Image Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

Why the Sacramento Kings Could Emerge as the NBA’s Biggest Wildcard at This Year’s Trade Deadline

Image Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

After missing the playoffs last season following the trade of De’Aaron Fox at the deadline, many expected the Sacramento Kings to begin a rebuild this offseason. Instead, the organization decided to keep its core intact, signaling a push to remain competitive in the loaded Western Conference.

The Kings’ current trio of Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine remains the centerpiece of their roster. The Sacramento Kings also strengthened its lineup by drafting Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud in the 2025 NBA Draft and acquiring Dennis Schroder from the Detroit Pistons in a sign-and-trade to fill the point guard void.

By choosing continuity and depth over rebuilding, the Sacramento Kings showed intent to chase an NBA playoff spot. However, with the level of competition in the West, that path may be difficult.

There’s ‘strong’ mutual interest between Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/0acDHvFBiJ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 10, 2025

Executives View Sacramento Kings as Potential Sellers

Many NBA executives believe the Kings could become one of the league’s main sellers ahead of the trade deadline if the team stumbles early. Executives reportedly expect Sacramento to “blow it up” should their performance mirror last season’s slow start.

The Kings’ roster, built around Sabonis, DeRozan, LaVine and Malik Monk, features several win-now players who could draw strong trade interest. Among them, Sabonis is viewed as the player with the highest market value should the Kings move toward rebuilding.

Trade speculation has surrounded the franchise since the offseason. Malik Monk, in particular, was the subject of multiple trade discussions after delivering one of the best years of his career. Despite that, the Sacramento Kings chose to stay the course and give this core another chance to succeed.

Still, if early results disappoint, the Kings may have little choice but to reconsider. Sabonis would likely attract the most attention at the deadline, with teams willing to offer substantial trade packages for an All-Star big man.

Moving LaVine or DeRozan could prove more complicated due to their contracts, a situation similar to their time together in Chicago, where trade talks stretched across multiple seasons.

Even so, several teams are expected to keep a close watch on Sacramento’s situation. If the Kings decide to overhaul their roster midseason, multiple contenders could line up for their veteran players.