The Sacramento Kings are heading into the trade deadline with more questions than answers-but that’s by design. Under the leadership of first-year general manager Scott Perry, the Kings aren’t chasing quick fixes. They’re laying the bricks for something more sustainable, even if that means taking a few lumps along the way.
Perry, a longtime NBA executive with over 25 years in the league, has made it clear what kind of culture he’s trying to build in Sacramento. Alongside interim head coach Doug Christie, the Kings’ front office has centered the franchise’s identity around six core principles: competitive, tough, team-oriented, disciplined, accountable, and professional. Those words aren’t just buzzwords-they’re literally written on the walls of the Kings’ locker room at Golden 1 Center.
And right now, those values are being put to the test.
At 12-33 and sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference, the Kings are expected to be active sellers at the trade deadline. That could mean moving on from veterans like DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, Dennis Schroder, Malik Monk, or Keon Ellis-players who still hold value across the league and could help Sacramento reshape its roster for the long haul.
But don’t expect a fire sale. Perry isn’t interested in short-term gains or chasing an eighth seed just to say they made the playoffs. He’s playing the long game.
“This is going to be a slow build,” said a league insider familiar with Perry’s thinking. “It might not be what Kings fans want to hear, but if you want a strong house, you need a strong foundation. Scott’s focused on building something that can last.”
That kind of patience might be hard to sell in Sacramento, where the team has made just one playoff appearance in the last 20 years. But Perry’s blueprint echoes what we’ve seen from teams like Oklahoma City and Detroit-franchises that tore it down to the studs and rebuilt through smart drafting, player development, and strategic trades. That’s the model Perry appears to be following.
And that brings us to the rumors. Sacramento’s name has been popping up in trade chatter, with one name frequently linked to the Kings: Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga, a 23-year-old with elite athleticism and untapped upside, would be a fascinating addition to the Kings’ young core. He’s recently re-entered Golden State’s rotation following Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL injury, which has complicated any potential trade scenarios. Still, Sacramento remains intrigued.
What makes Kuminga particularly appealing to the Kings isn’t just his talent-it’s his mindset. According to those close to the situation, Kuminga has shown genuine interest in joining a rebuilding team and being part of something from the ground up. That kind of buy-in is rare, especially for a young player with options.
“Scott met with him in Miami for about an hour and a half,” said one source. “There’s a real connection there. Kuminga wants to be part of this, and that’s huge when you’re trying to build a new culture.”
Whether a deal for Kuminga materializes remains to be seen-especially with Butler’s injury potentially shifting the Warriors’ priorities. But if the Kings can find a way to land a player like Kuminga, even if it requires a third team to get involved, it would be a major step forward in their rebuild.
In the meantime, Sacramento is already leaning into its youth movement. Head coach Doug Christie has been giving increased minutes to rookies like Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell. All three are currently part of the regular rotation, and the coaching staff is committed to helping them grow into reliable contributors at the NBA level.
That shift has come at the expense of some veterans. Players like LaVine, Sabonis, Monk, and Ellis have seen their roles fluctuate in recent weeks, with Ellis in particular seeing a steep reduction in playing time.
But that’s part of the process. The Kings are using the rest of this season to evaluate what they have-and who fits into their long-term vision.
So while this year’s record might not reflect it, something is happening in Sacramento. It’s not flashy, and it’s not fast.
But it’s purposeful. And if Perry and Christie stay the course, the Kings could be laying the foundation for a team that doesn’t just make the playoffs-but sticks around for a while once they get there.