The Sacramento Kings are turning to the 2026 NBA Draft after a disappointing season.
The team finished with only 22 wins, falling short of the 35 victories oddsmakers had predicted.
Several roster moves backfired, including trading Tyrese Haliburton and De'Aaron Fox, as well as parting ways with head coach Mike Brown.
The current core—Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis—are all over 30, pushing the front office to prioritize rebuilding.
Rookie Maxime Raynaud, a second-round pick, averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
But meaningful improvement depends on how the Kings use their three draft selections: the 7th overall pick, plus the 34th and 45th picks in the second round.
Primary Need: Point Guard
Sacramento's top priority is finding an elite point guard.
The only true point guards on the roster are Killian Hayes and Devin Carter, leaving an urgent need for a starter.
Beyond the backcourt, the Kings could target a versatile wing forward or an additional big man in the second round to provide depth or eventually replace Sabonis.
Top Draft Options
Darius Acuff Jr. – Point Guard, Arkansas
Acuff Jr. stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 190 pounds, playing with physicality beyond his size.
He shoots 44 percent from three-point range, a critical skill for a team that ranked last in the league in three-pointers made (843), attempts (2,476), and conversion rate (34 percent).
Since the Kings traded Fox, they have lacked a point guard.
Acuff Jr. is projected as a top-ten pick, so the front office must act if he is available at No. 7.
Kingston Flemings – Point Guard, Houston
Flemings, a 6-foot-4 two-way guard, was Houston's primary option despite the program having just contested the national title game.
His defensive skills—frame, length, and physical tools—fit head coach Doug Christie's system.
His playing style draws comparisons to De'Aaron Fox.
Flemings is also projected as a top-ten talent, making him a prime alternative if Acuff Jr. is taken earlier.
Tarris Reed Jr. – Center, UConn
If the Kings secure a guard early, targeting a big man is the next step.
Reed Jr., 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds, led UConn to the 2026 National Championship, averaging 14.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game.
He earned Most Outstanding Player honors on the NCAA tournament East All-Region Team.
Reed Jr. is a mobile interior player who controls the glass, scores in the low post, and has a developing mid-range shot.
He is projected to go early in the second round, making him a clear target for Sacramento's later picks.
Richie Saunders – Guard/Forward, BYU
Saunders, 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, averaged 18 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 48.9 percent.
His draft projection sits between the 40th and 45th picks due to his off-ball scoring, shooting versatility, and connective style.
His final season was cut short by an ACL tear on Valentine's Day, but he had been part of BYU's core trio that reached March Madness.
