The Sacramento Kings entered the 2025 free agency period with clear needs and a new general manager, Scott Perry, looking to make his mark. After a flurry of moves, the question remains: did the Kings actually improve their team?
One of Sacramento's primary objectives was to address the point guard position. They accomplished this by signing Dennis Schröder to a three-year, $45 million deal. While Schröder is a capable player who can provide two-way value, some question whether this signing truly elevates the Kings. Schröder is a useful rotational player who can space the floor and run the offense, but he may not be the long-term answer at point guard. Some analysts believe that Schröder's value might not serve Sacramento in a meaningful way throughout his tenure.
To create space for Schröder, the Kings traded Jonas Valanciunas to the Denver Nuggets for Dario Saric. This move allows young players like Isaac Jones, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell to compete for backup center minutes. Sacramento also managed to retain Malik Monk, preventing him from leaving in a sign-and-trade. However, this creates a logjam at the shooting guard position, with Monk, Zach LaVine, Keon Ellis, and Devin Carter all vying for minutes. Balancing the roster and finding playing time for everyone will be a challenge for Coach Mike Brown.
There are rumors of a potential three-team trade involving the Kings, Warriors, and Pistons that would bring Jonathan Kuminga and Dennis Schröder to Sacramento while sending out Malik Monk. Kuminga, a restricted free agent with star potential, is reportedly a key target for the Kings. Some analysts believe that the Kings' offseason hinges on acquiring Kuminga, viewing him as a potential building block for the future. However, the Warriors may be reluctant to trade Kuminga to a division rival. If the Kings fail to acquire Kuminga, they may consider signing veteran point guard Russell Westbrook.
Overall, the Kings' free agency moves have been a mix of addressing immediate needs and planning for the future. The addition of Schröder provides a reliable point guard, but the long-term impact remains to be seen. The potential acquisition of Kuminga could significantly raise the team's ceiling, but it is not guaranteed. The Kings still have work to do in balancing their roster and finding the right fit for all their players. Only time will tell if these moves have truly made the Kings a better team.
