The Sacramento Kings enter the 2026-27 season with little to no expectations, but in the background of Sacramento is a quiet thought. What if the Kings are better than everyone expects?

To start, it won't take much to exceed expectations, as many have the Kings finishing at or near the bottom of the standings. But much like last year, you can't deny that the team has talent. The fit was terrible last season and still leaves a lot to be desired for the upcoming year. But compared to last season, Sacramento is coming in with a much more balanced roster.

If things go right, these stats could play a huge role in the Kings surprising everyone and getting back into the playoff picture. And if Sacramento does win around 22 games for a second straight year, these numbers will likely be on the low end, leading to the disappointing results.

Keegan Murray's 3P%

Keegan Murray's three-point percentage is one of the biggest X-Factors for the Kings heading into the season. After his record-setting rookie year, in which he made a then-record 206 threes, Murray's three-point shooting has plummeted every season, falling to 27.7% in his injury-riddled year last season.

He's now sitting at 36.5% for his career from beyond the arc, and feels like even if he could get back to that, everyone around Sacramento would exhale. To be clear, Murray brings so many winning attributes to the court that he doesn't have to hit his threes at a near 40% clip to be effective, but his ceiling, and therefor the Kings, is going to be defined by his outside shooting.

If Murray can get back to his rookie year percentage of 41.1%, the Kings could very well surprise everyone and sneak up the standings.

Zach LaVine Games Played

Another huge question mark for the Kings is the future of Zach LaVine. Before he opted into his $49 million player option, the Kings made it clear that he wouldn't have any guaranteed role if he chose to come back. But the veteran opted in anyway, and with the Kings unable to find a trade partner, the two are destined for another year together. Or at least a partial year?

LaVine could be moved at the deadline, so his games played with the Kings will be extremely telling. Does he play every night and become a key part of the rotation and scheme? Does he play here and there as the Kings do just enough to keep his value up? Or do they cut bait and put him on the bench while he rides out his expiring contract?

Whatever happens, the games played by LaVine will tell a huge story in Sacramento's 2026-27 season.

Darius Acuff Jr's FG%

Switching back to the positive side of things, the Kings' wins and losses should very much depend on the play of rookie Darius Acuff Jr. He's being handed the keys to the kingdom and should have every opportunity to get up 15+ shots per contest.

What he does with those attempts will swing the season one way or the other for the Kings. If Acuff can approach his shooting splits of 48.4% from the field and 44.0% from three like he shot last season at Arkansas, the Kings could skyrocket up the standings.

But if he shoots poorly like we saw in Summer League and takes time to find his NBA footing, the opposite will likely ring true. The Kings don't need to win or have Acuff be perfect in his first NBA season as they continue to build around him, but the potential for offensive stardom is there. Now we just have to wait and see if Acuff reaches that goal in year one to help the Kings surprise everyone.

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