The Sacramento Kings enter the 2026-27 NBA preseason with a completely reshaped roster, aiming to rebound from a difficult 22-60 campaign.
Last season's poor record secured the Kings the No. 7 overall pick. They used it on Bob Cousy Award winner Darius Acuff Jr., a point guard from Arkansas viewed as a future superstar. Sacramento also drafted UConn's all-time wins leader Alex Karaban and All-Big 12 First Team selection Emanuel Sharp from Houston.
Injuries to veterans last year forced rookies like Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford, and Dylan Cardwell into major minutes. They gained tough experience that should help them compete for roles this year. The roster is now a mix of young players eager to prove themselves and veterans looking to re-establish their NBA careers.
The biggest departure is six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan. The Kings waived and stretched his contract to avoid the luxury tax, a move that saves them over $6 million this season. DeRozan, who can still score 18 points per game, signed with the Denver Nuggets to chase a title.
Sacramento also let Drew Eubanks, Killian Hayes, Doug McDermott, and Patrick Baldwin Jr. Leave in free agency. A significant mentorship loss was Russell Westbrook, whose contract expired. The Kings tried to re-sign him to guide Acuff, but Westbrook chose retirement over a backup role with a rebuilding team.
The primary addition is veteran point guard Ben Simmons. After Westbrook retired, General Manager Scott Perry focused on Simmons as a potential mentor for Acuff. The team also considered Elfrid Payton before finalizing the deal with Simmons in late August.
Simmons brings playmaking and defensive versatility, assuming he can stay healthy. His experience is vital for a backcourt featuring a rookie expected to lead. The Kings' preseason will focus heavily on building chemistry between Acuff, Simmons, and the young core.
Expect a season defined by development and internal competition. The projected starting five has never played an official game together. Success will be measured by player growth more than win totals.
Scoring distribution is a major question without DeRozan. Players like Karaban and Sharp will need to contribute offensively immediately. Fans can track the team's progress and full schedule on our schedule page.
The goal is clear: establish a new identity, develop the young talent, and build a foundation for the future. Every game is an audition, and the intensity in training camp should be high.
