ESPN projects Sacramento Kings to finish last in Western Conference

ESPN has made its prediction for the Sacramento Kings’ 2026-27 season, and if there is one thing the projection could provide Sacramento heading into the season, it is motivation.

ESPN’s panel of experts projects the Kings to finish 19-63, which would be the worst record in the Western Conference and the second-worst mark in the NBA. The projection also has Sacramento taking a step backward after the Kings finished 22-60 last season, tied for the worst mark in the West.

On paper, 19 wins would put the Kings in historically bad territory.

Sacramento has not finished a season with fewer than 19 wins since the 2008-09 campaign, when the franchise posted its worst record ever at 17-65. A 19-63 finish would also rank among the worst seasons in franchise history.

But there is an argument that ESPN’s projection is overlooking an important part of what happened in Sacramento last season: The Kings rarely had their intended roster available.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 24: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after the Kings made a basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Golden 1 Center on October 24, 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)

Domantas Sabonis played in only 19 games. Keegan Murray appeared in just 23. Zach LaVine was limited to 39 games, while De’Andre Hunter, acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers at the trade deadline, played only two games for Sacramento before suffering a season-ending eye injury.

That matters when evaluating whether the Kings are actually a 19-win team.

Sacramento’s 22-60 record was ugly enough on its own, but the roster that produced that record is not the same group the Kings expect to have available this season.

Sabonis and Murray are expected to return healthy, LaVine is on track to be back, and Hunter should have an opportunity to establish himself in Sacramento after barely getting started last season. NBA.com similarly pointed to Sacramento’s injury luck as a reason the Kings could improve simply by having a healthier roster.

Then there is Darius Acuff Jr.

The Kings selected the Arkansas guard seventh overall in June, making him the highest-drafted point guard Sacramento has taken in years and potentially giving the franchise a new offensive building block. ESPN acknowledged that there could be growing pains for the rookie, but Acuff’s development will be one of the biggest storylines of the season.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 15: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento King poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at UNLV on July 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

None of that guarantees Sacramento will be good. The Kings still have plenty to prove, particularly defensively, after ranking 28th in defensive rating last season.

But 19-63?

That number feels less like a prediction Sacramento should accept and more like bulletin-board material.

If the Sacramento Kings believe last season was an injury-riddled outlier rather than a true representation of their roster, ESPN just gave them 82 games’ worth of motivation to prove it wrong.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Sacramento Kings to honor Rick Adelman with jersey band during 2026-27 season
• Keegan Murray still has a key role to play in Kings’ rebuild
• Zach LaVine has a chance to rebuild his value in Sacramento
• Report: Kings bringing veteran PGs in for workouts
• Potential 2027 NBA Free Agent Targets for the Sacramento Kings

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The start of the 2026-27 season is quickly approaching for Keegan Murray and the Sacramento Kings.

Sacramento will begin training camp in late September as they prepare to begin preseason play on Monday, October 5th when they face Luka Doncic and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center.

Be sure to stay tuned to Sactown Sports all offseason for roster updates, analysis, and much more.

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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