Sacramento Kings forward De’Andre Hunter has undergone season-ending surgery on his left eye, the team confirmed Friday.
Hunter sustained the injury on February 6 during a matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers and was later diagnosed with a retinal detachment. The procedure was performed Friday afternoon by Dr. M. Ali Khan at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville, California.
According to the organization, Hunter is projected to make a full recovery, with a medical update expected in about eight weeks.
The 28-year-old recently joined Sacramento in a three-team trade involving the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. As part of the deal, the Kings sent guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to Cleveland, while Chicago received two second-round draft picks and Sacramento big man Dario Saric.
Hunter appeared in just two games for the Kings, averaging 7.5 points and 1.5 rebounds while shooting 21% from the field before being sidelined with left eye iritis.
He becomes the third Sacramento player in recent days to undergo season-ending surgery, joining Domantas Sabonis (left knee meniscus repair) and Zach LaVine (right fifth finger tendon repair).
The injuries come amid broader league discussions about competitiveness. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently acknowledged growing concerns about tanking, describing it as more pronounced this season than in recent years. He has reportedly met with all 30 NBA general managers to address the issue.
Sacramento currently holds the league’s worst record at 12-45. If the Kings finish with the NBA’s poorest record, they would have a 14% chance of securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, widely regarded as a deep and talented class.
