The Sacramento Kings’ offseason purge has left a long list of familiar names still looking for work, and only a handful have already found a landing spot.
After the 2025-2026 season, Sacramento moved on from several players by letting contracts run out or by waiving them outright. The list is a sizable one: Patrick Baldwin Jr., Doug McDermott, Drew Eubanks and Russell Westbrook all reached free agency when their deals expired, while the Kings waived DeMar DeRozan, Killian Hayes and Isaiah Stevens. Sacramento also dealt Devin Carter for picks and salary cap relief, a move that ended up helping the team.
So far, just two of those former Kings have new homes. Carter was sent to the Hawks, and DeRozan is now with the Nuggets. The article describes Carter as a fit for an Atlanta team that is climbing quickly in the Eastern Conference, while DeRozan lands in Denver and will “have a front-row seat to Denver wasting Nikola Jokic's prime.”
For everyone else on the list, the market has been much colder. Eubanks is the only other name drawing reported attention, with the Knicks said to be considering him after losing center depth following their championship run. He would give them a backup option behind Karl-Anthony Towns.
The rest remain without a team for the 2026-2027 season, and that includes players who have already watched their situations unravel. Dario Saric ran into this same problem at the 2026 trade deadline, when the Kings traded him and he was waived out of the league before ending up in Europe.
There’s also the uncomfortable possibility that playing for Sacramento hasn’t helped. The source points to the Kings’ lack of success and the limited minutes many of these players got in Sacramento as factors that may be making other teams hesitant.
Westbrook’s case has been especially stark. The source says things are so bad for former Kings that he retired, though it also notes he had already been struggling to secure a contract before arriving in Sacramento. He ultimately chose retirement over offers from the Kings and the Wizards, something the article suggests the front office may have mishandled.
Even with the slow start to free agency, there’s still a path forward for the group. The article says they could end up with NBA, G League, EuroLeague, NBL, CEBL or CBA teams. Sacramento didn’t work out for them, but the reporting makes clear that doesn’t mean their playing days are over.
In Other News...
Kings Passed On A Proven Star And Fans Will Debate Why
The Kings had a chance to take a swing on a proven scorer when the front office considered a trade offer for Trae Young involving Zach LaVine, according to team insider James Ham. It was the kind of decision that can shape a franchise for years, especially for a club trying to find the right blend of star power and financial flexibility in a crowded Western Conference.
Sacramento ultimately passed, with concern over Youngs contract extension demands weighing heavily in the decision. Young later landed with the Washington Wizards and signed a four-year, $212.8 million deal, which only sharpens the debate around whether the Kings were being disciplined or too cautious when the opportunity was there. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Passed On A Major Guard Gamble For A Bigger Plan
The Kings have been sorting through the same broader question that hangs over every team trying to retool on the fly: stay with proven names or keep prioritizing flexibility for the next phase. Sacramento has already explored the possibility of moving former All-Stars Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, a sign that the front office is at least willing to think big while rebuilding around younger pieces. Against that backdrop, the team also had a chance to make an even louder move at guard, only to turn it down.
Trae Youngs name has hovered in the conversation, but the reported hesitation centered on the price of a long-term extension and what that kind of commitment would mean for the roster the Kings are trying to shape. Instead, Sacramento added Darius Acuff Jr. in the draft, and the early Summer League showing has only added intrigue to a path that looks more patient than splashy. The bigger question now is whether the Kings are finally choosing a direction, or simply keeping every door open a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Linked To Proven Guard As Point Guard Depth Looms
The Kings have already mapped out their backcourt for the moment, with rookie Darius Acuff Jr. penciled in as the starting point guard and Ben Simmons back as the primary reserve. Still, the search for another steady hand makes sense for a team that could use more depth and insurance at the position, especially if Sacramento wants someone who can handle pressure and keep the offense organized when the rotation gets thin.
Sylvain Francisco has emerged as a name worth watching because he brings real EuroLeague credentials, along with a reputation for scoring and disruptive defensive energy. The French guard has won multiple titles and individual honors overseas, and his rsum suggests a player accustomed to high-level responsibility. The question for Sacramento is whether his smaller frame can hold up defensively against NBA backcourts, but the fit as a bench option is easy to see if the Kings decide to keep adding experience behind their young starter. [Read more 🡒]