Bleacher Report recently published its projections for what they think each team's regular-season record will look like by the end of the season. When it comes to the Sacramento Kings, they should change the name of their site to the "Bleaker Report."
Their specific projection for the Kings has them going 33-49 in the 2025-2026 season. That's not going to get Sacramento into the playoffs in a competitive Western Conference. It's not likely to even get them into the play-in tournament, which they did poorly in last year.
Bleacher Report came out with their W-L prediction for the Kings this season
— KingsMuse (@kings_muse) October 4, 2025
Do you think they’re right or wrong? pic.twitter.com/s9n2gtHL6N
While Sacramento's fans might beg to differ on this outlook, it's no hard to see why the Bleacher Report made such a prediction. The offseason was quiet for the Kings, and the core has nothing close to a rhythm. The Kings have a lot to prove in 2025-2026.
Bleacher Report versus Dennis Schroder
Bleacher Report's main point of contention seems to be Dennis Schroder. His EuroBasket success is definitely a positive sign for the Kings this season. Schroder will be the starting point guard for the Kings, hopefully bringing them the same success he brought the German team.
Unfortunately, Bleacher Report doesn't see things that way. The basis of their concern is that Dennis Schroder is a poor substitute for De'Aaron Fox, who left the Kings last season after then head coach Mike Brown's firing. It's hard not to see their point.
Even at his absolute best in the NBA, Schroder is nowhere near as successful on the court as De'Aaron Fox has been. Regardless, Schroder doesn't have to be the same kind of point guard as Fox to be successful. He can do his own thing, build his own team rhythm, and do well with the team.
The Kings' core doesn't impress the Bleacher Report
As it stands right now, the Kings' core is made up of Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan. It's a mismatched group that doesn't make a lot of sense, particularly with head coach Doug Christie's focus on defense. None of them are great defenders, which is putting things mildly.
At the same time, the Bleacher Report may be selling them short. These three have never played a full season together with consistent coaching and a stable front office. This may not be a standard core to build off, but they generate offense and could be dangerous if they find that rhythm.
It's important to keep in mind that this 33-49 record for the 2025-2026 season is an educated guess. The Kings have a lot of work going into this season, and it will take a couple of years of consistency to get anywhere. Still, there are more reasons to be positive about the Kings than ever.