De’Andre Hunter, forward for the Sacramento Kings, has undergone surgery to repair a retinal detachment in his left eye, effectively ending his season, a team spokesperson confirmed on Friday. The injury occurred on February 6 during a game against the LA Clippers, leading to an immediate need for medical intervention.
Details of the Surgery and Recovery Outlook
The operation was conducted on Friday afternoon by Dr. M. Ali Khan at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville, California. The Kings organization anticipates that Hunter will recover fully, with an update on his condition expected in about eight weeks.
Hunter’s Recent Transition and Performance With the Kings
At 28 years old, Hunter was acquired by Sacramento earlier this month in a complex three-team trade involving the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls. The Kings traded Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to Cleveland, received Hunter from the Cavaliers, while Chicago acquired two second-round draft picks as well as big man Dario Saric from Sacramento.
Hunter participated in just two games for the Kings before going inactive due to left eye iritis. During those appearances, he averaged 7.5 points on 21.1% shooting and grabbed 1.5 rebounds.
Recent Injuries Plaguing the Kings Roster
This surgery marks the third season-ending procedure for Kings players recently, following Domantas Sabonis’s left knee meniscus repair and Zach LaVine’s right fifth finger tendon surgery. These developments intensify concerns around the team’s current struggles during a difficult season.
League-Wide Concerns Amid Sacramento’s Struggles
The Kings currently hold the worst NBA record at 12-45. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has publicly addressed his growing unease over tanking across the league, noting it has been
“worse this year than we’ve seen in recent memory.”
He has engaged in discussions with all 30 general managers to tackle the issue. If Sacramento maintains the league’s poorest record, it will have a 14% chance of securing the top draft pick in 2026, a draft class expected to feature a strong collection of prospects.
Implications for the Kings’ Future
De’Andre Hunter’s eye surgery and long recovery timeline further complicate Sacramento’s season and roster outlook. His expected return and full recovery will be vital for the team as they aim to rebuild and improve their standings. Meanwhile, the multiple injuries and ongoing league challenges add pressure to the Kings’ management and coaching staff ahead of the coming months.
