Dennis Schroder is currently tearing his way through EuroBasket, showing off his skills and giving Sacramento Kings fans a reason to be happy about his recent signing.
But not all Kings followers are excited, because the addition of Schroder speaks to a bigger point, one that may become painfully obvious throughout the 2025-26 NBA season. The Kings are going to be heavy with ball-handlers and light on developing talent. And the way they play may not pave a promising path to the future.
Sacramento has talent, but too many ball-dominant players
Schroder is reminding people that he can be a marvelous point guard, especially when he's representing Team Germany in international tournaments. The man can shoot, pass, and read the floor better than nearly anyone else in EuroBasket. He runs the ball and calls plays, acting as a splendid and strategic floor general.
The problem for Sacramento is that he'll be just one of many ball handlers looking to run the team in the new season. When you take a look at the Kings' roster, you see numerous stars who feel most comfortable with the ball in their hands.
DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and even Domantas Sabonis are usually at the center of all offensive schemes. Now, add Schroder into the mix and that feels like a lot of guys scrambling to be in charge and take shots.
That might work on some nights, and it could create explosive offense that is ideal for highlight reels and viral TikTok moments. But it doesn't lead to long-lasting success, and it also creates an unhealthy identity. Sacramento has a few up-and-coming players who are ready and eager to prove what they are capable of. But how on Earth can they get more minutes and opportunities to shine when so many ball handlers are in the lead?
Keegan Murray is a prime example of that. This young man has shown so much potential for the Kings but all his hard work and development have resulted in a smaller role in the lineup. The team simply isn't prioritizing him, and that will probably only get worse in the new year.
If the team wants to turn things around and become an actual force in the Western Conference again, they will need more output from the young players like Murray. But their new lineup makes that unlikely. And who knows how much worse it'll get if the Kings actually sign Russell Westbrook, another player who loves to carry and shoot the ball.