Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry is taking the challenge of re-modeling the team’s roster head-on. To the surprise of some, he plans to build around Zach LaVine, who was acquired in February. Nevertheless, the two-time All-Star was often the team’s best player after the trade deadline.
Kings General Manager Scott Perry’s 3-Step Plan
Perry’s three-point plan is pretty simple in theory.
Add length. Increase athleticism. Acquire a point guard.
The real work is just finding the right puzzle pieces that fit his bigger picture.
Center To Trade?
Questions about the futures of Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan can be found among the wreckage of the Kings’ best laid plans.
Sabonis, who has climbed the ladder to be regarded as one of the top centers in the league, is understandably dismayed by his team’s disappointing finishes. DeRozan, who signed as a free agent last offseason, might be kicking himself for choosing Sacramento over several other suitors. In the same vein as Dallas Mavericks veteran Klay Thompson, he likely wasn’t aware of the schism between the now former face of the franchise and the front office.
Of the two, Sabonis is more likely to stick around for the long haul. He’ll turn 29 years old next month, and could prioritize a stable winning environment over the Kings’ chaotic one. Yet, he’s under contract through 2028 and Sacramento doesn’t have much incentive to move him. To this point, the biggest criticism of Sabonis revolve around his lackluster rim-protection, as well as the juxtaposition between his stupendous regular season dominance and his less-than-stellar postseason performances.
The Cleveland Cavaliers Question
However, with Perry looking to add more athleticism and length to the team, Sabonis could be a trade chip. In fact, he probably has the highest trade value of any of the Kings’ players. In fact, a team like the Cleveland Cavaliers could have a lot of interest in Sabonis. Unlike their incumbent starting center, Sabonis is highly regarded for his guard skills, including his 3-point shooting. With that in mind, the 3-ball has highly emphasized under head coach Kenny Atkinson.
In the swap, Sacramento would likely acquire 6-foot-11 center Jarrett Allen, who’s a better athlete than Sabonis and a superior shot-blocker. Yet, Allen will make $23.636 million less than Sabonis next season, so the Cavaliers would have to ship out another player.
As luck would have it, De’Andre Hunter will earn $23.304 million next season. A multi-positional defender at 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds, Hunter averaged 17.0 points per game in 2024-25. Nevertheless, he hasn’t had the smoothest transition since being traded from the Atlanta Hawks, experiencing a decrease in his touches and playing time, which could make him more expendable to Cleveland.
If the Kings did make such a move, they could start LaVine, Hunter, Allen, and Keegan Murray, synchronizing sound defense and balanced offense.
Familiar Faces
Where does that leave, or lead DeRozan? To another contender, as he’s unlikely to accept a bench role. To that point, the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers could all spin the block after expressing interest in him last summer.
Among those four teams, the Sixers make the most sense.
For one, with Joel Embiid battling a serious knee issue, they might need another scorer to help pick up the slack. With that being said, DeRozan’s not just one of the game’s best scorers but highly durable. After a season in which Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and others were hit hard by the injury bug, that raises DeRozan’s value. On top of that, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse coached DeRozan for five seasons when they were with the Toronto Raptors (as Dwane Casey’s assistant).
Philadelphia is unlikely to trade Maxey to Sacramento, for myriad reasons. However, they could offer up George, who is a true All-Star when healthy.
The Utah Jazz Question
Another option is re-routing George to another team in an effort to secure a starting point guard. To that point, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard and Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young could be moved this summer. Starters such as Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons and Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton could as well.
From those four options, it could be Sexton who fits best. Though he’s not necessarily a floor general, he knows how to set the table for his teammates. Though not a lockdown defender, he’s tenacious and physical at the point-of-attack. Last but certainly not least, he’s a gifted scorer and shooter that can thrive on or off-ball.
Due to the gulf between their career accomplishments, the Kings would likely also get draft capital from Utah.
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