Outside of their three draft picks, the Sacramento Kings had a pretty mundane offseason. But, this could be a positive, as players return to health and continue to gain chemistry.
Outside of the Sacramento Kings' three rookie acquisitions, it was a rather quiet offseason.
But, the team should improve thanks to key contributors getting healthier and head coach Doug Christie coaching with a sense of urgency.
On Monday, a group of ESPN Insiders released their record projections for each team in the NBA, with Sacramento finishing in the basement of the Western Conference at 19-63.
The report noted the Kings' biggest acquisition of Darius Acuff Jr., but admitted there may be "growing pains" early on.
Former All-Stars Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, who are set to make nearly $100 million combined this upcoming year, will return to full health and help Acuff with the offensive load, but don't provide much on the defensive end.
Throughout the offseason, both players were floated as potential trade candidates, but will remain on the team at least to start the season.
Keegan Murray and De'Andre Hunter also missed significant time last season, which contributed to Sacramento's 3-point shooting woes.
Both players are solid defenders on the perimeter, and should help to pick up the slack from the offensive-focused trio of Acuff, LaVine, and Sabonis.
If Acuff can live up to the hefty expectations being placed on him, Sacramento will gain another level of scoring and playmaking.
Acuff's efficiency was not great during the 2026 NBA Summer League, but he still averaged 19 points, 5.3 assists, and one steal per game.
Acuff delivered multiple pinpoint passes to his teammates throughout his minutes, making strong reads out of pick-and-roll actions and setting up shooters on the perimeter.
The biggest departure for Sacramento is six-time All Star DeMar DeRozan, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets.
DeRozan was a solid veteran presence for the Kings' rookies last season, but with Sacramento getting younger and more guard-focused, a reunion grew more unlikely.
One silver lining in his departure is the increased opportunity for Alex Karaban and Emanuel Sharp to see significant time, as both players bring winning culture and pedigree to a franchise looking to rebuild.
After his introductory presser with the Kings, Sharp said he believes he can translate his collegiate success to the next level.
"I bring a lot of winning DNA...we know how to win. If we just buy in to the coaching staff and what they're telling us, I think this team will be great," Sharp told ABC10 News' Kevin John.
Karaban is a proven winner in his own right, having been to three National Championships and winning two of them.
This young core along with a healthy group of Murray, Hunter, Sabonis, and LaVine should mean improvements for Sac Town.
While the team certainly has a long way to go before being hailed as title contenders, 19 wins seems low.
