Sacramento Kings 2025-26 Season Preview: Expectations and Insights for the Upcoming NBA Year

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October 13, 2025

Sacramento Kings Preview 2025-26: A Team at a Crossroads

the Sacramento Kings are preparing for the upcoming NBA season, hoping to rebound from a frustrating 2024-25 performance. After a promising 2022-2023 season that ended a 16-year playoff drought, the team experienced a setback, failing to secure a consistent playoff position.

Last season saw the Kings finish with a 40-42 record, landing in ninth place in the Western Conference and ultimately being eliminated in the play-in tournament. Key personnel changes, including the departure of former Coach of the year Mike Brown and the trade of De’Aaron Fox, signaled a shift in direction for the franchise. Now,with a revamped roster and new leadership,the Kings aim to reignite their competitive spirit.

Key Roster Changes and additions

The Kings underwent significant roster adjustments during the offseason. Notable arrivals include Dennis Schroder, Maxime Raynaud, Dario Saric, and Isaiah Stevens. Thes players are expected to contribute to both the offensive and defensive sides of the court.

Conversely, the team saw departures of Jonas Valanciunas, Trey Lyles, and Jae Crowder, among others. The front office is banking on the new acquisitions to fill these voids and provide a fresh dynamic to the team’s composition.

Arrivals	Departures
Scott Perry	Jonas valanciunas
Maxime Raynaud	Monte Mcnair
Dennis Schroder	Trey Lyles
Dario Saric	Jake Laravia

Projected Starting Lineup

The anticipated starting five for the Sacramento Kings includes Dennis Schroder, Zach Lavine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis. This lineup blends experience, scoring potential, and defensive capabilities, but its success will hinge on team chemistry and consistent performance.

Did You Know? Domantas Sabonis has averaged a double-double for the past three seasons, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier big men.

Player to Watch: Dennis Schroder

Veteran point guard Dennis Schroder is poised to be a pivotal figure for the Kings. His leadership, playmaking abilities, and scoring prowess will be crucial in guiding the team’s offense and setting the tempo during games. His experience will be invaluable, particularly as the Kings navigate a competitive Western Conference.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Schroder’s assist-to-turnover ratio. A consistently positive ratio will indicate strong ball security and effective decision-making.

Season Objectives and Prediction

The primary objective for the Sacramento Kings in the 2025-26 season is to return to the playoffs.After last year’s disappointment, the team needs to demonstrate consistent effort, improved teamwork, and a commitment to defensive principles. Overcoming the loss of key player De’Aaron Fox will be central to their success.

Analysts predict a challenging season for the Kings, projecting a record of 37 wins and 45 losses. Securing a play-in tournament spot will be a realistic, yet difficult, achievement, requiring a collective effort from the entire roster.

The Sacramento Kings and the Evolving NBA Landscape

The NBA is continuously evolving, with strategic rule changes aimed at enhancing offensive flow and increasing scoring.

What impact will Jae’Sean Tate have on the Kings’ defensive rating?

Key Offseason Moves & roster Changes

The Sacramento kings entered the 2025 offseason with clear objectives: bolster their perimeter defense and add consistent scoring off the bench.They addressed both through a series of strategic moves.

* Trade for Jae’Sean Tate: Acquired from the Houston Rockets in exchange for a protected first-round pick, Tate brings a much-needed defensive intensity and reliable three-point shooting. This addresses a key weakness identified in the Kings’ 2024-25 playoff run.

* Free Agent signing: Dennis Smith Jr.: Smith Jr. signed a three-year, $45 million deal to provide backup point guard depth and a scoring punch.His athleticism and playmaking ability complement the starting lineup nicely.

* Draft Pick – Nikola Đurišić (13th Overall): The Kings selected Serbian wing Nikola Đurišić, a high-upside player known for his shooting and versatility. Expect a slow integration into the rotation, focusing on development in the G-League.

* Departures: Terrence Davis signed with the Orlando Magic, and Tristan Thompson opted for a retirement deal. These departures free up cap space and playing time for younger players.

Analyzing the Starting Lineup

The Kings’ starting five remains largely intact, but with subtle improvements.

1. de’Aaron Fox (PG): Fox continues to be the engine of the Kings’ offense. Expect him to build on his All-Star campaign and further refine his decision-making.
2. Kevin Huerter (SG): Huerter’s shooting remains crucial for spacing the floor. Focus will be on improving his defensive consistency.
3. Keegan Murray (SF): Murray is poised for a breakout season. Increased offensive responsibility and a more refined post-game are anticipated.
4. Domantas Sabonis (PF): Sabonis remains a double-double threat and the team’s primary interior presence. Maintaining his health will be paramount.
5. Alex Len (C): Len provides veteran leadership and rim protection. The Kings will be closely monitoring Đurišić’s development as a potential long-term solution at the center position.

Offensive Outlook: Can They Maintain the Pace?

The Kings were a top-10 offensive team last season, averaging 118.5 points per game. Maintaining that level of production will depend on several factors:

* Fox & Sabonis Synergy: The pick-and-roll connection between Fox and Sabonis is the team’s bread and butter. Opponents will continue to focus on disrupting this dynamic.

* Improved Three-Point Shooting: While the Kings shot a respectable 36.1% from three, increasing volume and consistency from beyond the arc is crucial for sustained success. Tate and Đurišić are expected to contribute in this area.

* Bench Scoring: The addition of Smith Jr. and the continued development of Davion Mitchell should provide a more reliable scoring punch off the bench.

Defensive Concerns & Potential Improvements

Defense remains the Kings’ biggest question mark. They allowed 115.4 points per game last season, ranking 22nd in the league.

* Jae’sean Tate’s Impact: tate is expected to be a significant upgrade defensively, providing perimeter pressure and versatility.

* Team rotations: coach Mike Brown will need to find effective defensive rotations that maximize the team’s strengths and minimize its weaknesses.

* Rebounding: Improving rebounding consistency, particularly on the defensive end, is essential for limiting second-chance opportunities.

Western Conference Landscape & Playoff Projections

The Western Conference remains highly competitive. The Denver Nuggets, Minnesota timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder are considered the frontrunners.The Kings will face stiff competition from the Phoenix suns, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans.

* Realistic Playoff Seed: A realistic expectation for the Kings is a play-in tournament berth, with a chance to secure a top-6 seed if they can stay healthy and consistently improve their defense.

* Key Matchups: Games against the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Thunder will be crucial tests of the Kings’ championship aspirations.

* Potential Dark horses: the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies could also emerge as contenders in the West.

Injury Concerns & Player Health

Maintaining player