How Kings may use two spots with Zach LaVine in mind
The Sacramento Kings are likely to convert Jonathan Mogbo to a standard deal and leave one roster spot open, preserving flexibility around veterans like Zach LaVine. After waiving DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento has 13 standard contracts and three two-ways filled. Filling both openings risks the luxury tax for a team projected near the Western Conference floor.
Key Takeaways
- Sacramento has two open standard roster spots after waiving DeMar DeRozan in early July.
- Analysts lean toward elevating Jonathan Mogbo from his two-way deal and keeping one spot vacant.
- Avoiding the luxury tax and first-apron penalties is a central roster-construction goal.
- An open spot aids flexibility if Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, or Malik Monk are shopped.
That answer-first read matches reporting from Sports Illustrated and Kings-focused outlets covering the same offseason puzzle. For more explainers in this lane, see BlasterPost's Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.
Why leave a roster spot empty after elevating Mogbo?
The Kings do not have to fill both openings. An NBA club must carry at least 14 players on standard contracts, so converting Mogbo alone meets the floor while parking the 15th slot.
SI's Logan Struck argues that path is sensible: Mogbo adds cheap forward depth after a strong Las Vegas Summer League, and an empty final spot helps Sacramento stay under the expected luxury-tax line near $201 million if DeRozan's roughly $10 million hit is stretched over three seasons.
A Royal Pain goes further, saying both main spots can stay open so the Kings avoid first-apron trouble and free minutes for developing players instead of repeating low-usage bench roles once held by free agents Drew Eubanks and Doug McDermott.
What did Jonathan Mogbo show that earns a standard deal?
Mogbo, 24, arrived on a two-way after Toronto declined his 2026-27 team option. Drafted 31st overall in 2024, he averaged 6.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 stocks as a rookie before his sophomore role shrank.
In four Summer League games for Sacramento, SI reported 11.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks, with 44.4% shooting from the field and 50.0% from three. A Royal Pain tallied 46 points, 35 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and six blocks across those appearances and urged a quick elevation.
Promoting him would also reopen a two-way slot for another Summer League standout, with Marquel Sutton cited as one candidate.
How does Zach LaVine factor into the final two spots?
Roster math is not only about tonight's rotation. Struck notes that veterans such as Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and Malik Monk could be on the trade block next season. Keeping a standard spot free gives Sacramento more room to absorb incoming salary or complete deals without scrambling for a 15th body.
A Royal Pain frames the same idea around the 2027 trade deadline: salaries prorate as the year goes on, so waiting can make midseason additions cheaper if a fit appears. Standing pat now also leaves more court time for two-ways Jonathan Mogbo, Adam Flagler, and Isaiah Stevens if Mogbo is not converted immediately.
Bottom line from the sourced coverage: expect Mogbo to get a real look on a standard deal, one spot to stay open for tax and trade flexibility, and Zach LaVine's future to remain a quiet backdrop to every roster decision Sacramento still has to make.