Optimism is back around the Sacramento Kings, and Mark Jones can feel it.
At Kings Media Day, the Sacramento Kings TV play-by-play voice stopped by Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys and laid out why this season feels different for a team coming off a 22-60 campaign that was hit hard by injuries. Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray and De’Andre Hunter all missed significant time last season, but Sacramento now heads into 2026-27 with key pieces healthier and a top draft pick in Darius Acuff Jr.
For Jones, that makes Media Day feel like a reset.
“This is always fun because at this time of the year, everybody’s optimistic,” Jones said. “It’s all about hope today.”
One of the players Jones singled out was Ben Simmons. He said he saw Simmons working out in Miami during the offseason and came away impressed by how he looked physically after battling injuries in recent years.
“Ben looks like a Zulu warrior with the chest, the abs, the arms,” Jones said. “First time he’s been healthy in a couple of years. I’m really excited to see what kind of possibilities he adds to the gang already.”
Acuff is another major reason for the buzz. Sacramento hasn’t had a high lottery pick in quite some time, and Jones thinks the rookie’s makeup could help him contribute right away.
“The reason why I think he has a shot at being extremely successful in his rookie season is because of his disposition and his demeanor,” Jones said.
Jones pointed to Acuff’s scoring touch and his ability to create for others, and he sees the rookie becoming a real engine for Doug Christie’s offense.
“I see him as a really strong catalyst for this offense, and he’s going to get a lot of opportunity,” Jones said.
That offense, Jones believes, may look a lot different under Christie. He expects Sacramento to lean into pace, ball movement and fast decisions instead of living in a world of set plays.
“His desire is to have a team that makes plays, not runs plays,” Jones said. “It’s going to be based on quick reads, being able to play with pace, and really get that ball moving.”
Sabonis should be central to that vision if he stays healthy. Jones said the three-time All-Star could return as an “Uber playmaker facilitator,” after missing much of last season.
Hunter also looms as a valuable piece after appearing in only one-and-a-half games before an eye injury cut his season short. Jones said his versatility can matter on both ends.
And then there’s Murray, whom Jones views as one of the biggest swing factors on the roster.
“I think this is the year that Keegan gets back to being an elite shooter as well as a great defender,” Jones said.
With healthier stars, a new offensive identity and a rookie like Acuff entering the mix, the Kings have a chance to look a whole lot different than they did a year ago.
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