The Sacramento Kings’ place in NBA 2K27 doesn’t exactly scream optimism. The game has them at an 81 overall, which leaves them tied with six other teams for the fourth-worst rating league-wide and points to a bottom-three spot in the Western Conference.
That number lands even with Sacramento carrying some reasons for hope. The Kings have key players returning to full health, and they’ve added Darius Acuff Jr. But NBA 2K’s early look still slots them near the bottom of the pile.
For a franchise that went through a 16-year run without a playoff appearance from 2007-2022, the baseline is already a story. That drought finally ended in 2023 when the De’Aaron Fox-led group got back to the postseason. Since then, though, Fox has been moved and Sacramento has not returned.
The individual ratings give a clearer picture of where the game sees the roster. Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis lead the way for the Kings with marks of 82 and 85, and several other Sacramento players are just outside the top-100.
Acuff comes in at 75 and ranks among the top five rookies in this year’s class. His speed with ball rating is also among the top 10 in the entire game.
That makes Acuff the biggest swing factor in Sacramento’s outlook, at least in this early snapshot. The No. 7 overall pick is expected to be handed the keys to the offense, and his growth over the rookie year will shape how much the Kings can improve as a group.
The idea of putting Acuff in the lead role has already been pushed by both media members and people inside the organization. On Tuesday, Sac Town 1140’s Matt George said exactly what he wants to see from the rookie: "I want Acuff to be the initiator, the facilitator, the primary point of attack," George said.
George also said he wants Acuff in the "De'Aaron Fox" role of the past, with the ball in his hands late and the responsibility of closing games.
That kind of setup would give Acuff a chance to grow into a major player while getting real reps in the league’s toughest moments. And he wouldn’t be doing it alone. Sabonis and second-year center Maxime Raynaud give him a pair of offensive bigs who can score and clean the glass on the interior.
In Other News...
Kings Still Have Three Spots To Fill As Offseason Wait Drags On
The Kings are still carrying three open roster spots into the late stages of the offseason, and for now there is little urgency to rush anything. Sacramento has taken a measured approach as it tries to work within tight salary cap constraints, keeping an eye on the market while avoiding commitments that could box the front office in before the right opportunity comes along.
A few of the names and scenarios that once seemed like natural fits have shifted around them, and the market has not exactly sped up to force a decision. With so little buzz around some of the players Sacramento has tracked, the Kings can afford to wait a little longer, even if the offseason drag is starting to make those unfinished spots feel more notable by the week. [Read more 🡒]
Kings May Revisit A Familiar Defensive Option For Darius Acuff Jr
The Kings already added Precious Achiuwa early in the 2025-26 season, giving the roster a physical defender who can help stabilize things around rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. Now theres another familiar name in the mix, with Sacramento reportedly exploring Victor Oladipo as a possible addition as he works his way back into the NBA after injuries. For a team looking for more toughness on that end of the floor, the idea fits the broader direction of the roster.
Oladipo and Achiuwa briefly overlapped with the Miami Heat, which makes the possibility of a reunion in Sacramento an interesting wrinkle. The Kings would not just be chasing another veteran guard, but a player whose defensive presence could ease some of the pressure on Acuff as he grows into the position. Whether that conversation turns into anything concrete is still unclear, but it is the kind of low-risk, high-upside defensive option that can linger around a team for a while once it surfaces. [Read more 🡒]