Kings HC Mike Brown Making Exciting Change to Starting Lineup

The Sacramento Kings are set to have their first rematch against the Golden State Warriors in Sunday's preseason action. The Warriors took down the Kings in the first round of the 2023 playoffs, as they now return to the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento for the first time since the heartbreaking Game 7.

Kings HC Mike Brown is using preseason action to test different lineups, rotations, and game plans. After surprisingly starting F Sasha Vezenkov in Wednesday's loss against the Los Angeles Lakers, he is making another shocking lineup change.

Brown is inserting G Chris Duarte into the starting lineup for Sunday's matchup against the Warriors. Duarte will take the place of G Kevin Huerter, as the sharpshooter will now come off the bench.

Brown explained this lineup change during Saturday's practice and if this move could translate to the regular season (via @MattGeorgeSAC / X):

"I'll consider anything. Anything that I think will help us... Every decision that I make, in my opinion, will be to help this team be better. With Duarte, what he did in the last game, he did exactly the things that I'm asking for... Defensively, when it comes to being physical, he did very, very well. He did it at a high level and that is what we're going to expect from all of our guys throughout the course of the year."

Duarte's defensive effort and intensity have earned him a spot in the starting lineup, even though the change might not stick heading into the regular season. Duarte, 26, has the opportunity to prove himself with the starters.

The 6'6" wing has shown he is one of the best perimeter defenders on the team and has impressed the coaching staff and Kings fans through the two preseason games.

The expected starting lineup on Sunday:

G De'Aaron Fox

G Chris Duarte

F Keegan Murray

F Harrison Barnes

C Domantas Sabonis

The Kings look to bounce back after two consecutive losses, and experimenting with this starting lineup could be what the team needs. After getting scrimmage reps in with the starters during Saturday's practice, Duarte will get his opportunity in the backcourt with All-Star G De'Aaron Fox.

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