June has arrived, meaning that the start of NBA free agency is right around the corner.
Which current members of the Sacramento Kings will become free agents when the NBA’s free agency period begins on Monday, June 30th (3 p.m. PT)?
With new general manager Scott Perry, assistant general manager B.J. Armstrong, and head coach Doug Christie all being signed to their new positions in the early stages of the offseason, all eyes will soon shift to how this Kings roster is constructed for the 2025-26 season.
Sacramento is fresh off a 40-42 season that concluded in disappointing fashion–a blowout loss to the Dallas Mavericks at Golden 1 Center in the ninth vs. tenth seed Play-In Game, putting the finishing touches on a tumultuous season that included the firing of head coach Mike Brown and the trade of star guard De’Aaron Fox.
Not even one hour removed from their season-ending loss to Dallas, the Kings announced that 2022-23 Executive of the Year winner Monte McNair would not return as general manager.
Perry, who assumed the role as GM the following day, will have to make decisions on several players once the NBA Finals conclude (teams can begin negotiations with their own free agents the day after the Finals end).
Here’s a look at impending Sacramento Kings free agent Markelle Fultz:
G – Markelle Fultz – 2024-25 salary: $981k
Shortly following the deadline deal that sent franchise guard De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio, Sacramento added Fultz on a deal for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Fultz, the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, hasn’t lived up to expectations thus far in his NBA career due to injuries and subpar performance.
The Kings slotted Fultz in at the backup point guard slot to begin his tenure with Sacramento, but the guard quickly fell out of the rotation as Doug Christie opted to allow DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine to set up the offense alongside Malik Monk.
Over 21 games, Fultz averaged 2.9 points, 1.o rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 41 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point land (made four-of-eight attempts).
Should Sacramento bring Fultz back in free agency?
Adding a point guard will be general manager Scott Perry’s top priority this summer as the Kings enter the offseason without a true floor general on their roster.
Perry will evaluate the free agent pool and trade market as he attempts to bolster Sacramento’s backcourt, but it’s unlikely that Fultz will rank near the top of Perry’s wishlist.
The Kings should leave no stone unturned this offseason, and opening the regular season with Fultz as the team’s starting point guard would mean that something went wrong along the way in building a better product for 2025-26.
What’s next for the Sacramento Kings offseason?
Although the Sacramento Kings do not own a first-round pick, they are in the process of preparing for June 25-26th’s 2025 NBA Draft.
Sacramento’s first-round pick was finally conveyed to Atlanta in what was the final ripple effect from the 2022 offseason trade that brought Kevin Huerter to the Kings.
While they won’t select in the first round, Sacramento owns the 42nd pick in the draft, meaning they will select at least one player on Day 2 (June 26th) of the draft.
Be sure to keep up on all Kings offseason news right here on Sactown Sports 1140, with live on-air coverage every Monday-Friday from 6 am to 6 pm PT.
Upcoming offseason schedule for the Sacramento Kings:
Wednesday, June 25th – 2025 NBA Draft
Monday, June 30th – NBA free agent negotiations can begin
Sunday, July 6th – NBA free agents can officially sign with teams
July 10th-20th – Las Vegas NBA Summer League
August TBD – Release of 2025-26 regular season schedule
September TBD – Start of NBA training camps for the 2025-26 season
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