The Sacramento Kings keep circling the same kind of offseason swing, and now the focus has stretched beyond one summer. After another run at restricted free agent Jalen Duren, ESPN’s Austin Slater floated the idea that Sacramento could stay in the mix if the big man eventually reaches unrestricted free agency.
That path would require Duren to take the qualifying offer for the 2026-27 season and then hit the market the following summer. It’s a risky route for Duren, but it’s the kind of scenario that keeps Sacramento in the conversation without needing a sign-and-trade to come together right away.
The Kings have already spent time chasing restricted free agents, and Duren isn’t the only name tied to them. It was only a little over a week ago that the same kind of chatter surfaced around Jonathan Kuminga, whose agent pointed to Sacramento’s financial flexibility as a possible opening. That came after Kuminga signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, which made the timing notable, but the point about the Kings’ cap space still stands.
A big reason for that flexibility is the money coming off the books next season. Zach LaVine’s $49 million and De’Andre Hunter’s $24.9 million are both set to clear, giving Sacramento a much cleaner runway heading into the offseason.
That’s where Scott Perry’s plan starts to come into view. 2027 has long felt like the target year, and the Kings could theoretically have enough room to pursue both Duren and Kuminga next offseason. Of course, that only works if everything falls into place and if Sacramento still likes what it sees from both players this season, especially Kuminga.
There’s also the question of Duren himself. If he does take the qualifying offer, he’d be taking on major risk in order to reach unrestricted free agency.
But from the Kings’ side, the relationship-building appears to be part of the strategy. Perry has a reputation for connecting around the league, and the repeated interest in the biggest restricted free agents on the board suggests that Sacramento is laying groundwork for something bigger.
Even if Duren doesn’t land in Sacramento this offseason, the Kings seem to be keeping the door open for later. It’s a long shot, and it would take a perfect chain of events for it to happen, but the idea is easier to picture now than it was before all this repeated interest started surfacing.
For a franchise that has spent nearly two decades near the bottom of the standings, that kind of patience is hard to come by. The Beam Team’s rise and fall only reinforced how difficult it is to build something lasting in Sacramento. Still, Perry may be playing the long game with Duren and Kuminga, with an eye on 2027 and the cap space that could make those pursuits possible.
In Other News...
Kings Passed On A Proven Star And Fans Will Debate Why
The Kings had a chance to take a swing on a proven scorer when the front office considered a trade offer for Trae Young involving Zach LaVine, according to team insider James Ham. It was the kind of decision that can shape a franchise for years, especially for a club trying to find the right blend of star power and financial flexibility in a crowded Western Conference.
Sacramento ultimately passed, with concern over Youngs contract extension demands weighing heavily in the decision. Young later landed with the Washington Wizards and signed a four-year, $212.8 million deal, which only sharpens the debate around whether the Kings were being disciplined or too cautious when the opportunity was there. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Passed On A Major Guard Gamble For A Bigger Plan
The Kings have been sorting through the same broader question that hangs over every team trying to retool on the fly: stay with proven names or keep prioritizing flexibility for the next phase. Sacramento has already explored the possibility of moving former All-Stars Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, a sign that the front office is at least willing to think big while rebuilding around younger pieces. Against that backdrop, the team also had a chance to make an even louder move at guard, only to turn it down.
Trae Youngs name has hovered in the conversation, but the reported hesitation centered on the price of a long-term extension and what that kind of commitment would mean for the roster the Kings are trying to shape. Instead, Sacramento added Darius Acuff Jr. in the draft, and the early Summer League showing has only added intrigue to a path that looks more patient than splashy. The bigger question now is whether the Kings are finally choosing a direction, or simply keeping every door open a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Linked To Proven Guard As Point Guard Depth Looms
The Kings have already mapped out their backcourt for the moment, with rookie Darius Acuff Jr. penciled in as the starting point guard and Ben Simmons back as the primary reserve. Still, the search for another steady hand makes sense for a team that could use more depth and insurance at the position, especially if Sacramento wants someone who can handle pressure and keep the offense organized when the rotation gets thin.
Sylvain Francisco has emerged as a name worth watching because he brings real EuroLeague credentials, along with a reputation for scoring and disruptive defensive energy. The French guard has won multiple titles and individual honors overseas, and his rsum suggests a player accustomed to high-level responsibility. The question for Sacramento is whether his smaller frame can hold up defensively against NBA backcourts, but the fit as a bench option is easy to see if the Kings decide to keep adding experience behind their young starter. [Read more 🡒]