A small change to Sacramento’s projected depth chart could make a big difference for Alex Karaban.
ESPN currently has the rookie listed as the Kings’ third-string small forward and fifth-string power forward, but that setup leaves him buried. Moving him up even a little would give him a much clearer path to early development and more chances to build chemistry with the other young players on the roster.
The Kings went out of their way to get Karaban in the 2026 NBA Draft. General manager Scott Perry traded picks with the Cavaliers to make sure Sacramento could land him near the end of the first round, rather than gamble on him still being there in the second.
Karaban arrives with a strong resume and a clear fit. He was a key piece for the UConn Huskies during back-to-back NCAA Championships, and his game translates as a versatile combo forward. He can stretch the floor as a four, and he also has the tools to play small forward on offense thanks to his elite three-point shooting and connective passing.
Of course, he won’t be first in line for minutes as a rookie. But the Kings also saw Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell handle bigger roles well last season when injuries opened the door. That’s part of why it makes sense to at least give Karaban a real shot to get on the floor.
Clifford is currently listed as the backup at both shooting guard and small forward, which lines up with Sacramento’s desire to keep pushing his growth as an 3&D prospect. Still, Karaban and Clifford could easily be flipped at small forward, putting Karaban second on the depth chart and Clifford third. That would also create more chances for the two to share the floor, which fits their skill sets.
The other oddity is De'Andre Hunter being listed as the third-string power forward even though he’s already projected as the starting small forward. Shifting Karaban from fifth to third behind Keegan Murray and Precious Achiuwa would make more sense and improve his odds of earning minutes.
Karaban brings four college seasons and two national titles with him, along with a strong showing in the 2026 Summer League. When the regular season begins, the Kings should be ready to lean into that. There’s no need to be overly cautious here - put Karaban on the court and let him work.
In Other News...
Cavaliers Still Have A Late Offseason Question Worth Watching
The late-summer roster shuffle around the NBA still has a few moving parts, and the Cavaliers are one of the teams worth watching as the calendar creeps toward the Oct. 20 start of the 2026-27 season. With major names already changing addresses, from LeBron James landing with the 76ers to Giannis Antetokounmpo going to the Heat, the leagues landscape has been reshaped in a hurry, but a handful of clubs are still leaving themselves room for one more decision before camp fully takes over.
Open roster spots remain around the league, and that leaves the Cavaliers with at least one unresolved question as they sort out the final edges of their roster. Some expected business, like Jalen Duren returning to his current team, may get settled without much drama, but other situations could still turn on a signing or a waiver before opening night. For a team trying to make sure every spot is accounted for, the next move may be less about splash than about timing. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Kuminga Could Be Back On The Kings Radar Soon
Jonathan Kumingas next move has already been shaped by an eye on the future, and that is exactly why he remains one of the more intriguing names for teams like the Kings to monitor. He signed a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves that includes a player option for the second season, and his agent, Aaron Turner, said the choice was made with basketball fit and flexibility in mind rather than simply taking the biggest immediate payday.
Kuminga had previously passed on a richer extension from the Golden State Warriors, a reminder that the long view matters here as much as any single contract. With his camp positioning him for the 2027 free agency market and multiple cap-space teams expected to have interest next offseason, Sacramento will have reason to stay plugged in if its own roster plans and appetite for another swing at upside line up at the right time. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Rebuild Could Swing On Three Players Who Have To Deliver
Sacramentos rebuild still has a few reasons to be interesting, and that starts with a trio of players who could determine whether the Kings are merely surviving or actually moving forward. Keegan Murray, Malik Monk and Maxime Raynaud each sit at a different point in their careers, but all three are being asked to give this roster something it did not consistently get last season: steadier production, more impact and a clearer sense of direction.
Murray is expected to take another step, Monk needs to help steady the offense, and Raynaud is part of the group whose development could shape the teams next phase. The challenge for the Kings is that a rebuilding year can turn quickly if those pieces click, but it can just as easily stall if the same uneven stretches show up again. For a team trying to stay competitive while retooling, how those three respond may end up mattering more than any external move. [Read more 🡒]