That leaves Tyronn Lue with a job that was already hard. NBA.com's preview said his biggest preseason question was who starts next to Garland and Ingram, with Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., Brook Lopez and Beal as the options. Now Ingram's spot is open too, and Lue only had 3 preseason games to test lineups. That's not many with this many new players. Last season the Clippers were 13.8 points per 100 possessions better with Leonard on the floor. Wednesday is the first night they have to win without him, and without his replacement as well.
Sacramento's issues are concentrated in one spot, which makes them easier to see. Dylan Cardwell (calf) and Maxime Raynaud (knee) are both expected to miss at least the first 5 or 6 games, and maybe longer, per KHTK's Frankie Cartoscelli. That's 2 centers out at once, so the minutes at the 5 go to whoever is left. Lopez is one of the bigs Lue was considering for the starting lineup, and the Kings' rotation behind their starting frontcourt is now very thin. Malik Monk adds another question. He's listed day-to-day with an ankle, but James Ham of ESPN 1320 reports he could miss time to start the season. If Monk can't go, the Kings lose the scoring punch they usually get off the bench.
The Kings did get more preseason reps. They played 5 exhibitions: 2 against the Lakers, then the Warriors, Blazers and Spurs. The Clippers played 3. How much that matters in October is debatable, but at least one of these benches has had more time together. This game will be about which short-handed team covers its holes better. Garland runs the Clippers without his co-star. The Kings try to hold up on the glass and protect the rim without their 2 healthy backup centers. Whichever coach comes up with better answers in the opener has a head start on a long first month.