The Sacramento Kings didn’t wait around for the trade deadline to make a move - they kicked things off with a three-team deal that brought in forward De’Andre Hunter, while sending out Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder, and Dario Saric. And now, the 28-year-old Hunter is officially in the building.
Hunter took part in his first practice with the Kings on Tuesday and met with the media afterward, giving off the vibe of a veteran ready for a fresh start.
“It’s good energy here,” Hunter said. “A lot of great coaches that have a lot of experience in the league, and very experienced players who’ve been good in the league for a while. So I’m just excited for a new opportunity.”
That new opportunity could come as soon as Wednesday night, when the Kings host the Memphis Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center. Whether Hunter starts or comes off the bench remains to be seen - head coach Doug Christie kept that close to the vest - but there’s no hiding the team’s excitement about adding another versatile, two-way presence to the rotation.
“Super excited, man,” Christie said. “Watching him on the defensive end makes me smile.
Elite length, athleticism, knowing that he can stretch the floor and shoot the three-ball, has mid-range… just a really, really good and smart player. Very headsy.
As far as communication, we’ll get him in the game - excited to see him out there.”
Hunter brings plenty of physical tools to the table - 6'8" with a 7'2" wingspan - and Sacramento will be counting on him to help shore up a defense that currently ranks 28th in the NBA in defensive rating. That’s been a sore spot for this team, and it’s one reason why the Kings saw value in bringing in a player who, despite some recent struggles in Cleveland, still offers upside on both ends of the floor.
In Cleveland, Hunter had slipped out of the starting lineup in favor of second-year wing Jaylon Tyson, largely due to inconsistencies on defense and a dip in shooting efficiency. But the Kings are betting that a change of scenery - and a system that leans into his strengths - can help unlock the version of Hunter that once made him a top-five prospect in the 2019 NBA Draft.
There’s also a bit of history here. Kings GM Scott Perry was in the Knicks’ front office during that 2019 draft, when New York held the third overall pick.
Hunter went fourth to Atlanta, right after the Knicks selected RJ Barrett - another player who’s been linked to Sacramento in recent trade rumors. While Perry didn’t land Hunter back then, it’s clear he’s had his eye on him for a while.
According to Hunter, Perry made that clear in their first conversations after the trade.
“It was more so just talking about how he previously wanted me, you know, in previous years,” Hunter said. “He was at a different team then, so he couldn’t really make it happen, but he was just really glad that he could make this happen now.
And he sees the potential in me, and he knows the things I could do. So, I’m just looking to do that.”
From a roster standpoint, Hunter gives the Kings something they’ve been missing - another long, athletic forward who can switch defensively and stretch the floor. Pairing him with Keegan Murray down the line could give Sacramento a dynamic, interchangeable wing duo with the size to defend multiple positions and the skill to contribute offensively without needing the ball in their hands.
“I think the both of their size and athleticism allow you to guard across the board,” Christie said. “They can switch if there’s a matchup that you like more. But yeah, definitely [Hunter’s] size and his ability to guard can keep kicking at the small forward position.”
Christie didn’t hold back when talking about the potential of that pairing.
“I’m just excited to see them together. I mean, when you think about it - you’ve got two long wings, both of them can shoot the basketball.
Both of them can guard pretty much one through five. Rebounding, cutting, mid-range, and they both play the right way for the right reasons.
They’re team players. They’re going to move the basketball, move their body.
When we talk about next actions, when we talk about crashing, they’re going to do all the little things that equate to winning. Both of them do.
So, really excited to see them out there together.”
That vision will have to wait, at least for now. Murray is still recovering from a left ankle injury and won’t be available for the next couple of weeks. But in the meantime, Hunter provides much-needed depth at the forward spot - and a chance for the Kings to evaluate how he fits into their long-term plans.
Hunter still has one year left on his contract after this season, giving Sacramento some flexibility. If he clicks with this group - and if the defense takes a step forward with him in the mix - he could become a key piece of the Kings’ core moving forward.
For now, though, it’s about taking that first step. And for Hunter, that means embracing a new opportunity in Sacramento - one that’s been a long time coming.