Doug Christie's Honest Statement on the Kings Rotations

Between the five starters in Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis, and defensive ace Keon Ellis off the bench, the Kings have six strong options to close out games.

Since LaVine made his Kings debut, Christie has mixed up the closing rotation in the six games prior to the All-Star break. We've seen DeRozan sub in and out for offense and defense, Murray sit to end games, and Ellis not get in to close out the loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, much to fans dismay.

It's hard to argue against Ellis being part of the closing lineup, even with him being the youngest and least-paid player of the group.

During the last six games, Ellis has a +22.7 net rating in just over three minutes of clutch time, the highest on the team during the stretch.

That's obviously a small sample size, but it matches the eye test that Ellis contributes to winning basketball, especially at the end of games. He balances out the roster that otherwise leans heavily towards offense.

Christie noted that the rotations may change game to game, depending on the situation. But it's clear that he's willing to do whatever it takes to win and is going to be asking the same for his players.

The Kings get their first chance to get back in the win column tomorrow night at home against the Golden State Warriors, and if it's a close game at all down the stretch, all eyes will be on who plays and who sits, and how the team responds to the decisions Christie makes.

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