The Sacramento Kings’ lone commerce deadline addition of De’Andre Hunter played simply 51 video games over two video games together with his new workforce earlier than requiring season ending eye surgical procedure. It’s an unlucky state of affairs with no aspect at fault, however how have Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder carried out for Cleveland?
Greg Swartz, NBA author for Bleacher Report, joined Kevin “Whitey” Gleason and Allen Stiles on The Drive Guys to share how the previous Kings have match in with the Cavaliers, the way forward for their veterans, the 2026 NBA Draft, and extra.
Ellis spent three and a half seasons with Sacramento after becoming a member of them as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He turned a fan favourite as fixed questions over his lack of taking part in time existed all through each head coach Mike Brown and Doug Chrisite.
Headed into unrestricted free company this offseason, common supervisor Scott Perry elected to maneuver on from Ellis. Perry’s first “big” offseason addition, projected place to begin guard Dennis Schroder, was additionally moved in the deal. He was simply 40 video games right into a three-year, $45 million deal.
“They both have been pretty important pieces off the bench,” Scwartz instructed The Drive Guys.
“From day one, those two guys have kind of been important bench players for them. Dennis Schroder has not shot the ball well. I appreciate the hustle and the energy that he brings on a nightly basis. And the Cavs had way too many nice guys, and they need guys with a little bit of feistiness to them, and I think that Dennis brings that. And then Keon shot the ball well, I’d like to see them even put him in a bigger role. He’s been extension eligible for a while now, and they haven’t come to terms on any type of deal, but he’s played well overall. I had higher expectations out of Keon Ellis when the trade was made, and he’s proven me right. So far, he’s been a solid piece for him.”
Scwartz’s ideas on Ellis appear to stay commonplace, at the same time as the three&D guard has modified uniforms.
Since becoming a member of Cleveland, Ellis is capturing 36.3 % from three with 8.1 factors and 1.4 steals in 24.8 minutes per night time. Meanwhile, Schroder has tallied two begins over 23 appearances with 7.9 factors, 4.2 assists, and 2.1 rebounds on 38.4 % capturing.
Dario Saric was additionally included in the deal, however the Chicago Bulls waived him proper after buying him in the three-team deal.
The Drive Guys‘ conversation with Scwartz shifted into the current rostered players who could be on the move sooner rather than later. Veterans DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook have provided leadership to a young roster, but winning games hasn’t been frequent. DeRozan has one season remaining at roughly 25 million, solely partially assured. Westbrook’s one-year deal expires this offseason.
“I would be fine going ahead and fully guaranteeing (DeRozan’s) contract at another $15 million and just seeing… he’s on an expiring deal.” The commerce worth of expiring contracts, particularly when groups know their clear wants across the deadline, is at all times good for groups close to the underside of the standings to accumulate extra property. It’s value noting that Perry tried to maneuver DeRozan on the previous deadline, however there didn’t appear to be any critical takers.
Westbrook, given his expiring standing, is a special case in Scwartz’s thoughts. “I don’t see any reason to bring back Russell Westbrook,” he mentioned.
“I think Russell Westbrook, at this point, would probably prefer to play for a championship. I don’t know how many offers you know he’s going to have in free agency. I think it just takes a very specific type of roster to fit Russell Westbrook in. But if you’re the Kings you have to get younger. You have to hope that you have a very good night on draft lottery night and you can get a future franchise centerpiece, which I don’t think you have right now as a young player, to kind of guide the franchise around. So if DeRozan wants to come back on expiring deal, perfectly fine with that. You can talk about potential trades if you fully guarantee that contract and bring him back. But Westbrook, no, I don’t think there’s any reason for him to be back in Sacramento.”
Their conversations continued into the 2026 NBA Draft, and Scwartz thinks it may very well be that franchise-saving piece for Perry, Christie, and the Kings. Plus, loads extra!
Check out the total interview with Greg Scwartz by scrolling to the highest of the web page or by clicking here.
Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday by way of Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
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When is the subsequent Sacramento Kings sport?
The Sacramento Kings will conclude its last highway journey of the season on Wednesday night time when the face the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena.
Sacramento dropped a 122-109 contest to the Raptors at Golden 1 Center again on January twenty first as Scottie Barnes scored 23 factors in the win.
Be positive to catch the entire Sacramento Kings vs. Toronto Raptors motion proper right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame protection starting at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys earlier than a 5:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Toronto.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
- Wednesday, April 1st @ Toronto Raptors – 5:00 PM PT
- Friday, April third vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PT
- Sunday, April fifth vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 6:00 PM PT
- Tuesday, April seventh @ Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
- Friday, April tenth vs. Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
- Sunday, April twelfth @ Portland Trail Blazers – 5:30 PM PT
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