ESPN Analyst Critiques Kings’ 'Curious Offseason' With Barely Passing Grade

The Kings began the summer by selecting Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud in the 2025 draft, adding two more young players to their roster.

They then landed Dennis Schroder in free agency via a sign-and-trade with the Detroit Pistons to upgrade their starting point guard position.

Sacramento also traded Jonas Valanciunas to the Denver Nuggets for Dario Saric in a questionable move and they have also been linked to many other players.

With these moves, the Kings were given a D+ offseason grade by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton.

“A curious offseason didn't seem to move the Kings closer to a playoff return. Prioritizing point guard after trading De'Aaron Fox in February was reasonable, but Sacramento gave Dennis Schroder a three-year, $45 million deal that might not age well given Schroder's reliance on quickness. That deal forced the Kings to swap Jonas Valanciunas for Dario Saric, who barely played last season, to stay out of the luxury tax,” Pelton wrote.

Pelton did not hold back about the Kings’ offseason and he makes some great points, primarily about Schroder’s signing.

While Schroder has been a great backup point guard over his career, the Kings are going to need him to produce a ton for them next season as he is the only true point guard on their roster.

Of course, the Kings could still better their grade for the offseason if they are able to land some other players, with both Jonathan Kuminga and Russell Westbrook being linked to them, but as of now, Sacramento may be starting at another season in which they fail to make the playoffs.