After failing to meet expectations in 2025-26, the Sacramento Kings can not continue on their current path any longer. The organization seems to know this, as they have revamped their front office – bringing in a new general manager (Scott Perry) and assistant general manager (B.J. Armstrong) – and their coaching staff (outside of Doug Christie).
However, given how flawed this roster is, it will take more than coaching/front office changes to fix what the Kings have going on right now. It could take a full-scale rebuild or, at the very least, a well-planned re-tool to get the Kings out of their current mess.
Unfortunately, the Kings don't have many great assets to kickstart this next chapter. So, they may have to part ways with their most promising young player.
The Kings may need to consider trading Keegan Murray
The Kings need to either rebuild or re-tool their roster. The problem is most of the guys they would want to trade won't deliver them too many positive assets in return.
Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are probably the two players the Kings would most like to move off this offseason. However, the former's value is tanked by his massive contract, and the latter also won't command much in a deal because of his age/curious plus-minus impact (although there are still some creative deals out there).
Malik Monk is likely viewed around the league as a positive value package, but given his struggles once thrust into the starting point guard role, his asset return ceiling is limited. The Kings would get some good stuff in exchange for Domantas Sabonis, but if they are going with the re-tool route, they will want to hold on to the big man.
Now, if they decide to go full-on rebuild mode, it would make sense that the Kings would want to hold on to their 24-year-old two-way forward, Keegan Murray. However, even if the Kings traded Monk and Sabonis, they probably wouldn't net enough assets to truly ignite a rebuild.
So, the Kings may be faced with a difficult decision. Do they think that Murray's age aligns with their timeline? Or will they have to do what the Washington Wizards did with Deni Avdija and trade him away to try and land another pick or two?
While his shooting has been a little iffy over the last two years, Murray has developed into one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA today. He could play big minutes on a playoff team or be a central part of a rebuilding team's young core. It will be worth monitoring what the Kings decide to do with him this offseason.