Kings G Chris Duarte: 'I Feel Like Everyday We Make the Next Step'

The Sacramento Kings are two games into their five-game 2023 preseason campaign but are off to a rough start. After back-to-back losses, the Kings look to bounce back and gain momentum heading into the regular season.

The Kings have had trouble finding consistent play from their bench unit to start the preseason, but after a long off-season, this is destined to happen. G Chris Duarte had a rough Kings debut, shooting 2-9 from the field, but bounced back in his second game with impressive play on both sides of the ball.

Duarte spoke on his start to the preseason, along with the strides made by the team (via @SeanCunningham / X):

"I feel like every day we make the next step, and every day we communicate with each other... This preseason is for us to get together and get ready for the season... The first game I was out there, I just felt like a King. That was my first game back after 209 days, so I feel like it was a step forward for me especially on the defensive side. That's where I feel like the team needs help."

The Kings acquired Duarte from the Indiana Pacers via trade this off-season, hoping to rejuvenate his young career. Duarte, 26, can be valuable to Sacramento on both sides of the ball, as the wing plays with high intensity and typically makes the right play.

Duarte missed much of last season with an ankle injury and ultimately fell out of the Pacers rotation while healthy. Back to 100% health, Duarte fits right in with the rest of this young Kings squad, and his development could prove valuable to Sacramento's success.