The Kings would have no problem increasing rookie center Spencer Hawes playing time if he earns it. He has played in 22 games so far this season and he is averaging 9.3 mintues, 3.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. His problem has been his shooting as he’s only hitting 39.1% from the floor and that’s unacceptable for a player his size.

The Kings have signed shooting guard Dahntay Jones and they have released center Darryl Watkins. The Kings need playmakers on offense and they think Jones can help them out. Jones has played in 221 games (36 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 15.6 minutes, 5.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He also is a decent shooter as he has made 44.2% of his shots from the floor, 33% of his shots from three point range and 72.2% from the free throw line in his career. He will likely get decent playing time once he learns all of the plays the Kings have. Undrafted rookie center Darryl Watkins just didn’t play too well in his limited time on the basketball court. He played in 9 games (0 starts) with the Kings this season and he averaged 7.9 minutes, 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. He also shot poorly as he only hit 33.3% of his shots from the floor.

Quincy Douby and Spencer Hawes are having a rough time in December. Douby was the 1st round pick for the Kings last season and he still isn’t showing much. He has played in 5 games this month for the Kings and he is averaging 10.0 minutes, 3.6 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. This year’s #1 pick, center Spencer Hawes has also had a tough month. Hawes has played in 5 games this month for the Kings and he is averaging 9.8 minutes, 2.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. Both of these guys are shooting awful from the floor this month as Douby (31.3%) and Hawes (22.2%) are bending the rim with their jumpshots and that will need to change if they want to get off of the bench and play more.

John Salmons is off to an outstanding start to the month of December. Salmons has played in 5 games this month (3 starts) and he is averaging 34.2 minutes, 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He also is shooting an amazing 57.9% from the floor so far this month. The Kings need Salmons to keep up the good work as he has replaced the injured Kevin Martin in the starting lineup.

The Kings are in 4th place in the Pacific Division as they are 8-12 which has them 7 games behind the Suns. The Kings have big problems on defense as they are allowing 102.9 points per game. The Kings have actually been pretty good at home as they are 8-4 but on the road they are 0-8 and that will need to change or the Kings will be in for a long, long season.