Dario

Šarić

Clifford suffered a right hamstring strain and is set to be sidelined for at least four games. Clifford was filling in as a starter for Keegan Murray, who will miss at least two more weeks. Dario Saric and Dylan Cardwell are potential fill-ins in the starting unit, though neither are enticing streaming options.

The Kings will be without three frontcourt players for Wednesday’s opener, as Jones joins Keegan Murray (thumb) and Domantas Sabonis (hamstring) on the injury report. Jones misses out on the opportunity to play rotation minutes off the bench, meaning the Kings will require more of Drew Eubanks and Dario Šarić, with Dylan Cardwell potentially receiving some playing time.

Sabonis injured his hamstring during Wednesday’s exhibition against the Clippers, exiting during the fourth quarter. He has since been diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain and will be evaluated in one week, meaning the Kings will be without their starting center for at least the first two games of the regular season. Drew Eubanks started Friday’s preseason finale and will likely hold onto that role, with Dario Šarić and rookie Maxime Raynaud providing depth off the bench.

Sabonis suffered a mild hamstring strain during Wednesday’s exhibition loss to the Clippers. With Keegan Murray already sidelined for four weeks, the Kings could begin the regular season down two frontcourt starters. Dario Šarić started Wednesday’s game in Murray’s place, and an absence for Sabonis could lock him in as a starter. Drew Eubanks and Maxime Raynaud would also see their playing time increase if Sabonis misses games.

In Sacramento’s first game without Keegan Murray, Saric got the starting nod. He didn’t provide much statistically, and if he remains in the starting lineup, he won’t be worth streaming. The opportunity seems good, but it’s best to leave Saric on the waiver wire.

With Jonas Valančiūnas now in Denver as part of the trade that sent Šarić to Sacramento and Trey Lyles now at Real Madrid, the Kings have an opening to fill behind starting center Domantas Sabonis. Drew Eubanks (11/3/0/1) and rookie Maxime Raynaud (2/5/4) are also competing for the opportunity, but Šarić can offer a different dimension with his three-point shooting. He made all four attempts on Friday, but the downside is that he provided no value outside of points and triples. There’s no need to draft any of the Kings competing for the backup center role in redraft leagues, although Reynaud is worth selecting in dynasty leagues.

Lyles will leave the NBA to join one of the best teams in Europe. Lyles, who spent the last four seasons in Sacramento, could return to the NBA in the future, but won’t be part of the Kings’ frontcourt depth next season. That could certainly open the door for more minutes for Maxime Raynaud, as well as veterans like Drew Eubanks and Dario Saric.

Reportedly acquired from the Kings in exchange for Dario Šarić, it’s reportedly possible that Valančiūnas will not suit up for the Nuggets in 2025-26. According to BasketNews, Greek power Panathinaikos has offered the veteran center a three-year, €12 million contract. Should he remain in the NBA, Valančiūnas will make nearly $10.4 million with the Nuggets, but the final year of his deal (2026-27) is not guaranteed. The Nuggets appeared to have shored up their backup center position with the Valančiūnas trade, but they’ll be forced to return to the drawing board if he decides to return to Europe to continue his career.

The Kings are acquiring Saric in a money-saving move. Sacramento was able to save $5 million by swapping Valanciunas with Saric. The Kings have been heavily linked to guard Dennis Schroder since the beginning of free agency and this move will allow them to use the full $14.1 million mid-level exception on him while remaining under the luxury tax line. Saric will be joining his fifth different team in four years with the Kings. The 31-year-old reserve big man appeared in just 16 games for the Nuggets last year and has no fantasy value.

While Russell Westbrook decided to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent, Šarić made a different decision. Unsurprisingly, the veteran forward/center has picked up his option, which is worth approximately $5.4 million, and will remain with the Nuggets for the 2025-26 season. Even on the occasions when Denver was without Nikola Jokić, Saric did not do enough to merit being considered as a streamer in fantasy leagues. Šarić only appeared in 16 games in 2024-25, and hasn’t averaged over 20 minutes a game since 2019-2020.