Why the Kings’ future isn’t as bleak as Bleacher Report’s ranking suggests

Bleacher Report’s latest future NBA power rankings have the Sacramento Kings sitting dead last at No. 30, a ranking that isn’t difficult to understand given the franchise’s recent history.

The Kings have made one playoff appearance since 2006, cycled through coaches and executives, and endured years of questionable roster decisions over the past two decades. Bleacher Report leaned heavily into that history when making its case for Sacramento at the bottom of its three-year outlook.

But Sactown Sports’ Matt George and Kayla Anderson believe the ranking misses an important part of the equation.

George acknowledged that the criticism of the Kings’ history over the past decade-plus is warranted. The bigger issue, he argued, is that Bleacher Report placed too much emphasis on Sacramento’s past without giving enough consideration to what could be changing inside the organization.

“There’s two sides to the coin,” George said. “There’s the one side that I completely understand. Any fan–hear me when I say Kings fan–feeling like you have to prove to me that things are going to be different because I won’t believe it anymore.”

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings leaves the court after they lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA play-in tournament game at Golden 1 Center on April 16, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

That skepticism is understandable. The Kings have given their fan base plenty of reasons not to trust that things will be different this time.

However, George believes there is a significant distinction between the franchise’s history and the direction it appears to be taking under general manager Scott Perry.

“The future power rankings have nothing to do with Darius Acuff Jr.,” George said. “It has nothing to do with the decisions that Scott Perry is making.”

Acuff, Sacramento’s seventh overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, was given only a brief mention in Bleacher Report’s analysis. George and Anderson believe that undersells the potential importance of adding a young point guard who could eventually become the centerpiece of the next Kings team.

And Acuff isn’t the only reason for optimism.

Sacramento controls nearly all of its future first-round picks, giving Perry a valuable collection of assets as he attempts to reshape the roster.

George also pointed to the financial flexibility coming next summer, with Zach LaVine and De’Andre Hunter potentially clearing nearly $70 million from the books.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 04: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento Kings dribbling the ball looks to drive to the basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half in the California Classic a NBA Summer League game at Golden 1 Center on July 04, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

“Between Zach LaVine and DeAndre Hunter, next summer the Kings have $68 million coming off the books,” George said.

Anderson agreed that Bleacher Report should have acknowledged that there is at least a potential path forward.

“If they’re going to put them at the bottom, which, fine, whatever. They haven’t proven anything,” Anderson said. “Then at least mention that it could take a turn for the best.”

That is ultimately the biggest issue with the ranking for George and Anderson. They aren’t arguing that Sacramento has earned the benefit of the doubt. Rather, they believe a three-year projection should account for the possibility that the organization is finally operating differently.

Perry inherited a flawed roster and limited financial flexibility from former general manager Monte McNair. His job now is to build the foundation for what comes next, and that work has started with Acuff, Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford, Emanuel Sharp, Dylan Cardwell, and Alex Karaban.

Whether that foundation ultimately works remains to be seen. But with Acuff, a young group around him, a stockpile of draft assets and significant financial flexibility arriving in 2027, the Kings have more tools at their disposal than their dead-last ranking might suggest.

For a franchise that has spent years searching for a way forward, the next three seasons could finally determine whether Sacramento’s past continues to define its future, or whether Perry gets the opportunity to write a different chapter.

Listen to and watch Sactown Sports’ Sactown Sports’ Matt George and Kayla Anderson with Matt George & Kayla Anderson, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Alex Karaban shows how he can fit into the Kings’ offense
• Young Sacramento Kings building early chemistry at Rico Hines’ open runs
• Jonathan Kuminga’s Agent highlights Sacramento’s upcoming cap space flexibility
• Jerry Reynolds: Ben Simmons could be worth the risk for Kings
• Why Darius Acuff Jr.’s development matters more than the Kings’ record

Sacramento Kings Schedule: 2026-27 Preseason

• Monday, October 5th vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7 P.M. PST)
• Thursday, October 8th @ Los Angeles Lakers (7:30 P.M. PST)
• Saturday, October 10th @ Golden State Warriors (5:30 P.M. PST)
• Tuesday, October 13th vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PST)
• Friday, October 16th @ San Antonio Spurs (7:00 P.M. PST)

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