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One more pressing Kings note as relayed by The People's Insider Jake Fischer: League sources say that Sacramento covets a veteran point guard to mentor prized rookie Darius Acuff Jr. and is thus now weighing the prospect of bringing back Russell Westbrook … or bringing in Victor Oladipo to fill that role. The Kings were among the teams to attend Oladipo's recent workout in Las Vegas during summer league.
James Ham: "According to that source, the Kings have no thought of buying out Zach LaVine at this time. They also plan on him coming back and being ready to have a big year in what is a contract season for him. And according to that source, LaVine is aligned with this thinking. So again, at this point, the Kings and LaVine are tied to each other for the 2026-27 season."
James Ham: "Scott Perry was willing to work with Zach LaVine and his representation to find him a new home before he opted into his contract at the end of June. They were more than willing to work on a sign-and-trade with Zach LaVine, and if he could find a home that even paid him less money but a longer-term contract, the Kings were all on board to try and do that."
Joe Johnson: It was fun playing against y'all. I'll never forget, bro. I mean, from Chris Webber to Vlade Divac to Doug Christie, those guys were hell of a passers and IQ through the roof. And then you add you to that mix, bro. Y'all was just a hell of a team. Think about those legendary Kings versus Lakers battles. Tell us a little bit about those battles, bro. Hey, knowing what we know now. You know what I'm saying, Smooth? Knowing the history of the game. Y'all may have been robbed a little bit. Mike Bibby: A little bit?! [Laughs] Johnson: Hold up. Do you honestly think it would really… Bibby: Hell yeah! Did you see that sh*t? Look, that could have changed my whole career, you know? I was rolling at that point. Now, what if it looks like if I we go to the Finals, and I get Finals MVP? That's going to look a whole lot better on my resume than the sh*t I got now.
Sources say the Cavs have expressed interest in free agents DeMar DeRozan, Peyton Watson and Jonathan Kuminga. DeRozan, the 17-year NBA veteran, was waived by Sacramento a little more than three weeks ago and has been viewed leaguewide as a possible low-cost target for any team that missed on LeBron. There’s an argument that DeRozan is the best available free agent.
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Dru: “They've been honest with [Zach LaVine] & said; Look, all bets are off if you opt in...We as a franchise have to make a business decision w/ regards to you—& if he's going to get bought out it should happen now. Because after this it's not advantageous to anybody.” @James_HamNBA
Olgun Uluc: Jaylin Williams - a 6’8 American forward - has signed a one-year deal with the Brisbane Bullets, the team says. Williams last played for the Stockton Kings in the NBA G-League, averaging 12.5 ppg (46.3% 3PT), 6.3 rpg, and 2.5 apg.
Michael Scotto: The Sacramento Kings have waived two-way guard Isaiah Stevens, league sources told @hoopshype. Stevens averaged 14.5 points on 47% shooting, 8.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds for the Stockton Kings in the G League last season.
Jake Fischer: Jalen Duren has been out of the cards for Sacramento from the very beginning. They had interest there, of course, but there’s never gonna be a sign-and-trade that Detroit would have been willing to function, and we’re still getting that intel, we could take this to Jalen Duren as well: Still receiving word out of Detroit that the Pistons have zero interest in playing ball in any sign-and-trade scenario that would deliver their franchise center out of Detroit.
Jake Fischer on Russell Westbrook: ‘I truly have not heard any updates on him since we’ve heard before the opening bell of free agency that the Wizards were interested in him. But also, ever since Washington managed to sneak that Khris Middleton sign-and-trade into a six-team multi-team trade to bring Middleton back to D.C. after that first half of last season, I have been ruling out the Wizards as a Russell Westbrook team. So really I don’t have a home for him right now, I don't believe Sacramento wants him back, I don’t think he wants to come back there.’
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The Lakers announced their preseason schedule Tuesday with the five-game slate beginning Oct. 5 against the Kings at Sacramento and highlighted by a game in Las Vegas against the Golden State Warriors. Starting with consecutive road games in Sacramento and San Francisco (Oct. 6), the Lakers play the Sacramento Kings and the Warriors twice each before a final preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 16. The Lakers’ first home preseason game is Oct. 8 against the Kings before playing the Warriors in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 13.
Khobi Price: Kings announce two preseason games against the Lakers: Oct. 5 in Sacramento Oct. 8 in Los Angeles Warriors are scheduled to host the Lakers on Oct. 6, meaning LAL will have a preseason back-to-back in Sacramento and San Francisco. Three games in four nights for the Lakers.
The Hawks have 17 players under contract after adding Dort and Nembhard, so they must subtract two by the time the season starts. Nembhard fills a need for a third point guard and seems unlikely to be the odd man out. Guard Buddy Hield is still on the books for $9 million but does not appear to be in the team’s plans, while guard Devin Carter (acquired in a salary dump from the Sacramento Kings) and forward Mo Gueye (on a non-guaranteed deal but out three to four months after surgery for a broken foot) are other potential casualties. Another trade, of course, is always possible. Atlanta also still has Bird rights on Kuminga that could be used in a sign-and-trade.
When it came to draft process, I think a lot of people thought that you would go a little bit earlier. I’m curious, did you feel like you fell in the draft? Were you expecting to hear your name earlier? Emanuel Sharp: “Nah, cuz it’s not about picks; it’s about fit. I feel like I could’ve gone earlier, but I might not be in the same situation. You know what I’m saying? I would rather go way later or undrafted with a team that really wants me than a team that would maybe take me on a two-way contract or a team that’s not as big on me at an earlier pick. I just feel like that doesn’t make sense. Scott [Perry] and Coach Doug Christie and the rest of the coaching staff, they really believe in me. So whether that’s pick 45, pick 60, or undrafted, I feel like Sacramento was where I was supposed to be and that’s exactly why I’m here.”