What’s Next for the Sacramento Kings After a Quiet Trade Deadline?
The Sacramento Kings didn’t exactly set the NBA world on fire at this year’s trade deadline, but don’t let the lack of fireworks fool you-this front office isn’t done shaping the future. After a flurry of early moves, Sacramento settled into a quiet finish, leaving fans with more questions than answers. Now, with the dust settled, it’s time to look at what’s next for a Kings team that’s still trying to find its identity in a crowded Western Conference.
The Deals That Did Happen
The Kings kicked things off by shaking up the roster with a three-team deal that sent Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder packing and brought in De’Andre Hunter from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Dario Šarić was also moved to the Chicago Bulls in the process. On paper, these aren’t seismic moves-but they do hint at a front office looking to retool without tearing it all down.
Hunter gives Sacramento a long, versatile wing who can defend multiple positions and knock down shots when needed. He’s not a franchise-changer, but he fits the mold of the kind of player the Kings need more of: two-way wings who can hold their own on both ends of the floor.
The Deals That Didn’t Happen
While the Kings made some noise early, they went quiet as the deadline approached-and that silence spoke volumes.
There was real chatter about a potential deal that would’ve sent Domantas Sabonis to the Toronto Raptors. That fell apart before it got serious.
DeMar DeRozan was floated as a possible outgoing piece, but he’s staying put. Malik Monk, long considered a trade candidate thanks to his scoring punch off the bench and expiring contract, also stayed in Sacramento.
The result? A roster that’s still in flux, with a few key veterans whose futures remain murky and a front office that clearly wasn’t willing to make a panic move just to make headlines.
Sabonis: A Trade Chip for the Offseason?
The Sabonis-to-Toronto talks might be dead for now, but don’t be surprised if they’re revived this summer. League insiders are already pointing to draft night as a potential inflection point for a Sabonis deal.
Here’s why: Sacramento reportedly wanted a high draft pick in any Sabonis trade, but with the big man still working his way back from a partial MCL tear, his value wasn’t quite where it needed to be. Fast forward a few months-if Sabonis gets healthy and shows flashes of his All-Star form-his market could heat up again. And with teams always looking to make a splash on draft night, don’t rule out the Kings making a big move when the lights are back on in June.
Draft Strategy: Look for a Scoring Big
Speaking of the draft, Sacramento’s next big opportunity to reshape the roster comes on lottery night. Where they land will obviously dictate a lot, but if the ping-pong balls bounce their way, there’s one name that should be at the top of their board: AJ Dybantsa.
The BYU forward is the kind of athletic, high-upside player the Kings have lacked in recent years. He’s explosive, versatile, and projects as a potential cornerstone forward who could transform the team’s frontcourt. If Sacramento lands the top overall pick, Dybantsa should be the guy holding up the Kings jersey come June.
If they don’t land the top pick? Cam Boozer out of Duke could be a strong consolation prize. Especially if the Kings decide to move on from Sabonis, Boozer could step in and provide interior scoring and rebounding right away.
Time to Get Younger
One theme that’s hard to ignore when watching the Kings: age is catching up to some of their key contributors. DeRozan and Russell Westbrook are both 36 and facing uncertain futures. Zach LaVine, while still productive, is on the wrong side of 30 and has battled injuries.
The Kings need to start building around younger, more dynamic talent-especially on the wing and in the backcourt. That doesn’t mean jettisoning all the vets, but it does mean prioritizing athleticism, energy, and long-term upside in both the draft and free agency.
The Bottom Line
The Kings didn’t make a blockbuster move at the deadline, and that’s okay-for now. But the pressure’s on this front office to make the next few months count. Whether it’s revisiting trade talks for Sabonis, landing a franchise-changing player in the draft, or simply getting younger and more athletic across the board, Sacramento still has plenty of work to do.
They’ve started reshaping the roster. Now it’s about finishing the job-and giving this fan base a reason to believe that the next wave will be the one that finally lifts the Kings into true contention.