The Sacramento Kings are once again asking their fans for something that’s become all too familiar: patience.
General manager Scott Perry addressed the media following a quiet trade deadline, and while the message was measured, the reality is hard to ignore-this team is back in rebuilding mode just three years removed from a 48-win season and their lone playoff appearance in the past two decades. At 12-42, the Kings currently sit at the bottom of the NBA standings, and despite a roster loaded with veteran contracts, they opted not to blow it up or make a splash.
The only notable move Sacramento made was a deal that sent Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder to Cleveland in exchange for De’Andre Hunter. Hunter, 28, has had a rocky season with the Cavs-his shooting numbers are down (42.3% from the field, 30.8% from deep), and he lost his starting role-but Perry remains optimistic about his upside.
“(Hunter) allows us to defend at a high level, I believe,” Perry said. “He’s exhibited that throughout his career.
He’s been a very good shooter from the perimeter. I know his numbers were a little down this season coming from Cleveland, but there’s enough historical evaluation that leads me to believe he’ll be helpful for [us].”
This is a classic buy-low move. Hunter’s not going to fix Sacramento overnight, but if he can rediscover his rhythm on both ends of the floor, he could become a core piece moving forward-especially on a team that’s desperate for reliable two-way wings.
As for Schröder, the Kings’ decision to move on from the veteran point guard just months after signing him to a three-year, $44.4 million deal speaks volumes about how quickly things unraveled. Schröder was expected to be a major contributor this season, but he was eventually replaced in the starting lineup by Russell Westbrook. According to Perry, the fit just never materialized.
“As the season unfolded, the fit didn’t work,” Perry said. “That happens sometimes.”
It’s a blunt but honest assessment. Sacramento reportedly made it a condition of the deal that Schröder’s contract be included in any trade involving Ellis, signaling they were ready to move on.
What’s more interesting is who didn’t get moved.
Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, and Malik Monk were all names swirling in trade rumors leading up to the deadline, but the Kings ultimately stood pat. Perry didn’t offer much in the way of explanation, but there are some logical reasons behind the non-moves.
LaVine holds a $49 million player option this summer, and DeRozan is entering the final year of his deal at $25.7 million. That kind of contract flexibility could make them easier to trade in the offseason when expiring deals become more valuable to teams looking to create cap space or reset their rosters.
Monk drew interest, but his contract-$20.2 million next season with a $21.6 million player option for 2027-28-was a sticking point. Teams weren’t eager to take on that kind of long-term money for a player who’s shown flashes but hasn’t consistently delivered as a top option.
Sabonis, meanwhile, is still owed $45.5 million and $48.6 million over the next two seasons. That kind of commitment limited his market, even though Toronto reportedly made a push to acquire him before talks stalled. Perry didn’t tip his hand about Sabonis’ future, but he made one thing clear.
“Well, he’s here,” Perry said. “His future is with the Kings right now. … He’s a Sacramento King right now.”
That’s about as non-committal as it gets, but it also reflects the uncertainty surrounding this roster. The Kings are clearly in transition, trying to balance the contracts of win-now veterans with the reality of a team that’s nowhere near contending.
For now, Sacramento is betting on internal development and a reset in the offseason. Whether that’s enough to get them back on track-or simply buys more time-is the question that looms over the rest of this season.