Scott Perry left the door open for the Kings to solve their backup point guard issue from within, and he also kept a possible Russell Westbrook reunion on the table.
Sacramento has already spent the offseason adding length and 3-point shooting on the wings while continuing to develop its young players. No. 7 overall pick Darius Acuff Jr. is viewed as the lead guard of the future, but the reserve spot behind him is still unsettled.
At his press conference this past week, Perry made clear the Kings are not locked into one answer.
"We'll be open to any any opportunity to help us gets us better. Whether that is someone that's not currently on the roster or maybe we feel that we have enough on our roster that we can kind of fill that gap or that void in terms of being a backup point guard," Perry said. "So, uh that's a very important position and we'll make sure that we give it the proper attention that we need to."
Even without many traditional point guards on the roster, Doug Christie has options who can handle the ball. Perry pointed to Malik Monk and Nique Clifford as possible candidates to take on some of that responsibility.
"I think Malik Monk has played it in the past. We've seen him do it a little bit," Perry said.
"You know, Nique Clifford, we auditioned him a little bit toward the end of the year. You know, in today's game, you need multiple ball handlers on the floor who can just initiate offense.
They may not all be "pure point guards", and I think Darius is showing you quickly that he's going to be able to be that."
That kind of flexibility matters, especially with Monk and Clifford both able to handle the ball and attack closeouts after a kickout. Acuff looks ready to shoulder the main playmaking load, but the Kings could still use someone with real experience running an offense.
That is where Westbrook comes in. The veteran guard is still a free agent, and both sides have not shut down the idea of a reunion. Perry also acknowledged the financial hurdle, noting Sacramento may only be able to offer a veteran's minimum, which Westbrook "outplayed."
Westbrook gave the Kings a major lift last season after being pushed into the starting lineup, putting up 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists while also serving as a locker rook leader for Sacramento's rookies.
Clifford and Maxime Raynaud both praised Westbrook during the season for the way he guided them and showed them how to handle life as a pro. Bringing him back on another minimum-type deal may be a tough sell, but it would give Acuff another veteran voice and deepen Sacramento's backcourt.
In Other News...
Kings Are Putting Darius Acuff Jr. In A Tough Spot Already
Darius Acuff Jr. is being asked to do a lot already, and Sacramentos guard picture only makes the assignment tougher. The rookie has been pushed into the starting point guard role because the Kings are thin at the position, with a crowded roster that still leaves the backcourt looking unfinished and little proven help behind him.
Isaiah Stevens could become part of the answer if he shows enough in summer action, and the Kings also have a few different ways to keep searching for help. Malik Monk remains on the roster and could be moved if the right opportunity comes along, while undrafted guards like Milos Uzan and Nick Boyd are the kind of developmental names Sacramento may have to consider as it tries to give Acuff some breathing room. [Read more 🡒]
Kings May Have Found Another Raynaud Style Rotation Answer
Emanuel Sharp has wasted no time giving Sacramento a reason to lean in after the 2026 NBA Draft. The Kings took the guard with the 45th pick, and his early Summer League work has looked the part of a player who can at least force his way into the conversation, from a strong showing in the California Classic to a debut in Las Vegas that turned heads for more than just his scoring. For a team that spent last season near the bottom in defense and at the back of the league in made threes, any young perimeter piece who can help on both ends is going to get a long look.
The caution, of course, is that Summer League can flatter almost anyone for a week or two, and Sacramento knows better than to crown a rookie on July results alone. Still, Sharp has done enough to create a real buzz around the Kings' backcourt mix, especially with Darius Acuff Jr. saying Sharp has been the team's best player over the last few games. Whether that holds once the games count is a different question, but the early signs have been encouraging enough to make him one of the more interesting names in camp. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Fans Can Feel This Kuminga Pursuit Getting Complicated
The Kings have spent the offseason trying to keep their options open, and Jonathan Kuminga has quickly become one of the more intriguing names on their radar. Sacramentos improved salary-cap flexibility gives it more room to work than it had before, but the club is still operating in a range where a straightforward free-agent payday may not be realistic for a player drawing this much attention.
That is where the pursuit starts to get tricky. A sign-and-trade appears to be the cleanest path if the Kings want to stay in the conversation, but they are hardly alone in trying to thread that needle, and the market around Kuminga could end up deciding which team is willing and able to go the furthest. For Sacramento, the interest is real, but so are the financial hurdles standing in the way. [Read more 🡒]