The Sacramento Kings may be sitting at the bottom of the standings, but don’t expect them to start cutting ties with their veterans anytime soon. General manager Scott Perry made that clear on Friday, telling reporters he doesn't anticipate any buyout agreements with the team’s veteran players before the end of the season.
“I expect the veterans to be here through the end of the season,” Perry said, emphasizing that he wants those players not only competing hard when they’re on the court but also stepping into leadership roles when they’re not. It’s a clear signal from the front office: this isn’t a team looking to tank through subtraction. If anything, they’re leaning on experience to help guide a young roster through a tough stretch.
There had been some buzz ahead of the trade deadline that Sacramento was open to moving veterans like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, and Malik Monk. But all four are locked into multiyear deals, making the buyout route unlikely. These aren't short-term rentals-these are cornerstone-caliber players, or at the very least, high-level contributors with value on and off the floor.
Still, when you look at the Kings’ 12-40 record-the worst in the league-it’s fair to wonder whether some roster reshuffling is on the horizon. And that brings us to Russell Westbrook.
The former MVP is still putting up solid numbers at age 37: 15.3 points, 6.7 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting .430 from the field, .348 from deep, and .703 from the line. He’s logging nearly 30 minutes a night across 49 games, proving he’s still got gas in the tank.
Westbrook’s name leads the list of potential buyout candidates in a recent ranking by John Hollinger, who placed him in the “rotation-caliber additions” tier. That’s not just a nod to his résumé-it’s a recognition of what he’s still capable of bringing to a contending team. Whether or not Sacramento ultimately decides to go that route remains to be seen, but for now, Perry’s message is clear: the vets are staying put.
Another name on Hollinger’s list is backup center Drew Eubanks, slotted at No. 27 under the “maybe there’s something left in the tank?” category. Eubanks has had flashes as a capable reserve big, and while he’s not the kind of player who shifts a playoff race, he could draw interest if the Kings pivot later in the season.
Despite their spot at the bottom of the standings, Sacramento isn’t completely isolated. They’re within four games of five other teams-New Orleans, Indiana, Brooklyn, Washington, and Utah-in the reverse standings.
That proximity could influence how the Kings approach the final stretch of the season. But for now, they’re keeping their veterans in the fold, hoping leadership and continuity can help steady the ship, even as the losses pile up.