Mason Plumlee brings a veteran voice and injury assurance to Sacramento

Mason Plumlee discussed his decision to join the Sacramento Kings, while Doug Christie and Domantas Sabonis also commented on what he brings.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Nov 12, 2026, 6:54 PM Updated: Nov 13, 2026, 12:47 am

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 07: Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball whi...

Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball while guarded by Mason Plumlee #22 of the Charlotte Hornets in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on December 07, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

The Sacramento Kings added veteran center Mason Plumlee this week, bringing another experienced voice into a locker room searching for answers during a difficult start to the season. Plumlee said the Kings were clear about what they wanted from him.

“Bring a voice, bring some leadership, bring some veteran presence,” Plumlee said after Friday’s practice with his new team.

The 36-year-old veteran joins Sacramento, entering his ninth team in his 14th NBA season after staying ready for another opportunity while waiting for a call in free agency.

“I was working out in Chicago, staying in shape and just waiting for an opportunity like this,” Plumlee said.

Kings’ head coach Doug Christie outlined what he believes Plumlee can provide on the floor as well.

“Great veteran,” Christie said. “I think more than anything, size, rim protection, paint protection. Communicates at a really high level on the defensive end. Smart player.”

“You can play through him a little bit,” he continued. “You can throw him the ball. He’s got good hands. DHO, understands how to rim roll… he can catch a lob. The things that can really help, especially when you got a dynamic guard like (Darius) Acuff.”

While replacing Sabonis’s ability to be an offensive hub is almost never feasible with a reserve center, Plumlee is an underrated passer, as his new head coach noted.

Domantas Sabonis has played against Plumlee plenty of times over the years and has provided some perspective on his newest teammate.

“The more vets, the better,” Sabonis said. “More veteran leadership is good for these young players.”

With second-year bigs Dylan Cardwell and Maxime Raynaud, who we were told is progressing toward a return but has no timetable, Plumlee could easily be behind the fourth big in a healthy Sacramento rotation.

But health hasn’t been on their side for a while now, as evidenced by Raynaud having yet to play a regular season game, so adding some injury insurance may prove useful. And, as Sabonis highlighted, adding more veterans to a roster that started the season 1-10 while led by a young guard in Acuff won’t hurt either.