Kings Reshape Backcourt, but Forecasts Point to More Losses

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings enter the 2026–27 season with a rebuilt backcourt, three new draft picks, and forecasts pointing toward another year near the bottom of the Western Conference. After a 22–60 finish, Sacramento has replaced two veteran ballhandlers with a group led by the newly drafted 19-year-old point guard Darius Acuff Jr.

ESPN’s August forecast put the Kings at 19–63, last in the West. BetMGM’s season-win market, checked October 5, lists an over/under of 21.5 wins. Both place Sacramento close to last season’s losing pace.

The Kings finished 14th in the West last season, down from 40 wins the season before. They placed 26th among the National Basketball Association’s 30 teams in offensive efficiency and 28th in defensive efficiency, measures of points scored and allowed per 100 possessions. Sacramento averaged 111 points a game and surrendered 121.

Injuries took much of the established starting group out of action. Zach LaVine appeared in 39 games, Keegan Murray in 23, and Domantas Sabonis in 19. Together, they played 81 games out of a possible 246 individual appearances.

Second-year center Maxime Raynaud supplied one of the season’s more encouraging developments. The 2025 second-round pick averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 74 games, starting 56. He earned a place on the NBA’s All-Rookie second team. His emergence gives Sacramento a young center to develop alongside Sabonis, whose injuries opened extensive playing time last season.

Offseason changes

The Kings waived DeMar DeRozan in July, and Russell Westbrook retired in August. DeRozan averaged 18.4 points while playing 77 games. In his final season, Westbrook produced 15.2 points and 6.7 assists a game. Their departures remove two experienced creators from an offense that already ranked near the league’s bottom.

Sacramento also sent Devin Carter and a second-round pick to Atlanta for Alpha Kaba’s draft rights.

The Kings’ main draft acquisition was Acuff, who brings a combination of scoring and passing from Arkansas. He averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists, shot 44% from three-point range, and won the Southeastern Conference’s Player of the Year award there. His freshman season included a 49-point game against Alabama.

Kings general manager Scott Perry told Sactown Sports on September 25 that Acuff will receive substantial responsibility. Perry praised the rookie’s playmaking and anticipated difficult stretches during his first NBA season.

“There’ll be a lot of responsibility coming his way, but we’re not going to put everything on his shoulders as a rookie player,” Perry said.

The other major backcourt addition is Ben Simmons, signed to a one-year deal after sitting out last season. Perry said he watched Simmons work out in Miami and came away encouraged by his athleticism. He sees Simmons providing backup point guard minutes if he stays healthy.

Simmons’ most recent NBA production was modest in scoring and stronger in passing: 5.0 points and 5.6 assists a game in 51 appearances, with zero three-point attempts.

Through the draft, Sacramento is also hoping to bring better shooting production to a team that attempted the fewest three-pointers per game and the second-worst three-point accuracy in the league.

Sacramento acquired forward Alex Karaban, the 29th pick in the first round, from Cleveland. Connecticut’s draft announcement records 292 career three-pointers, a program record, and 37.4% shooting from that distance. He started for four seasons and helped the Huskies win two national championships.

Guard Emanuel Sharp, selected 45th, averaged 15.5 points and shot 37.2% from three-point range at Houston last season, making 2.6 threes per game.

The Kings retained Precious Achiuwa on a two-year deal after he averaged 10.1 points and 6.7 rebounds. LaVine, Murray, Sabonis, and Malik Monk remain on the roster, preserving an experienced group around the newcomers. Wing De’Andre Hunter also returns after a midseason acquisition and just two games for Sacramento.

Perry pointed to health, depth, and versatility as reasons for optimism entering coach Doug Christie’s second full season.

Opening regular-season games

The Kings play five of their first seven games on the road, including four straight away games after their first two home dates.

• Wednesday, October 21: At Los Angeles Clippers, 7:30 PM.

• Friday, October 23: Home against Portland Trail Blazers, 7 PM.

• Sunday, October 25: Home against Memphis Grizzlies, 6 PM.

• Tuesday, October 27: At San Antonio Spurs, 5 PM.

• Thursday, October 29: At New Orleans Pelicans, 5 PM.

• Saturday, October 31: At Memphis Grizzlies, 5 PM.

• Monday, November 2: At Dallas Mavericks, 5 PM.