The 2025-2026 NBA Schedule came out a couple of weeks ago. It's filled with more than a few ups and downs for the Sacramento Kings. Naturally, there are a lot of tough matchups that will test the team and a few old rivalries to renew.
On the upside, the Kings will take on the Utah Jazz in their regular season home opener in Sacramento. While the Kings finished ninth in the Western Conference last season, the Jazz came in dead last. This could be an opportunity for Sacramento to start on high note with a win.
A tough offseason in Sacramento
At the same time, things might not be so cut and dry. The offseason didn't really see the Kings make any big signings, trades, or changes. Well, they did make some moves though most of them seem to have worked out better for the other teams involved.
On the other hand, the Jazz were quite busy. They started things off by signing their head coach to a contract extension. Things have been rough in Utah but the franchise seems to have the confidence in Will Hardy to pull things together.
Their new president of basketball operations got to work quickly, trading Colin Sexton and waiving Johnny Juzang, Jordan Clarkson, and Jaiden Springer. On top of that, they brought in Jusef Nurkic, Keving Anderson, and Kevin Love as well as drafting a somewhat disgruntled Ace Bailey.
Opening day projection for the Kings
Last year, the Jazz seemed like easy pickings with only 17 wins to their name. Their offseason moves might negate some of that, meaning that the Kings will have to work a bit harder for that opening game W. But it is still likely.
It will take time for the Jazz to get into a groove with the new roster. Still, they could show up with something to prove on day one. The Kings need to make a statement in front of their hometown crowd and scoring a victory over the Jazz is the way to do it