The Sacramento Kings' projected starting five has been ranked 29th out of 30 NBA teams by Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley.
Buckley wrote that optimism is hard to find for Sacramento fans right now. The core of the ranking stems from last season's injury woes and a perceived lack of progress. Key veterans Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis each missed more than half of the team's games. Both were mentioned in trade rumors this summer, but their large contracts made deals difficult. "LaVine and Sabonis would be gone already if they had a trade market," Buckley noted.
De'Andre Hunter, acquired last January, played only two games before an eye injury ended his season. He is still seen as the team's best perimeter defender in the projected group. Keegan Murray's development has also stalled. After a strong rookie season where he shot 41.8% from three-point range, his efficiency plummeted to under 28% last year before an ankle injury limited him to 23 games.
The primary addition is rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr., selected seventh overall in the draft. General Manager Scott Perry recently said on radio that Acuff will carry a heavy load as a rookie, with the team prepared for some growing pains. Perry highlighted Acuff's love for the game as his best attribute. His playmaking could help unlock shooters like Murray. Acuff's scoring and ball-handling will be tested immediately.
This injection of youth comes as the Kings look to improve a defense that has struggled.
Most projections place Sacramento near the bottom of the Western Conference. The return to health of LaVine and Sabonis provides offensive firepower, but questions about their durability and fit remain. Hunter's defense is a needed element, but he must stay on the court. Murray needs to rediscover his shooting touch to space the floor effectively.
The team's approach with Acuff appears patient, which is wise for a rookie point guard. However, the overall roster construction, ranked 29th by this analysis, suggests a challenging year ahead. The Kings will need several players to outperform expectations to climb out of the league's basement. Their early season form will be a key indicator.
