The Sacramento Kings’ center room has a little bit of everything heading into 2026: a proven veteran at the top, a couple of young bigs who flashed real value last season, a versatile reserve, and a developmental two-way player still finding his lane.
At the center of it all is Domantas Sabonis, who remains the expected starter even after spending the offseason in trade rumors. Sabonis has been one of Sacramento’s best pieces over the last few seasons, and the Kings are banking on that again in 2026.
Injuries limited him to just 19 games in 2025, but he still put up 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. That’s the kind of production that keeps a frontcourt afloat, especially when it comes from a player who can score, rebound, and create for others the way he does.
If Sabonis stays healthier and keeps driving the offense the way he can, he’ll keep making a case as one of the league’s most skilled centers.
Behind him, Maxime Raynaud gave the Kings a steady lift in 2025. The second-year big played 74 games and started 56, averaging 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game.
At 7-1 and 250 pounds, he has the kind of frame that shows up in all the right places - contesting shots, finishing through contact, and cleaning the glass. If he keeps doing that on both ends, Sacramento has a dependable option in the rotation.
Dylan Cardwell is another second-year piece worth watching. Like Raynaud, he brings center size and versatility, checking in at 6-10 and 255 pounds while being able to play both power forward and center.
In 2025, he made his mark with mobility and athleticism, especially on defense, where he averaged 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. That gives the Kings a different kind of look in the frontcourt, especially when they need energy, rim protection, and rebounding.
Precious Achiuwa adds even more flexibility. He was also part of the power forward discussion, but he fits into the center mix too, which tells you how much Sacramento can mix and match in the frontcourt.
At 6-8 and 243 pounds, he is smaller than some traditional centers, but he still averaged 6.7 rebounds in 2025 and made life difficult for opponents inside. If the Kings use him at center in 2026, he has enough toughness and rebounding ability to handle the job.
Jonathan Mogbo rounds out the group as a third-year center on a two-way contract, splitting time between the NBA and the G-League. Over his first two seasons with the Toronto Raptors, he appeared in 103 games and averaged 4.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.6 steals per game.
He’s still in development mode, and at 6-9 and 225 pounds, his future role in Sacramento remains something to watch. If he keeps progressing, the G League could become the place where he sharpens his game for bigger opportunities down the line.
Overall, the Kings appear to have a center group built on depth and variety. There’s size, playmaking, rebounding, athleticism, and youth in the mix, giving Sacramento a chance to get real production at the position in 2026. If that group delivers consistently, the Kings could be in decent shape against even the NBA’s strongest frontcourts.
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Kings Have One Chance To Shut Down This Brutal National Take
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Ben Simmons is part of the answer on the defensive side, with the former All-Defensive First Team guard expected to bring some much-needed resistance to a group that needs it. There is also optimism around rookie Darius Acuff Jr. adding offense, but for the Kings, the bigger task is turning all of those pieces into a team that looks nothing like the easy target many around the league think it will be. [Read more 🡒]