The Sacramento Kings are a team in flux. While their rebuild is progressing, two of the biggest trades that they'd like to make are unlikely. As such, the roster fans are seeing now is quite likely the one Sacramento will take into the 2026-2027 season. If nothing else, this should be a fun crew to watch.
First and foremost, stop lamenting the Kings being unable to trade either Domantas Sabonis or Zach LaVine. This new crew of young guns has a great deal of defensive prowess, taking that pressure off the veterans. Hopefully, that will let these two get back to what they do best and that's scoring.
The departure of DeMar DeRozan could be especially good for LaVine. This is a duo who have played together on two separate teams and always seem to step on each other's toes. LaVine being a King without DeRozan might open the court up enough for him to find an actual groove.
For that reason, the Kings should consider going with LaVine as their starting shooting guard. They have plenty of options to work with, but they need to see how LaVine operates in this new environment. A lot has changed and that could benefit LaVine, making him more tradable if need be.
Sacramento is finding a better balance
One of the Kings' biggest problems in the past has been balance in the roster. Specifically, they have been heavy on shooters and guards while lacking on defense and forwards, particularly wings. Scott Perry has definitely managed to change that over the past year or so.
The Kings are still shooting guard heavy, having only two dedicated point guards in Darius Acuff Jr. and Isaiah Stevens. Malik Monk has also played point guard. Adam Flagler, Nique Clifford, Emanuel Sharp, and Daeqwon Plowden will be a great rotation at shooting guard.
Between De'Andre Hunter, Alex Karaban, Precious Achiuwa, Keegan Murray, and Jonathan Mogbo, the Kings now have five guys to run at power forward and small forward. Both Clifford and Plowden can also play the three, and the Kings should really consider running Sabonis at the four.
When it comes to center, Sacramento is stacked. In addition to Sabonis, they have Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell as dedicated centers. Beyond that, the Kings also have Mogbo and Achiuwa, who can play the five. This gives the Kings a lot of versatile size when needed.
This is the Kings' roster for next season
While there may be more chances to make trades along the way, it's unlikely that the Kings will sign more free agents. They are right up against the first apron of penalties, which this franchise simply cannot afford to enter. That's a big part of the reason why they didn't hang onto Russell Westbrook.
For the beginning of the season, it makes sense to run these 13 players under NBA contract with support from their three two-way signings. It's a chance to figure out what's working and what isn't before adding more players to the mix and cutting back minutes for some of them.
The Kings are stacked with young talent but have no idea what type of players many of them will mature into. This is especially true for Acuff, who is 19 and will be the starting point guard for an NBA franchise. How that pressure impacts him and other young guns remains to be seen.
It's also important to recognize that the Kings are nowhere near the playoffs, let alone being contenders. This season is just the next step on the long path back to relevancy. But this is a great group to be working with who will push Sacramento further into the rebuild process.
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