Sacramento Kings: Can Marcus Thornton Continue His Production?

Jan 26, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Marcus Thornton (23) drives the ball past Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) in the second half of their NBA basketball game Sunday, January 26, 2014 at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.

Marcus Thornton has finally shaken off a season-long shooting slump, but can he keep this going when DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay return? Thornton has shown he can produce when getting touches since the two star players of the Kings roster have went down. The problem with Thornton’s game is that he is a streaky, or even more so, a rhythm shooter.

The problem with being a rhythm shooter is that you need to find your shot and when Thornton is on the court with DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay, the touches for him to find his shot are just not there. However, Marcus has now found his shooting stroke once again and with the Kings needing help from someone outside of their up-and-coming big three, Marcus Thornton would not be too shabby of a fourth option.

Now there are also a few scenarios that are now at the Kings disposal. Marcus Thornton’s trade value is, right now, the highest it is going to be for the rest of the season and with the Kings hoping to retain Rudy Gay at the end of the season, trading Thornton would be–as Spock would say–“only logical.” If Rudy Gay decides to stay in Sacramento, he will be making a little more than $19 million next season. Having Thornton make $8 million this year and $8 million next would make it difficult for the Kings to add more help via free agency.

The next option is wait it out until next season with Thornton and hope he can continue this type of production from here on out. Next year Thornton could also be on the trading block once again as an expiring contract, which can be worth a bit more. The team will more than likely shop Thornton as much as possible with the deadline approaching in matter of weeks.

The Kings take on the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night and with the status of DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay still up in the air; Thornton may have another opportunity to show his worth and continue his production. The more interesting game for Thornton will be the game when Gay and Cousins return; that will be the game to see what can Marcus do with a full and healthy roster.