Kings face another full rebuild as season unravels
kings-face-another-full-rebuild-as-season-unravels
The Sacramento Kings have fallen to an NBA-worst 13-46, and the roster turmoil that followed the trade deadline has pushed the franchise toward another major overhaul.
Within one week, three of the club’s four highest-paid players—Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and DeAndre Hunter—underwent season-ending surgeries. Sacramento was already struggling; without its veterans, losses mounted quickly.
The Kings briefly halted a franchise-record 16-game skid on Monday by defeating Memphis, but the victory did little to alter the outlook. The team is 4-26 away from home and owns a 13.8 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft.
ESPN front-office analyst Bobby Marks wrote that Sacramento should “not overthink” its draft approach, emphasizing that selecting the best player available is the only viable path for a roster that needs a long-term cornerstone.
The offseason picture is equally stark. Management is expected to seek younger, less expensive pieces, a strategy that could involve exploring trades centered on Sabonis, LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, whose contract is only partially guaranteed.
After years of patchwork fixes, the Kings appear headed for a full teardown as they brace for another lottery trip.
Source: Hoops Wire
