Kings vs. Warriors: This could be last game in Sacramento for these players
There could be wholesale changes in Sacramento this summer as Kings general manager Scott Perry looks to overhaul an aging and absurdly expensive roster.
The Kings will play the Golden State Warriors in their home finale Tuesday at Golden 1 Center with a heavy sense of uncertainty. This could be the last game in Sacramento for any number of players and coaches.
Perry has yet to divulge his plans for coach Doug Christie, who has two years remaining on his contract with a team option in the final year. Whether Christie returns or not, Perry will undoubtedly try to shed salary with the team’s payroll projected to exceed the $200 million luxury tax threshold and the $209 million first apron.
The players with the highest salaries are Zach LaVine ($49 million player option), Domantas Sabonis ($45.4 million), DeMar DeRozan ($25.7 million), De’Andre Hunter ($24.9 million), Keegan Murray ($24.1 million) and Malik Monk ($20.1 million). DeRozan’s contract is only guaranteed for $10 million. Also under contract for next season are Devin Carter ($5.2 million), Nique Clifford ($3.3 million), Killian Hayes ($3 million team option), Maxime Raynaud ($2.2 million) and Dylan Cardwell ($2.2 million).
Russell Westbrook, Precious Achiuwa, Drew Eubanks and Doug McDermott will be unrestricted free agents. The Kings will probably try to re-sign Achiuwa if they can make the money work, but that could be difficult given their salary cap constraints. Westbrook’s future in Sacramento is uncertain. Eubanks and McDermott are unlikely to return.
Two-way players Daeqwon Plowden, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Isaiah Stevens will be restricted free agents.
LaVine, Sabonis, DeRozan and Monk have all been the subject of trade talks and speculation over the past year. That will likely continue this summer. If the Kings can’t find a trade partner for LaVine, they might utilize the waive and stretch provision, which would allow them to release LaVine and pay him over three years, reducing the salary cap hit for the 2026-27 season..
Tuesday’s game is sure to be the last in Sacramento for some players while others face uncertain futures, but many of them will not play against the Warriors. DeRozan (hamstring), Eubanks (thumb), Hunter (eye), LaVine (finger), Murray (ankle), Sabonis (knee) and Westbrook (toe) are all out due to injuries.
Warriors at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Warriors -10.5
Over/under: 227.5
Injury report
Warriors: Not yet submitted.
Kings: OUT — Patrick Baldwin Jr. (G League); DeMar DeRozan (hamstring); Drew Eubanks (thumb); De’Andre Hunter (eye); Zach LaVine (finger); Keegan Murray (ankle); Domantas Sabonis (knee); Isaiah Stevens (G League); Russell Westbrook (toe).
