Kings Preview: Can a team with strong offense and weak defense make the playoffs again after years of stagnant performance?

Review of Last Season

In the 2024-25 season, the Kings recorded a record of 40 wins and 42 losses in the regular season, ranking 9th in the Western Conference. In the play-offs, the Kings lost to the Mavericks 106-120 at home and missed the playoffs.

A summer has passed in the blink of an eye, and the new season is right around the corner. What did this team do in the offseason? What are the prospects for the new season? Let's take a look.

Major personnel movements in the offseason

Added: Westbrook (free agent), Schroeder (trade), Saric (trade), Dylan Caldwell (two-way contract), Isaiah Stevens (two-way contract), Dekevan Plowden (two-way contract), Eubanks (free agent), Nick Clifford (draft), Leno (draft), Mi Chi Mascari (free agent), Jameer Nelson Jr. (free agent)

Leaving: Valanciunas (trade), Fultz (free agent), Terrence Davis (waived), Laravia (free agent)

Renewal: McDermott, Keegan Murray

Looking back on the Kings this summer, there are three important operations. The first one is to trade for Schroeder. After Fox left the team last season, the Kings' backcourt included DeRozan, LaVine, and Monk, but they were all shooting guards and the effect of guest point guards was not ideal. Schroeder has proven himself in the NBA, and his ability to organize and control the court makes him qualified to serve as the Kings' starting No. 1 position.

The second step is that the management team has undergone a change. Midway through last season, the Kings fired head coach Mike Brown. After exiting the playoffs, the Kings fired general manager Monte McNair. This summer, the Kings officially hired Scott Perry as the team's new general manager, and the team also hired BJ Armstrong as the assistant general manager to new general manager Perry. The Kings signed interim head coach Doug Christie to a multi-year contract and appointed him as the team's next head coach. The new management means that the team will have a new direction in building the team. The Kings have been stagnant for many years, and the new management may bring new opportunities.

The third deal is to sign 9-time All-Star player Westbrook. The 2017 MVP winner is about to usher in his 18th NBA season. It is reported that Westbrook and the Kings have reached a one-year contract of US$3.6 million (basic salary). It is expected that the two parties will formally sign the contract tomorrow, and Westbrook will join the team the day after tomorrow.

The Kings have been looking to strengthen their point guard depth throughout the offseason, and Westbrook has been in communication with them. Westbrook has a close relationship with Sabonis, DeRozan and LaVine. He has also interacted with BJ Armstrong (Kings assistant general manager) on the agent side, and has mutual respect with Scott Perry (Kings general manager) and Doug Christie (Kings head coach).

Current lineup

The following is the general situation of the Kings' new season lineup:

Guards: Westbrook, Schroeder, DeRozan, LaVine, Monk, Devin Carter, Ellis, Clifford, Dexter Dennis, Isaiah Stevens (two-way contract)

Forward: Isaac Jones, Key Root Murray, Sabonis Jr., McDermott, Jameer Nelson Jr., Dekevan Plowden (two-way contract)

Insider: Saric, Eubanks, Leno, Dylan Caldwell (two-way contract)

Looking ahead to the new season

Will the Kings be better than they were at the end of last season?

The answer is not optimistic. The Kings' record in the past few years has been in a neither good nor bad position. Although they introduced Schroeder and Westbrook this summer, they also sent away Valanciunas. The team's rotation at the 5th position is not sufficient. Moreover, this summer, the Kings have only replenished their lineup through the draft and free market Taobao. The team's current total salary is 182.2 million, and the luxury tax threshold is 187.9 million. There is little room for maneuver in the future.

Will Sabonis perform better?

Last season, Sabonis played in 70 regular season games, averaging 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds and 6 assists in 34.6 minutes per game. His three shooting percentages were 59%, 41.7% and 75.4% respectively. Sabonis Jr. has won the rebounding title for three consecutive seasons. He, DeRozan, LaVine, and Keegan Murray can maintain the team's lower limit, but Sabonis Jr. and Keegan Murray will determine the team's upper limit. However, Keegan Murray suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb during the preseason and underwent surgery. He is expected to be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks. This means that the Kings will go through a difficult period at the beginning of the new season, which will also test Sabonis's ability to lead the team.

Record& Ranking Prediction

Last season, the Kings had a record of 40 wins and 42 losses, ranking 9th in the Western Conference. Their paper strength has not changed much in the new season. I believe their record in the new season will be the same as last season, and they will probably win 40 games. Under the fierce competition in the Western Conference, the Kings are expected to enter the play-offs, but ultimately miss the playoffs.