Senior NBA writer for Andscape and ESPN, Marc J. Spears, reports that the Sacramento Kings could look to explore the trade market to unload multiple veteran players due to a disconnect between them and head coach Doug Christie’s coaching staff.
“The Kings are struggling with the likes of Murray and veterans Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Russell Westbrook on their roster. Sources told Andscape that there is a disconnect between some veteran Kings players and Christie and his coaching staff,” Spears wrote in a recent column for Andscape.
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Since winning 48 games and making the playoffs during the 2022-23 season, the Kings’ win total has decreased over the past two seasons. In 2023-24, Sacramento dropped to 46 wins and missed the playoffs, then failed to qualify again last season, finishing with 40 wins. A promising young roster that once seemed to have turned a corner now appears headed for a high lottery pick after starting 6-20 in the 2025-26 season.
The future looked bright in Sacramento when De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis led the team, supported by Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, rookie Keegan Murray, and others. But after the organization decided to part ways with former head coach Mike Brown early last season, it paved the way for the De’Aaron Fox trade to San Antonio midway through the season.
Veteran and former Chicago Bull Zach LaVine was part of the three-team trade that sent Fox to the Spurs and brought him to the Kings. LaVine joined a trio that also included DeMar DeRozan, who was acquired in a trade during the 2024 offseason. Sacramento completed the trio by signing triple-double king Russell Westbrook to a one-year deal in October.
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Now the Kings are at a crossroads with a veteran-heavy team that isn’t pulling its weight at this moment. While a player like Murray is viewed as the future, being just 25 years old, battling for shots with the likes of LaVine, DeRozan, Westbrook, and even Dennis Schroder isn’t the best way to develop a young player. LaVine, DeRozan, Westbrook, and Schroder are all 30 or older and not the players you’re building around for the long-term at this point in their careers.
With the NBA trade deadline approaching in February, these next couple of months could be quite busy for the Kings’ front office if reports are true. Sacramento is currently tied for the third-worst record in the NBA with no sign of relief on the horizon.
Sacramento is back in action on Thursday night in Portland to take on the Trail Blazers.
