All things, good or bad, eventually come to an end—and for the Sacramento Kings, that includes a turbulent 2024-25 season.
With a play-in tournament loss to the Dallas Mavericks at Golden 1 Center, the Kings missed the playoffs for the 18th time in the past 19 years. It brought a frustrating season to a close and signaled that more changes could be coming for the franchise.
Sacramento’s only postseason appearance since 2006 came during their memorable “Beam Team” run in 2022-23. That starting lineup featured De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis. Now, only Fox and Sabonis remain—and even their futures with the Kings are uncertain.
According to a report from The Athletic last month, Sabonis is seeking clarity on the team’s direction following a season that saw Sacramento part ways with both its head coach and franchise cornerstone midyear. Still, Sabonis expressed his commitment to the city and team during his exit interview.
“First of all, I want to say I love it here,” Sabonis said. “I want to stay here. I want to win here. I also do want to know what’s going to happen.” A turbulent season has come to a close for the Sacramento Kings, and now major decisions loom as the franchise heads into a pivotal offseason.
After missing the playoffs for the 18th time in 19 years with a play-in loss to the Mavericks, the Kings face uncertainty on nearly every level—roster, leadership, and direction. While their 2022-23 “Beam Team” season offered a glimpse of promise, the current outlook is far less certain.
Domantas Sabonis, one of the few remaining players from that breakout campaign, made it clear during his exit interview that he still wants to be part of Sacramento’s future—but he’s also seeking clarity.
“All these things are happening so quick,” Sabonis said. “I want to get together with the new people, whoever comes in, and really try to get this right and get it back to what it was.”
Sabonis has three years and $140.3 million left on his deal and has been a cornerstone for the Kings, averaging 19.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 7.1 assists since arriving via the 2022 Tyrese Haliburton trade. Yet, with the team falling short again and needing financial flexibility, a parting of ways isn’t off the table. The futures of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine—both newcomers this season—are also in question.
DeRozan, who averaged 22.2 points in his first season with Sacramento, was raw and honest after the season-ending loss. The 16-year veteran, entering the final years of his career, emphasized how much more each playoff miss stings.
“You don’t have many opportunities left to get yourself a chance to compete,” DeRozan said. “That’s all you want at this stage of your career.” He acknowledged he doesn’t want to play another five seasons and values organizational stability as he considers what’s next.
LaVine, despite only appearing in 32 games, posted the most efficient shooting numbers of his career and expressed strong interest in staying with the Kings long-term.
“The team that just traded for me is the team that values me,” LaVine said. “I’d be crazy to say I wouldn’t want to be in Sacramento.”
Malik Monk, too, left no room for doubt: “I’m all in,” he said, reaffirming his commitment after averaging a career-best 17.2 points per game before a late-season injury.
Keegan Murray, heading into the final year of his rookie contract, also indicated he’d like to remain in Sacramento and expects to talk with the team about a possible extension.
Even Keon Ellis, who carved out a meaningful role this year, wants to return, joking that his desire to stay is partly because he hates moving—but also because of the fan support and fit.
As the Kings reportedly bring in Scott Perry as the new general manager after parting ways with Monte McNair, there’s little doubt a reset is coming. Perry inherits a roster with talent and promise—but also tough financial and personnel decisions. His first and most important job: deciding who stays and who goes as Sacramento tries once again to recapture the spark of the Beam Team and restore winning basketball in a city that craves it.