25-year old power forward Jason Thompson has been playing well since he has been inserted into the starting lineup.  In his last five games, Thompson is averaging 8.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.  He has now played in 19 games (5 starts) so far this year for the Kings and he is averaging 20.1 minutes, 7.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.  Chuck Hayes is getting close to a return to action and he will likely get his starting job back, but Thompson has filled in pretty well for him.

22-year old shooting guard Tyreke  Evans is looking good this year for the Kings.  He is taking better shots, but not nearly as many as he did last season when he was playing hurt.  Evans has played in 9 games (all starts) for the Kings so far this year and he is averaging 34.0 minutes, 17.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game.  Evans looks more mature this year as he is starting to put the team first.

23-year old shooting guard Marcus Thornton was outstanding for the Kings after coming over from the Hornets in a deal for Carl Landry at the trade deadline.  Thornton played in 27 games (23 starts) for the Kings last year and he averaged 38.1 minutes, 21.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game.  He played in 73 games (23 starts) overall for the Hornets and Kings last year and he averaged 24.3 minutes, 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.  Thornton has now played in 146 games (40 starts) in his first two years in the NBA and he is averaging 25.0 minutes, 13.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.  This deal is looking like a steal so far for the Kings as Thornton is likely going to have a big role with them going forward.

21-year old shooting guard Tyreke Evans was the NBA Rookie of the Year for the Kings in the 2009-2010 season.  Injuries to his feet really hamstrung him this season as he wasn’t likely 100% at any time of the year.  Evans played in 57 games (53 starts) for the Kings last year and he averaged 37.0 minutes, 17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game.  He has now played in 129 games (125 starts) in his first two years with the Kings and he has averaged 37.1 minutes, 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game.  I think Evans is going to rebound with a big season in 2011-12, due to him likely being well rested and healthy.

21-year old SG/PG Tyreke Evans has returned with a vengeance after missing quite a few games due to injury.  In his last five games, Evans is averaging 35.4 minutes, 18.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game on 50% shooting from the floor.  Evans has now played in 54 games (50 starts) for the Kings so far this year and he is averaging 36.7 minutes, 17.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game.  Evans might move to point guard next year so that he can team with Marcus Thornton to give the Kings a potential very solid backcourt.

Veteran center Samuel Dalembert has been outstanding this month for the Kings.  He has played in 13 games so far in March and he is averaging 30.1 minutes, 12.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.6 blocked shots per game.  He has now played in 69 games (35 starts) overall this year for the Kings and he is averaging 23.2 minutes, 7.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.5 blocked shots per game.  Hindsight is always 20/20, but the Kings probably should have sticked to the plan and starting Dalembert all year long.

Shooting guard Marcus Thornton has been outstanding since coming over in the Carl Landry deal with the Hornets.  Thornton has played in 16 games (12 starts) for the Kings so far this year and he is averaging 36.4 minutes, 21.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game.  He is shooting 46.6% from the floor, 41.5% from three point range and he is hitting 81% from the free throw line for the Kings as he has been outstanding.  The Kings essentially stole Marcus Thornton from the Hornets as they didn’t really want Carl Landry anymore.

21-year old shooting guard Tyreke Evans sat out a couple of games earlier this month in an attempt to get healthy.  It seems to have worked as he is on fire right now.  In his last 8 games, Evans is averaging 39.8 minutes, 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game.  He is shooting 68 of 141 (46.8%) from the floor in those games as his shooting is starting to come around.  Evans has now played in 40 games (all starts) for the Kings this year and he is averaging 37.4 minutes, 17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game.  Evans is only shooting 40.6% from the floor so far this year but he’s coming around.  It should come as no surprise that the Kings have gotten hot right along with Evans.

29-year old center Samuel Dalembert has been really solid off the bench for the Kings lately.  In his last five games, Dalembert is averaging 24.0 minutes, 10.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.8 blocked shots on 60% shooting from the floor.  Dalembert has now played in 38 games (15 starts) for the Kings this year and he is averaging 19.9 minutes, 5.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.7 blocked shots per game.  The Kings need Dalembert to keep giving them good defense and rebounding off the bench.

27-year old power forward Carl Landry is off to a good start in January so far.  He has played in 6 games so far this month and he is averaging 29.3 minutes, 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game.   Landry has hit 33 of 63 shots (52.4%) so far this month for the Kings.  Landry has now played in 35 games (16 starts) so far this year for the Kings and he is averaging 27.9 minutes, 12.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.  Carl Landry’s name has been floating around in trade rumors but the Kings shouldn’t deal him unless they get a lot of value back.