5 Takeaways From Sacramento Kings Media Day

The Sacramento Kings held their media day on Monday, marking the unofficial start of their 2026-27 season. Nearly every player on the 19-man training camp roster, along with general manager Scott Perry and head coach Doug Christie, spoke with reporters about their offseasons, expectations for the year, the reworked roster, and more.

As is typical for media day, optimism ran high, with several players using the low expectations around Sacramento as added motivation.

Injuries derailed much of last season, but those who were limited or unavailable provided recovery updates as they entered training camp healthy. There was also plenty of discussion about Ben Simmons, the roster’s added versatility, and how the Kings hope to play differently this season.

Here are five takeaways from Kings media day:

Health Updates From Previous Injuries

Injuries played a major role in their 60-loss season in 2025-26, but they enter this year with several key players back healthy and hoping for better luck. Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, De’Andre Hunter, and Zach LaVine all dealt with significant injuries, with the latter three joining Sabonis in undergoing surgery.

Sabonis revealed that the torn meniscus in his left knee that eventually required season-ending surgery dated back to the second game of his season, but he attempted to play through it for the next 17 games.

“Maybe I should have got the surgery straight away,” Sabonis said. “Maybe instead of pushing the next 17 games, I would’ve been healthier earlier. But, as you said, I always want to be there for the team and play through things.”

It was the first long-term injury and surgery of his career. He spent six weeks on crutches before returning to the court in early July, and said he was fully cleared in August.

“It was very hard, especially (at) home with the kids,” Sabonis said. “They didn’t understand why I was in crutches or could barely move. And then obviously on the court, watching from home, then being able to be on the bench was tough, especially as a competitor.”

Murray had a similar unfortunate fate last season, appearing in just 23 games. He underwent surgery to repair a torn UCL in his left thumb after suffering the injury during the preseason, delaying his season debut until November. Nineteen appearances later, a left ankle sprain sidelined him for over six weeks. Murray returned for only four games before reinjuring the same ankle and ultimately missing the remainder of the season.

“After my thumb surgery, I had to rehab. After my first ankle sprain, I had to rehab,” Murray said. “So I went through a bunch of rehabs and reconditionings and things like that.”

Murray underwent an arthroscopic procedure in May to remove loose bodies from his left ankle and said it took until the first week of September for him to return to five-on-five action.

“I’ve been hurt since January, so it’s good to finally be able to get back on the court,” Murray said. “It’s good to finally have that put past me and just focus on the future.”

Hunter, their big trade deadline acquisition last season, suffered a detached retina that required season-ending surgery just a few minutes into his second game with the Kings. “It was a tough process,” Hunter said. “An injury you can’t really rehab, so it kind of just has to heal on its own.”

Hunter said the injury has left him with slightly worse vision, but added that his field of view has returned to normal by now. He added that he will not be wearing goggles moving forward.

“It was definitely an adjustment,” Hunter said. “(With) an eye injury, your eye is never gonna be the same. So my vision got a little worse, but as far as my field of view and things like that, it’s all back to normal.”

LaVine was also limited due to injuries last year, undergoing season-ending surgery in February to repair a tendon in his right pinky finger after playing in 39 games.

Entering 2026-27, those four are healthy and ready for training camp, with Perry pointing to maintaining that health as one of the keys to a successful season. “A big part of success would be staying healthy, number one,” Perry said.

Ben Simmons Begins His Comeback

The Kings’ biggest offseason addition was signing former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons, who is looking to reestablish himself after spending last season away from the NBA.

Simmons said he used that time to get his body and mind back to where he wanted them, even stepping away from basketball for a while as needed.

“I didn’t touch a ball for the whole year. I didn’t watch basketball,” Simmons said. “I just focused on getting my body right and my mind right, and I knew at the time when I was ready to go, it would click, and that’s what happened.”

Simmons said he now feels “great” physically and enters training camp without limitations. “I’m right where I need to be,” he said. “I took a lot of time to focus on my body over the season, and I think it was the best decision I’ve made for my career.”

If healthy, Simmons can provide some of the size, defense and playmaking that the roster lacked last season. When asked about the addition, Perry pointed to Simmons’ previous All-Star and All-Defensive accolades while emphasizing the versatility he could provide on both ends.

His new teammates have also praised him based on what they’ve seen from the 6’10 ball handler so far. Malik Monk said he’s excited the Kings are getting a “hungry Ben,” while Domantas Sabonis described Simmons as a high-IQ player who “makes everything easy.”

LaVine, who’s had plenty of battles against Simmons during their shared time in the Eastern Conference, also had high praise.

“I’ve seen him move around just in camp, and he’s back looking healthy again, and his mind is good,” LaVine said. “The excitement is there.”

Coach Christie said Simmons “looks fantastic,” and that training camp will give them opportunities to see how he’s best fit positionally and alongside which other personnel.

Simmons also made it clear that he believes he can still be the player he was before injuries derailed the past several years.

“I didn’t know if I was going to have an opportunity to get back in the league, but that was a chance I took,” Simmons said. “I bet on myself, and I’m here today.”

When asked how close he feels to being the player he once was, Simmons responded, “I’m there. He’s there. He woke up.”

Ben Simmons when asked if he can get back to his prime form:

“I’m there. He’s there. He woke up.”— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) September 28, 2026

Simmmons had clear confidence and motivation throughout his media day session, repeatedly expressing belief that he can still play at a high level. He even went as far as to say he wants “to dominate every time I step on the floor.”

Added Youth, Length, Versatility and Depth

Another consistent theme throughout media day was the Kings’ belief that this roster has more youth, size, versatility and depth than they’ve had in recent years.

Perry said those were specific areas Sacramento wanted to address this offseason, with the additions of Simmons and their rookies giving Christie more lineup options. Sabonis highlighted that aspect as well.

“I don’t think we’ve had that many tall wings, power forwards, length, size, whatever you want to call it, since I got here,” Sabonis said. Murray shared a similar sentiment.

“We have a lot more length in my position in the wing spot, which is something I’m not used to,” Murray said. “Generally, we’ve been a smaller team compared to the other teams in the NBA.”

Hunter was brought in to add to that last season, but this year will be the first real chance to see it play out after his previously mentioned eye injury limited him to two games with Sacramento.

“I think it’s big,” Hunter said. “Keegan has proved that he can guard one through four and one through five, depending on certain lineups. I felt like I’ve done the same. Ben has done the same.”

Christie also highlighted the roster’s depth, saying having “multiples at every position” should add to the competition throughout training camp.

An Emphasis on Ball Movement, Pace and Playmaking

Beyond the added size and versatility, there was also an expressed belief that this roster should be able to play faster and move the ball more consistently. Perry repeatedly emphasized playing with pace and “sharing the game” offensively, while several players highlighted the number of capable passers and creators.

“It takes a lot off, especially with Ben and Domas,” Monk said. “Ben is an amazing passer. Domas is an amazing passer. Acuff can pass the ball too. Zach can pass (more than people give him credit).”

Sabonis, who often functions as an offensive hub thanks to his dribble-handoff abilities, had similar messaging when asked. “It definitely makes my job easier,” Sabonis said. “It makes the team flow better and play better. Having high-IQ players that can get guys open makes everyone look better.”

Murray benefited from that type of offense in his rookie season and is looking to get back to that form after his individual stats have trended downward recently.

“I feel like I’m at my best when the ball is popping, and when guys are moving, and when we’re unpredictable,” Murray said. “I’ve talked to guys around the league too, and they said when they played us our first couple years, it was hell for them because we were unpredictable.”

Acuff also pointed to himself and Simmons as players who can push the pace in transition, while noting the number of other capable ball handlers throughout the roster. That many options could open up Sacramento’s offense, but it will also force Christie to make decisions about touches and roles.

Looking To Outperform Expectations

Outside expectations are about as low as they could get entering the season, and several players noted that as added motivation headed into 2026-27. Given the spotlight that has followed Simmons throughout his up-and-down career, he sees some similarities between how he’s being viewed individually and his new team’s outlook.

“I think the expectations are low,” Simmons said. “But I feel like that’s something that’s been on me too. So we can relate in that way. I think we have a chip on our shoulder.”

Hunter shared a similar perspective after barely getting to show what he can provide to the Kings. Being viewed as a bottom-tier team can be freeing at times.

“People outside of this organization have very low expectations for us,” Hunter said. “So we can go out there with a clear mind and have fun. We’re gonna compete, we’re gonna be competitive.”

Monk said he’s seen Sacramento be ranked 30th by various outlets headed into the year, and second-year center Dylan Cardwell didn’t shy away from saying he believes they will outperform that low bar.

“Everyone has us ranked dead last or whatever, but we see these things, and we have a chip on our shoulder,” Cardwell said. “It’s going to be a different year for us. We’re going to shock a lot of people.”

Achiuwa took a different approach, saying he’s less interested in the outside noise, but emphasized that they’ll have the opportunity to change the league-wide perception with their play.

“The projections are what it’s going to be,” Achiuwa said. “We just got to go out there and show people that we’re better than what those projections are.”

After a 22-60 season, there isn’t much external belief in Sacramento, although Simmons and Hunter both suggested those low expectations can remove some of the pressure entering the year. There’s a reason they’re ranked where they are, but the Kings aren’t without talented players.

Figuring out how to optimize them and turn that talent into wins will be its own challenge, and training camp is the first opportunity to work toward it.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Doug Christie sets Kings’ defensive standard ahead of 2026-27 NBA season
• Kings GM Scott Perry details Ben Simmons signing, Sacramento’s new team identity
• Sacramento Kings release 2026-27 training camp roster
• Do the Sacramento Kings face brutal reality ahead of 2026-27 season?
• Scott Perry on Ben Simmons, Darius Acuff and Kings’ Direction

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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