You asked, and we answered.
Coming off an adverse 2024-25 NBA season full of change and instability, the Kings are excited to get the ball rolling with welcomed change under new general manager Scott Perry and coach Doug Christie.
But with newness comes a level of uncertainty, as questions and concerns likely will continue to be addressed throughout the preseason and over the course of the 2025-26 regular season.
In the latest edition of “Ask Tristi,” we address Kings fans’ biggest questions entering Wednesday night’s preseason opener against the Toronto Raptors at Golden 1 Center.
What’s your biggest concern for the season? (@BrookeUhlenhop)
The addition of Dennis Schroder took care of Sacramento’s biggest issue since trading De’Aaron Fox last season. He instantly fills the point guard void and will help facilitate the offense.
But it’s to be determined how Schroder — and the rest of the starting five — will mesh together as an offense.
The combination of Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis simply didn’t work in the life-after-Fox experiment. Keon Ellis replaced Monk in the starting lineup toward the end of the regular season, and that didn’t work either.
While Schroder will do his job to fly the plane safely, there still is plenty of turbulence in the way of Sacramento’s offense. Aside from the point guard position, the other four presumed starters still don’t seem to make sense together, at least to seriously compete in the Western Conference.
On the other hand, a full offseason, training camp and preseason together could help with off- and on-court chemistry, rather than the position they were in last season of trying to figure it out on the fly.
Only time will tell.
Who is your pick for a breakout season? (@motiong0d)
Entering a pivotal Year 4 and contract season, all eyes will be on Murray — both in Sacramento and around the league.
After Sacramento selected the Iowa product No. 4 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Murray had a phenomenal, record-breaking rookie season, averaging 12.2 points on 45.3-percent shooting from the field and 41.4 percent from 3-point range.
Defensively, the 25-year-old has blossomed into the team’s best all-around defender, earning himself the tall task of defending the opposing team’s best player on most nights.
Offensively, however, he hasn’t been able to build upon his impressive rookie showing. At least not consistently. Part of that is due to who he shares the majority of the time on the court with, and part of it is him having to be more aggressive in creating his own shot.
Since LaVine entered Sacramento’s lineup on Feb. 5, Murray’s field-goal attempts went down by nearly five attempts per game. That’s not a knock on LaVine, who continued one of the best campaigns of his career with the Kings last season, but more so the reality of having multiple guys who need the ball in their hand on the floor at the same time.
All that to say Murray needs to have a breakout season, and the Kings need him to, too.
Even if that means fewer touches for themselves, the Kings’ offensive stars know how vital Murray is to their overall success.
“A key component to our success is Keegan — on both ends of the ball,” DeRozan told reporters after practice last week. “We won’t be able to go nowhere if we don’t get the best out of him every single night.”
Murray said his agent will take care of the business side of things throughout his contract year, while his focus will remain on playing the best basketball he can as he aims for two-way stardom in the league.
That time could come sooner than some might think.
** Honorable mention: Isaac Jones
What would you consider to be a “good season” for the Kings in your eyes? (@gullyblanchard)
No one likes moral victories. No one likes liars, either.
Sacramento likely won’t finish as a top-six seed in the stacked West, but the Kings are the only ones in the Kings’ way of finishing just below there.
The No. 7 to No. 10 seeds could be up for grabs for Sacramento.
The Kings finished 48-34 (third in the West) during their magical “Beam Team” 2022-23 season. They finished with two fewer wins (46-36) the following year and dropped all the way to ninth, which is the same place they finished last season with a 40-42 record.
The West is weird, we know that. But that’s why Sacramento must attack every game — whether it’s versus a No. 3 seed or No. 13 seed — with the same aggressive, disciplined approach.
So, if we want to talk wins, 40 seems doable and fair. In terms of standings and the bigger picture, a NBA play-in tournament spot — with a play-in win and then whatever happens thereafter — would feel like a good season given Sacramento’s circumstances of incorporating all the newness.
Some fans and media view this season as the beginning of a rebuild for Sacramento. While the Kings likely won’t be hoisting the Larry O’Brien in June, I think they also might surprise a lot of people.
Who is the X-factor for the Kings this season? (@deucemason on IG)
This could go a lot of different ways.
But the obvious answer feels like it should be the team’s big offseason addition.
Schroder won’t ever replace what Fox did in his eight years with the Kings. But he doesn’t have to.
LaVine helps close the gap on that offensive void, while Schroder does everything else that Fox did well, plus maybe a little bit more.
Schroder is a 12-year veteran with plenty of playoff experience. He’s fresh off leading Germany to EuroBasket gold and was named the EuroBasket MVP for his efforts. He was hand-selected by Christie and Perry this offseason, and the Kings are thrilled they got their guy.
The 32-year-old is exactly the kind of player Christie wants on his team, with certain traits and characteristics that are reminiscent of the coach during his playing career.
Schroder won’t have flashy stat lines every night, but his presence alone can help elevate this team after a down year last season.
What’s the vibe been like at media day and training camp? (@momoragan on IG)
When the media were let into the first practice on Day 1 of training camp, the sound of sneakers squeaking, aggressive clapping and loud cheering were echoed on the Kings’ practice facility walls.
But don’t take my word for it.
“Fun” and “energetic” were the words consistently repeated by several players throughout the first week of camp, who credited the atmosphere Christie and Perry have established heading into the new season.
The new pair, in a short time together, already have made major changes within the organization — both on and off the court.
Players seem to be well-receptive to those changes thus far.
More than anything, players appear to be committed to Christie and his coaching style, largely due to his relatability as a former player.
Few people love the city of Sacramento and Kings organization more than Christie. Winning is important to him, but so is remembering to have fun.
That mentality hopes not to get lost in the mix of the season.
After giving away Fox last season, I’ve lost a lot of interest in this team. Is there anything to truly be excited about this season? (@Steve_Tuck)
Short answer: YES.
I know, I know. If there’s anything worse than losing, it’s watching others do it, repeatedly.
But there is plenty to look forward to in Sacramento this season. Key players such as Murray and Ellis enter contract seasons, so it will be interesting to monitor how they handle that “pressure” and grow throughout the season.
Both players should be instrumental to Christie’s rotations.
Also, if you watched summer league, you would know that the Kings rookies Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud could make an impact with Sacramento sooner rather than later.
Clifford’s versatility should earn him a role, or at least an opportunity to play with the big boys in Year 1. Meanwhile, Raynaud’s 7-foot presence could be a welcome sight for Sacramento’s center depth.
Isaac Jones isn’t a rookie, but his dominant summer league showing could set him up for a big 2025-26 season.
Finally, if Doug Christie and his smelling salt rituals don’t excite you, I don’t know what will. Christie is entering his first full year as the official coach of the team he loves and adores. He won’t be perfect, no coach is, especially not in Year 1. But his passion and love for the game — and city — will at least be worth the watch.
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