<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/eurobasket-news-dennis-schroder-franz-wagner-lead-germany-final-1st-time-20-years');   ga('set', 'title', 'EuroBasket news: Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner lead Germany to final for 1st time in 20 years');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/EuroBasket-news-Dennis-Schroder-Franz-Wagner-lead-Germany-to-final-for-1st-time-in-20-years.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>EuroBasket news: Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner lead Germany to final for 1st time in 20 years</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-12T10:33:23-07:00">September 12th, 10:33am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-12T10:34:22-07:00">September 12th, 10:34am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Germany secured its first EuroBasket Final appearance in more than two decades after defeating Finland 98-96 in a closely contested <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/franz-wagner-bold-predictions-germany-eurobasket-finland">semifinal at the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket</a>. Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder and Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner spearheaded the effort, continuing Germany’s run of success on the international stage.</p><p>Schroder delivered a standout performance, finishing with 26 points, 12 assists and five rebounds in 31 minutes of action. He shot 6-for-15 from the field, 4-for-9 from three-point range and was perfect at the free throw line, converting all 10 attempts. Schroder’s efficiency was reflected in a team-high EFF of 29 and a plus/minus of +22, as he consistently made key plays to keep Germany in control.</p><p>Wagner added another strong showing to complement Schroder. The Magic forward posted 22 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block across 32 minutes. Wagner shot 6-for-19 from the floor, including 3-for-8 from long distance, and converted seven of his nine free throws. He ended with an EFF of 14, helping stabilize Germany during pivotal stretches of the contest.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Germany beats Finland for a spot in the 2025 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> Final 👏</p><p>Dennis Schroder:<br>26 PTS 6-of-15 FG<br>5 REBS 4-of-9 3PT<br>12 ASTS 10-of-10 FT</p><p>They wait on the winner of Turkey vs. Greece later today.<a href="https://twitter.com/courtside1891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@courtside1891</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroBasket</a> <a href="https://t.co/r4zD4OJn3j">pic.twitter.com/r4zD4OJn3j</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1966530809332171260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner propel Germany to first EuroBasket Final in over 20 years</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Dennis-Schroder-17-drives-to-the-basket-while-being-defended-by-Orlando-Magic-forward-Franz-Wagner-22.jpg"><figcaption>© John Jones-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Germany also benefitted from additional depth. Magic forward Tristan da Silva, preparing for his second NBA season, chipped in 13 points, four rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block. Da Silva made four of his eight field-goal attempts in 18 minutes and recorded an EFF of 16 with a plus/minus of +16. His contributions provided a crucial boost off the bench in a high-pressure matchup.</p><p>On Finland’s side, Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen led the team with 16 points, eight rebounds and an assist in 27 minutes. He shot 6-for-17 from the field but was unable to spark a decisive run for the Finnish side, who battled throughout but fell just short in the final minutes.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/eurobasket-news-franz-wagner-leads-germany-past-luka-doncic-slovenia-reach-semifinals">Germany’s journey to the EuroBasket 2025 Final</a> marks another milestone in what has been a consistent stretch of international achievements. The national team claimed third place at EuroBasket 2022 and won the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023. At the 2024 Olympics, Germany finished fourth, narrowly missing the podium. With this victory, the team is guaranteed a medal for the third time in four major competitions.</p><h2><b>Germany eyes EuroBasket title, awaits semifinal winner between Türkiye and Greece</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Magic-dominate-Nets-behind-season-best-3-point-shooting-in-NBA-Cup-victory.jpg"><figcaption>© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Andreas Obst <a href="https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-eurobasket-2025/news/schroder-wagner-help-carry-germany-into-first-final-in-20-years" rel="noopener">highlighted the respect</a> Germany held for Finland after the game.</p><p>“Finland are a great fighting team and had some great games in the knockout stage so we knew we would have to be really ready physically. I think we did it pretty well overall. We had moments where we had to fight them off but I think we handled it pretty well,” Obst said.</p><p>Germany will now prepare for the EuroBasket 2025 Final on Sunday. Its opponent will be determined by the outcome of the other semifinal between <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/alperen-sengun-bold-predictions-turkey-eurobasket-semifinal-greece">Türkiye, led by Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun</a>, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/3-giannis-antettokounmpo-bold-predictions-greece-eurobasket-semifinal-turkey">Greece, led by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo</a>. Both teams entered the semifinal with winning records and are expected to provide a formidable challenge.</p><p>Germany’s semifinal victory represents a breakthrough moment, as the team reaches the EuroBasket Final for the first time since 2005. With Schroder and Wagner leading the way, the squad will aim to complete its run with a championship to add to its growing international résumé.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

EuroBasket news: Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner lead Germany to final for 1st time in 20 years

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/sneakers/jason-williams-nike-zoom-hyperflight-returning-spring-2026');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jason Williams’ Nike Zoom Hyperflight is returning Spring 2026');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Jason-Williams-Nike-Zoom-Hyperflight-is-returning-Spring-2026.jpg"></figure><h1>Jason Williams’ Nike Zoom Hyperflight is returning Spring 2026</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-08T09:59:07-07:00">September 8th, 9:59am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-08T10:10:40-07:00">September 8th, 10:10am</time><address><a>Dominik Zawartko</a>Dominik Zawartko is a Michigan State graduate with a degree in Political Science and English. Having previously worked in the nonprofit and legal sectors, he decided to pursue his true love of writing with ClutchPoints. Dominik's hobbies include painting, cooking food, training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and always having a laugh. His main focus areas are UFC coverage and all things sneakers.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>When asking Sacramento fans who their favorite King is of all-time, more often than most, fans will choose legendary NBA point guard Jason Williams or otherwise known as “White Chocolate.” Williams was best known for his lightning-quick crossovers, his silky layup package, and most of all his flashy passing and vision as a point guard. He also rocked some of the NBA’s best sneakers at the time as Nike is set to return the Zoom Hyperflight silhouette in 2026.</p><p><i><b>Check our <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sneakers">Sneakers news</a> for more upcoming releases and breaking content!</b></i></p><p>Jason Williams signed with Nike in 1998 as the incoming seventh overall pick in the NBA Draft. Williams stuck with Nike through 2003, but eventually left for emerging basketball entity <a href="https://and1.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop3ecTd0pgQjyQ1z-GTm4LrYB1D4B5rZs-syMW9__QYmX_mD0CY">AND1</a>, marketed off street ball and a brand of basketball that Williams identified with much more. He also became their biggest signing at the time and saw far more benefits than Nike could have given him at the time.</p><p>While signed to Nike, Williams made use of their revolutionary basketball technology at the time, opting for the newly-released <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sneakers/nike-air-foamposite-pro-green-camo-returning-2026">Nike Foamposite</a> sneakers and similar styles. After the release of the Nike Zoom Hyperflight in 2001, Jason Williams favored the silhouette and brought tons of notoriety with his unorthodox style of play at the time. Now, Nike plans to bring back the Hyperflight 25 years after its original release.</p><h2>Nike Zoom Hyperflight 2026 release</h2><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Nike Zoom Hyperflight is set to return Spring 2026 😳🙌 <a href="https://t.co/FvY6rk1bb3">pic.twitter.com/FvY6rk1bb3</a></p><p>— JustFreshKicks (@JustFreshKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustFreshKicks/status/1941528322027995219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">we should see a special Jason Williams version of the Zoom Hyperflight drop next year. these may possibly be themed off his original PE pair with the 55 on the tongue (this detail is not confirmed).</p><p>Nike Zoom Hyperflight JW<br>IV5678-500<br>Varsity Purple/White/Black<br>$170<br>Spring 2026 <a href="https://t.co/L1rd7nujdA">pic.twitter.com/L1rd7nujdA</a></p><p>— Brandon (@brandon1an) <a href="https://twitter.com/brandon1an/status/1963669480602554594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><br>Previous reports already pointed to a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sneakers/nike-is-bringing-back-the-zoom-hyperflight-in-2026">return of the Nike Zoom Hyperflight</a> in 2026, it looks as though Jason Williams will see one of his original PE versions drop as well, likely in the purple colorway to match his original pair. The shoes were Nike’s first attempt at a full-length synthetic upper as they tried to push the boundaries of basketball style and performance.</p></figure><p>While the shoes haven’t been popular in sneaker culture for quite some time, the recent introduction of Nike’s new <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sneakers/detailed-look-at-new-nike-gt-future">GT Future</a> model could be an indication that they’re moving back towards futuristic-looking models. Kevin Durant’s latest <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sneakers/kevin-durants-new-nike-sneaker-has-been-leaked">Nike KD 19</a> is also loosely based on the Nike Zoom Hyperflight, so don’t be surprised if this sneaker becomes a big hit again in 2026.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jason Williams’ Nike Zoom Hyperflight is returning Spring 2026

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/sacramento-kings/sacramento-kings-2025-26-season-predictions-after-nba-schedule-release');   ga('set', 'title', 'Sacramento Kings 2025-26 season predictions after NBA schedule release');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DeMar-DeRozan_ba3d83.jpg"><figcaption>John Hefti-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Sacramento Kings 2025-26 season predictions after NBA schedule release</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-05T05:24:37-07:00">September 5th, 5:24am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-05T05:24:37-07:00">September 5th, 5:24am</time><address><a>Rohan Brahmbhatt</a>Rohan Brahmbhatt is an adventure-driven sports writer, passionate footballer, mountaineer, and photojournalist. Rohan blends firsthand experience with storytelling—capturing the intensity of sport and the thrill of exploration. Whether on the field, a mountain trail, or behind the lens, he brings authentic, high-energy narratives that connect readers to the heart of the action.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>A couple of years ago, the Sacramento Kings were the darlings of the NBA. “Light the Beam” became a rallying cry not just for the franchise, but for a city that had long suffered through irrelevance and futility. At that time, they were young, hungry, and ascending behind De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and an electrifying Keegan Murray. Fast forward to today, and the mood has shifted. The Kings are no longer a feel-good story of revival; instead, they are a franchise caught between nostalgia for what once was and uncertainty about what comes next.</p><p>Their 40-42 record last season was emblematic of a team that has lost its edge. They weren’t terrible, but they weren’t threatening either. The Western Conference continues to get stronger, and the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/sacramento-kings/sacramento-kings-perfect-move-2025-nba-offseason">Kings seem to be regressing into the middle tier</a>, a place they had fought so hard to escape. Now, after the release of the 2025-26 NBA schedule, it’s time to take a closer look at what this season could realistically hold for Sacramento.</p><h2><b>Do the Kings have a new-look core with old problems?</b></h2><p>The offseason shook up Sacramento’s roster, but not in a way that screams long-term vision. De’Aaron Fox, the face of the franchise, is gone. In his place, the Kings turned to veterans DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, pairing them with Sabonis in a lineup that feels more like a win-now experiment than a sustainable build. DeRozan, at his age, brings midrange artistry and experience, but his fit alongside Sabonis, a center who thrives as a hub in the paint, could clog spacing. LaVine, meanwhile, is a talented scorer, but he’s injury-prone and has rarely been part of winning cultures.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I could watch DeMar middies all day 🤩</p><p>Put this on replay 🔄 <a href="https://t.co/QIgZXy8GCK">pic.twitter.com/QIgZXy8GCK</a></p><p>— SleeperKings (@SleeperSacKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SleeperSacKings/status/1960451122780672323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Keegan Murray, once hailed as the perfect complement to Fox and Sabonis, is entering a crucial year. His trajectory is moving in the wrong direction after a disappointing sophomore and third campaign. What was supposed to be the Kings’ bridge to the future now looks like another question mark. Malik Monk, once the spark plug off the bench, is also inching closer to the exit door.</p><p>The roster, as currently constructed, is not one that inspires long-term confidence. Instead, it feels like the Kings are leaning on names and hoping they can recapture the magic that has faded since their last playoff push.</p><h2><b>What will Sacramento’s regular-season record be?</b></h2><p>The NBA schedule hasn’t been kind to Sacramento. The Kings face a gauntlet of games early, with back-to-back road matchups against Western Conference contenders like Minnesota, Denver, and Oklahoma City. Later stretches include tough battles with Golden State, Milwaukee, and Boston. While every team faces challenges, Sacramento lacks the depth and defensive fortitude to consistently hang with the elite.</p><p>Last season’s <a href="https://www.espn.in/nba/standings" rel="noopener">40-42 record</a> wasn’t an accident; it was a reflection of where they stood in the Western hierarchy. This year, it’s hard to argue they’ve improved. If anything, losing Fox and relying on older, injury-prone players like DeRozan and LaVine could make things shakier.</p><p>Realistically, the Kings look like a 37-45 team. That puts them squarely in the lottery conversation, though just outside the bottom tier of the conference. Sacramento is no longer bad enough to tank but not good enough to compete, the dreaded middle ground.</p><h2><b>What are the Kings’ Playoff chances and conference standing?</b></h2><p>The Western Conference remains brutal. Oklahoma City, Minnesota, and Denver are ascending, while Golden State, Phoenix, and Dallas are still firmly in the playoff mix. Even teams like Houston and New Orleans are pushing upward with younger rosters and clearer identities. Against that backdrop, Sacramento’s ceiling looks like a Play-In Tournament spot at best.</p><p>A 37-45 finish likely places the Kings in the 11th or 12th spot in the West, leaving them on the outside looking in come postseason. For a team that sold the fan base on being “back” just a couple of seasons ago, that reality is sobering.</p><h2><b>What are a few other predictions for the Kings’ season?</b></h2><p>While wins and losses will define the headlines, there are other narratives worth following with this Sacramento group.</p><p>Trades and Roster Moves: Malik Monk is a strong candidate to be moved during the season. His scoring punch off the bench is valuable, and plenty of playoff contenders could come calling. A trade involving<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-rumors-jonathan-kuminga-sign-trade-proposal-warriors-malik-monk"> Monk could free up money</a> to chase someone like Jonathan Kuminga, though the fit of another raw, ball-dominant forward alongside DeRozan and Sabonis is questionable at best.</p><p>Award Hopes: It’s difficult to see any individual awards coming Sacramento’s way this year. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-rumors-domantas-sabonis-talks-with-new-gm-get-update-amid-trade-buzz">Sabonis will put up his usual gaudy rebounding</a> and passing numbers, but without wins, he won’t be in serious All-NBA contention. LaVine and DeRozan may have spurts of brilliance, but neither looks like an All-Star lock in a loaded West.</p><h2><b>Can the team recapture its identity?</b></h2><p>The biggest question looming over this season isn’t about record or playoff seeding; it’s about identity. The Kings that once lit the beam were defined by speed, joy, and a sense of destiny. They were fun, fast, and fearless. Now, they look slower, more methodical, and less inspired.</p><p>Basketball identities matter, especially in a conference as competitive as the West. Without Fox, Sacramento’s offensive engine has fundamentally changed. Sabonis can carry playmaking duties, but without guards who push tempo and create chaos, the Kings’ style may grow stale.</p><p>If Murray can rediscover his rookie form and become a reliable two-way forward, and if LaVine can stay healthy while DeRozan continues to defy Father Time, there’s a slim chance Sacramento could surprise. But those are too many “ifs” to confidently bank on.</p><p>The Sacramento Kings enter the 2025-26 season not as the hunters they once were, but as a team drifting in the middle of the pack. Last year’s 40-42 finish felt like a warning, and the front office’s decision to pivot toward aging scorers rather than doubling down on youth development has left the franchise in limbo.</p><p>For a fanbase that tasted relevance for the first time in years not long ago, this season may sting the most, not because the Kings are terrible, but because they are adrift. And in the Western Conference, drifting is the same as sinking.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Sacramento Kings 2025-26 season predictions after NBA schedule release

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/sources-trey-lyles-real-madrid-over-kings-nba-return');   ga('set', 'title', 'Sources: Ex-Kings Trey Lyles chooses Real Madrid contract over NBA return');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kings-Trey-Lyles.jpg"><figcaption>Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Sources: Ex-Kings Trey Lyles chooses Real Madrid contract over NBA return</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-04T12:17:40-07:00">September 4th, 12:17pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-04T12:17:40-07:00">September 4th, 12:17pm</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Recent Sacramento Kings big man Trey Lyles is finalizing a contract with Real Madrid in Spain, league sources told ClutchPoints on Thursday afternoon.</p><p>Real Madrid is heavily regarded as one of the top EuroLeague organizations, and they are no strangers to bringing in NBA talent to their club. Not to mention, the Spanish club is also known for producing several top-tier talents, most recently Luka Doncic.</p><p>This will be Lyles’ first team he’s played for outside of the NBA since being drafted 12th overall in 2015.</p><p>News of Lyles leaving the NBA for Real Madrid was <a href="https://encestando.es/el-real-madrid-a-por-trey-lyles-como-ultimo-fichaje/" rel="noopener">first reported</a> by Encestando.es, a Spanish news outlet.</p><p>In 10 NBA seasons, Lyles averaged 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 44.1 percent from the floor and 34.7 percent from 3-point range. His ability to shoot from the perimeter in pick-and-pop scenarios is what made him a viable secondary option on the Kings’ bench over the last few seasons.</p><p>With the Kings, Lyles played alongside 2023 EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov.</p><p>Lyles played for a total of five NBA teams: the Kings, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and Utah Jazz. He spent the first two seasons of his career with the Jazz before becoming a key bench talent for the Nuggets.</p><p>Multiple NBA teams had inquired about Lyles this offseason and had a level of interest in him on a minimum contract, sources said. The Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Kings were among those who had Lyles on a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/siegels-scoop-latest-intel-jonathan-kuminga-chris-paul-top-remaining-free-agents">long list of offseason targets</a>.</p><p>Along with his NBA experience, Lyles brings years of international experience playing for the Canadian national team with him to Real Madrid. Lyles was on Team Canada’s roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but he only averaged about 11 minutes per game over a four-game span.</p><p>Ultimately, Lyles decided to pursue this lucrative opportunity overseas with Real Madrid instead of attempting to pursue a new gig in the NBA.</p><p>He will play alongside Facundo Campazzo, Theo Maledon, Chuma Okeke, Mario Hezonja, and Bruno Fernando — all of whom played in the NBA over the last handful of years.</p><p>Real Madrid has high EuroLeague title aspirations, and will now have yet another experienced, high-level option to compete for a championship.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Sources: Ex-Kings Trey Lyles chooses Real Madrid contract over NBA return

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/sacramento-kings/dennis-schroder-calls-out-fans-making-racist-monkey-noises-during-eurobasket');   ga('set', 'title', 'Dennis Schroder calls out fans making racist ‘monkey noises’ during EuroBasket');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Schroder.jpg"><figcaption>Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Dennis Schroder calls out fans making racist ‘monkey noises’ during EuroBasket</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-31T08:45:08-07:00">August 31st, 8:45am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-31T12:22:16-07:00">August 31st, 12:22pm</time><address><a>Gerard Angelo Samillano</a>Gerard Angelo Samillano is an Associate Editor for ClutchPoints, with his focus primarily on the NBA, NFL, MLB and NCAA Football. When he's not writing for CP, Gerard can often be seen playing VALORANT or playing pick-up basketball.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With the NBA offseason in full swing, many <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/eurobasket-news-luka-doncic-makes-history-triple-double">NBA players have decided to play for their home country’s national team</a>. One of the more notable players playing in the EuroBasket today is new Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder, who’s representing Germany as their captain. Unfortunately, it seems like some of the disrespect that plagued  some players in the States have followed them in Europe.</p><p>During Germany’s game against Lithuania, two fans were kicked out after racially abusing players during the game. The German Basketball Association kicked both fans. FIBA later identified one fan via video football and banned said fan from attending any more games during this year’s EuroBasket.</p><p>After the game, Schroder <a href="https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/46112422/germany-dennis-schroder-target-racial-abuse-eurobasket">called out the fans</a> who participated in the racial abuse. The Kings guard said that those actions have no place in their sport.</p><p>“Making monkey noises, that’s something I don’t respect,” Schröder told reporters in German after the game, per ESPN. “No matter what status, insults, that’s all fine. But racism simply doesn’t belong in this sport. That’s something that’s not OK.”</p><p>Germany’s head coach Alan Ibrahimagic also chimed in on the incident in question.</p><p>“I noticed that Dennis was very upset — and rightly so,” Ibrahimagic said. “Such things have no place in sports or competition. We hope this will calm down and can be resolved somehow.”</p><p>FIBA released a statement after the incident. “FIBA unequivocally condemns hate speech, discriminatory conduct and racist language in any form,” the group said. “Creating an inclusive, respectful and safe environment for players, teams, and fans remains a fundamental priority of our sport. FIBA has provided the relevant footage and information to local law enforcement authorities, who are continuing to investigate the matter.”</p><p>Schroder led Germany with 26 points in their dominant 107-88 win over Lithuania. The Germans, who won the 2023 FIBA World Cup with Schroder, are heading into the round of 16 with high expectations.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Dennis Schroder calls out fans making racist ‘monkey noises’ during EuroBasket

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/gaming/sacramento-kings-nba-2k26-ratings-wrong');   ga('set', 'title', 'Sacramento Kings NBA 2K26 ratings that are 100% wrong');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Sacramento-Kings-NBA-2K26-ratings-that-are-100-wrong-.jpg"></figure><h1>Sacramento Kings NBA 2K26 ratings that are 100% wrong</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-28T07:37:52-07:00">August 28th, 7:37am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-28T07:37:52-07:00">August 28th, 7:37am</time><address><a>Rohan Brahmbhatt</a>Rohan Brahmbhatt is an adventure-driven sports writer, passionate footballer, mountaineer, and photojournalist. Rohan blends firsthand experience with storytelling—capturing the intensity of sport and the thrill of exploration. Whether on the field, a mountain trail, or behind the lens, he brings authentic, high-energy narratives that connect readers to the heart of the action.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>NBA 2K26 did the Sacramento Kings no favors. The ratings flatten roles, misread fit, and misprice impact across a roster that now leans heavily on craft scoring around a hub big. The result: the wrong players are boosted, the right connective tissue is discounted, and the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-rumors-major-front-office-change-before-play-in-tournament">Kings’ true win conditions</a> aren’t reflected. Here’s where 2K whiffed and what the numbers should look like.</p><p>Look at the clustering: three marquee names in the mid-80s and a wide middle tier sprawled between 77-81. That’s a safe distribution for a generic team, not for these Kings. In this offense, the hub isn’t a guard; it’s a big man who toggles between DHO maestro, short-roll playmaker, and elbow director. Surrounding that, you need precise off-ball timing, quick decisions, and two-way wings who scale without hijacking possessions.</p><p>NBA 2K26 instead pays a premium for isolation volume (fun on sticks, not always winning in sim) and underpays the players who actually keep the machine humming. That framing error sets up most of the specific misses below.</p><h2><b>Domantas Sabonis: Underrated as a Top-10 offensive engine at 87 OVR</b></h2><p>The build even hints at the truth: 83 three-ball, 75 dunk, and a “3-Level Scoring Playmaker” tag. But the 87 overall undervalues what truly drives the Sacramento Kings: elite handoff gravity, interior sealing, and advantage creation without pounding the clock. In 2K terms, that’s elite touches per possession with high conversion across post playmaking, screen assists, and offensive rebounding sequences that yield second-chance threes. His defense isn’t elite, but his offensive EPM-style footprint lifts an entire unit. Bump him to a round 90, and you finally reflect on how a Sabonis-centric scheme sustains top-tier regular-season offense and keeps role players in their lanes.</p><p>Why 2K missed: The engine skills (screen assists, DHO gravity, hit-ahead passing) don’t explode in user highlights, so the overall lags behind flashier isolation profiles.</p><h2><b>Zach LaVine: Overrated in a possession-tight ecosystem at 85 OVR</b></h2><p>There’s no denying the joystick candy: 87 from three, 94 dunk, elite pull-up cadence. But in this context, post-Fox, with Sabonis orchestrating and another high-touch mid-range scorer on the wing, pure on-ball volume has diminishing returns. 2K inflates players whose packages are fun one-on-one; it discounts the off-ball malleability, screen navigation, and team defense that actually swing Sacramento’s high-leverage possessions. LaVine is a killer when he’s your pace-changer; as a co-primary next to DeRozan and behind Sabonis, that 85 bakes in usage he likely won’t get without squeezing spacing and touches elsewhere.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">scary hours when 8️⃣ gets cookin' 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/VGnmCa5gn5">pic.twitter.com/VGnmCa5gn5</a></p><p>— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1960490385622622682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Corrective nudge: Dial him to 82, keep his shooting and finishing scary, and lower the overall to reflect real possession equity.</p><h2><b>DeMar DeRozan: Overrated by the mid-range halo at 85 OVR</b></h2><p>Label and badges are on point: a shot-creator with 77 from deep, elite craft inside the arc, and late-clock bailout value. But the overall overshoots when paired with another high-touch scorer and a hub big. In 2K sim logic, lineups need at least three above-average spacers around Sabonis to maintain the geometry that unlocks DHO sequences and split actions. A 77 three diminishes that spacing, and it forces more nail help, which bogs down the read-and-react flow. DeRozan’s individual shot-making still wins possessions; the overall just needs to reflect the trade-offs to lineup balance.</p><p>Fix: 83 OVR, with playmaking and strength intact, trims the tax on spacing while preserving his clutch, foul-drawing, and mismatch-hunting edge.</p><h2><b>Keegan Murray: Underrated at 81 OVR</b></h2><p>This is the quintessential 2K blind spot. Murray’s card (83 three, 80 dunk, switchable size) screams “perfect Sabonis wing”: a quick-trigger spacer who can lift actions with relocation threes, cut timing, and secondary contesting on the other end. He’s precisely the player who raises lineup ceilings without demanding the ball. In 2K’s engine, giving him a modest overall means the sim undervalues five-man spacing and the defensive sturdiness that keeps the Kings out of scramble. Bumping Keegan to 84 rewards scalable impact and unlocks more green releases in high-pressure sets.</p><p>Bonus: A small defensive IQ/contest boost would better mirror how he holds structure against strong West forwards.</p><h2><b>Keon Ellis: Underrated at 78 OVR</b></h2><p>At 78 overall with an 86 three and “3 &amp; D Point” label, Ellis is already useful. But he’s the archetype that turns a Sabonis offense into playoff-ready lineups: point-of-attack defense that keeps dribble penetration in check, low-usage, instant-trigger spacing, and back-line instincts to tag rollers then recover to shooters. In 2K terms, he should carry higher defensive consistency and pick-dodge style ratings that allow Sacramento to stay out of auto-switch purgatory. A move to 81 better aligns with his outsized lineup-fit value.</p><p>Gameplay ripple: With Ellis boosted, you can keep a two-creator lineup without hemorrhaging stops at the point of attack.</p><h2><b>Malik Monk: Slightly low at 81 OVR</b></h2><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-rumors-sacramentos-malik-monk-stance-amid-russell-westbrook-interest">Monk’s 81 sells the sixth-man microwave narrative</a>, but his on-ball creation against second units and late-clock solving against starters warrants a hair more respect. The 80/80 (3PT/DNK) split is fine; the uptick should come from ball-handling, pass accuracy on live-dribble reads, and blindside shot-contests that fuel runouts. At 82, he more consistently swings quarters in sim and in user games without stepping on Sabonis’ orchestration.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">'Lik the 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 💪<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nbaassistweek?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nbaassistweek</a> <a href="https://t.co/1fqerVlm82">pic.twitter.com/1fqerVlm82</a></p><p>— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1958334246411801030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Why not higher? Defensive volatility. Keep his ceiling high, floor honest.</p><h2><b>Role players and rotational edges 2K flattened</b></h2><p>Drew Eubanks (77) is serviceable at that number, but his rim-running, screen-re-screen savvy, and vertical spacing are more valuable next to Sabonis than the overall implies; a specialist badge tune would fix more than an OVR bump. Dennis Schröder (78) is close, though his value should spike when flanked by Murray/Ellis due to POA defense and downhill pace, think small boosts to transition playmaking rather than overall. Doug McDermott (71) has the right overall but needs a faster catch-and-shoot release to match his “Catch &amp; Shoot Ace” label; again, badge tuning over OVR.</p><p>2K26 graded for spectacle and missed the scaffolding. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/sacramento-kings/sacramento-kings-biggest-mistake-2025-nba-free-agency">Sacramento’s winning path</a> isn’t three separate 85-ish isolation engines; it’s one hub that supercharges motion, surrounded by low-maintenance scoring and real defense. Elevate the engine, reward the scalable wings, trim the redundant isolation shine, and suddenly the Kings’ virtual identity matches the blueprint that can <a href="https://www.nba.com/standings" rel="noopener">actually win games.</a></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Sacramento Kings NBA 2K26 ratings that are 100% wrong

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-shaq-mike-bibby-kings-rivalry');   ga('set', 'title', 'Shaq throws savage troll at Mike Bibby over Lakers-Kings rivalry');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Shaquille-ONeal-shoots-a-free-throw.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Shaq throws savage troll at Mike Bibby over Lakers-Kings rivalry</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-25T10:53:43-07:00">August 25th, 10:53am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-26T15:33:42-07:00">August 26th, 3:33pm</time><address><a>Zachary Draves</a>Zachary Draves is a sportswriter and broadcaster based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. Zachary covers a variety of different sports as well as sports history, sport and society, and sport and culture. He is also a professor of sociology.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Lakers of the early 2000s <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/10-best-lakers-duos-in-franchise-history-ranked">enabled Shaq and Kobe to become one of the fiercest duos</a>. Evidently, the culmination of their dynasty run (2000-2002) was triumphing over the Sacramento Kings in the 2002 Western Conference Finals.</p><p>It was something that Shaq still holds dear. Recently, Shaq was asked by a kid reporter what his favorite career moment was, per Straight Game Podcast. With former Kings guard Mike Bibby present, Shaq didn’t hesitate.</p><p>Kid: “What was your favorite moment of your career?”</p><p>Shaq: “Beating the Sacramento Kings.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kid: "What was your favorite moment of your career?"</p><p>Shaq: "Beating the Sacramento Kings."</p><p>With Mike Bibby right on the podcast, Shaq stays trolling 😅</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/straightgamepod?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@straightgamepod</a>)<a href="https://t.co/SXByckpoIz">pic.twitter.com/SXByckpoIz</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1960023113791680622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The 2002 Western Conference Finals was bitterly fought out. Ultimately, the series went down to the wire with the Lakers coming out on top in seven games.</p><p>Along the way, some notable moments occurred. In Game 4, Robert Horry hit a memorable buzzer beater at Staples Center to even the series at two games apiece.</p><p>Game 6 lived on in infamy. A disproportionate number of free throws were awarded to the Lakers. They shot 40 free throws altogether, and the Kings best players were rendered into foul trouble.</p><p>The Kings were hit with numerous fouls, while the Lakers got the benefit of the doubt. Notably, Kobe Bryant throwing an elbow at Bibby was seen in front of the referee, but no call was made.</p><p>In 2008, former NBA official Tim Donaghy alleged that the referees conspired to force the series into a seventh game, something the NBA and the FBI didn’t find during an investigation.</p><p>Then in Game 7 in Sacramento, the Kings shot a woeful 2-for-20 from the three-point line and 16-for-30 at the free-throw line to lose 112-106 in overtime.</p><h2><b>Shaq said ‘We’re not worried about the Sacramento Queens’ </b></h2><p>At the height of his career, Shaq didn’t mince words. During the Lakers/Kings rivalry during this period, Shaq infamously said “We’re not worried about the Sacramento Queens.”</p><p>Afterward, he received the wrath from Kings fans with one even <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-22-sp-lakerep22-story.html">vandalizing his car</a>. In 2013, Shaq issued an apology to the Kings for that remark.</p><p>Ironically, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/hbcu/mike-bibby-lands-shaquille-oneals-son-as-first-sacramento-state-commit">Bibby added Shaq’s son Shaquir to the roster at Sacramento State</a> as head coach. Shortly thereafter, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/shaquille-oneal-joining-former-nba-rival-as-gm-of-college-basketball-team">Bibby chose Shaq to be the general manager</a>.</p><p>It was a full-circle moment if there ever was one.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Shaq throws savage troll at Mike Bibby over Lakers-Kings rivalry

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-rumors-sacramentos-malik-monk-stance-amid-russell-westbrook-interest');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kings rumors: Sacramento’s Malik Monk stance amid Russell Westbrook interest');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Russell-Westbrook-and-Sacramento-Kings-guard-Malik-Monk.jpg"><figcaption>© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Kings rumors: Sacramento’s Malik Monk stance amid Russell Westbrook interest</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-24T22:45:18-07:00">August 24th, 10:45pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-24T22:45:18-07:00">August 24th, 10:45pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Regardless of how one might think that the Sacramento Kings’ roster-building ethos in recent memory is ill-advised, nothing is stopping the Kings brass from wanting to build a team that would at least make the playoffs despite being in the stacked Western Conference. Their moves this offseason show as much; they signed Dennis Schroder to a three-year, $45 million contract in free agency and have been the most prominent suitor for Jonathan Kuminga — even <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-rumors-jonathan-kuminga-sign-trade-proposal-warriors-malik-monk">dangling Malik Monk in various trade scenarios</a> in the process.</p><p>Monk, as electric of a scorer as he can be at times, is not a natural point guard in the eyes of the Kings’ decision-makers, hence their decision to sign Schroder. But it seems as though Sacramento isn’t done fortifying the point guard position just yet, if their <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/sacramento-kings/nba-rumors-kings-are-russell-westbrooks-only-option-in-free-agency">longstanding interest in signing former MVP Russell Westbrook</a> is any indication.</p><p>It’s not quite clear if the Kings would move forward with signing Westbrook. But one thing’s becoming increasingly clearer: they won’t be doing so if it came <a href="https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/08/24/kings-open-to-adding-russell-westbrook-without-trading-malik-monk/85810912007/" rel="noopener">at the expense</a> of Monk.</p><p>“The Kings have maintained an interest in unsigned free agent Russell Westbrook, sources say, but I’m told that they have indeed explored the possibility of creating a backcourt opening for Westbrook by other means rather than dealing Monk,” NBA insider Marc Stein wrote in his most recent report.</p><p>At present, the Kings have the likes of Monk, Schroder, Keon Ellis, and Devin Carter as the four players most likely to occupy a rotation spot in the backcourt. Previous reports have indicated that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-jonathan-kuminga-3-paths-bulls-kings-sign-and-trades">Kings have been dangling Carter</a> in a potential sign-and-trade for Kuminga, which would then open up a spot for Westbrook should that trade push through.</p><p>But is signing Westbrook really what the Kings need?</p><h2><b>Gauging Russell Westbrook’s potential fit with the Kings</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Russell-Westbrook.jpg"><figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>To say that Westbrook wouldn’t be the ideal fit on the Kings would be an understatement. Westbrook, despite coming off a strong season, has well-documented limitations, especially now that he’s approaching his late 30s. He will always be left alone from beyond the arc, and on a team with DeMar DeRozan on it, bringing in a ball-dominant, non-floor spacing guard feels very suboptimal.</p><p>At this point, it feels like the Kings are simply throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. But they have to accept at some point that the wall they’re throwing stuff to in the first place is already wet.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kings rumors: Sacramento’s Malik Monk stance amid Russell Westbrook interest

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/sacramento-kings/nba-rumors-kings-are-russell-westbrooks-only-option-in-free-agency');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Kings are Russell Westbrook’s ‘only’ option in free agency');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Nuggets-point-guard-Russell-Westbrook.jpg"><figcaption>Ed Szczepanski- USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Kings are Russell Westbrook’s ‘only’ option in free agency</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-21T07:46:50-07:00">August 21st, 7:46am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-21T08:05:59-07:00">August 21st, 8:05am</time><address><a>Rishav Bhat</a>Rishav is a seasoned NBA and sports journalist and editor with over seven years of experience working for reputed organizations. A novelist first and foremost, he has written three fiction books. His high threshold of knowledge combined with his writing skills gives him the ability to write uniquely insightful pieces across basketball, soccer, cricket, lawn tennis, eSports, and a variety of other sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>It is not a common occurrence for a player of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/russell-westbrook-last-ditch-options-free-agency">Russell Westbrook’s calibre to be available as a free agent</a> in the NBA. The 2017 NBA MVP is a nine-time All-Star and last played for the Denver Nuggets, putting up decent numbers despite starting just 36 times.</p><p>What is even more surprising is the fact that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-rumors-sacramento-wants-trade-before-possible-russell-westbrook-signing">the Sacramento Kings appear to be the only team interested in bringing in Russ</a> as a free agent. </p><p>“We are still waiting to see what other moves could come in Sacramento before the Kings try to bring Russell Westbrook. And that’s been the one home all along that we really have looked at for Russell Westbrook and that’s still the home that I have heard earlier this week is the most likely outcome for Russell Westbrook if he’s gonna be in the NBA at all,” NBA reporter Jake Fischer said during a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfG_xQ9sqh0" rel="noopener">live stream</a> on Bleacher Report. </p><p>“Honestly, that’s really the only home we’ve heard for him.”</p><p>Similar remarks were recently made by ClutchPoints’ NBA insider Brett Siegel, who wrote that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/russell-westbrook-last-ditch-options-free-agency">Kings have been mentioned as the “top team” for Westbrook</a> this offseason since the start of free agency. However, Siegel noted how Sacramento’s roster crunch and pursuit of restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga directly impacts the organization’s ability to potentially sign Westbrook.</p><p>Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game last season while playing 27.9 minutes per game. Once seen as a triple-double machine, Russ’ physical decline has made it difficult to produce the kind of numbers he once did, partly also due to his highly physical playing style.</p><p>However, the player has still shown the ability to regularly contribute especially as a depth player, and would have expected multiple teams to be interested. As things stand however, the Kings continue to be viewed as the most likely landing spot.</p><p>The Kings have been aggressive in reshaping their roster after missing the playoffs, trading away De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs and acquiring Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls. They also brought in Dennis Schröder via a sign-and-trade and moved Jonas Valančiūnas in exchange for Dario Šarić while adding Drew Eubanks in free agency. </p><p>Bringing in Westbrook would give them a ball handler to lead the bench while offering depth and leadership in the backcourt. Further he is set to be available on a team-friendly contract considering the lack of interest from the rest of the league.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Kings are Russell Westbrook’s ‘only’ option in free agency

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-news-dennis-schroder-germany-win-eurobasket');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kings’ Dennis Schroder declares Germany will win EuroBasket');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Dennis-Schroder-fights-for-a-loose-ball.jpg"><figcaption>Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Kings’ Dennis Schroder declares Germany will win EuroBasket</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-21T07:25:16-07:00">August 21st, 7:25am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-21T07:25:16-07:00">August 21st, 7:25am</time><address><a>Rishav Bhat</a>Rishav is a seasoned NBA and sports journalist and editor with over seven years of experience working for reputed organizations. A novelist first and foremost, he has written three fiction books. His high threshold of knowledge combined with his writing skills gives him the ability to write uniquely insightful pieces across basketball, soccer, cricket, lawn tennis, eSports, and a variety of other sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Sacramento Kings’ <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-dennis-schroder-celebrates-franz-wagner-talent-ahead-of-eurobasket-2025">Dennis Schroder leads a Germany roster stacked with NBA talent</a> at the EuroBasket 2025. The team has won three of their four preparation games for the tournament thus far and are seen by many as one of the favorites to take home the gold medal.</p><p>Among them is Schroder himself, who recently aimed a bold warning for the rest of the teams competing at the tournament.</p><p>“We will win the title. If I weren’t convinced of that, I wouldn’t play in the tournament and would rather spend my time in Braunschweig,” <a href="https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/08/21/dennis-schroeder-we-will-win-the-eurobasket/85755963007/" rel="noopener">Schroder said</a>, per HoopsHype.</p><p>The 31-year-old NBA veteran was born in Braunschweig and regularly spends his offseason in his hometown. However, he is clearly confident about Germany’s chances at the tournament after the nation finished with the bronze medal at EuroBasket 2022. </p><p>This time around, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/10-countries-outside-of-the-usa-that-have-produced-the-most-nba-players">Schroder headlines a strong lineup featuring the likes of Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner</a> and rookie forward Tristan da Silva. Germany also had a fourth-place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics and are looking to go the extra mile this time around.</p><p>Schroder, Wagner, and da Silva may be the obvious stars, but Germany also boasts of solid depth with the presence of players such as Daniel Theis, Andreas Obst, Isaac Bonga, Johannes Voigtmann, and Maodo Lo.</p><p>The only high-profile absences that may irk fans are that of Isiah Hartenstein and Moritz Wagner. The former is recovering from an Achilles injury while the latter has a torn ACL.</p><p>Regardless, Germany are one of the strongest teams in the tournament and are expected to enjoy a stellar run. They tip-off their campaign against Montenegro on August 27 before taking on the likes of Sweden, Lithuania, Great Britain and Finland. </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kings’ Dennis Schroder declares Germany will win EuroBasket

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-complications-jonathan-kuminga-malik-monk-kings-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Warriors’ complications with Jonathan Kuminga-Malik Monk Kings trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Warriors-complications-with-Jonathan-Kuminga-Malik-Monk-Kings-trade.jpg"></figure><h1>Warriors’ complications with Jonathan Kuminga-Malik Monk Kings trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-14T10:10:00-07:00">August 14th, 10:10am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-14T14:52:17-07:00">August 14th, 2:52pm</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The NBA offseason is basically over despite restricted free agency situations, like Jonathan Kuminga’s, remaining unsolved.</p><p>With players and team personnel taking much-needed vacations with family and friends in August, everyone will turn their attention to training camp and preparing for the preseason after Labor Day at the start of September. For Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors, the focus remains on <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/45-million-contract-jonathan-kuminga-should-sign-warriors-end-standoff">finding a resolution to his restricted free-agency standoff</a>.</p><p>Before free agency began, the goal from both parties seemed simple: find another team in a sign-and-trade.</p><p>Although the Warriors, especially owner Joe Lacob, have remained high on Kuminga’s development and potential, it has become clear over the last year that the 22-year-old is ready to move on.</p><p>Between his inconsistent minutes and reports of the 22-year-old <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5181608/2024/01/05/jonathan-kuminga-steve-kerr-warriors-lineup/" rel="noopener">‘losing faith’ in Steve Kerr </a>and then not even seeing the court late in the 2024-25 season, all roads this offseason led to Kuminga and the Warriors parting ways.</p><p>It also didn’t help that the two sides were very far apart in contract extension negotiations before the 2024-25 season.</p><p>While Kuminga would likely remain with the Warriors for the time being if he were to receive an offer in the $30 million per year range, that has not been presented to him. Kuminga and his camp’s main goal entering the offseason was to secure financial security for the coming years.</p><p>That goal quickly changed given the hardships faced from the Warriors, as Kuminga doesn’t appear to have any desire to return and again see an inconsistent role that stunts his overall development.</p><p>As good as he could be in this league, Kuminga will never be at the forefront of the Dubs’ plans as long as Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green are present. As a result, Kuminga and his camp have spoken at length with several teams around the league about a sign-and-trade.</p><p>The Sacramento Kings have loomed large as the former seventh pick’s top suitor.</p><h2><b>Breaking down Kings’ offer for Jonathan Kuminga</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Jonathan-Kuminga-warms-up-before-a-Warriors-game.jpg"><figcaption>Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>What was expected to be a vast market for Kuminga this offseason ultimately never took shape.</p><p>The Miami Heat, a rumored suitor for Kuminga entering the summer, never truly pursued him. Much of the same could be said about the Chicago Bulls, given their situation with Josh Giddey being a restricted free agent.</p><p>Although the Warriors and Bulls spoke briefly at the start of free agency about Kuminga, it became clear that Chicago was focused on solving Giddey’s contract situation and keeping him before turning their attention to anything else.</p><p>At <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/editorials/siegels-scoop-josh-giddey-jonathan-kuminga-rfa-market-unchanged">no point did the two sides discuss a Kuminga-Giddey swa</a>p, nor are the Warriors actively pursuing the Australian guard.</p><p>Another team that has expressed interest in Kuminga via a sign-and-trade is the Phoenix Suns. But one of the factors in a potential sign-and-trade from Golden State’s perspective is that they don’t want long-term salary, and that’s all the Suns have to offer with Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale.</p><p>It is also worth mentioning that the Milwaukee Bucks were another team that kicked around the idea of pursuing Kuminga. If they were to do so, the Warriors made it known they would want Bobby Portis in a sign-and-trade scenario, which is something Milwaukee wasn’t willing to do.</p><p>The Dubs have held interest in Portis dating back to before the 2024 NBA trade deadline.</p><p>And so that leaves the Kings as the sole destination for Kuminga if a sign-and-trade were to develop at this point in the offseason. Still, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/sources-warriors-unmoved-kings-suns-jonathan-kuminga-sign-trade-pursuit">Warriors have shown great hesitation in these trade negotiations</a>, as they are taking full advantage of the fact that Kuminga is a restricted free agent.</p><p>If the trade isn’t to their liking, Golden State won’t make a deal. That is where things stand with the Kings after their latest offer.</p><p>Sacramento believes in Kuminga’s potential and value, which is why they are willing to commit to a three-year, $63 million contract for him. Obviously, this would need to be a sign-and-trade, as the Kings are about $7 million from their first apron hard cap.</p><p>After originally offering Dario Saric, Devin Carter, and a protected first-round pick, the Kings <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6529661/2025/08/01/jonathan-kuminga-warriors-nba-free-agency-qualifying-offer/" rel="noopener">shifted their offer</a> to Malik Monk and a 2030 first-round pick with protections, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.</p><p>That is the offer that stands now — Monk and a protected first-round pick for Kuminga.</p><p>Even if the Warriors get what they want in terms of an unprotected first-round pick, is this enough for Golden State to finalize a trade? Their fans may think so given Monk’s scoring abilities coming off the bench, but there is more that goes into this potential sign-and-trade than a one-for-one transaction.</p><h2><b>Warriors consistent with Jonathan Kuminga approach</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Golden-State-Warriors-forward-Jonathan-Kuminga_03d15d.jpg"><figcaption>Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>There are a few things to note about the Warriors and everything revolving around Kuminga this offseason.</p><p>Aside from not wanting to take back long-term salaries in a potential sign-and-trade, which is the case for Monk being under contract through the 2027-28 season, Golden State doesn’t really want to be hard-capped at the first apron again.</p><p>During the 2024-25 season, the Warriors were restricted in building the back end of their roster due to hard-cap restrictions, and they were barely able to acquire Jimmy Butler. In order to maintain flexibility to pursue star players who become available, the Dubs don’t want to be hard-capped.</p><p>Taking back more salary with Monk compared to Kuminga’s would-be base-year compensation in a sign-and-trade immediately hard-caps the Warriors. The only way to avoid this would be sending out more salary to the Kings, or a third team, in the form of Moses Moody or Buddy Hield.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/siegels-scoop-jonathan-kuminga-standoff-warriors-final-stages">That isn’t an option for the Dubs</a>, as they hold no desire to trade either player in a package with Kuminga just to get Monk and give in to the young forward’s demands. Since he is a restricted free agent, the Warriors have operated in the driver’s seat, knowing they hold the keys to Kuminga’s future.</p><p>Unless they get the trade they want, which has not happened to this point, the Warriors have signaled that they won’t be pressured into a deal. Entering August, the team cut off all sign-and-trade avenues, and Golden State is now basically telling Kuminga he won’t be on another team to start the 2025-26 season.</p><p>There have been no ongoing trade conversations with the Kings since the last offer involving Monk.</p><p>Not much value has presented itself to the Warriors this offseason in potential Kuminga trades, which is why the organization remains comfortable with the idea of retaining him. A two-year, $45 million contract is on the table, giving Kuminga two options at this juncture:</p><ol><li>Remain with the Warriors on this two-year proposal OR</li><li>Accept his $7.9 million qualifying offer</li></ol><p>While it is always possible that the two sides could <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-rumors-insider-comes-up-with-jonathan-kuminga-grand-compromise">negotiate some sort of compromise</a>, the Warriors are currently standing firm on this two-year offer, which includes a team option in Year 2 and would have Kuminga waive the no-trade clause he would receive.</p><p>As one could assume, this hasn’t sat well with Kuminga or his representation, especially considering that they don’t want to be back with Golden State to begin with. This is why the $7.9 million qualifying offer still remains an option and is being utilized as a threat from Kuminga’s side.</p><p>Whether or not he would sacrifice over $14 million in guaranteed money and the possibility of more than $20 million in the second year of this contract with the team option is the bluff Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Warriors’ front office are currently calling out.</p><p>Are sign-and-trade scenarios fully off the table at this juncture? That is another question open for interpretation.</p><p>Despite making it clear that they aren’t interested in talking about more sign-and-trade scenarios, the Warriors will always listen to offers coming their way. Should the right deal present itself, Golden State would obviously take it.</p><p>However, at this point in the offseason, it appears that the Kings’ offer is the best to come. With the potential signings of Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and others lined up, the Warriors are hoping for a resolution to Kuminga’s restricted free agency sooner rather than later.</p><p>From Kuminga’s point of view, he is in no rush to give in to Golden State’s demands.</p><h2><b>When will a solution come about?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Warriors-Jonathan-Kuminga-walking-up-court.jpg"><figcaption>David Gonzales-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Kuminga is not budging and continues to passively let it be known he does not wish to return to the Warriors.</p><p>If he is to be back with Golden State, nobody expects it to be a long-term marriage, and Kuminga will make sure it’s on his terms. At least, that’s the notion being received as a result of this standoff continuing into mid-August.</p><p>From Kuminga’s perspective, if the Warriors don’t want to trade him to the Kings, he could continue playing hardball and ultimately put the franchise in a very tough spot by accepting his qualifying offer.</p><p>This basically ensures that Golden State can’t trade him during the 2025-26 season, but at what price? Would this really be a smart decision to make as a young player still looking for an opportunity to prove himself in this league and lose out on guaranteed money?</p><p>One could also point to concerns about what his role would be should Kuminga accept the qualifying offer.</p><p>It just doesn’t seem like a smart route for him, especially considering that his value could be destroyed if he accepts such a low offer to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 and barely plays this upcoming year.</p><p>Tension would obviously exist between the two sides, and it would be a toxic situation for everyone involved.</p><p>On the flip side of things, outside of the qualifying offer, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-rumors-reasons-jonathan-kuminga-declining-45-million-contract">Kuminga will continue to push back on this two-year, $45 million contract</a> the Warriors offered.</p><p>If he is to waive the no-trade clause in the deal, then Kuminga and his camp have signaled they want a player option over a team option. The Warriors have not changed and don’t appear to be willing to change this proposal.</p><p>Until either side budges, this situation will continue to drag out. As a whole, the restricted free agent market, which is also impacting the likes of Giddey, Quentin Grimes, and Cam Thomas, will continue past Labor Day on Sept. 1.</p><p>Obviously, anything could happen at any time, but the sense around the NBA is that all four restricted free agents will decide their fates right before the deadlines to do so at the start of training camp.</p><p>Both Kuminga and the Warriors believe they have leverage over one another, which is why zero progress has been made over the last several weeks. All that is known at this time is that the Dubs are standing firm and don’t appear to be on the verge of any sign-and-trade with the Kings.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Warriors’ complications with Jonathan Kuminga-Malik Monk Kings trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/sacramento-kings/2-early-sacramento-kings-trade-candidates-2025-26-season');   ga('set', 'title', '2 way-too-early Sacramento Kings trade candidates in 2025-26 season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Domantas-Sabonis-Keegan-Murray-and-DeAaron-Fox-react-to-a-play.jpg"><figcaption>© Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>2 way-too-early Sacramento Kings trade candidates in 2025-26 season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-13T04:19:07-07:00">August 13th, 4:19am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-13T04:19:07-07:00">August 13th, 4:19am</time><address><a>Rishav Bhat</a>Rishav is a seasoned NBA and sports journalist and editor with over seven years of experience working for reputed organizations. A novelist first and foremost, he has written three fiction books. His high threshold of knowledge combined with his writing skills gives him the ability to write uniquely insightful pieces across basketball, soccer, cricket, lawn tennis, eSports, and a variety of other sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Sacramento Kings enter the 2025–26 NBA season off the back of a difficult offseason that has been dominated <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/siegels-scoop-jonathan-kuminga-standoff-warriors-final-stages">by their consistent pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga.</a> The Kings finished 9th in the West last season with a 40-42 record, eventually crashing out in the play-in tournament.</p><p>They have proceeded to double down on the core of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis. The Kings have also added veteran point guard Dennis Schroder, and are now looking to round off a relatively quiet offseason with the acquisition of Kuminga. And while that will give them another scoring outlet, questions about Schroder persist alongside a lack of defensive improvement. </p><p>This may eventually require a dip into the trade market, with two players emerging as obvious candidates for different reasons.</p><h2><b>Keegan Murray</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kings-Keegan-Murray-and-DeAaron-Fox-during-warmups.jpg"><figcaption>Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Despite Murray being one of the brightest young players the Kings have, he has emerged as a trade candidate because he is also one of the only remaining trade assets on their roster. At 24 years old and on a modest $11.1 million salary, Murray offers rare upside, strong defense, secondary scoring, and a team-friendly contract that the Kings can make use of in pursuit of a bigger star. </p><p>Murray started all <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murrake02.html" rel="noopener">76 regular-season games for the Kings last season</a>, averaging 12.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists, per Basketball Reference. The Kings may have made him an untouchable in the current offseason due to his potential. </p><p>However, their core find themselves in win-now mode and getting a player in a similar timeline may eventually prove tantalizing, especially considering the potential superstars that are likely to be available.</p><h2><b>Malik Monk</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/KIngs-Malik-Monk.jpg"><figcaption>Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Malik Monk is the most tradable high-value asset on the Kings’ roster. Fresh off the career-best season of his life, Monk’s scoring versatility and playmaking make him a coveted piece for playoff-ready teams. He’s on a team-friendly contract, earning approximately $18.8 million this season and $20.2 million next, with a player option in 2027–28.</p><p>That, alongside the presence of LaVine and DeRozan, makes him one of the obvious candidates to be put on the trade block next. The Kings are in a delicate position and their next move may as well determine whether they emerge as serious playoff contenders, or fizzle out once again.</p><p>Monk was already the favorite to be included in the Schroder sign-and-trade, and is expected to be the first one to be traded by the Kings.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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