The Sacramento Kings are in desperate need of a franchise-altering talent in this summer’s NBA Draft. Is AJ Dybantsa the player they need?
At least one NBA Draft expert believes so.
NBA Draft analyst James Barlowe joined Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys, Kevin Gleason and Allen Stiles, to explain why he’s bullish on the Sacramento Kings’ chances if they land BYU forward AJ Dybantsa in this year’s stacked draft.
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Is AJ Dybantsa Sacramento’s Best Option?
Although players like Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson are also in the mix to be the top pick in June’s draft, Barlowe–like many around the game–views Dybantsa as the player Kings fans should be clamoring for.
“I think if you land him at number one, two, or three, if you’re a Kings fan, I think you throw a parade because you have a piece, he’s going to fill the stands. And he’s actually getting better throughout the season. So I really like AJ Dybantsa.”
Barlowe pointed to AJ Dybantsa’s potential on both ends of the floor, as the freshman holds season averages of 24.8 points (first in the nation), 6.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game on 53/35/75 shooting splits.
AJ Dybantsa is also averaging 2.6 turnovers per game, although that shouldn’t deter teams from picking the 6’9 forward this summer.
“How about his handle? Is that an area in which he could use some improvement?” Barlowe said.
As far as improvements go, Barlowe already thinks AJ Dybantsa’s handle is better than Boston Celtics star forward Jaylen Brown’s was when the then-19-year-old was entering his rookie season.
“He has a lot of turnovers, so yeah, he can use some improvement, but if you say he reminds you of Jaylen Brown at the same stage, his handle is far greater than what Jaylen Brown’s was at 19 years old, and he’s probably not too far behind him right now, and he just turned 19, but some of that is doing a better job of reading the floor.”
Check out the full conversation with The Drive Guys by scrolling to the top of the page or by clicking here.
Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
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When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will begin a five-game road trip on Saturday afternoon against old friend De’Aaron Fox and the San Antonio Spurs.
Fox led all scorers with 28 points and 11 assists (two turnovers) during the Spurs’ win over the Kings back on November 16th.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 3:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 5:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown San Antonio.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Saturday, February 21st @ San Antonio Spurs – 5:00 PM PT
Monday, February 23rd @ Memphis Grizzlies – 5:00 PM PT
Wednesday, February 25th @ Houston Rockets – 5:00 PM PT
Thursday, February 26th @ Dallas Mavericks – 5:30 PM PT
Sunday, March 1st @ Los Angeles Lakers – 6:30 PM PT
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