Just months after talking up free agent signing Dennis Schroder as their new starting point guard, he’s been moved to the bench.
The 2025-26 Sacramento Kings are 3-11 through their first 14 games. That’s on pace for 17 total wins, equivalent to the Utah Jazz’s record last season.
Surely they’ll put together a better stretch — and the early schedule has done them no favors — but all the roster construction concerns that were highlighted in the offseason have come to light.
Starting power forward Keegan Murray, who needed surgery in the preseason, certainly hasn’t helped their cause, but their roster lacks a clear strength. Their preferred defensive identity involves picking up 94 feet, which isn’t exactly panning out, as evidenced by their 27th-ranked defensive rating.
That was part of the appeal with Schroder’s addition. Kings’ general manager Scott Perry and head coach Doug Christie both applauded the veteran guard’s ability to set the tone on both ends of the floor.
As of Monday, Sacramento has a 122.0 defensive rating with Schroder on the floor compared to 113.9 without him. Now, it’s worth noting that a similar story applies to Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and Russell Westbrook. Suffering a handful of 20+ losses already tends to harm everyone’s numbers.
While Schroder has had moments of his defensive pressure shining through, he’s not exempt from moments of lackadaisical effort and/or poor perimeter containment.
Following a 33-point home loss to the Trae Young-less Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, where Schroder had concluded a four-game stretch with 14 total points on 4/27 shooting, coach Christie was asked if he would consider altering the starting unit.
After that effort, he said everything was under consideration. Two nights later in Minnesota, Schroder was in a familiar scenario, backing up Westbrook. But starting isn’t what matters anyway; it’s all about production.
Schroder tallied 14 points, six rebounds, and six assists in his new role against the Timberwolves. Next game in San Antonio, he recorded 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Schroder (and Westbrook) have looked good playing alongside some of Sacramento’s other bench talents, including Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, and rookie Nique Clifford. They place with a pace and spacing that the staring unit doesn’t.
However, while Schroder’s production has improved in their last two showings, the Kings’ losing streak remains at six games. Lineup changes feel like band-aids on a larger roster wound that most those involved seemed to be suffering from.
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The Sacramento Kings have been without Keegan Murray, one of their most important players, for all of the 2025-26 NBA season. The fourth-year forward tore the UCL in his left thumb during preseason, and surgery has kept him on the bench as the Kings jump out to a disappointing 3-11 start to the season.
With an initial timeline of 4-6 weeks, we’ve reached the five-week mark. He will be practicing with their G League affiliate in Stockton moving forward, the team announced on Monday.
According to additional reports, Murray plans to join the team in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night with “hope he will make his season debut on the back end of the Kings’ 10-day road trip.”
Keegan Murray nearing return, will practice with Stockton
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, November 19th – @ Oklahoma City – 5:00 PM PT
Thursday, November 20th – @ Memphis Grizzlies – 5:00 PM PT
Saturday, November 22nd – @ Denver Nuggets – 7:00 PM PT
Monday, November 24th – vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – 7:00 PM PT
Wednesday, November 26th – vs. Phoenix Suns – 7:00 PM PT
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