Sacramento Kings 2026-27 NBA Preseason Preview

· Yahoo Sports

The Sacramento Kings are coming off another disappointing season, finishing 22-60 in 2025-26.

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Now, they enter the year with a projected starting lineup that has played zero games together and new pieces across the board.

Last year’s poor finish earned the Kings the No. 7 overall pick, which they used to select Bob Cousy Award Winner Darius Acuff Jr. out of the University of Arkansas, whom the front office believes is their superstar of the future.

Sacramento also landed the winningest player in UConn men’s basketball history, Alex Karaban, and All-Big 12 First Team Selection, Emanuel Sharp, from the University of Houston.

Injuries to the team’s veterans last year also allowed rookies like Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford, and Dylan Cardwell to play significant minutes. They gained valuable experience against some of the league’s most talented players. While that didn’t translate to many wins, they learned on the fly, whereas many of their rookie counterparts either came off the bench or played no minutes at all.

The Kings enter the 2026-27 campaign hoping for a more prolific season and a roster full of players young and old eager to prove their worth. From veterans who haven’t played an NBA minute in over a year to rookies looking to land extended minutes as soon as possible, this year will be defined by development, healthy competition, and optimism.

Kings’ Biggest Offseason Loss: DeMar DeRozan

The Kings’ biggest loss has to be six-time NBA All-Star DeRozan, who they waived and stretched. This decision allowed the Kings to duck under the luxury tax line. Rather than owing him $10 million guaranteed this year, they stretched his guaranteed money over three years. The Kings will pay him just $3.33 million in 2026-27.

Losing DeRozan was for the best, but it shook up the starting lineup and scoring distribution. DeRozan can still consistently average 18+ points per game in a starting role. Where will that scoring come from now?

The forward made it known that if he was going to be a backup, he’d only be one on a winner. That team turned out to be the Nikola Jokić-led Denver Nuggets.

Aside from DeRozan, they decided to let Drew Eubanks, Killian Hayes, Doug McDermott, and Patrick Baldwin Jr. walk in free agency.

Russell Westbrook‘s contract also expired, but the Kings tried to renegotiate a deal and bring him back to mentor Acuff this season rather than let him leave. Westbrook decided to retire, preferring to go out on his own terms rather than as a backup point guard on a historically poor franchise.

The loss of Westbrook was tremendous. Westbrook was one of Acuff’s NBA heroes growing up and one of the greatest point guards of all-time. The advice he could have offered the rookie would have been invaluable as he looks to lead the Kings to new heights.

Kings’ Biggest Offseason Addition: Ben Simmons

In early August, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line revealed that the Kings were looking to sign a veteran point guard to mentor Acuff.

Originally, the two options were Westbrook, but he retired, and another was Victor Oladipo. More names soon emerged, and eventually they settled on two: Ben Simmons and Elfrid Payton.

Kings general manager Scott Perry had his eye on Simmons for quite some time. The rumors truly felt like they were going to become a reality when it was reported by Sactown Sports 1140’s Carmichael Dave that Perry planned to watch Simmons work out in Florida. Then, according to the Sacramento Bee, on Aug. 31, Simmons privately worked out with the team in Sacramento.

Simmons’s signing with Sacramento is a low-risk, high-reward decision. The risk lies in the question marks. Is Simmons truly healthy, both physically and mentally? What will his level of play be after taking a year off from professional basketball?

The reward is that, at full strength, Simmons is an excellent perimeter defender and facilitator. He’s a three-time All-Star and was named to the 2019-20 All-NBA Third Team. It’s been years since he’s performed at that level, but even a 50%-version of Simmons is a win for the Kings.

Simmons wasn’t their only signing, though. On Sep. 16, Michael Scotto reported that the Kings signed Elfrid Payton to a training camp deal. Payton most recently played for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2024-25 season. Unlike Simmons, Payton is not guaranteed a roster spot. The front office wants him to prove himself before preseason.

Signing Payton is an attempt to add a veteran mentor for Acuff. Expecting a 19-year-old to start from Day 1 is a big ask, so the Kings hope Payton makes his transition easier. In his final ten games in 2025, he dished out 10+ assists seven times. Despite that impressive stat, his most valuable asset may be the advice he provides the rookie, rather than his on-court skills.

The Kings re-signed Precious Achiuwa and Daeqwon Plowden. They originally signed both players last year, and they played their roles perfectly.

The Kings first inserted Achiuwa into the starting lineup on Nov. 6, 2025, and he averaged 11.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 57 games as a starter. He is a stout defender who addressed an immediate need at wing.

Plowden first appeared for the Kings during their run to the 2025 NBA Summer League Finals, and played in the G League to begin the year. He played 32 NBA games, averaging 10.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He’s had an up-and-down journey in the league, but earned his first standard contract.

Kings’ Best-Case Scenario Outcome

If everything goes the Kings’ way, they may find themselves fighting for a play-in berth. They have too much talent to be last in the Western Conference and in the relegation zone when the NBA Draft Lottery arrives.

By the trade deadline, they could be in a position to make some significant changes to their lineup. LaVine’s expiring contract may entice certain teams in need of a scoring boost. With his sizable contract size and overall status, he could warrant a solid return for the team.

The Kings also remain heavily interested in working out a sign-and-trade with the Detroit Pistons for Third Team All-NBA Center Jalen Duren. This most likely won’t happen, but he’d be an excellent addition if Perry makes some magic happen.

Looking past any moves the front office could make, this team is still solid overall. Their best-case scenario is that Acuff finds his stride early, distributing the ball effectively and shooting highly efficiently. Along with that, if their previously injured pieces play at the same level they were before their seasons ended, that would go a long way toward success.

Realistically, their dream scenario is a play-in berth, but depending on players’ development, they may have the tools to claw their way to the playoffs.

Kings’ Worst-Case Scenario Outcome

There is a world where health remains a major issue. Most of their previously injured players are not considered injury-prone. At the same time, they weren’t in or nearing the latter half of their careers when they were healthy. As the term “veteran” shifts into 10+ seasons played, it can be tougher to remain in tip-top shape every year.

Now, while it’s never wise to overreact to the Summer League, it can produce early signs of major flaws. Acuff was incredibly inefficient, averaging 35% from the field and just 27.8% from three.

The worst-case scenario would affect not just this season, but the organization’s long-term outlook. What is that scenario? Acuff doesn’t have what it takes to be a star in this league. His rookie season could be a major tell as to how good he can truly be.

Kings’ Biggest Question Heading Into 2026-27 Season

The current Kings starting lineup never played a minute together. Even more shocking, the four returning starters haven’t suited up together either. LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray have played together for multiple years.

This is Acuff’s first year in the league, so he will have a learning curve from the get-go. Small forward De’Andre Hunter joined the Kings in a midseason trade and subsequently injured his eye two games later. The question remains: “How will the starters mesh?”

The preseason will answer this question and more.

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