In the modern NBA, the ideal shot profile prioritizes attempts at the rim or from three-point range. But each team must play to the strengths of its roster, and the 2025-26 Sacramento Kings aren’t a typical roster.
Just having DeMar DeRozan on the roster leads to a heavy dose of mid-range jump shots. The 36-year-old veteran leads the league in mid-range attempts with eight per game, while second-place Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is nearly two attempts behind at 6.1 a night.
I’m certainly not about to advocate for the 28th all-time leading scorer in NBA history to alter his game in year 17.
DeRozan’s ability to create and convert those looks is the key skill that bolstered his Hall of Fame career and remains viable now.
He has led the league in average mid-range attempts in each of the last four seasons as well. Everyone knows what DeRozan brings; it’s just about formulating ideal spacing with the remaining roster.
But he’s not the only King to prefer that shot. In 2020-21, the last time DeRozan didn’t lead that category, it was now teammate Russell Westbrook with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Per Cleaning the Glass, 47 percent of Dennis Schroder’s attempts have come from the mid-range. Zach LaVine, a true three-level scorer, takes a fair share as well.
That’s where the complications lie and why the 2025-26 Sacramento Kings are leading the NBA in mid-range attempts as a team (15.9). Boston, 13.3 attempts per game, is in second place.
For what it’s worth, they led the league in that category last season as well. It may simply be a result of the current roster’s composition, but it’s a challenging formula when trying to keep up with teams that shoot a high volume and a solid rate of triples.
“At the end of the game, normally we talk about how many threes that have been passed up,” Kings head coach Doug Christie said before Wednesday’s win over the Warriors. “I’m still at about that 40 (three-point attempts) number.”
Kings head coach Doug Christie talks about hosting the shorthanded Warriors tonight without Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine, the addition of Precious Achiuwa and looking for more 3-point attempts. pic.twitter.com/RsGMmSQFwY
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) November 6, 2025
Well, Sacramento is dead last in 3PA/g (29.3) while their opponents average 36.1 a night. Most of the other “good” teams with limited long-range looks are equipped with high-caliber defenses on the other end.
The Pistons (31.0 3PA/g) are currently the third-ranked defense, but their shot profile has also been an early point of concern. Orlando, who attempts the third fewest triples, is another example.
Houston (30.1 3PA/g) owns the 6th-best defensive rating, but they’ve also managed to put together the best offense so far. Having Kevin Durant certainly helps that.
The Kings don’t have the defense or elite bucket-getter of that caliber. DeRozan remains phenomenal, but he’s no Durant.
Eight games into the year, Sacramento sits 25th in defensive rating and 19th offensively, per NBA Stats.
Plenty would point to their apparent defensive inefficiencies as the obvious area to clean up, but I’d argue that they’re roster isn’t built for that. Yes, defense is primarily about effort and effective communication. Yet, the roster that general manager Scott Perry inherited and slightly altered lacks a baseline of defensive instincts, lateral movement, size, and athleticism.
It all comes back to what they can consistently do well. Right now, there’s no obvious answer. Getting Keegan Murray back will help with all of the above. He’s one of their best three-point shooters and only consistently reliable forward on the roster (unless Russell Westbrook falls under that category at this point).
Their roster is catered towards offensive success with an aging shot profile. Again, I find it to be more of a roster problem rather than taking issue with specific players — I’m never going to be a “DeRozan needs to take more threes” type of guy.
But there’s a curiosity as to whether the Kings will sometimes be unable to keep up with their opponents, sporting a combination of minimal threes and abysmal defense.
Currently, converting 37.6% of their looks from deep certainly helps. They attempted twenty fewer triples than Golden State on Wednesday night, but still managed to come away with the win.
Ultimatley, if they can find ways to win games, it won’t matter, but the impact of their unique roster construction has been apparent early in the 2025-26 season.
More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports
After only eight games with the Sacramento Kings, Russell Westbrook is already becoming a fan favorite.
The Athletic‘s Sam Amick joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross on Thursday to share his thoughts on Westbrook’s impressive play to begin the season, dive into the Kings’ performance as they navigate injuries, and much more.
Plus, Sacramento is listed as a favorite to trade for Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant. Will Memphis move the guard by February’s trade deadline?
Read More:
Sam Amick on Russell Westbrook’s impact & Ja Morant’s situation in Memphis
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
Sacramento will continue a five-game homestand on Friday night when it faces the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden 1 Center.
On October 28th, the Kings dropped a close 107-101 contest in Oklahoma City, one that saw Sacramento lead for 39 of the 48 regulation minutes before the Thunder pulled away late.
Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Thunder action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Friday, November 7th – vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, November 9th – vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – 6:00 PM PT
Tuesday, November 11th – vs. Denver Nuggets – 8:00 PM PT
Wednesday, November 12th – vs. Atlanta Hawks – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, November 14th – @ Minnesota Timberwolves – 1:00 PM PT
Sunday, November 16th – @ San Antonio Spurs – 1:00 PM PT
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