Will Z. Stats

Kings Pick Up Devin Carter's Option, What It Means For Guard's Future The Sacramento Kings picked up Devin Carter's third-year option, locking him up for $5.2 million next year.

Honestly, I wasn't sure what the Kings were going to do here. But it doesn't change the fact that Carter has a lot to prove this year.

More of my thoughts below
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Zach LaVine’s Preseason Shooting Surge: Can He Carry Kings? Zach LaVine is off to a white-hot start from three in preseason, but can he carry the Sacramento Kings once the season gets underway?

It's just preseason, but LaVine is shooting 66.7% from the field and 61.5% from 3

More importantly, he's shot 11.7 threes/36 min's, compared to 7.9 last year. That higher volume will be crucial.

With all that said, can he carry the Kings this year?
www.si.com/nba/kings/sa...

🤣

Kings Opposing PFs Set Up Nightmare Scenario With Murray Out A look at the opposing power forwards that the Sacramento Kings will face while Keegan Murray is out due to injury.

For everyone hoping the Kings go small with either Keon Ellis or Nique Clifford, I have bad news for you.

I took a look at every power forward the Kings are facing through the end of November, and it is...rough.
www.si.com/nba/kings/sa...

I say forget the size, since that's an issue already, and just go for talent. Which is Keon pretty easily I think

100% think he could

Oh yeah that makes sense. That one auto populates :( there's a way to choose it, but they don't get updated very often so we usually just leave it to the be automatic

Ranking Kings' Replacement Options Following Keegan Murray's Injury A look at the options on the Sacramento Kings roster to step in to replace injured starter Keegan Murray.

Alright, who are you starting with Keegan out?

Out of these five options, I'm pretty comfortable with either of the top two.
www.si.com/nba/kings/sa...

True!

Was thinking the same thing. Missing him for that portion of the schedule is going to be brutal

It feels like Nique since he's the closest size-wise, but it's going to take a few different people to replicate what Keegan can do.

That's weird! Here's what I see on my end, which is the one I used. But something weird could be happening that it's showing different

For what it's worth, the Kings record the last three season when Keegan Murray was out:
2024-25: 4-2
2023-24: 3-2
2022-23: 1-1

What really stands out is how little we've seen the team play without Keegan.

Doug Christie Gets Honest About Next Steps After Keegan Murray's Surgery Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie speaks on how the team will attempt to replace Keegan Murray's production following the injury announcement.

Keegan is probably the hardest player to replace on the Kings roster. Who are you starting in his place?
www.si.com/nba/kings/sa...

Three Takeaways from Kings Preseason Loss to Raptors The Sacramento Kings made it close at the end, but fell 122-130 to the Toronto Raptors in their preseason opener.

What's everyone's main takeaway from tonight's game?
My three: Rotation seems clear, defense still a question mark, young guys looked good late, but can they mix in with starters?

More in my writing below!
www.si.com/nba/kings/sa...

Literally how I’m feeling right now lol

And noticeably more flat? Or is it just me?

Sabonis' 3P shot does look noticeably quicker

Three Things to Watch in Kings Preseason Opener vs. Raptors The Sacramento Kings make their preseason debut tonight against the Toronto Raptors at 7:00 PT

We get actual basketball to watch and talk about today!!!

What's everyone watching most in the preseason opener tonight?
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Kings Star Ready for Real Games After Competitive Training Camp Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine is ready to see how they match up against a real opponent after going against teammates in a competitive training camp.

Zach LaVine is looking forward to facing other teams after he and his teammates have given each other a tough, physical training camp thus far.

#SacramentoKings #SacKings #Kings #NBA #LightTheBeam

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NBA Executive Names Kings as Potential Trade Suitor for Cavaliers All-Star The Sacramento Kings were once again connected to Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland.

Would you revisit the idea of Darius Garland at this season's trade deadline?
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Maxime Raynaud Speaks on First Training Camp, Working with Veterans Maxime Raynaud details what it's like working with Domantas Sabonis in his first training camp with the Sacramento Kings.

Even if Raynaud doesn't get a ton of playing time this season (fingers crossed he does), it should be such a good growing year for him.
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High Spirits in Kings Training Camp Key After Disastrous Season After week one of training camp, vibes around the Sacramento Kings seem high under first-year head coach Doug Christie.

Some late night musings in my latest writing with two thoughts:

1. Vibes seem to be way up in training camp this year, which is great.
2. Looking back at last year's training camp, there was way more tension that we all realized.
www.si.com/nba/kings/sa...

Nique Clifford Already Learning from All-Star Teammates Nique Clifford already has a heads up as a 23-year-old rookie entering the season, but he also has the fortune of getting to work behind two All-Star guards on

I know a lot of people wanted the Kings to trade their vets, but Clifford getting to learn from both LaVine and DeRozan is pretty great.
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Domantas Sabonis Gives Intriguing Answer on New Offensive Role Domantas Sabonis details his excitement about his offensive role in the Sacramento Kings' offense under new head coach Doug Christie.

Sabonis' assists the last three seasons

2022-23: 7.3
2023-24: 8.2
2024-25: 6.0

Sounds like we're going to get back up to the 7-8 range this year with what Sabonis said after practice yesterday.
www.si.com/nba/kings/sa...

That's where it's hard to know with sample size, but I really do think he's the closest backup center skillset-wise to Sabonis that they've ever had

By the Numbers Analysis - Can Kings Thrive in Transition? A look at last year's numbers and how the Sacramento Kings can thrive in transition in the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season.

Looking for a classic Will Z. Stats article? Here it is.

A look at all the transition numbers from last season, with a surprising player leading the way at the top of the list.
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Doug Christie Challenges Kings to Be NBA’s Best in This Area First-year head coach Doug Christie has a goal to make the Sacramento Kings team the best-conditioned team in the NBA.

I love this goal. We're hearing more talk about pace, but it's a little different this time. Pace on defense, not just pace on offense.
www.si.com/nba/kings/sa...

Opportunity Open for Devin Carter to Make Big Impact Entering his second season in the NBA, Devin Carter has an opportunity to make a big impact for the Sacramento Kings.

Between the trade and Russell Westbrook rumors, I thought for sure Carter would be on the outside looking in this season, but I think there's a clear path for him to make an impact this season.

One of the biggest X-Factors as the season gets underway.
www.si.com/nba/kings/sa...

New Era, New Identity: Doug Christie Outlines Vision for Kings Doug Christie has a clear goal and focus for the Sacramento Kings as he starts his first season as head coach.

Fingers crossed this is the year the Kings finally turn the corner defensively. If there's anyone who can do it, it's Doug Christie.
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