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Where the Sacramento Kings roster stands after trading Schroder & Ellis

The Sacramento Kings have begun rebuilding their current roster by trading guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Over the weekend, Sacramento moved its two guards to the Cavs–as well as forward Dario Saric to the Chicago Bulls–in return for veteran forward De’Andre Hunter.

Sacramento (12-39), owners of the worst record in the NBA, are entering an important week as they look to re-shape its roster under first-year general manager Scott Perry.

The trade of Ellis was highly anticipated, while the inclusion of Schroder’s $15 million-per-season salary helped the Kings bring back the three-and-D wing in Hunter, a player who is also under contract for $24 million in 2026-27.

A lot can happen between now and 12 PM PT on Thursday when the trade deadline passes, but here’s how things look for the current Sacramento Kings roster and rotation following the three-team deal with Cleveland and Chicago.

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Updated 2025-26 Sacramento Kings Roster

Guards

Russell Westbrook

Zach LaVine

Malik Monk

Nique Clifford

Devin Carter

Daeqwon Plowden **

Isaiah Stevens **

Forwards

Keegan Murray

DeMar DeRozan

De’Andre Hunter

Precious Achiuwa

Doug McDermott

Centers

Domantas Sabonis

Maxime Raynaud

Dylan Cardwell – C**

Drew Eubanks

**Player on Two-Way Contract

*2 Open Roster Spots remaining*

Sacramento will convert two-way center Dylan Cardwell to a standard contract after the deadline passes, but it is intriguing to see that they will keep two roster spots open until then.

This opens the door to a potential three-for-one trade, one that could involve moving a larger contract out, such as Domantas Sabonis (who has been heavily linked to the Toronto Raptors in trade talks) or Zach LaVine, who was previously coveted by the Milwaukee Bucks before Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury and uncertain future.

There is nothing imminent suggesting that a significant move is on the way, but things can come together quickly during NBA trade deadline week.

Until then, this is the likely rotation you’ll see for this version of the Beam Team:

Potential Sacramento Kings Depth Chart

Starters

PG – Russell Westbrook

SG – Zach LaVine

SF – DeMar DeRozan

PF – Precious Achiuwa

C – Domantas Sabonis

Bench

PG – Malik Monk

SG – Nique Clifford

SF – De’Andre Hunter

PF – Dylan Cardwell

C – Maxime Raynaud

*Keegan Murray (ankle sprain) is currently rehabbing and working his way back to game action.

What About The Money?

Currently projected at $190.8 million, the Kings are already over the luxury tax and creeping toward the first apron, but they’re not boxed in yet.

There’s no actual cap space here — everything at the deadline has to come via trades or exceptions — but staying below the first apron keeps Sacramento functional.

They can still aggregate contracts, creatively match salaries, and make a real move if they want to. The margin for error is thin, though. Any deal that adds money has to be intentional, which makes consolidation trades and pick-driven upgrades far more likely than a pure salary add.

More Sacramento Kings coverage from Sactown Sports

The Dennis Schroder never made sense for the Sacramento Kings. It makes even less sense now.

As soon as the Kings and De’Aaron Fox’s relationship came to a rocky ending this time last year, it became evident that Sacramento would need to find a long-term solution at the point guard spot.

Although the Kings allowed former Executive of the Year winner Monte McNair and his front office to execute the Fox trade not even eight weeks prior, McNair and his staff were excused less than two hours following Sacramento’s season-ending loss to Dallas in the NBA Play-In Game.

First-year general manager Scott Perry, who was brought in to replace McNair a few days later, struck quickly during the opening minutes of free agency by signing veteran journeyman Dennis Schroder, who was entering his age-32 season and suiting up for his 10th NBA franchise.

While Schroder’s age, skill set, and surprisingly large contract — $44.5 million over three years with a partial guarantee in the final season — didn’t seem to align with the Sacramento Kings’ current roster makeup or timeline, Perry saw it differently.

Internally, Schroder was viewed as the top target on the market, the “number one guy” Sacramento believed could serve as a building block as the organization pushed toward sustained success.