The Sacramento Kings enter the 2025–26 NBA season off the again of a tough offseason that has been dominated by their constant pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga. The Kings completed ninth within the West final season with a 40-42 file, finally crashing out within the play-in event.
They’ve proceeded to double down on the core of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis. The Kings have additionally added veteran level guard Dennis Schroder, and at the moment are seeking to spherical off a comparatively quiet offseason with the acquisition of Kuminga. And whereas that can give them one other scoring outlet, questions on Schroder persist alongside a scarcity of defensive enchancment.
This may occasionally finally require a dip into the commerce market, with two gamers rising as apparent candidates for various causes.
Regardless of Murray being one of many brightest younger gamers the Kings have, he has emerged as a commerce candidate as a result of he’s additionally one of many solely remaining commerce property on their roster. At 24 years outdated and on a modest $11.1 million wage, Murray gives uncommon upside, robust protection, secondary scoring, and a team-friendly contract that the Kings could make use of in pursuit of an even bigger star.
Murray began all 76 regular-season video games for the Kings final season, averaging 12.4 factors, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists, per Basketball Reference. The Kings could have made him an untouchable within the present offseason because of his potential.
Nonetheless, their core discover themselves in win-now mode and getting a participant in the same timeline could finally show tantalizing, particularly contemplating the potential superstars which are prone to be obtainable.
Malik Monk is essentially the most tradable high-value asset on the Kings’ roster. Recent off the career-best season of his life, Monk’s scoring versatility and playmaking make him a coveted piece for playoff-ready groups. He’s on a team-friendly contract, incomes roughly $18.8 million this season and $20.2 million subsequent, with a participant choice in 2027–28.
That, alongside the presence of LaVine and DeRozan, makes him one of many apparent candidates to be placed on the commerce block subsequent. The Kings are in a fragile place and their subsequent transfer could as nicely decide whether or not they emerge as severe playoff contenders, or fizzle out as soon as once more.
Monk was already the favourite to be included within the Schroder sign-and-trade, and is anticipated to be the primary one to be traded by the Kings.