Scott Perry Sets Tone for Kings After DeRozan Exit

When Scott Perry took over as general manager of the Sacramento Kings, he framed his first season around two priorities: evaluating the roster and building a new culture.

“In all transparency, I don’t think we achieved what we wanted to achieve last season in terms of that identity,” Perry said at Wednesday’s media availability. “We want to be the hardest working, hardest playing team in the league. That’s got to be our north star.”

Perry’s media availability offered a chance to discuss free agency, the decision to waive veteran DeMar DeRozan, and looming offseason decisions. But, as always, Perry reiterated his focus on establishing the identity he has discussed since taking the job.

His ongoing search for effort, toughness, defense, consistency, and conditioning was a recurring theme throughout the conversation. Elite conditioning, specifically, is a term first heard during the rookies’ introductory press conferences and has since been echoed by players and coaches during the California Classic Summer League.

“You gotta be a highly conditioned team,” Perry said. “You gotta be one of the top, if not the top, conditioned team in the league.”

Sacramento did not consistently look like one of the league’s best-conditioned teams last season, and its 22-60 record made it clear that the identity Perry wanted wasn’t actualized. While not a critique of DeRozan’s effort, who remained professional and productive, the Kings’ pivot toward youth should naturally bring more energy and urgency.

There’s no doubt that elite conditioning goes hand in hand with his emphasis on effort, given the tiring nature of playing at 100% for 30+ minutes a night. “We’ll be a lot younger this year than we were last year, but I think our effort and our energy will be far greater this year,” Perry said.

Draft additions of Darius Acuff Jr., Alex Karaban, and Emanuel Sharp, along with returning second-year players Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell, will have to lead their change given the financial restrictions they’re dealing with.

After waiving DeRozan, saving $15.7 million of non-guaranteed money, and re-signing Precious Achiuwa to a two-year, $11.5 million deal, the Kings remain over the cap, but they have fallen below the first apron.

DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings sits on the bench before their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Golden 1 Center on March 11, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

That financial reality made DeRozan’s exit unsurprising, but Perry went out of his way to praise what the veteran brought to Sacramento. “We were trying to figure out ways we could keep him around, but there is a financial component to this job,” he said.

Most of their remaining salary is tied up in Domantas Sabonis (two years, $94 million remaining) and Zach LaVine ($48.9 million expiring). When questioned about where he stands with them, the Kings’ general manager said LaVine “knows what’s expected of him coming back this year” and that Sabonis will “come in and compete, just like everybody else.”

Sacramento has explored the trade market for both, but there does not appear to be a strong market for either player. The same seems to be true of Malik Monk, who has two years and $41.7 million remaining on his deal.

The Kings have shown no appetite to attach assets simply to move off those contracts, leaving patience as the more likely approach if a beneficial deal does not materialize.

Without a trade that changes their financial picture, the Kings’ final roster spot will have to be a minimum-level addition. Backup point guard feels like a position that could benefit from added depth, but Monk, Clifford, and others could help fill that role if need be, while Acuff is the expected starter.

“You need multiple ball handlers on the floor who can just initiate offense,” Perry said of the backup point guard role. “They may not all be quote-unquote pure point guards.” He acknowledged that it’s something they’ll “continue to evaluate through the summer.”

Future Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook started 58 of his 64 appearances for the Kings last season, but is currently a free agent. Perry called Westbrook a “favorite” of his, but also acknowledged the veteran likely played his way beyond the minimum salary Sacramento currently has available.

Also asked Scott Perry if he’s considering bringing back Russell Westbrook:

“Russ has always been a favorite of mine. Russell Westbrook outplayed a minimum contract last season, which is all that we have right now.”

“So, that’s all I have really to say about him right now.” https://t.co/NlVOp1qfuO

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) July 8, 2026

So, while there could still be moves made in the months leading up to the start of the 2026-27 regular season, their current structure would make them heavily reliant on internal improvement and rookie additions. Keegan Murray, who played just 23 games last season, returning to form and health would also go a long way toward shaping their present and future outlooks.

When Perry first took over the job last season, he talked about wanting volunteers, not hostages. Given their constant involvement in trade rumors, most would assume that LaVine and Sabonis could fit the latter category, but Sacramento’s lead decision maker expressed otherwise.

“Everyone, from where I sit right now, is a volunteer until they show me differently,” Perry said. That should not be mistaken as a guarantee that Sacramento wants to keep those veterans on the roster, but it does speak to Perry’s willingness to enter the season with them if the right deal is not available. The same applies to Monk, whose contract has also been part of the broader roster conversation.

Whether those players are on the team opening night or not, the broader goal remains the same as last season. Head coach Doug Christie and his roster need to establish the identity Perry has been chasing since he arrived.

“Every night you want to be able to see some consistency of that identity,” Perry said. “That’s what this year’s gotta be about.”

Acuff, Murray, and the rest of Sacramento’s young core will be central to that effort, while the futures of LaVine, Sabonis, and Monk remain unresolved. Perry’s message was clear that whoever remains on the roster has to help build that identity, not stand in the way of it.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

With the California Classic in the rearview, the Sacramento Kings will head to the desert for the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League, with action set to tip off on Thursday night at UNLV.

Sacramento is set to face the fifth-overall pick, Keaton Wagler, and the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sactown Sports will be ON-SITE in Las Vegas ALL WEEK LONG from July 12-19th! Be sure to remain locked into Sactown Sports for your Sacramento Kings Summer League news, analysis, and much more!

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Offseason Schedule

• Thursday, July 9th – Sunday, July 19th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League
• August TBD – 2026-27 NBA Schedule release
• Late September – NBA training camps begin

2026 Sacramento Kings Las Vegas Summer League Schedule

• Thursday, July 9: vs. Los Angeles Clippers (8 p.m. PT)
• Sunday, July 12: vs. Washington Wizards (5 p.m. PT)
• Tuesday, July 14: vs. Brooklyn Nets (3 p.m. PT)
• Wednesday, July 15: vs. Boston Celtics (5 p.m. PT)
• Final game TBD

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on X/Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Related

Why being counted out could help the Sacramento Kings49ers lose Ricky Pearsall for season after decision to undergo knee surgeryJerry Reynolds on what the Kings should do with Sabonis & LaVineFaithful Flashbacks #29: First Playoff Win at Levi’s49ers bring back WR Deebo Samuel on 1-year, $7 million deal49ers OC praises Brock Purdy, WR growth early in Training Camp