New Sacramento Kings GM Scott Perry identifies team’s biggest needs
New Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry is still getting to know the people and players within the organization, but he has already identified some of the team’s biggest needs.
Perry discussed roster construction and the team’s identity during his introductory press conference Wednesday at Golden 1 Center. He will have to find a way to improve a team that went 40-42 to finish ninth in the Western Conference after trading star point guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal that brought Zach LaVine to Sacramento.
LaVine is part of a core group that includes Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis, but changes could be coming. Perry pinpointed the team’s biggest deficiencies when he said the Kings need to add size, length, athleticism, defense and a point guard.
“I’m just learning this roster,” Perry said. “I’ve watched them from afar. There is some talent here. Obviously, there’s not a true point guard on the roster. Also, as I assess it from afar, I think we need to add more length and athleticism to enhance some of the talent that’s here. From that standpoint, that’s kind of what I’m looking at doing.”
Monk and Keon Ellis manned the point guard position after Fox was traded on Feb. 3. LaVine, DeRozan and Sabonis also took on more ballhandling and playmaking duties.
There has been some speculation that the Kings could explore a trade for the likes of Trae Young or LaMelo Ball. They could also target Russell Westbrook, who has a $3.5 million player option with the Denver Nuggets, or Chris Paul, who will be a free agent this summer.
Other affordable free agent point guards will include Dennis Schroder, Tre Jones, Gary Payton II, Kyle Lowry, Spencer Dinwiddie and Tyus Jones.
Sabonis was quick to mention the point guard spot when asked what the Kings need during exit interviews after the Kings suffered a season-ending loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the NBA play-in tournament.
“The biggest thing is we need a point guard, that’s for sure,” Sabonis said.
Interim coach Doug Christie echoed that thought, saying: “You’ve got to have a point guard in this league”
The Kings went 27-24 under Christie in their final 51 games, but they struggled to establish an identity and cohesiveness while dealing with major roster changes and injuries.
“Any successful pro sports organization or any company, for that matter, has to have an identity,” Perry said. “That’s one thing I don’t see here yet, but that’s what I’m all about is establishing an identity.
“What does it mean to be a Sacramento Kings player? To play here, we’re going to require toughness. We want a defensive orientation. We’ve got to play extremely hard, and we’ve got to play together on the offensive end.
“We’ve got to be professional, we’ve got to be disciplined, and we have to have accountability. If you fit that profile, you’ll see guys wearing that Kings jersey. If not, then we’ll figure out how to get guys in here who do. A line that you may hear me say, and you may have heard this before: I am looking for volunteers to that, not hostages.”
This story was originally published April 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
