​In Scott Perry’s words, the Sacramento Kings are in the process of forging an identity. After finishing the previous season with a league-worst 22-60 record, the Kings were blessed with strong lottery odds and used them to their advantage, snagging Darius Acuff Jr. with the 7th overall pick. Now, as the young guard shines in Summer League, Sacramento must look beyond immediate hype and add players who can help sculpt the identity Perry envisions for the franchise.
One significant factor in that quest is free agency, where Jonathan Kuminga’s reported price tag could shape whether the Kings become a viable destination. Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, Kuminga is seeking roughly $25 million per season. That figure exceeds what Sacramento can comfortably offer without a sign-and-trade, even after the Kings enhanced their cap flexibility this offseason.
To alter their financial footing, Sacramento made a notable cap move by waiving DeMar DeRozan, leaving only $10 million guaranteed on his 2026-27 salary. Spotrac’s Keith Smith explained that this maneuver pushed the Kings below both the luxury tax and the first apron, noting, “They’re now under both aprons comfortably. They’re about $4 million under the luxury tax, they’re about $9 million or so under the first apron.” This newfound flexibility provides some options, yet it does not automatically grant a path to Kuminga’s desired annual figure.
Smith estimated that Sacramento could deploy around $8-9 million of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception while staying beneath the first apron. If the team further stretches DeRozan’s remaining guaranteed salary, Sacramento could potentially access the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which sits just over $15 million. Even with that boost, the Kings would still be short of Kuminga’s reported $25 million annual ask. Smith noted that the gap might narrow if Kuminga’s market cools, a scenario that could keep the door open for a Kings bid: “I do think there’s a chance we could still see him with the Kings, especially again as his market kind of dries up there.”
The Los Angeles Lakers have also been connected to Kuminga, though their own financial constraints complicate a potential pursuit. Fischer reported that Los Angeles discussed a sign-and-trade arrangement involving Jarred Vanderbilt and a 2032 first-round pick, but the Atlanta Hawks reportedly showed little interest in taking on Vanderbilt’s contract. Earlier reporting from Khobi Price of the California Post indicated that the Lakers’ offer to Kuminga was in the neighborhood of $10 million per season, underscoring the widening gap between a young star’s demands and teams’ willingness to pay.
For Sacramento, a realistic path to Kuminga could involve a shorter-term arrangement if he prioritizes rebuilding his market value over securing a premium salary immediately. As with many high-profile free agents, the market dynamics can shift quickly, especially as teams recalibrate after trades, resignings, and the evolving cap landscape. If Kuminga is open to a bridge deal or a mid-term contract that preserves flexibility for both sides, the Kings could position themselves as a compelling option in a crowded market.
Ultimately, the Kings’ strategy to establish an identity will hinge on more than one headline-grabbing signing. It will require a balanced mix of promising young talent, savvy cap management, and strategic veteran additions that align with Perry’s vision for a sustainable, competitive franchise. As Acuff continues to develop in Summer League and the broader free-agent landscape evolves, Sacramento will need to navigate the delicate line between meeting a rising star’s market value and maintaining the financial latitude necessary to build the culture and depth that define an enduring contender.