Sacramento Kings Season Preview
Re-signed: Alex Len, Malik Monk
Additions: DeMar DeRozan (trade), Jalen McDaniels (trade), Jordan McLaughlin (free agent), Orlando Robinson (free agent)
Draft Pick: Devin Carter
Departures: Harrison Barnes (to Spurs), Chris Duarte (to Bulls), Davion Mitchell (to Raptors), Kessler Edwards (to Mavericks), Sasha Vezenkov (to Raptors)
Unsigned Free Agents: Jordan Ford, JaVale McGee, Jalen Slawson
Last Season Recap
The 2023-24 season marked a plateau for the Sacramento Kings, who followed up their surprise playoff berth the previous season by falling short of expectations. Despite a 46-win season, they couldn’t advance beyond the SoFi Play-In Tournament, reminding fans that sustained success is often elusive. De’Aaron Fox had a career year, posting 26.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game, while Domantas Sabonis earned his second All-NBA nod with 19.4 points and a league-leading 13.7 rebounds per game. Malik Monk and Keegan Murray provided solid support, but defense was an issue, and the team didn’t have the consistency needed to compete with the top Western Conference contenders.
Summer Summary
Sacramento made a significant move this offseason by acquiring DeMar DeRozan in a trade. The 35-year-old All-Star brings mid-range scoring and clutch play, offering a veteran presence and another go-to scorer alongside De’Aaron Fox. Though DeRozan doesn’t improve the team’s defense—one of their primary weaknesses—his offensive skillset should help close games. The trade sent Harrison Barnes and Chris Duarte out, but the Kings saw this as an opportunity to elevate their playoff potential.
The Kings also traded for Jalen McDaniels, adding size and versatility on the wing, while signing Jordan McLaughlin and Orlando Robinson to strengthen the bench. Re-signing Malik Monk was a priority after his strong season, and Mike Brown was rewarded with a contract extension after winning Coach of the Year in 2023.
Player Spotlight: Kevin Huerter
Kevin Huerter had a tough 2023-24 season, capped by shoulder surgery in March. His production dipped compared to the previous year, with his scoring dropping from 15.2 to 10.2 points per game, and his three-point shooting percentage falling from 40.2% to 36.1%. As one of the Kings’ top perimeter threats, Huerter’s return to form will be crucial to the team’s offense. With the arrival of DeRozan and the competition for backcourt minutes increasing, Huerter may struggle to find his rhythm if he can’t rediscover his previous form.
Season Outlook
The Kings have set themselves up to compete in the top half of the Western Conference. DeRozan provides the team with another reliable option in crunch time, alongside Fox, and could help them push for home-court advantage in the playoffs. While they’re still lacking a defensive identity, Sacramento’s offensive firepower makes them a formidable team in the West.
Sacramento could even find itself in the conversation as the best team in California, a rare feat in recent NBA history. However, whether they can truly contend will depend on how well DeRozan meshes with the current core and whether the defense can make strides. A trip to the Western Conference semifinals or beyond is a possibility, but the Kings need everything to click for a deep playoff run.
