The Sacramento Kings’ turbulent 2024-25 season ended exactly where it started: on the outside looking in. Despite acquiring veteran stars DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, the franchise couldn’t escape the Western Conference’s brutal playoff race, finishing 40-42 and falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the play-in tournament for the second straight year.
The season’s chaos included firing head coach Mike Brown in December, trading franchise cornerstone De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio in February, and parting ways with general manager Monte McNair immediately after their season-ending loss. Now, with Scott Perry taking over as GM, the Kings face a critical summer that could determine their trajectory for years to come.
Sacramento doesn’t hold any first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, owning only the 42nd overall selection in the second round. But according to NBA insider reports, the team is aggressively pursuing deals to acquire a first-round pick, and they’re willing to put nearly everyone on the roster on the table to get it.
Kings’ Aggressive Pursuit of 2025 First-Round Pick Signals Major Roster Overhaul
The Kings’ Big 3 of DeRozan, LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis couldn’t deliver the playoff berth Sacramento desperately needed. After falling 120-106 to Dallas in the play-in tournament, speculation immediately began swirling about whether the franchise would break up this expensive trio or double down on their current core.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Kings are highly interested in acquiring a 2025 first-round pick to find their next franchise cornerstone, possibly a point guard, even if it comes at the expense of DeRozan, who has been highlighted as a trade candidate since Perry’s arrival.
“The Kings, sources say, also continue to be mentioned by rival executives and agents as a team that could trade into the lower half of the first round of Wednesday night’s draft,” Stein wrote in his substack. “The Kings don’t currently have a first-round pick, but as The Stein Line first reported on June 12, have been telling agents that they believe they ultimately will.”
“Multiple teams consulted Tuesday said they believe Sacramento has held talks aimed at setting up the acquisition of the No. 24 selection from Oklahoma City,” Stein added.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s willingness to part with their pick makes perfect sense. Fresh off winning the 2025 NBA Championship by defeating Indiana in seven games, the Thunder finished with the league’s best regular-season record at 68-14.
With a championship roster featuring young stars like MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City can afford to trade future assets for immediate depth or financial flexibility.
Multiple Veterans Available as Kings Signal Complete Roster Reset
“One more Kings note: Sacramento has been signaling to teams that it is open to trade proposals across the roster,” Stein wrote. “We’ve previously delved into the trade candidacy of DeMar DeRozan, who is believed to be a player under consideration in Miami after the Heat’s unsuccessful foray into the Kevin Durant Trade Sweepstakes. Yet it also known that the Kings are inviting offers for guards Malik Monk and Devin Carter.”
The availability of multiple rotation players suggests Perry is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the roster he inherited. DeRozan, despite averaging 21.2 points per game this season, represents a significant salary ($28.6 million) that could be redirected toward younger talent. The 35-year-old’s skill set, while still effective, might not align with a franchise looking to build around a different timeline.
Carter’s inclusion on the trade block is particularly intriguing. The rookie guard was Sacramento’s first-round pick in 2024 (13th overall) and showed flashes of potential despite a shoulder injury that delayed his NBA debut until January. His availability suggests the Kings are willing to sacrifice recent investments to acquire the right draft position.
Successful mock trade between the Heat and Kings, via Spotrac
Kings receive: Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr, Kel’el Ware, 20th pick
Heat receive: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan
Who says no? pic.twitter.com/DVElYBQUZC
– KingsMuse (@kings_muse) June 24, 2025
The Miami Heat emerge as a logical trade partner, holding the 20th pick and reportedly interested in DeRozan’s veteran leadership. Miami’s championship culture and need for offensive playmakers could make them willing to part with draft capital for immediate contributors.
Utah, with the 21st pick, represents another potential destination. The Jazz continue their rebuilding process and could view Carter as a developmental piece alongside their young core. Both picks fall within Sacramento’s presumed target range for acquiring impact talent.
Draft Strategy Reflects Kings’ Long-Term Vision Under New Leadership
If Sacramento successfully acquires a pick in the 20-25 range, they’ll likely target point guard prospects who can contribute immediately while offering long-term upside. Perry has already identified the lack of a “true point guard” as an “obvious need” for the roster.
In that draft range, prospects like Walter Clayton Jr., Nolan Traore, or Jase Richardson could provide the playmaking and leadership Sacramento desperately needs. Each brings different strengths: Clayton’s scoring punch, Traore’s court vision, and Richardson’s two-way potential.
The Kings’ willingness to trade established veterans for draft picks represents a philosophical shift from the McNair era. While McNair built around veteran additions and trades for proven players, Perry appears more focused on long-term sustainability and finding younger contributors who can grow with the franchise.
This approach acknowledges a harsh reality: Sacramento’s current construction, despite three consecutive 40-win seasons, has reached its ceiling. The Western Conference’s depth makes incremental improvements insufficient, forcing difficult decisions about the franchise’s direction.
With the 2025 NBA Draft set for June 25-26, Perry has less than 24 hours to execute his vision. The Kings’ aggressive pursuit of first-round picks, and their willingness to sacrifice established players, signals the most significant roster overhaul since the franchise moved to Sacramento. Whether this gamble pays off will define Perry’s tenure and determine if the Kings can finally break through in the loaded Western Conference.
