{"id":282294,"date":"2026-04-23T17:13:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T17:13:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/282294\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T17:13:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T17:13:22","slug":"why-the-sacramento-kings-future-may-not-include-shortcuts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/282294\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Sacramento Kings’ future may not include shortcuts"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Sacramento Kings are heading into a pivotal offseason, but the reality surrounding their roster and salary cap suggests patience\u2014not a quick turnaround\u2014will define the next phase of the franchise.<\/p>\n

After finishing 22-60 and landing the fifth-best odds in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery<\/a>, Sacramento finds itself at a crossroads.<\/p>\n

Speaking on Sactown Sports\u2019 The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross<\/a>, The Athletic\u2019s Sam Amick<\/a> made it clear that expectations around the league regarding the Kings remain tempered.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you ask people around the league, nobody is looking at this Kings roster and saying, \u2018gosh, if they got this guy or that guy, I could really see them take it off,\u2019\u201d Amick said. \u201cIt\u2019s not a one or two guy thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SACRAMENTO,<\/p>\n

(Photo by Ezra Shaw\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

That reality reinforces the belief that this is a multi-year rebuild. While the organization hasn\u2019t explicitly stated it publicly, the direction is becoming increasingly obvious, as Dave pointed out, that this is going to be a multi-year process.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe two-year point you make is well taken, and I agree,\u201d Amick added, aligning with the growing sentiment that Sacramento is not positioned to make a major leap as soon as next season.<\/p>\n

A major factor complicating any quick improvement is the team\u2019s financial situation.<\/p>\n

With massive contracts tied to players like Zach LaVine ($49 million player option for 2026-27), Domantas Sabonis (due to make $93 million over the next two seasons), and De\u2019Andre Hunter ($24 million salary in 2026-27), the Kings are projected to sit around $225 million in salary for the 2026-27 season\u2014well above the NBA\u2019s second apron.<\/p>\n

That level of spending restricts flexibility, making meaningful roster changes difficult without significant moves.<\/p>\n

Even the possibility of shedding salary comes with uncertainty. Amick pointed to the lack of a clear market for Sacramento\u2019s top players.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still don\u2019t know,\u201d he admitted when asked whether the Sacramento Kings could realistically reduce payroll before training camp.<\/p>\n

\"SACRAMENTO,<\/p>\n

(Photo by Ezra Shaw\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Trade interest around the league appears limited, and internal decisions\u2014such as LaVine\u2019s looming player option\u2014only add to the ambiguity.<\/p>\n

Amick also shed light on how player decisions are often shaped behind the scenes. While official mechanisms for exploring outside offers are limited, there are ways for agents to gauge interest\u2013and LaVine\u2019s agent, Rich Paul, is known for these kinds of situations.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnofficially, yes, I have great confidence that Rich Paul has had discussions with all kinds of teams about Zach to find out what might be out there for him,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

For Sacramento, the path forward may ultimately come down to internal development. Amick highlighted the need for players like Keegan Murray (who is also set to play the first year of his five-year, $140 million extension) to take a significant leap, noting that \u201cKeegan [needs] to be a guy, like a real guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murray, who missed the majority of the 2025-26 season due to ankle and hand injuries, will enter next season as the Kings\u2019 fifth-highest-paid player behind LaVine, Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan ($25 million salary isn\u2019t fully guaranteed), and Hunter.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, the Sacramento Kings appear committed to a longer timeline\u2014one that prioritizes gradual growth over immediate results.<\/p>\n

If they can\u2019t offload salary this offseason, their best bet may be June\u2019s NBA Draft, where they will hope to find their next face of the franchise.<\/p>\n

Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the\u00a0Sactown Sports YouTube channel.<\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to\u00a0The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross\u00a0from 6 \u2013 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on\u00a0Sactown Sports 1140.<\/a><\/p>\n

When is the next Sacramento Kings offseason date of interest?<\/p>\n

The Sacramento Kings will now look ahead to the highly anticipated NBA Draft Lottery, which is set for Sunday, May 10th.<\/p>\n

Sacramento hasn\u2019t secured the top pick in the NBA Draft since 1989, when it selected center Pervis Ellison with the first overall selection.<\/p>\n

Be sure to stay locked in to Sactown Sports 1140 all offseason for NBA Draft Lottery coverage, NBA Draft previews and analysis, NBA Summer League content, and MUCH more!<\/p>\n

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule<\/p>\n

Sunday, May 10th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft Lottery
\nThursday, June 4th\u2013 NBA Finals begin
\nThursday, June 25th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 1)
\nFriday, June 26th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 2)
\nTuesday, June 30th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
\nThursday, July 9th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
\nMonday, July 13th\u00a0\u2013 Free Agency moratorium ends \/ signings can become official<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n

Follow @FCartoscelli3<\/a><\/p>\n

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