Trapped in the "Basement Floor" after a dismal 22-60 season, Sacramento faces a pivotal summer of roster upheaval, high-priced veteran trades, and a high-stakes lottery pick.
Law Murray of The Athletic dropped the final NBA power rankings for the 2025-26 season on Monday night, and the Sacramento Kings finished second-to-last, dropping three spots.
Murray arranged the rankings in five categories: "Top Contenders," "In a Good Place," "The Bubble," "Not the Tier to Fear" and "Basement Floor." Sacramento's placing 29th put the team in the "Basement Floor" tier.
He highlighted how the Kings had their worst season in 17 years, and former members of the organization thrived in the NBA Finals. The team finished 22-60, attempting to tank for a top-four pick and ended with the No. 7 pick in next Tuesday's draft.
"The basketball gods did not reward Sacramento at all," Murray wrote. "It seems like they can draft a new guard, but they also have to figure out what to do with the misshapen collection of veterans who are fine players in a vacuum but were an awful fit on this defenseless team, especially center Domantas Sabonis."
Sacramento wants to move forward by getting younger and gaining some financial flexibility. Murray's sentiment is not misguided; the veterans are good players, but they are hamstringing the team.
Guard Zach LaVine will become the highest-paid player on the team next season if he picks up his $49 million player option. Sabonis will be the second-highest paid King at $45.47 million, and guard DeMar DeRozan is the third at $25.74 million.
LaVine and Sabonis missed significant stretches of the year due to season-ending surgeries, freeing opportunities for the young players. Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell, Nique Clifford and Devin Carter thrived with more chances.
The young players developed during an injury-riddled season, which has put the futures of Sabonis and LaVine with the team in question. KingsRoundtable has kept up with various trade ideas involving both players, further suggesting that they are likely the first players to leave the team.
Trade ideas involve sending LaVine to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for multiple role players and two Sabonis trades: one to the Brooklyn Nets and the other to the Charlotte Hornets.
While the Kings' trade rumors have heated up, there is a chance they will make little changes in the offseason. They are in a difficult situation with expensive veterans and developing young players.
It is an important summer for Sacramento. The draft is next week, and the organization is eyeing its next lead prospect. They can also engage in trade talks with other teams.
The Kings' offseason dominoes should begin to fall next week when they choose their preferred prospect with the No. 7 pick.
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