The Sacramento Kings are carrying 16 players right now, with 13 on standard NBA contracts and three on two-way deals, which leaves them two roster spots short of a full group. But don’t expect those openings to get filled anytime soon.
The Kings are sitting right near the first penalty apron with their current payroll, and adding anyone else would bring harsh penalties that would undercut the rebuild. For now, the cleaner move is to stay put and work with what they have.
That still leaves Sacramento with enough pieces to put together a competitive lineup. This isn’t a championship roster, and nobody is pretending otherwise, but it does look like a real step forward from where the Kings were a year ago. At the very least, this should be a fun team to watch in Sactown.
The backcourt is where the pressure starts. Acuff is being asked to handle the point as a rookie starter, and he has to catch up to NBA pace fast.
Monk gives them a backup option, though he fits better as a shooting guard than a true point guard. Sacramento would also be wise to lean more on Flagler and Stevens for minutes.
At shooting guard, the Kings have plenty of bodies to sort through. Since LaVine appears to be staying put, he should open the season in the starting role.
If that setup doesn’t click, Sacramento can pivot to Clifford and Sharp. Monk is still there too, but his role is expected to shrink even more this season.
The cleanest fit may be on the wing, where Keegan Murray belongs as the starting small forward. He is not being asked to carry the whole offense here.
Instead, Sacramento can put him in the right spot, ease some of the burden, and let him settle in. Daeqwon Plowden and Nique Clifford give the Kings useful backup options, while De'Andre Hunter is someone they should hold onto for now even if he is not viewed as a long-term piece.
The frontcourt is where Sacramento can really lean into size. The Kings need Sabonis at power forward and should be willing to run double-big lineups.
That approach could change the feel of the team. Behind him, Mogbo and Karaban both need minutes, while Hunter is the one who should be on the bench.
At center, the Kings have another young player ready to stay in the spotlight. Raynaud was last season’s breakout rookie star, and he should start at the five.
Cardwell also broke out and is the clear backup. Sabonis and Achiwa can fill reserve roles, and Mogbo could also see time at center.
In Other News...
Another Kings Big Could Be Headed Out As Frontcourt Reset Continues
The Knicks championship celebration has quickly turned into roster maintenance, and one of the first areas they are sorting through is the middle of the floor. New York already brought in Andre Drummond, but it is still looking for more center depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns, and the front office has been linked to Drew Eubanks, who was recently with the Kings and is now on the free-agent market.
For Sacramento, it is another reminder that the frontcourt picture keeps shifting as the offseason unfolds. Eubanks is the kind of low-cost, functional big teams can circle when they need size, rebounding and a little rim protection without spending much, and the Knicks have at least some room to explore that route as they try to fill out the roster before the second apron becomes a harder line to work around. [Read more 🡒]
Zach LaVine Just Sent A Strong Message About The Kings Backcourt
Zach LaVine has already taken an interest in the Kings next wave, and that matters in Sacramento because the backcourt picture is starting to take shape around him. Rookie Darius Acuff Jr., the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, flashed real offensive upside in Summer League even while his shot was not always falling, showing the kind of playmaking that can make a young guard worth the wait.
Acuffs line in Las Vegas hinted at why the Kings are so intrigued, with his scoring, passing and activity giving the staff a glimpse of what he could become. LaVine and coach Doug Christie are expected to be central to the present, but the rookies development is now part of the conversation too, and Sacramento will be watching closely to see how quickly that promise turns into something more concrete. [Read more 🡒]