What we would like to see from the Sacramento Kings - May 3, 2025.
Most folks want a new Point Guard (or any PG) for the 2025-26 version of the Sacramento Kings. We do too. But for us, a positional change is what might matter most.
The Kings, as structured for the last three seasons, won 48, 46 and 40 games. To break through and get beyond 50 wins, we strongly believe that the Kings must find a Center that will allow Domantas Sabonis to move to the FOUR spot. We are not in the camp that thinks Sabonis can't be a winner when it matters most. On the contrary, we celebrate his uncommon toughness, skill, and desire.
In our Hoop Obsession study of wingspans on winning teams, we unearthed the fact that Sabonis has the wingspan of the average SMALL forward. It is unfair to expect Sabonis to anchor a defense, even as tough as he is, playing at such a disadvantage. In the regular season it can be hidden on some nights but in the Playoffs where the opposing Centers become bigger and more skilled, Sabonis has come up short.
That’s why we believe Sabonis should be playing the four, not the five. In the past, his lack of three-point shooting limited that idea. But that’s changed — Sabonis shot an impressive 41.7% from deep last season and now looks much more comfortable spacing the floor. He already brings elite passing and decision-making, so the only concern is whether he can defend the league’s most dynamic power forwards. Even if he struggles at times, the overall gain in rebounding, physicality, and lineup versatility when paired with a true NBA center is worth it.
Sabonis has all the skills needed to play the four.
"But it didn’t work in Indiana with Myles Turner."
That’s the popular counter, but let’s dig into that. The Sabonis-Turner pairing was far from a disaster. Also, consider the obvious. Any two players make up only 40% of a five-man team, and 13% of a complete roster. They struggled in 2021–22 (19–36 before Sabonis was traded), but the team’s issues were more about instability — including the late hiring of Nate Bjorkgren after long-time Head Coach Nate McMillan was let go in late August.
Before that, the results were:
2020–21: 34–38 (underwhelming. Used for context.)
2019–20: 45–28 (in a 72-game season. If 82, that’s a 53-win pace.)
2018–19: 48–34 (with Sabonis coming off the bench.)
The pairing produced a .532 win percentage. That’s not elite, but it shows Sabonis can coexist with another big — even when he wasn’t a perimeter threat. Today, he’s better equipped for that kind of role.
So, the next step: find a center who can anchor the defense and offer some offensive competence.
Day'Ron Sharpe is young, efficient, and rugged.
Who Should the Kings Target at Center?
Let’s start with what not to do. Jonas Valanciunas, while efficient, is no longer a plus defender. He is strong but slower than ever. JV had a negative defensive rating differential last season. In this scenario, the Kings are seeking a starting Center. Valanciunas might still be okay as a backup but even as a reserve, we think there are better options. Defense is literally half of the game, and if Doug Christie wants his team to have a defensive identity, they need legitimate NBA athleticism AND size at the FIVE. Meanwhile, the free-agent Center market is… grim. There are names, but most come with aging bodies or declining value. Sacramento must avoid players like Al Horford, and Brook Lopez — both in visible and analytical decline and not worth their projected cost.
Instead, the Kings should explore these undervalued bigs:
Day’Ron Sharpe (Brooklyn): Underrated passer and decision-maker that is not scared of contact. A 23 year-old restricted free agent that has room to grow.
Jalen Smith (Chicago): Has upside still at age 25. Could blossom with consistent minutes.
Tristan Vukcevic (Washington): Still raw, but intriguing long-term potential in a player with a 7'2.5" wingspan. He is more of a reserve right now.
If the above trio doesn't pan out, Clint Capela could be a reasonable fall-back. He’s regressed but is still capable. Luke Kornet is a quality backup, and Oscar Tshiebwe is the kind of relentless worker that plays efficiently and has a 7'3.5" wingspan. He wouldn't cost much.
Editor's note: This next paragraph was added June 5th.
Another strategy would be to TARGET Khaman Maluach in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Kings would have to make a significant trade to do this. Maluach, a 7'1" Center with a 7'7" wingspan could be what the Kings need so badly. He finished at the rim in the 99th percentile among NCAA players (according to Synergy). He has yet to prove he is a great defender but he has the tools and length to be outstanding. Pairing Maluach with Sabonis would be a hi-lo dream. Sabonis' interior passing skills combined with Maluach's finishing acumen? WOW!
DeRozan is as dependable a two-point scorer as you can find.
Reshaping the rest of the roster
Having a defensive identity is fine. We like it. But having defenders that can't shoot, or defenders that struggle to score, is not acceptable in 2025. Even great players in the game today that struggle to make three-point shots are increasingly not advancing in the Playoffs. Giannis? Bounced. Ja? Out. Zion? Didn't make the post-season at all. Paolo and Franz in Orlando? Eliminated. Looking at the HoopObsession list of players that we deem "low percentage 3-pt. shooters", we can see that as of today only one of the top-ten (Jimmy Butler) is still alive in the Playoffs.
So deep shooting accuracy is vitally important, and despite some gains as a line-drive bomber as the season progressed, DeMar DeRozan is still a guy that shot well below the NBA average of 36%.
So what do you do with DeRozan? In 2025, the mid-range-heavy style he plays makes it difficult to get leads, maintain leads, and ultimately win games. He is absolutely dependable as a 2-point bucket getter in late game situations, and that should not be taken for granted. However, DeRozan's defense was targeted by by opposing wings and his inability to take a charge was on display too often. Would DeRozan be willing to be a sixth-man? Even if he would, we think the best option for Sacramento is to try and trade him. DeRozan makes good money but his $24.5 million deal for the next season is not so ridiculous that he would be untradeable.
Offensively, DeRozan often subtracts opportunities from Keegan Murray, who needs more touches and a bigger role to continue developing. Murray has the tools, what he needs now is volume and the freedom to attack more often.
We want Murray to shot-fake and drive. His free throw opportunities need to increase. More drives should help. He also should start getting into the HABIT of looking for teammates off of his drives. Murray has the skill to either score, assist or draw a foul.
We believe in Zach LaVine as a primary scorer. He can light up the scoreboard in so many ways. He is an accurate deep shooter. He can finish well above the rim in transition or half-court. He can take opponents off the dribble. He’s not a great defender and he is not the most gregarious communicator. Those areas can be worked on. What LaVine CAN do is 'score the ball' at an elite level. If his elite scoring can be balanced by strong team defense, the Kings can win with some consistency.
Summer work for LaVine should include fundamentals on angles when feeding the post.
LaVine can raise his scoring if he is the main man, even late in games.
Point Guard Options
This is the position everyone’s talking about, and for good reason. If the Kings do try to land a star Point Guard via trade, Trae Young should be the target. He is a true offensive engine that also has a level of competitiveness that is the good kind of nasty. Young will always be challenged defensively but DEFRTG differential numbers show that he can be good enough. This season, Young was .2 points better per 100 possessions than the Hawks team DEFRTG.
Ja Morant would be the next choice if the Kings are star gazing. His 31.6% career three-point shooting raises spacing concerns that scare us. LaMelo Ball, despite his talent, hasn’t shown the defensive commitment needed to help a team win consistently.
Our top pick among pending free agents? Ty Jerome. He’s quietly become one of the most efficient guards in the league and we think he is ready to step into a starting role. His contract in Cleveland expires after this postseason.
Other possible targets:
Josh Giddey (restricted free agent): Big, creative, still developing, Giddey would cost BIG MONEY.
D’Angelo Russell: Risky but capable. His talent hasn't gone anywhere. Can he get his swagger back?
Chris Paul: No longer a star, but still a competitor, CP3 would give the Kings a sharp leader of a free-flowing offense.
Value names that we endorse: Scotty Pippen Jr., Jared Butler, Quenton Jackson, Marcus Sasser, and Jeff Dowtin.
Ty Jerome is ready to be a starter.
No Need for Another Shooting Guard
With LaVine, Malik Monk, Keon Ellis (who must be retained), and Devin Carter, the Kings are well-covered at the two.
Wings and Forwards
Jake LaRavia may be difficult to retain. We think he should be viewed as a forward that can play either 3 or 4.
Justin Champagnie is an ideal low-cost, high-effort wing that we have been high on for some time. He’d require a trade from Washington.
Kenrich Williams (OKC) also fits the mold — another trade target.
A budget free-agent swing: Brandon Boston Jr., still just 23 with upside to play 2 or 3.
Backing Up Sabonis at PF
Trey Lyles is a solid option, but a younger, more athletic Josh Minott (Minnesota has a team option) could be a better fit.
Gui Santos is another free agent player with growth potential as is Isaac Jones (Kings team option) who spent his rookie year with the Kings. Jones should be taking three-point shots with a shooting coach all summer.
Larry Nance Jr. would bring reliable energy. Bobby Portis would be a luxury but is probably too expensive for a backup role.
Chris Boucher and Santi Aldama, while talented, don’t bring enough defensively for what we think Doug Christie will demand.
"You mentioned a lot of under-the-radar players — why?"
Because the Kings need value. Big contracts for declining players limit flexibility. The key is finding guys who produce without maxing out your cap sheet.
"Could Jonathan Kuminga work in Sacramento?"
Yes — if the price is right. He’s still just 22, with elite athleticism and he's a switchable defender. But his inconsistent shooting is a concern, so the Kings shouldn’t overpay. Still, he’s worth a look because of his exciting game and his potential to be a star.
Conclusion
The Kings’ path forward may take a major trade. It’s about smart fits, balanced lineups, and finding value. Move Sabonis to power forward. Find a legit defensive anchor. Let Murray grow. Improve the point guard play. And let Doug Christie mold the team into a unit that is tough, and together but also talented and capable. --- Bobby Gerould, Editor - HoopObsession.com
