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.
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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.
