Kings struggle in preseason, trade Jalen McDaniels to Spurs

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The Sacramento Kings didn’t put their best foot forward during Sunday afternoon’s 105-85 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and they now sit at 0-3 for the preseason schedule. With two more games on the docket before the regular season, they have work to do.

Through three games, the Kings are shooting just 24.8 percent from 3-point range while allowing their opponents to hit 44 percent from deep. They’ve averaged 18 turnovers a game in the first three games, including 27 turnovers against the Blazers on Sunday. 

Overall, the play has been sloppy, but it’s preseason. Head coach Mike Brown has used a combination of surefire rotational players and a handful of NBA hopefuls to piece together a squad, including Isaac Jones, Isaiah Crawford, Mason Jones and Boogie Ellis.

The veterans have done a nice job of pushing the tempo and getting out on the break, and each of the younger players have had moments. It hasn’t been pretty, but that is what preseason basketball is usually about -- shaking off rust and making mistakes.

There are moments when the Kings have looked like a cohesive unit and others when they are a complete mess. Hopefully this inconsistent play doesn’t bleed too deep into the regular season.

Reinforcements are here

Jordan McLaughlin made his Kings debut on Sunday and made an immediate impact. The 28-year-old point guard is a disruptive defensive player and knows his role on the offensive side of the ball.

Against Portland, McLaughlin posted 10 points on 2-for-3 shooting from long range in 19 minutes. Despite missing all of training camp with a grade 2 ankle sprain, he showed very little signs of rust.

In addition to McLaughlin, the Kings received great news on Kevin Huerter. After more than six months of rehab for a torn labrum in his left shoulder, the sharpshooting wing has been cleared to resume full contact. He has already started the return to play process and there is potential for him to be ready for the start of the regular season on Oct. 24 when the Kings host the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I’m eager, I want to get back, I want to be back on the court with this team,” Huerter told media members following Monday’s practice. “I’m excited to get in with this group, but like I said, it’s a long season, 82, when I come back, I want to be here to stay, not in and out of the lineup.”

I missed Monday’s practice due to a scheduling conflict, but our friend Sean Cunningham has the video of Huerter up. During the clip, Huerter also confirmed that he is done wearing a headband after having such a traumatic experience on the court with the shoulder injury. For now, “Headband Huerter” is a thing of the past.