The New Kings Court: Projecting The Sacramento Kings Starting Lineup And Roster Shockwaves For 2025-2026

The Sacramento Kings have officially moved beyond the 'Beam Team' era of just two star players, ushering in a dramatic new chapter with a heavily revamped roster for the 2025-2026 NBA season. As of today, December 15, 2025, the Kings' projected starting lineup is one of the most intriguing and high-octane groups in the Western Conference, built on a series of aggressive offseason moves designed to maximize their championship window.

This new-look roster, orchestrated by General Manager Monte McNair, has traded consistency for star power and veteran leadership, aiming to solve the team's persistent defensive issues while creating one of the league's most potent offensive attacks. The critical question facing head coach Mike Brown—or his successor, depending on recent coaching changes—is how to successfully integrate three new high-usage veterans into a system that was previously centered around the dynamic duo of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.

Meet the New Kings Court: Projected Starting Five and Key Biographies

The Sacramento Kings' projected starting lineup for the 2025-2026 season represents a massive shift in team philosophy. The front office has assembled a core of established veterans and one elite young two-way player, creating a high-risk, high-reward unit. This lineup, however, is subject to change based on the current injury status of key players, particularly Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine.

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The most widely projected starting five is:

• PG: Russell Westbrook
• SG: Zach LaVine
• SF: DeMar DeRozan
• PF: Keegan Murray
• C: Domantas Sabonis

Here is a closer look at the key figures shaping the Kings' new era:

Russell Westbrook (Point Guard)

• Position: Point Guard (PG)
• Height/Weight: 6'3", 200 lbs
• Age: 37
• College: UCLA
• Career Highlights: 9x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA Scoring Champion, 2017 NBA MVP, 3x NBA Assists Leader.
• Kings Role: Provides elite playmaking, rebounding, and an aggressive pace to the offense. His role is to push the ball and facilitate for the new "Big Three."

Zach LaVine (Shooting Guard)

• Position: Shooting Guard (SG)
• Height/Weight: 6'5", 200 lbs
• Age: 30
• College: UCLA
• Career Highlights: 2x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion.
• Kings Role: The primary perimeter scoring threat, providing elite three-level scoring and spacing. His current left ankle injury is a major concern for the rotation.

DeMar DeRozan (Small Forward)

• Position: Small Forward (SF)
• Height/Weight: 6'6", 220 lbs
• Age: 36
• College: USC
• Career Highlights: 6x NBA All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection.
• Kings Role: Provides veteran leadership, elite mid-range scoring, and late-game isolation offense. He is expected to be a crucial secondary playmaker alongside Westbrook.

Keegan Murray (Power Forward)

• Position: Power Forward (PF)
• Height/Weight: 6'8", 225 lbs
• Age: 25
• College: Iowa
• Career Highlights: NBA All-Rookie First Team.
• Kings Role: The indispensable "glue guy." Murray’s elite three-point shooting and versatile, high-level defense are essential to cover the defensive shortcomings of the other starters. His energy and aggression are infectious.

Domantas Sabonis (Center)

• Position: Center (C)
• Height/Weight: 7'1", 240 lbs
• Age: 29
• College: Gonzaga
• Career Highlights: 3x NBA All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team selection, NBA Rebounding Champion.
• Kings Role: The offensive hub; an elite passer, rebounder, and interior scorer. The entire offense runs through his dribble hand-offs and post-play.

The Sabonis and LaVine Injury Timeline: A Critical Threat to the Lineup

The most immediate and pressing issue for the Sacramento Kings is the health of their core players. The projected starting lineup is currently compromised by two significant injuries, forcing Coach Brown and his staff to rely on their new-look depth chart sooner than expected.

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Domantas Sabonis Injury Update:

Sabonis, the team’s cornerstone center and rebounding champion, was diagnosed with a partially torn meniscus in his left knee on November 20. This is a major blow, as he is the engine of the Kings' offense. The initial prognosis suggested he would be re-evaluated in 3-to-4 weeks. Given the current date, his return is anticipated around late December or early January at the latest. Until then, the team must cope with a massive rebounding hole and a lack of elite interior passing. The team will likely use a combination of backup centers like Alex Len and JaVale McGee, or a smaller, more versatile lineup, to bridge the gap.

Zach LaVine's Ankle Concern:

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Zach LaVine, the newly acquired scoring guard, also suffered an injury, injuring his left ankle midway through a recent game and being ruled out. While the severity is less clear than Sabonis's, any absence from LaVine forces the team to rely more heavily on DeRozan’s mid-range game and the playmaking of Westbrook and the bench unit, potentially featuring Dennis Schröder, who has been a strong rotational option at the point guard spot.

Mike Brown's Strategic Challenge: Integrating Three High-Usage Stars

The Kings' new roster presents a fascinating yet complex strategic puzzle for Coach Mike Brown. The acquisition of three high-usage, ball-dominant players—Westbrook, LaVine, and DeRozan—requires a fundamental shift from the free-flowing, two-man-centric offense of previous seasons. The key LSI keywords here are *Mike Brown's offensive system* and *Kings Big Three fit*.

The Pace and Playmaking Balance:

Brown’s primary goal is to maintain the Kings' identity as a fast-paced team while ensuring all three new stars get their touches. Westbrook, an all-time great playmaker, will be tasked with pushing the pace and getting easy transition buckets. His ability to defer to LaVine and DeRozan in the half-court will be critical. The team's strategy, as preached by Brown, is to focus on "possession after possession," emphasizing disciplined play over isolation heroics.

Keegan Murray: The Defensive Anchor:

The defensive concerns surrounding the starting five are significant, especially with DeRozan, LaVine, and Sabonis on the floor. This elevates Keegan Murray's role from a talented young scorer to the indispensable defensive anchor. Murray’s strong defensive effort, versatility, and ability to guard multiple positions are what allows this high-powered lineup to function. His growth on the defensive end is arguably the most important non-star entity on the team.

Key Rotation Players and Depth Chart Analysis

A major improvement for the Kings is the depth of their roster, which is now one of the deepest in the league. This depth is essential for managing the minutes of the veteran starters and compensating for the current injuries.

The Backcourt Overkill:

If Russell Westbrook is moved to the bench, the starting point guard role could fall to Dennis Schröder, a highly capable veteran. This would create an "overkill" bench backcourt featuring Westbrook and Malik Monk, giving the Kings an unprecedented level of scoring and playmaking off the bench. This is a powerful strategic option for Brown, allowing the team to maintain a high-octane offense for 48 minutes. Other key guards include Kevin Huerter, who provides essential three-point shooting and spacing.

Frontcourt Versatility:

With Sabonis injured, the frontcourt rotation becomes a mix of veterans and young talent. Players like Trey Lyles and the newly acquired DaQuan Jeffries provide rotational minutes at the forward positions. The depth chart also features young players like Dylan Cardwell and Devin Carter, who have been developing with the Stockton Kings.

Ultimately, the Sacramento Kings have bet big on a veteran core to achieve immediate playoff success. The success of the 2025-2026 season hinges entirely on Mike Brown's ability to blend the star power of Westbrook, LaVine, and DeRozan with the two-way stability of Murray and the passing genius of Sabonis (once healthy). The Kings' path to the playoffs will be a tightrope walk between offensive brilliance and defensive discipline.