Keon Ellis has early advantage, but shooting guard battle isn't over yet

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Position battles are a time honored tradition of almost every NBA training camp. The Kings spurned this idea last season when they returned the same starting five from the previous year, although there was an awkward 24 hours when Chris Duarte started a preseason game over Kevin Huerter. Duarte quickly ended the debate when he injured his knee and missed the remainder of preseason.   

Huerter’s starting shooting guard spot might be up for debate again this year after the veteran struggled last year and then missed the final 15 games of the season with a shoulder injury. 

Complicating the matter more is that Huerter’s torn labrum required surgery and he is still awaiting clearance to return to full contact. That will come in mid-October, but he’ll likely have a ramp up period and may or may not be ready for the season opener on October 24 when the Kings play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

With Huerter on the shelf, second-year guard Keon Ellis stepped into the starting lineup and turned heads with both his defensive abilities and stellar perimeter shooting.

Ellis, who went undrafted in 2022 and began last season on a two-way contract, spent plenty of time this summer in Sacramento working with the training staff. He has already been tabbed as the short-term starter during training camp by Brown, although the Kings’ coach gave a more comprehensive answer to this question on Tuesday. 

“Right now, Keon has a shot, but that’s mainly because Kevin is out and as time goes on, it will work itself out,” Brown said during Tuesday’s first day of training camp. “So I’m not necessarily concerned about it. Keon is there right now, but that, for sure, can change.”