Sacramento has tempered expectations of producing a winner this season. But this trio looks like they're capable of finishing out strong.
The Sacramento Kings earned a much needed recharge period -- all following its rough first half of 2025-26.
Many already feel that this roster should blow up, including FanDuel Sports Network analyst/former NBA player Chandler Parsons. Even general manager Scott Perry and head coach Doug Christie have faced some fierce criticism for how they've handled this roster. Although both believe this team is heading in the right direction through their recent words.
Regardless, Kings fans and media outlets that follow the team have already written off this season. But it's not time to write off these three players -- all of whom are capable of finishing strong.
The least these three talents can do is give Kings fans something positive to watch as the second half of the season comes near. Here are the three anticipated to complete 2026 in strong fashion.
Maxime Raynaud
He was considered a local get for the Kings in the June 2025 NBA Draft. The Stanford star stepped up big in the absence of Domantas Sabonis.
The 7-foot-1 big dropped three 20-point nights including delivering 29 on the Portland Trail Blazers back on Dec. 18. He's produced eight double-doubles too including three straight in the middle of December. And he leads the team with 6.6 rebounds a night.
If the Kings opt to deal away Sabonis on draft night or even before that event, Raynaud hands Sacramento a strong building block up front in the future. Don't be shocked if Raynaud earns more starter minutes to close out the year.
Nique Clifford
Raynaud has established himself as the more impressive rookie compared to the 24th pick of the draft.
Yet considering the direction this team is going in, Christie may need to swallow his pride and hand Clifford more starter minutes -- just to gain a larger glimpse into Sacramento's future.
Clifford has flashed his potential -- notably dropping 30 points on the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier in February.
DeMar DeRozan
Yes, even one of the aging veterans can close out strongly here.
But this is more about DeRozan placing himself in a position to land elsewhere. He can use the final half of the season to show he's still fully built to score 20 to 40 a night even as a 36-year-old.
DeRozan is lauded for his leadership. Yet this roster construction isn't tailored made for him moving forward. He can close out in epic fashion then make himself attractable in the offseason.
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