We’re back.
Training camp is hours away, which means the 2025-26 NBA season is upon us.
It’s been a long, particularly quiet offseason, not just for the Kings but throughout the entire league. Specifically for Sacramento, though, some questions need answers.
Some might be answered through training camp, some might require more time and carry into the regular season. While there are dozens of questions and concerns we can address, let’s break down NBC Sports California’s top three questions entering the Kings’ 2025 training camp, set to begin on Tuesday.
What does this roster look like?
The Kings’ roster construction was heavily criticized last season, especially after their trade deadline moves left them without a point guard.
There was a belief that under new general manager Scott Perry and assistant GM B.J. Armstrong, big moves would be made, and the Kings would “blow it all up” in the offseason. They, in fact, didn’t blow anything up and will enter the 2025-26 season with essentially the same roster as last season.
Sacramento’s big offseason acquisition was signing veteran guard Dennis Schröder, who instantly fills the void at starting point guard. The rest of the projected starting lineup, one would think, is Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis.
Here’s a roster breakdown as it currently stands:
Guards
Dennis Schröder
Zach LaVine
Malik Monk
Keon Ellis
Devin Carter
Terence Davis
Forwards
DeMar DeRozan
Nique Clifford
Keegan Murray
Doug McDermott
Centers/Bigs
Domantas Sabonis
Isaac Jones
Dario Šarić
Maxime Raynaud
Drew Eubanks
The question then turns to what the rotations will look like. After losing Jonas ValanÄiÅ«nas in the offseason, who will back up Sabonis at the center position? Who will be the first player off the bench for Sacramento in that “sixth man” role? Is it Monk, who has thrived in that role, or maybe Ellis?
Also, will the closing lineups be the same as the starting lineup? Or, will Doug Christie experiment with other players, such as Ellis, for defensive purposes?
This might not be answered until a few games into the season.
Expectations for Keegan Murray in Year 4?
As with most lottery picks, the expectations always have been high for Keegan Murray since the Kings selected him No. 4 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
But many people don’t believe he has lived up to the hype through three seasons with Sacramento.
A large part of that last season was that so many players on the Kings’ roster last season required the ball in their hands, limiting the amount of touches Murray got. As we stated earlier in this article, a vast majority of those players will return to the Kings this season, so the “issue” hasn’t been resolved for Murray.
While not being able to contribute consistently on offense as much as he — or the Kings — have liked, Murray has grown enormously as a defender since his rookie season. He now stands as the unquestioned best defender on the team, with the ability to defend one through five.
However, it isn’t something he wants to do on a nightly basis. At his exit interview following the 2024-25 season, Murray was honest about his ideal defensive assignments.
“Yeah, ideally I don’t want to be guarding the five-man,†Murray said in April. “It’s not the most fun thing in the world. If I have to do it, I have to do it, regardless of who’s on our team [or] who’s not. At the end of the day, team defense wins championships.”
The Kings have lacked wing depth for years, and even after Murray’s seemingly public cry for help, they still haven’t addressed it.
Defending Kevin Durant or chasing Steph Curry around for 35 minutes and then trying to contribute offensively is a lot to ask of a young player, but as Murray said, it’s something he’s willing to do if he must. Getting him some help along the wing, however, could unlock a whole other level for the 25-year-old who’s itching to break out and live up to his two-way star potential.
A report from the Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson earlier this summer stated that the two players the Kings kept out of trade talks were Murray and Ellis. So, if that’s true, how are the Kings’ decision makers laying out a clear path to stardom for these players they supposedly value so much if they aren’t giving them the right opportunities?
With all that being said, what are the Kings’ realistic expectations for their former No. 4 pick as he enters Year 4 with the team?
How will Dennis Schröder fit?
The obvious answer is that Schröder addresses Sacramento’s point guard void after the team traded De’Aaron Fox last February.
OK, cool. But how else will he help the Kings?
Schröder is a 12-year NBA veteran who’s played on nine different teams. He has been to the playoffs nine times in his career, including two trips to the conference finals. He’s an unselfish player who creates for his teammates, which should benefit players such as LaVine and Murray. He also can get his own bucket when he needs to.
Not to mention, he’s fresh off leading Germany to the EuroBasket gold this summer and was named the EuroBasket MVP after averaging 20.3 points, 7.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.
His energy, tenacity and leadership should be a welcome addition to the Kings, especially in a locker room full of several young and inexperienced players.
Defensively, his contributions should be an immediate upgrade. Schröder isn’t a lockdown defender by any means, but his effort and commitment on the end of the court never is something coach Christie will have to worry about. Fox, for example, became a much better defender over the course of his eight-year career with Sacramento. With a player like Schröder, though, it’s not something Christie and the Kings coaches will have to teach him, but rather, something already instilled in him.
One area we’re curious to see is how he meshes with Sabonis, who isn’t your typical five-man. As we’ve seen with other Kings guards, it usually takes them some time to adjust and adapt to Sabonis’ play style. But when it works, it works and it’s beautiful basketball. Hopefully for the Kings, a full training camp together will allow them the time to figure it out.
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