The Sacramento Kings may not be able to declare that they are “tanking” for obvious reasons, but it’s no secret that the franchise has its eyes set on the top of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Through 48 games, Sacramento holds a 12-38 record, placing them just a half-game ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans for the worst record in the Western Conference.
As we move closer to the NBA trade deadline (Thursday, February 5th at 12 pm PT), the Kings could make some moves that open up the rotation or give new players a look as first-year general manager Scott Perry evaluates the next steps for this top-heavy roster.
Decision time is near for Perry and the Sacramento Kings, but what does that mean for the NBA Draft and NBA Draft Lottery? What exactly are the Kings chasing during the final half of what appears to be a lost regular season?
Let’s take a look at the updated Tankathon standings and see where things stand.
Tankathon Update: January 28, 2026
How The Odds & NBA Draft Lottery Work
The NBA Draft Lottery is designed to give the league’s worst teams the best chance at landing the top pick, while discouraging outright tanking.
For a team like the Sacramento Kings, lottery odds come into play only if they miss the playoffs and finish in the bottom 14 of the standings.
The three teams with the worst records each have a 14 percent chance to win the No. 1 overall pick, with odds decreasing incrementally by record.
If the Kings finish, for example, with the seventh-worst record, they would have a 7.5 percent chance at the top pick and a much higher likelihood of landing somewhere in the middle of the lottery.
The NBA Draft Lottery itself only determines the top four picks. After that, selections are ordered by regular-season record.
This system means Sacramento can move up, stay roughly where projected, or slide back—sometimes significantly—depending on how the lottery balls bounce. It’s why even small differences in late-season standings matter. One extra win can slightly reduce top-pick odds but also protect against a big drop.
For the Kings, who often operate in the league’s competitive middle class, the lottery represents both hope and risk. It’s a reminder that draft position isn’t guaranteed—only probabilities are.
That said, it’s in Sacramento’s best interest to lose as many games as possible the rest of the way. Why?
The 2026 NBA Draft is projected to be a top-five-heavy draft, with each of the top-five picks posing as a potential franchise-altering talent.
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, and Houston’s Kingston Flemings could all be donning a Sacramento Kings jersey come NBA Summer League in Las Vegas this June.
It all depends on draft position, and if the Kings want to bring in a new face of the franchise, this could be the draft to do so.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, January 29th – @ Philadelphia 76ers – 4:00 PM PT
Sunday, January 30th – @ Boston Celtics – 4:30 PM PT
Sunday, February 1st – @ Washington Wizards – 3:00 PM PT
Wednesday, February 4th – vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 7:00 PM PT
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