Kings general manager Scott Perry addressed the media on Friday, indicating that he does not foresee any buyout agreements for veteran players on the team’s roster, as reported by James Ham from TheKingsBeat.com. Perry expressed his confidence in the veterans remaining with the team through the end of the season, emphasizing the importance of their contributions on and off the court. “I expect the veterans to be here through the end of the season,” Perry stated, underscoring the need for these players to not only perform at a high level during games but also to provide mentorship to younger teammates.
Although Sacramento has been open to trading veterans such as Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, and Malik Monk before the upcoming trade deadline, it seems that buyouts are unlikely due to the multiyear contracts of these players.
However, there are potential buyout candidates within the roster. Former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook stands out as a notable possibility, given his one-year, minimum salary deal. Despite a career filled with ups and downs, Westbrook has continued to be productive at 37 years old, posting averages of 15.3 points, 6.7 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while shooting .430 from the field in 49 games this season. John Hollinger of The Athletic recently rated buyout candidates and placed Westbrook at the top tier, defining him as a “rotation-caliber addition.” Additionally, backup big man Drew Eubanks is ranked 27th on Hollinger’s list, suggesting he might still have something to offer.
Currently, the Kings have a challenging record of 12-40, positioning them as the team with the worst standing in the league. Nonetheless, they find themselves only four games behind five other teams (New Orleans, Indiana, Brooklyn, Washington, and Utah), demonstrating that despite the tough season, there remains an opportunity for improvement as they look ahead. The Kings are focused on building a competitive environment, possibly setting the stage for a stronger season in the future.