Kings Drop Ninth Straight Amid Trade Rumors, Injuries, and Uncertainty
The Sacramento Kings are in a freefall. Sunday’s 116-112 loss to the Washington Wizards marked their ninth straight defeat, capping off an 0-6 road trip that saw them battling not just opponents, but frigid East Coast temperatures and the kind of fatigue that comes with a losing streak that just won’t quit.
At 12-40, the Kings now sit at the bottom of the NBA standings. And while the record is bleak, the headlines swirling around the team are just as turbulent-trade rumors, injuries, and a roster in flux have turned this season into a grind.
DeRozan Still Balling, Even as Deadline Looms
DeMar DeRozan isn’t letting the rumors slow him down. With the trade deadline just days away, his name continues to surface in talks, but on the court, he's still getting buckets. DeRozan dropped 32 points against Washington, including a scorching 17-point fourth quarter that nearly pulled Sacramento across the finish line.
“I just want to come out aggressive, set the tone,” DeRozan said after the game. And he did exactly that.
He hit 7 of 10 shots in the final frame, trying to will the Kings back from a late-game collapse. Sacramento led 109-105 with just over three minutes left, but couldn’t close it out.
Zach LaVine poured in 35 points of his own, but struggled down the stretch, going just 1-for-5 in the fourth. The Kings needed one more push, one more stop-but it never came.
Youth Movement in Motion
With Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis shipped out in Saturday’s late-night trade for De’Andre Hunter, the Kings leaned on a pair of two-way players to fill the void. Daequon Plowden logged 24 minutes, including nearly 10 in the fourth quarter. Isaiah Stevens played all 12 minutes of the final period, showing flashes of poise under pressure.
Rookie Nique Clifford, starting in place of the injured Russell Westbrook, played nearly 29 minutes at point guard. He scored six points on just three shot attempts-a quiet night, but one that reflects the Kings’ current reality: this might be the beginning of a youth-focused stretch run.
Whether that’s by choice or necessity remains to be seen, but with the deadline approaching and veterans like DeRozan, LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and Malik Monk all featured in trade rumors, Sacramento may be inching toward a pivot.
DeRozan: “I’ll Figure It Out”
If the Kings do go all-in on development, the question becomes: where does that leave DeRozan?
“As long as I got an opportunity to put on a jersey, I’m gonna take advantage of it,” he said. “If it’s helping guys, giving the knowledge that I have... I want what’s best for these guys.”
It’s a veteran response from a player who’s been through the league’s highs and lows. Whether DeRozan finishes the season in Sacramento or elsewhere, he’s clearly committed to staying professional and productive.
A Team Feeling the Weight
Doug Christie, now leading the Kings from the bench, acknowledged the emotional toll this stretch has taken.
“You’d be remiss to think that those type of things don’t affect you,” Christie said of the trade chatter and roster movement. “It can bring your energy up or down. We have to hold each other and help each other in those moments.”
That’s easier said than done when the losses keep stacking up and the roster keeps shifting. Still, there’s hope De’Andre Hunter, who’s expected to join the team in Sacramento, can provide a spark. DeRozan spoke highly of his soon-to-be teammate, even as he expressed sadness over losing guys he’s gone to battle with.
“It always sucks to see people you go to battle with every single day,” DeRozan said. “It’s part of our league, it’s part of business.”
Sabonis Sidelined, Speculation Swirls
Then there’s the Domantas Sabonis situation. The big man was a late scratch Sunday with lower back soreness-just an hour before tip-off. He’d already missed Friday’s game to manage a left knee issue, but his absence in Washington, combined with the swirling trade rumors, sparked plenty of online speculation.
Sabonis wasn’t on the bench during the game, opting instead for treatment. He was seen walking gingerly in the locker room before tip and had a heating wrap on his back postgame.
“I’m not 100% sure what it was,” Christie said when asked about the injury. “I was notified the same time as everyone else.”
Without Sabonis, Maxime Raynaud got the start and made the most of it, scoring 14 points in 27 minutes. Dylan Cardwell added three blocks, five points, and two rebounds in a solid effort off the bench.
What’s Next?
The Kings return home to Sacramento on Wednesday to face the Memphis Grizzlies, hoping that some home cooking-and possibly a debut from Hunter-can help stop the bleeding. But with the trade deadline just days away, it’s clear this team could look very different by the end of the week.
For now, Sacramento is a team caught in the middle-between veterans and youth, between development and competition, between the roster they have and the one they might soon become. And until the dust settles, all they can do is suit up and keep fighting.