If the season goes how coach Paul Westphal would like, Marcus Thornton won't average the 38.1 minutes he logged in 27 games with the Kings last season. Nor will Tyreke Evans average the 37 minutes he did last season.
Westphal plans to take advantage of the deepest roster he has had in three seasons in Sacramento by trying to avoid playing anyone heavy minutes unnecessarily.
"I think we have a pretty deep team, so I'm thinking we'll be going nine or 10 deep anyway, and I think that will help us," Westphal said. "It will be a real rarity if someone plays 40 minutes in a game as long as we're all healthy."
Evans and Thornton are the only returning Kings who averaged 30 minutes or more last season. Beno Udrih was the only other King last season to average more than 30 minutes (34.6).
Udrih was traded to Milwaukee in June in the deal that landed John Salmons and Jimmer Fredette.
Westphal said "it will probably be more like the low 30s for the starters."
With this season's compressed 66-game schedule, the Kings hope youth and depth will bring them more victories.
"I think this team is conducive to that kind of rotation anyway because we have more depth," Westphal said. "And I think with the games coming as fast as they are, it can really be to our benefit. It's a good way to go for that reason, too."
Some coaches prefer a tight eight-man rotation, while others like using 10 or more players. Westphal said he has no preference.
"It all depends on your personnel," Westphal said. "It all depends on what suits your particular team."
Inactives – Second-year center Hassan Whiteside was the only King who did not dress for Monday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers were without starting center Andrew Bynum, who served the second of a four-game suspension for a flagrant foul in last season's Western Conference semifinals against Dallas.
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