Just two days after the club announced that Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine would be shut down for the year due to injury, Sacramento confirmed that De’Andre Hunter would undergo a season ending eye procedure as well.
According to reports, the veteran forward suffered a detached retina that required surgery to correct. “The procedure was performed by Dr. M. Ali Khan at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville, California,” the Kings said in a prepared statement. “Hunter is expected to make a full recovery and an update will be provided in approximately eight weeks.”
Across 45 games split between the Kings and Cavaliers, Hunter has averaged 13.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per night. Hunter’s injury means three of the Kings’ four highest-paid players are now out for the season.
Given all the talk about potential “anti-tanking” measures that the league could implement next year, coupled with Sacramento’s league worst 12-45 record, many assumed the news was yet another effort to secure a top pick in next year’s draft. However, as reporter 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.”
With 3 starters now out for the year, the Kings’ remaining schedule will function primarily as an extended evaluation period for the team’s younger players. Centre Maxime Raynaud (drafted 42nd overall), guard Nique Clifford, and centre Dylan Cardwell figure to see expanded roles. However Cardwell appears to now be dealing with a sprained ankle suffered at practice and could see some time on the shelf himself.
The team’s depth will certainly be tested over the coming weeks as Sacramento will have 7 games across the next 13 days, leaving little time for the team to nurse injuries to an already thin lineup. The Kings will next be in action on Saturday against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
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