Kings may consider trading veteran players amid reported disconnect with coaching staff
The Sacramento Kings may consider exploring the trade market to offload several veteran players due to a mismatch between them and head coach Doug Christie’s coaching staff, according to Marc J. Spears of ESPN.
“The Kings are struggling with players like [Keegan] Murray and veterans Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook. Sources told Andscape that there was a disconnect between some veteran Kings players and Christie and his coaching staff,” Spears wrote in a recent column for Andscape.
Advertisement
Since winning 48 games and reaching the playoffs during the 2022-23 season, the Kings’ win total has declined over the past two seasons. In 2023-24, Sacramento fell to 46 wins and missed the playoffs, then failed to qualify again last season, finishing with 40 wins. A promising young roster that once appeared to have turned a corner now appears headed toward a high lottery pick after starting 6-20 this season.
The future looked bright in Sacramento when De’Aaron Fox and Sabonis led the team, supported by Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, then-rookie Murray and others. But after the organization decided to part ways with former head coach Mike Brown early last season, it paved the way for Fox to be traded to San Antonio midway through the season.
LaVine was part of the three-team trade that sent Fox to the Spurs and brought him to the Kings. LaVine joined a trio that also included DeRozan, who was acquired in a trade during the 2024 offseason. Sacramento completed the trio by signing triple-double king Westbrook to a one-year deal in October.
Advertisement
The Kings are now at a crossroads with a veteran-heavy team that isn’t doing its best at the moment. While a player like Murray is considered the future, being only 25 years old, fighting for shots with players like LaVine, DeRozan, Westbrook and even Dennis Schröder is not the best way to develop a young player. LaVine, DeRozan, Westbrook and Schröder are all 30 or older and are not the players you build around for the long term at this point in their careers.
With the NBA trade deadline approaching in February, these next few months could be very busy for the Kings front office if the reports are true. Sacramento is currently tied for third worst records in the NBA with no signs of relief on the horizon.
Sacramento is back in action Thursday night in Portland to face the Trail Blazers.
