Following two consecutive playoff-worthy seasons, the Sacramento Kings’ 2024-25 campaign took a dramatic turn toward instability. Over just six weeks, the team fell apart—head coach Mike Brown was dismissed, All-Star De’Aaron Fox was traded, and their playoff aspirations ended in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Now facing a pivotal 2025 offseason, Sacramento must move swiftly to address roster deficiencies and redefine its leadership. Two early but promising targets—Jake LaRavia and Russell Westbrook—emerge as potential fits for the team’s shifting direction.
2024-25 Kings season recap: from stability to instability
The Sacramento Kings wrapped up the 2024-25 NBA season with a 40-42 record, falling short of a playoff berth after a Play-In Tournament loss to the Dallas Mavericks. What began as a hopeful campaign quickly unraveled.
The midseason departures of head coach Mike Brown and All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox sent shockwaves through the organization. Doug Christie took over as interim coach and led the team to a solid 27-24 finish under his watch, but the early-season turmoil proved too costly to overcome.
From March 7 onward, the Kings stumbled to an 8-13 record. While the Fox trade brought in future draft assets, Sacramento’s own first-round pick is likely headed to Atlanta due to Top-12 protection terms. On the court, the chemistry between Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan was shaky at best, with the trio posting a net rating of -7.1 per 100 possessions.
Defensively, the Kings were particularly vulnerable on the perimeter. They allowed the most efficient three-point shooting in the league (38.1%) and surrendered 14.5 threes per game. Their 18-31 record when being outscored from beyond the arc highlights the need for better perimeter defenders and consistent long-range shooters.
With limited cap flexibility and a roster built around high-usage stars, Sacramento must focus on savvy, complementary additions.
Here are two key targets the Kings should pursue in the 2025 offseason.
Kings should make sneaky re-signing with two-way upside
Sometimes, the smartest free agency moves come from within—and Jake LaRavia fits that mold perfectly for Sacramento.
Acquired midway through the season, the 6’8″ forward quietly made a strong impression before a fractured left thumb ended his year prematurely. In 19 appearances with the Kings, LaRavia posted averages of 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds, while shooting an efficient 43.8% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc on 2.7 attempts per game.
LaRavia’s blend of length, shooting ability, and team-first mentality makes him a natural fit in Sacramento’s system. Though he enters unrestricted free agency—giving the Kings no control over his next move—he’s publicly voiced his appreciation for the organization and his interest in returning.
From a roster-building perspective, LaRavia addresses multiple needs: he’s a reliable floor-spacer, a versatile defender capable of switching across positions, and a young player with upside who won’t demand a high salary.
That affordability matters. With Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, Jonas Valanciunas, Keegan Murray, and rookie Devin Carter already pushing Sacramento above the projected $154.6 million cap, cost-effective contributors are essential. LaRavia checks every box—and re-signing him should be a top offseason priority.