NBA G De'Aaron Fox showed support for his backcourt partner following Friday's loss (via @James_HamNBA | X):

"You stay the course. This league is 82 games. We've played two. ...You want [Huerter] to stay the course. He got to this level for a reason, he's stayed at this level for a reason, he got his extension for a reason. Those things don't happen by accident. You go through tough spells, you see the best shooters in the world go through rough spells, so we want him to continue to be him. Obviously, we're asking him, defensively, to chase guys and fight through screens... that's part of being a professional two-guard in this league. ...He knows what his job and he's just struggling right now."

Fox, as a leader on this young Kings squad, will always stick up for his teammate, even when much of the fanbase is likely against him. Huerter has proven how valuable he is on the court, and even though HC Mike Brown benched him for the majority of a close game against a division rival, it does not mean the team has lost faith in him.

“I know he’s working hard every single day.” -Keegan Murray on Kevin Huerter pic.twitter.com/Ory0E0f67I
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) October 28, 2023

Brown spoke on Huerter's struggles and the possibility of making a change to the lineup following a 1-1 start to the season (via @NBCSKings | X):

"Kevin [Huerter] is not the only one that made mistakes tonight, you know, there are plenty of guys that made mistakes, and when I evaluate the team, I'm not just looking at Kevin and thinking about taking Kevin out of the starting lineup. There are other changes that can be made. With the flexibility we feel we have with this team, that's something that I always have to take a look at. ...He's been in the league long enough to where he's been through some stuff. I think his mental toughness, us encouraging him as much as we can, us telling him 'Hey if you're open, let that thing fly,' us continuing to try to work with him in the areas that we feel he can be better at. ...I think eventually his shooting will be where it needs to be for him to feel good and for it to help us win some ball games."

The Kings have Huerter's back despite a cold streak. The organization knows how vital Huerter was to Sacramento's success last season, and he will remain a valuable team member.

The Kings and their fanbase hope Huerter finds his groove again, as having a player with that shooting ability on the floor makes a significant difference. Sacramento hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday and visits Golden State on Wednesday, so having an effective Huerter could be the difference in those tough matchups.

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