Sacramento’s Injury Woes Are Forcing Lineup Shifts - And There Might Be a Silver Lining
The Sacramento Kings are deep in the grind of a season that’s testing their depth, their identity, and their resilience. With injuries piling up and rotations shifting, the team has had to get creative - and that’s led to Precious Achiuwa stepping into a starting role.
While Achiuwa brings defensive grit and hustle, the fit hasn’t quite clicked the way the Kings might’ve hoped. But here’s the thing: Sacramento has a few young pieces waiting in the wings who could shake things up in a good way.
Injuries Are Forcing the Kings’ Hand
Over the last couple of weeks, the Kings have been hit hard. Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and Drew Eubanks are all sidelined, leaving major holes in both the frontcourt and backcourt. To patch things together, Sacramento elevated Achiuwa and rookie big man Maxime Raynaud into the starting lineup.
Raynaud, to his credit, has looked solid. He’s holding his own, showing poise and presence that belies his inexperience.
Achiuwa, meanwhile, continues to bring energy and defense, but his impact as a starter hasn’t matched what he’s shown off the bench in the past. That’s not a knock on his ability - some players just thrive better in that sixth-man role, where they can bring a jolt of intensity without the pressure of anchoring the starting unit.
Time to Test the Rookies?
The Kings have some intriguing young talent - and now might be the right moment to give them a real shot.
Nique Clifford is one name to watch. Sacramento has experimented with him in the starting five before, and while the results weren’t stellar early on, Clifford’s development is trending in the right direction.
His shot is coming along, and he’s playing with more confidence and assertiveness. If the Kings wanted to shift DeMar DeRozan back to small forward and Keegan Murray to the four, Clifford could slot in at shooting guard and bring some fresh energy to the perimeter.
Then there’s Dylan Cardwell, another rookie recently called up from the G League. He’s making the most of his minutes, and his performance last night turned some heads - four points, eight rebounds, a steal, and five blocks.
That brings him to eight blocks over his last two games. His timing and defensive instincts are already showing up at the NBA level.
Pairing Cardwell at power forward next to Raynaud could give the Kings a defensive frontcourt that clogs lanes and protects the rim, something they’ve sorely lacked.
The Keon Ellis Conundrum
And then there’s Keon Ellis - arguably the most intriguing option of the bunch. When Ellis gets minutes, he produces.
He’s shown he can defend, knock down shots, and play with poise in big moments. His performance against the Nuggets was a prime example of what he brings to the floor when given the green light.
But the rotation decisions haven’t favored him. After a strong showing against Denver, Ellis saw his minutes slashed in the next game against Minnesota.
Then, in the first game against Portland, he played big and delivered again - only to have his role reduced in the rematch. It’s a puzzling pattern, especially when the Kings are in need of exactly the kind of two-way play Ellis offers.
If given the chance, Ellis could step in as the starting shooting guard, allowing DeRozan to slide into the power forward spot and giving the Kings a more balanced lineup. Whether that opportunity comes remains to be seen, but the numbers - and the eye test - suggest he’s earned it.
What’s Next for the Kings?
With the roster banged up and the season teetering, Sacramento has a choice to make. Stick with the current formula, or lean into the youth movement and see what these rookies can do with extended roles. Clifford, Cardwell, and Ellis all bring something different to the table, and each has shown flashes that suggest they’re ready for more responsibility.
Precious Achiuwa has value, no doubt. But if the Kings want to shake off the funk and find a spark, it might be time to reimagine the starting five - not just for the short term, but for the long-term development of their young core.