It’s probably safe to count out the Sacramento Kings. With only one playoff appearance in the last 19 years and bringing back largely the same roster that won only 40 games last season, the Kings aren’t expected to make much noise.
That’s not to say they don’t have talent. DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis have all been legitimate All-Stars, but none of them has been the first option on a winning team.
However, in a recent ESPN ranking of the top 100 players, LaVine was 72nd, Sabonis was 34th, and DeRozan was 80th.
GettySACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Harrison Barnes #40 of the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Golden 1 Center on March 07, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
DeMar DeRozan ‘Disrespected’ in Player Rankings
DeRozan dropped a full 35 spots from last season’s ranking, despite only a slight drop in scoring while enjoying an increase in shooting efficiency.
DeRozan is a six-time All-Star and is the NBA’s 28th all-time scorer. While he has never made it to the NBA Finals, he is one of the best midrange scorers of all time and has rounded out his game in recent years with increased assist numbers.
While DeRozan is past his peak, he was ranked behind largely unproven players like Cooper Flagg.
“They went ahead and put Amen Thompson 37, ahead of DeMar DeRozan?” asked former NBA guard Theo Pinson on the September 24th episode of To the Baha. DeMar DeRozan gets so disrespected, it’s insane.
Interestingly, despite dropping him 35 spots in the ranking, ESPN predicted that DeRozan will slightly improve from last season, further calling into question how they decide their rankings.
Sacramento Kings Aren’t Out of It
The Western Conference is more loaded than ever before, although the Kings are right in the thick of things.
With two elite scorers in LaVine and DeRozan, and the second-best passing big man and top rebounder in Sabonis, the Kings have the talent to make some noise. Last season, they finished 40-42, although they spent the second half of the season without a point guard after trading De’Aaron Fox.
This summer, Sacramento added Dennis Schroder and has been linked to Russell Westbrook. On top of that, the Memphis Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane and are due for a step back, and the Golden State Warriors have very major concerns.
It’s very feasible that Sacramento will finish with the seventh or eighth seed in the West, needing only one play-in win to advance to the postseason. With DeRozan and LaVine, two play-in veterans on the roster, the Kings shouldn’t struggle in a single-elimination game, especially if they get home-court advantage.
DeRozan is far removed from his days as a top-20 player, although ranking him well outside of the top 50, to Pinson’s point, is incredibly disrespectful given his body of work and season projections. With the postseason a possibility, the Kings have a chance to prove the experts wrong.
Sacramento Kings Boast Most ‘Disrespected’ NBA Star