Kings 2024-25 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions

The Sacramento Kings have a pivotal season coming in 2024-25.

The Kings ended a 16-year playoff drought in the 2022-23 season but were unable to relay that into another playoff appearance in 2023-24. This circumstance is a little misleading, however, as the team went 46-36 and were victims of a loaded Western Conference.

Sacramento finished 9th in the West and knocked off the Golden State Warriors before falling to the New Orleans Pelicans in the second round of the play-in tournament.

The Kings will look to avoid a similar fate in 2024-25 and try to take a step towards contention. The franchise has not been out of the first round since 2003-04 and has not reached the Conference Finals since 2001-02.

With changing this narrative in mind, here is a look at the Kings 2024-25 slate.

2024-25 Lakers Schedule Details

Season Opener: vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, Thursday Oct. 24, 10 p.m. ET

Championship Odds: +5500 (bet $100 to win $5,500), per FanDuel

Full Schedule: The full schedule is available on NBA.com.

Top Matchups

Golden State Warriors

The Kings ended the Warriors' season in 2023-24, and the divisional foe will be looking different in 2024-25.

Klay Thompson departed from the Warriors in free agency, and the most notable name joining Golden State is Buddy Hield. Sacramento could have a chance to truly leapfrog the Warriors in the Pacific Division.

However, that will still be easier said than done, as the Warriors still have Steph Curry and Draymond Green and have hopes of returning to former glory. Still, the Kings have developed momentum over the Warriors and will now hope to retain it next season.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Kings should have revenge on their minds when it comes to the Pelicans.

Sacramento fell to a Zion Williamson-less Pelicans in the play-in tournament, and New Orleans only got better. The Pelicans added Dejounte Murray in the offseason and may even keep Brandon Ingram stay around as well.

Sacramento also improved, but both teams will likely be hanging around the play-in tournament once again due to the strong depth within the Conference. With this in mind, winning the season series could be crucial to getting the best seeding for the postseason.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Kings and Lakers did not meet up in the play-in tournament, but both teams were in the same range of the standings. Additionally, sparks will always fly when the in-state rivals clash, and the Kings still would love the opportunity to top the Lakers in any game.

Sacramento outbid the Lakers for DeMar DeRozan and the Lakers were also unable to snag Klay Thompson in free agency. Los Angeles' additions include head coach J.J. Redick and draft picks Dalton Knecht and Bronny James.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be the main contributors for the Lakers in 2024-25 and the Kings will hope that they can have their number this season.

Season Forecast

Sacramento has high hopes for 2024-25.

The DeRozan signing, trading for Jalen McDaniels and drafting Devin Carter paints a positive picture for next season and beyond. The new additions join a core headlined by De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk.

This should have the team prepared for a postseason run, but the rest of the West remains strong. Many teams towards the top remain strong, but that does not mean that the young Kings can't crash that party.

A balanced season will be crucial for the team to find success, as will stealing some more games from the top teams in the conference. It will take a valiant effort to ensure a spot in the postseason and beyond, but the talent on the roster should give the Kings a chance to do just that.

Record Prediction: 49-33