SACRAMENTO -- The Kings’ practice floor looked like business as usual Wednesday afternoon. Despite the looming NBA trade deadline, the team put in a solid session and they are focused on Friday’s match up with the Miami Heat.
General manager Vlade Divac sat courtside for the practice session with both of his assistant GMs sitting alongside him. If there is a move pending, the group as a whole has worked on their poker faces.
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After missing the previous 13 games with a shoulder joint injury, Richaun Holmes was able to make it through the session and by all accounts, he seems ready to return to the court on Friday barring a late setback.
“It responded well,” Holmes said of his shoulder. “I feel like it was a good day, my first day going through contact. We’ll see how it responds tomorrow, but for me, it feels good. I’m ready to get back out there.”
Holmes plays with a motor and intensity that the Kings desperately need. While recovering, you could see him sprinting on the practice court. On the road, he ran around the inside of visiting arenas trying to keep his cardio up.
“It was great to have him out there,” coach Luke Walton said. “Just the energy he plays with, the physicality that he has, it just lifted the whole spirit of practice having him back out there.”
Sacramento is in the middle of a three-day break in the schedule and this is the perfect opportunity for them to integrate Holmes back into the lineup. He went through a film session and walk-through on Tuesday and the team is expected to hit the practice floor again on Thursday.
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“Being out consecutively so many games, it’s tough,” Holmes said. “This is what we love to do. Love to play basketball every day. It just makes you thankful for the opportunity.”
With any luck, Holmes will return to action later this week. The Kings need his defensive presence and rebounding as they try to build on their strong play over the last two weeks.
“We’ve missed Richaun, we’ve missed what he brings to our group, he’s had a heck of a year so far for us,” Walton said. “Hopefully it’s Friday, we’ll see how he reacts.”
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On the season, Holmes is averaging 13.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals in 29.4 minutes per game. He wrestled the starting center job away from Dewayne Dedmon after just four games and he’s been an impact player for the Kings on both sides of the ball.
Programming Note: The "2020 NBA Trade Deadline Show" is coming your way this Thursday at 11:30am on the MyTeams appand on NBCSportsBayArea.com! Our NBA Insiders will analyze all of the news and rumors that could impact the Kings heading into the Noon deadline. Don’t miss it!