The Sacramento Kings entered the 2024-25 season expecting improvement. In the offseason, they executed a trade which saw them net six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan. The team was coming off back-to-back winning seasons, the first time the franchise accomplished that since the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons.
Through 18 games, the season hasn’t quite gone how the Kings and their fans have wanted it to. They are currently losers of four straight contests. That has dropped their record to 8-10, the first time Sacramento has been two games under .500 since they lost their first two games. That puts them back in 12th place in the competitive Western Conference.
It is fairly evident that the team needs to see their play change on the court. Their sixth man Malik Monk agrees with that sentiment.
Super Sixth Man Says Kings Will Meet To Discuss Recent Woes
Sacramento Kings Have Now Lost 4 Straight
In Sacramento’s most recent game on Monday, their defense got shredded apart. They fell at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder by the score of 130-109. Oklahoma City shot 48-86 from the field (55.8%) and 14-31 from beyond the arc (45.2%).
Sacramento certainly doesn’t want to see their season continue to spiral downward. Speaking with Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee, Monk let it be known that the team will be meeting to speak on their recent woes. Monk told Anderson,
“We’re gonna say something. I feel like we always say something after every loss, so (Tuesday) we’ll probably say something when we get to Minnesota.”
Monk named himself and star players DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox, and Domantas Sabonis as those who would likely speak up. The 26-year-old said,
“I feel like we’ve got a veteran team now with a few young guys, so we know how to turn it around. Domas is going to say a few things, I’m going to say a few things, Fox will say a few things and DeMar will say a few things. We’ve got to turn it around quick, though.”
As Monk stated, the Kings next opponent is the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday in Minneapolis. Minnesota has also been floundering a bit, losers of three straight. On Tuesday night, the Timberwolves lost in overtime, 117-111 in an NBA Cup outing against the Houston Rockets. The Timberwolves are now 8-9 on the season.
Kings Will Be Shorthanded For Wednesday’s Game
Unfortunately for the Kings, they will be shorthanded for their game against the Timberwolves. DeRozan will miss Wednesday’s outing with lower back inflammation. It will be the fourth game this season that the 16-year veteran has missed. The Kings went 1-2 in the first three games that DeRozan missed, including a loss to Minnesota. Sacramento is hoping that this isn’t an injury that lingers throughout the season.
The team will also be without reserve big man Trey Lyles for some time. In the game against Oklahoma City, the 29-year-old suffered a right calf strain. He will be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks.
Subsequently, the Kings are reportedly closing in on a deal with veteran forward Jae Crowder to help strengthen the bench unit. The 34-year-old spent last season playing with the Milwaukee Bucks.
