The offseason for the Sacramento Kings started with the arrival of new GM Scott Perry, who has accelerated the push for the Playoffs. After the 16-season Playoff drought ended in 2023, Kings fans believed their days of dread were behind them.
However, after missing out on a postseason berth in the following two seasons, the Kings needed more pieces to hold their own in the West.
GM Perry seems to have started with just that in mind, as the Kings have been active in the offseason. As the Kings’ Jonathan Kuminga chase continues, All-Star Domantas Sabonis’ positive outlook towards the future will excite fans.
How Is the Offseason Shaping Up in Sacramento?
At his second annual youth basketball camp in Rocklin, Sabonis discussed the Kings’ direction and teased that they are likely to make additions before the season begins.
“A lot has changed; a lot’s probably still gonna change, so we’re just gonna to wait and see till training camp,” Sabonis said, referring to the Kings’ offseason.
Headlined by their acquisition of Dennis Schröder, GM Perry kicked off the offseason by addressing the Kings’ absence of a point guard. Since former Clutch Player of the Year DeAaron Fox was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in February, the Kings have been without a point guard. Although the three-team deal brought Zach Lavine to the Kings, the lack of a floor general was glaring as Malik Monk struggled to replace the void left by Fox.
However, the Kings’ ambitions stretch further as they aggressively pursue wantaway star Kuminga. Although Kuminga would instantly add quality to the squad with his sublime explosiveness and scoring potential, the Golden State Warriors’ high price is just too high for the Kings.
While the Kings offered Monk and a protected first-round pick to the Warriors, Golden State’s insistence on receiving an unprotected first-round pick saw the deal fall apart. The Kings’ proposal also included a contingency: if the 2030 pick didn’t convey, the Warriors would get the least favorable of the Kings’ or San Antonio’s first-round pick in 2031, making the offer even less appetizing.
However, NBA Insider Anthony V. Slater now reports that Kuminga would prefer his $7.9 million one-year qualifying offer over the Warriors’ 2-year $45 million offer. Hence, the Kings have reason to be delighted.
Kuminga’s move indicates the forward does not see his future with the Warriors, and with the 22-year-old blocking the path for the additions of this offseason, Golden State would surely be in a hurry to offload him.
With Kuminga clearly out of Warriors head coach Steve Kerr’s plans, keeping him for another season wouldn’t make sense. And with the player showcasing no genuine will to stay in the Bay Area, the Warriors continue to lose leverage.
Although they hold his rights as a protected free agent, shipping Kuminga off as soon as possible would be in Golden State’s best interest. Sure, the Kings’ offer did not match the Warriors’ demands, but the temptation of adding a young star to a well-built squad gearing up for the Playoffs could make a mutually favorable deal possible.