The Shorter the News, the Bigger the Event! Is the Kings' Big 3 on the Chopping Block?

The Sacramento Kings’ season officially ended in disappointment, with a 106-120 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round of the play-in tournament. The Kings, who have been on a rebuilding path for years, entered the game with hopes of advancing to the playoffs, but were quickly sent packing by a Mavericks team that dominated them from start to finish. The decisive blow came in the second quarter, where the Mavericks outscored the Kings 44-19, effectively putting the game out of reach. From that point on, the margin never dropped below 20 points, and Sacramento had no chance to mount any meaningful resistance.

In the hours following this embarrassing defeat, the Kings' front office went into full overhaul mode. Monty McNair, once heralded as the best general manager in the league just two years ago, was fired. The Kings' management structure is being reworked, and rumors are swirling that Scott Perry, a current NBA executive, is the frontrunner to replace McNair. As the saying goes, "The shorter the news, the bigger the event," and this certainly rings true for the Kings' shake-up.

In many ways, the front-office change signals that significant roster shifts are on the horizon. While it’s too early to make definitive calls, it’s hard to ignore the fact that no player on the Kings' roster, not even the so-called "Big 3" — Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan — is safe from potential trade discussions. This trio, while talented, has underperformed when it matters most, and the recent play-in loss exposed many of their flaws. Let’s break down why this trio may be on the clock.

First up, Domantas Sabonis. The Lithuanian center had a remarkable regular season, averaging 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, leading the league in rebounds and ranking second among centers in assists. He posted incredibly efficient shooting splits of 59.0% from the field, 41.7% from three, and 75.4% from the free-throw line, with a true shooting percentage of 65.5%. But when the lights shone brightest in the play-in tournament, Sabonis struggled mightily. In 37 minutes of play, he managed just 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists, but he also committed 5 turnovers and posted a team-worst minus-26 plus-minus. Sabonis was utterly ineffective against the Mavericks' interior defense, particularly with Anthony Davis patrolling the paint.

This performance brings into question whether Sabonis is truly capable of being the centerpiece of a playoff contender. Despite his strong regular-season numbers, he’s often been a non-factor in high-pressure games. Looking back at last year’s playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, Sabonis also failed to make an impact, averaging just 16.4 points and 11.0 rebounds on 49.5% shooting. It’s clear that Sabonis, while a solid player, lacks the ability to take over a game in crucial moments. His offensive game is predictable and one-dimensional, largely relying on handoffs and ball movement, but he doesn’t have the ability to break down defenders one-on-one or dominate the low post. Additionally, his defense is far from elite, and against stronger opponents, his limitations become glaring.

Then there’s Zach LaVine. LaVine had his best season to date, averaging 23.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, all while posting career-high shooting percentages of 51.1% from the field, 44.6% from three, and 82.5% from the free-throw line. His true shooting percentage was an impressive 63.9%. On paper, LaVine looks like the kind of player every team would want as a dynamic scorer. However, his inconsistency has been a problem throughout his career, and it was on full display in the play-in game. Over 44 minutes, LaVine shot 8-of-19 for just 20 points, while contributing 9 assists and 5 turnovers. His plus-minus was -22, second worst on the team.

When LaVine is hot, he’s nearly impossible to stop, but when he’s off, he can completely disappear from a game. His erratic shooting and inability to find consistency in big moments make him a risky centerpiece for a franchise looking to make a deep playoff run. LaVine's tendency to struggle against strong defensive teams, like the Mavericks, further solidifies the notion that he might not be the player the Kings need to build around for long-term success. He’s a talented scorer, but he lacks the all-around game and mental fortitude needed to lead a team in crunch time.

Finally, we come to DeMar DeRozan, perhaps the most difficult player to evaluate among the Kings’ stars. DeRozan had a strong showing in the play-in game, scoring a team-high 33 points on 13-of-28 shooting, but his efficiency was less than stellar, posting a true shooting percentage of 53.9%. He also added 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. But while DeRozan’s numbers look solid on paper, they tell a different story when you dig deeper. He’s still a capable scorer and has demonstrated clutch abilities in the past, but at 35 years old, he is no longer the player he once was. He can get buckets, but his efficiency is average, and he’s unable to take over games in the way you’d expect from a player of his caliber. DeRozan is at a crossroads in his career, where his prime has passed, and he lacks the two-way impact that would elevate him into the "superstar" tier.

When we look at this trio as a whole, it becomes clear that they are an odd fit together. Each player has glaring weaknesses, and none of them can elevate the team on their own. Sabonis is a fantastic passer and rebounder, but his offensive game lacks dynamism, and his defense is a liability. LaVine can score with the best of them, but he’s inconsistent and struggles when facing tough defensive teams. DeRozan can still score at a high level, but he’s not the game-changer he once was, and his age is starting to catch up with him.

When these three players share the court, the results have been less than inspiring. The Kings have a .500 record in the 24 games they’ve played together this season, and their net rating is a negative -3.7 points per 100 possessions. This is not the type of performance you’d expect from a supposed "Big 3." While they have moments of brilliance, their collective impact is far less than the sum of its parts.

Looking ahead, it seems likely that the Kings will undergo significant changes during the offseason. The good news for Sacramento is that all three players still have substantial trade value. Sabonis is in the prime of his career, LaVine just had his most efficient season ever, and DeRozan’s contract is small enough that he could be a valuable asset for teams looking to make a playoff push.

If the Kings are smart, they will explore trading one or more of their core pieces. It’s unlikely they’ll tear down the entire team, but Sabonis could remain as the building block for the future. The Kings might look to trade LaVine or DeRozan in exchange for a point guard who can help elevate the team’s playmaking and leadership. If the Kings continue to struggle next season, a full rebuild may be inevitable.

This is a franchise that just two years ago was celebrating the end of a 16-year playoff drought. Fans were hopeful that this marked the beginning of a new era, but it now appears to be the end of an era instead. Fortunately, Sacramento still holds valuable assets and could turn things around with the right moves. The key will be how the new GM — likely Scott Perry — handles the roster changes and whether he can find the right pieces to complement Sabonis and build a true contender. The future of the Kings is in limbo, and it all depends on how they navigate this critical offseason.