Sacramento Kings forward De’Andre Hunter underwent surgery for a retinal detachment and has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The injury occurred during a game against the LA Clippers earlier this month.
Dr. M. Ali Khan performed the procedure at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville, California. Hunter is expected to make a full recovery but will not return this season. Sacramento acquired Hunter in a three-team trade involving the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls.
Hunter’s absence means three of the Kings’ four highest-paid players are now out for the season. Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine are also sidelined with season-ending injuries. Chris Haynes noted, “Before anyone attempts to scream tanking maneuver here, the injury is plenty legitimate. Hunter was bleeding out of his eye when it happened.”
Kings’ roster without Hunter, Sabonis and LaVine
The loss of Hunter further depletes a Sacramento rotation already missing its two other highest-salaried players. The Kings have been operating with a shortened roster for an extended stretch, relying on younger and less-experienced players to fill starting and rotation minutes.
Without Hunter, Sabonis, and LaVine, Sacramento lacks the scoring, rebounding, and defensive depth that the roster was constructed to provide when all three were acquired.
Salary cap implications of Hunter’s injury for Sacramento
Hunter’s season-ending injury allows the Kings to reassess their financial commitments heading into the offseason. With three high-salaried players missing significant time, Sacramento’s front office will evaluate how the current salary structure aligns with the team’s competitive timeline and whether roster adjustments are needed before the 2026-27 season.
Kings’ approach to remaining games without three starters
The Kings’ remaining schedule will function primarily as a development and evaluation period for players receiving expanded roles due to the injuries. Sacramento’s front office will use the final weeks to assess which players on the current roster merit roles going forward and where additional depth is needed through the draft or free agency.
Hunter is expected to be fully cleared before the start of the 2026-27 season, giving the Kings the opportunity to integrate him into the roster with a full training camp and preseason.
Sacramento Kings’ offseason outlook after injury-affected season
With Hunter, Sabonis, and LaVine all expected to return healthy next season, the Kings’ offseason priority will center on adding roster depth to protect against the kind of injury-driven collapse that has defined the current campaign. Sacramento’s draft positioning and available cap flexibility will determine how aggressively the front office can address those depth needs.