The Sacramento Kings have struggled significantly this year, to the point where there are rumors that the organization is considering a total rebuild. In a recent Twitter post, Carmichael Dave of SacTown Sports stated that the Kings may begin tearing down their roster once the NBA trade season unofficially opens in December.
“The Sacramento Kings are entering the first phase of an official rebuild,” Carmichael Dave tweeted. “The franchise is for the first time going to follow the OKC/SA/DET/POR blueprint. A minimum 2-year project is here.”
“Starting in December, as and if opportunities exist, they will begin reshaping the roster with a focus on youth, draft assets, and cap room.”
Kings Reportedly Looking For Franchise Reboot, Where Could Their Trio Of Stars Land, And Possible Return?
Sacramento (3-9) is off to its worst start to a season since 2017-18, when it also began the campaign losing nine of its first 12. It is the Kings’ worst start to a season since 20171-8 when they also opened the season with a similar record.
The Kings enter their game against Minnesota tonight on a four-game skid. The Kings are coming off a 133-100 beatdown of the Atlanta Hawks, after which head coach Doug Christie tore into them.
“I was embarrassed. I wish I could’ve put on the jersey,” Christie said following the Hawks game. “At 55, I would’ve showed you better than that. At least I’m going to use all six fouls. I can’t move, but I’m gonna foul the s–t out of somebody. Like, people just running around, running down the lane, not grabbing nobody.”
After a tight first quarter, where Sacramento trailed just 37-34, Atlanta took off and never looked back. The Kings, who trailed by as many as 44 points, tallied just 34 in the second and third stanzas. The Kings allowed the Hawks to shoot over 57% from the field, including 43% from the 3-point line, and were outrebounded by 10. Additionally, they were outscored 33-8 in fastbreak points.
“(That) says that you’re not getting back, you’re not communicating, you’re not building walls, you’re not being physical,” Christie said about the Kings’ transition defense. “Listen, this ain’t about anything but competition and effort, period. You can play that team 10 times and I doubt you would get a result like that – especially after this, play them nine more times – not if you’ve got no damn pride.”
The Kings Strengths and Weaknesses
Sacramento ranks among the bottom six teams in both offensive and defensive ratings. The Kings’ roster composition clogs spacing due to their three leading offensive producers — DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis — who do their best work within 15 feet of the hoop. Offseason additions Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder further disrupt the flow of the offense due to their need to have the ball in their hands. Malik Monk remains the Kings’ only true offensive threat off the bench.
“They need to look at themselves and say,” Christie said, talking about DeRozan, Sabinis, Westbrook, and Schroder.”When we’re competing at a high level, we’re playing against anybody.’ We were (within) three points or whatever it was going into the fourth quarter with Denver. Milwaukee, you compete all the way to the end. And then you just do that? That’s wild.
Overall, the Kings are not a great shooting team and rank near the bottom of the league in three-pointers made, free throws made, free throw attempts, free throw percentage, offensive rebounding, and assists. Sabonis is having the worst season of his career since 2018-19, and Schroder’s performance has been subpar.
It is on the defensive end where the Kings struggle the most. The Kings are 27th in defensive rating, struggling to contain dribble penetration. Thus, collapsing the defense. Additionally, the Kings lack shot blockers, which gives opposing slashers the option of either finishing at the rim or kicking the ball out to 3-point shooters. Additionally, they struggle to regain their composure during transitions.
Sacramento is allowing their opponents to 51% from the field, including 70% at the rim. The Kings’ opponents are also making 13.7 threes at a 37% clip. Additionally, the Kings are allowing 17.3 fastbreak points a game.
What Could the Kings Receive in Return for Top 4 Players?
Sacramento has 15 players under contract this year and is $3.2 million below the luxury tax. While the Kings, who are hard-capped at the first apron, do have the ability to add a player or two, unless they turn things around, they will likely be sellers. The Kings are the fourth-oldest team in the league, with six players on expiring contracts.
Still, the Kings project to be over the cap when the offseason begins, as Sabonis, DeRozan, LaVine, and Keegan Murray are slated to make over $121 million. LaVine has a player option for next year at nearly $49 million.
Sabonis, DeRozan, LaVine, Murray, and Monk are the Kings’ best trade chips. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, during a recent appearance on SacTown Sports, several teams would be interested in Sabonis. Sabonis is making $42.3 million this year and has two more seasons and over $94 million left on his deal.
“So, as it relates to Sabonis, my understanding is there are at least a few teams that have raised their hand to say, ‘Yeah, he’s somebody we’d want to talk about,’” Amick said on Thursday. “I’ve said it on your show before — I don’t have that sort of information about (LaVine).”
Devin Carter has been rumored to be on the trade block since the. Schroder figures to be a trade candidate as well. If the Kings do go through a complete rebuild, they would likely build around Murray and Monk, as they are 25 and 27, respectively. Nique Clifford and Keon Ellis, who will be unrestricted free agents this summer, also figure to be part of the Kings’ future core. They have all their first round picks between 2026-2032.
Domantas Sabonis
Sabonis has surprisingly struggled this season. Sabonis, who has missed three games this year, has produced seven double-doubles but only averages 15.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists with shooting splits of 49.5/17.6/74.4.
Teams who could have potential interest: Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, and Toronto Raptors.
Projecting what the Kings get in return for Sabonis: Younger guards/wings plus draft compensation. RJ Barrett and Gradey Dick (Raptors), Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Heat), and Jaden Ivey (Pistons) are realistic returns.
DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan, who just turned 36, can still score with the best. He has scored 20+ points five times through the first 12 games, and he is shooting it well. Additionally, he is on a favorable contract and is owed just $10 million next season.
Not sure of his market at this point, although he would figure to have some value at the trade deadline when contenders and the effect of injuries will be evident. San Antonio, Atlanta, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Lakers, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Golden State Warriors are possibilities.
Projecting what the Kings get in return for DeRozan: The Kings aren’t going to get a ransom for DeRozan, but they should get draft capital and a young player or a veteran on an expiring contract. The draft capital would likely be a highly protected first-round pick or multiple second-round picks.
Zach LaVine
LaVine is a high-volume scorer who doesn’t defend. He has been an efficient scorer since joining the Kings at the February trade deadline, but doesn’t provide much more. Plus, he is 31, and his salary and player option are a deterrent.
With his salary and limited other abilities, no particular team comes to mind. But he should draw interest from playoff contenders at the trade deadline.
As a result, LaVine is unlikely to bring much back in return. Matching salaries and a late first-round or multiple second-round picks.
Keegan Murray
Murray, who has yet to play this season, is a 3-and-D forward, although his efficiency from deep has dropped over the last two seasons. Additionally, the 25-year-old forward signed a massive five-year, $140 million rookie-scale extension in October. For his career, he averages 2.3 triples at a 37.3% clip.
While Murray figures to be part of the Kings’ future, Amick did say that the organization extended the forward because “they not only valued him within their program, but they learned that he’s got a lot of value around the league.” Murray is slated to return from his thumb injury at the end of the month or early December.
Potential landing spots for Murray: Oklahoma City, Denver, and Atlanta.
What could the Kings get for Murray? If the Kings decide they can turn things around, they may choose to deal Murray for an established point guard and draft capital.
More likely than not, if the Kings decide not to build around Murray, they will look for multiple first-round picks (one protected and one unprotected), plus a young prospect.
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