What exactly are the Sacramento Kings doing?
It's a question that Kings fans would love the answer to.
After trading away De’Aaron Fox and missing the playoffs, new general manager Scott Perry is under pressure to reshape the roster and signal a commitment to competitiveness.
With a core featuring Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings boast offensive firepower but lack the defensive grit and playmaking needed to break their postseason drought.
As trade rumors swirl, one veteran star has emerged as a prime target to address Sacramento’s glaring needs at point guard and on defense.
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Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes recently outlined a compelling case for a potential blockbuster trade, stating, “Jrue Holiday is probably overpaid on his current deal (three years and $104 million left), but the Sacramento Kings desperately need a point guard."
"They should be willing to spend a premium on a defense-first leader who'd offset their score-only stars' deficiencies and steady a reeling franchise. The Kings could build a package around DeMar DeRozan, who'll earn $24.8 million next year and is only guaranteed $10 million of his $25.7 million salary in 2026-27."
"The cost-cutting Celtics should appreciate those savings," Hughes continued. "The Kings desperately need defensive capability. Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis are doing way too much heavy lifting, and Holiday's ability to guard up the positional spectrum might even spare Sabonis from unfavorable matchups. Further decline is a major concern, as Holiday is already 35 and slipped this past season. But if the Kings aren't going to tear their roster down, they need to make a move that indicates they value something more than points per game.”
Holiday, a two-time NBA champion and six-time All-Defensive Team honoree, could transform Sacramento’s backcourt. Despite averaging just 11.1 points per game in 2024-25—his lowest since his rookie year—his defensive tenacity and leadership remain elite.
Pairing him with Keon Ellis could create a formidable defensive backcourt, allowing LaVine and Monk to focus on scoring while Holiday handles point-of-attack duties. As alluded to by Hughes, Jrue's ability to guard multiple positions could also ease the defensive burden on Sabonis, who often struggles against quicker bigs.
The proposed trade centered around DeMar DeRozan makes financial sense for the Celtics. DeRozan’s $24.8 million salary for 2025-26, with only $10 million guaranteed in 2026-27, would offer Boston cap relief as they navigate a ballooning payroll and second-apron luxury tax penalties.
Would the Kings need to sweeten the deal with young assets like Devin Carter or draft picks? That would be a risky move for an aging Holiday.
Nonetheless, Holiday's championship pedigree could stabilize a franchise desperate for direction.
Sacramento might be eyeing other ex-Celtics guards like Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon.
Ultimately, the Kings need to acquire some winners.
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