Hall of Famer Charles Barkley believes the Sacramento Kings are in dire straits, suggesting the team needs a miracle, or even the Pope's intervention, to return to playoff contention.
Barkley's assessment came at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament near Lake Tahoe. "A miracle, the hand of God, the Pope coming to town before the Kings going to be any good," Barkley said, humorously lamenting the team's current condition. "The Kings are in bad shape right now, and it sucks because they have one of the best fan bases in the world."
The Kings are facing another organizational reset after a disappointing season that saw them finish near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The franchise recently selected guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Acuff has shown promise in early appearances, with Barkley acknowledging him as a "good young player" with a "very bright future."
However, Barkley emphasized that one promising rookie is insufficient to revitalize a struggling roster. The Kings have seen significant roster turnover, with key players from their 2022-23 playoff team, such as De'Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, and Kevin Huerter, no longer with the team. Rumors have also circulated regarding potential contract buyouts for players like Zach LaVine, and the future of Domantas Sabonis has been questioned.
This marks a stark contrast to the 2022-23 season when the Kings broke a long playoff drought, securing 48 wins and pushing the Golden State Warriors to a Game 7 in the first round under then-head coach Mike Brown. The team has since fired Brown, who went on to lead the New York Knicks to a championship.
The Kings' path forward hinges significantly on Acuff developing into a foundational player. While his summer league performance has generated excitement, his shooting efficiency remains uneven. Barkley's comments underscore the substantial rebuilding effort required for Sacramento to become a playoff contender again.