Kings GM Scott Perry said Sacramento’s offseason is focused on building a tougher, more athletic and defensive-minded roster, with culture and identity taking priority over positional needs.
Scott Perry says the Sacramento Kings are building this offseason around one goal in mind. The general manager said the team is establishing an identity.
According to him, the Kings’ roster decisions will be driven less by position and more by adding players who bring toughness, athleticism and defensive intensity.
Speaking during Wednesday's media availability, Perry said Sacramento wants every move to reflect the style it hopes to play when the 2026-27 season begins.
"We want to continue adding people that are tough, athletic, and they're going fit into the style we want to play," he said. "Become that much tougher defensively."
Despite finishing the California Classic with a clear 3-0, Perry said the Kings are still evaluating whether they need a backup point guard, another wing, or additional frontcourt depth. He added that the makeup of the player matters more than filling a specific position at this stage of the offseason.
"Whether that's the backup point guard, whether that's an additional small forward or frontline player, it's more about the makeup of the person and player than necessarily the position right now," Perry said.
The comments continued a theme Perry has emphasized since taking over as Sacramento's general manager. He acknowledged the Kings fell short of establishing the identity they wanted during the last season, when they finished 22-60.
"In all transparency, I don't think we achieved what we wanted to achieve last season in terms of that identity," Perry said. "We want to be the hardest-working, hardest-playing team in the league. That's got to be our North Star."
Perry also pointed to conditioning as a key part of that vision. He said Sacramento must become one of the league's best-conditioned teams because sustained effort depends on players being able to maintain a high level of energy throughout games.
Kings Roster Reshape in Full Swing
The Kings have already started reshaping the roster. They waived veteran DeMar DeRozan, which created financial flexibility, and re-signed Precious Achiuwa to a two-year, $11.5 million contract.
Sacramento also added rookies Darius Acuff Jr., Alex Karaban and Emanuel Sharp, while expecting second-year players Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell to take larger roles.
Despite ongoing trade speculation surrounding Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and Malik Monk, Perry indicated the organization's focus remains on building the right culture rather than making moves for the sake of change. He said LaVine understands what is expected entering the season, while Sabonis will compete like everyone else on the roster.
Perry believes that identity should become visible every night, regardless of who ultimately fills out the roster.
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/roundtable-rtb/id6450423049) and stay even more connected!
