The Sacramento Kings are once again getting dragged to the bottom of preseason projections, and one national analyst didn’t bother softening the blow.
On Monday, The Athletic’s Michael Pina took aim at the Kings, writing that "'“Light the Beam' might as well have happened 35 years ago."
Pina also questioned the decision to give head coach Doug Christie another year and brushed off Zach LaVine as the team’s "no. 1 option."
That kind of skepticism fits the broader view of Sacramento right now, but it also ignores some of the offense the Kings are expecting back. Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis both missed most of last season, and their return should give the team more scoring and versatility after Sacramento finished with just 111 points per game, 28th in the NBA.
Rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. is another name Christie will have to work with. He’s coming off one of the most productive freshman seasons in recent memory, and while Pina joked that Acuff’s usage rate may exceed his shooting percentage, the rookie’s playmaking and ball movement could still matter a lot for this offense. He also gives Sabonis another partner in two-man action.
The bigger issue remains on the other end. The projected starting five leans heavily offensive, and Pina went so far as to call the roster "one of the worst defenses ever assembled," in a continued rant about the group.
That may be an exaggeration, but the Kings’ most obvious gains do have to come defensively. One player who could help there is Simmons, whose size and playmaking make him one of the more versatile pieces on the roster.
Simmons is a two-time All-Defensive First Team selection from his Philadelphia 76ers days and has averaged 1.5 steals per game over his career. His blend of size and agility gives him a chance to battle bigger forwards while also sliding onto quicker guards.
Since signing Simmons, the Kings have drawn praise from multiple analysts and former players who think he can make a real impact.
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One of the more interesting long-range threads now running through Sacramento involves center Jalen Duren, a young player who already fits the kind of timeline and size the Kings have been chasing. Perry is reportedly eyeing the 2027 offseason as a possible swing point and is prepared to meet Durens contract demands, but the path there depends on the kind of roster and contract maneuvering that can change everything for a team still searching for lasting respect. [Read more 🡒]