Beginning what many expect to be a retool, if not a full-on rebuild, the Sacramento Kings best path to adding top-end talent comes via the NBA Draft.
Earning the seventh pick in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, they fell two spots after coming into the night with the fifth odds.
Finishing their 2025-26 season with a 22-60 record, they came into Sunday’s draw with an 11.5 percent chance at the first overall pick, but Chicago and Memphis were the lucky teams to jump into the top four, which caused Sacramento to fall.
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While most experts view the pool of 2026 NBA Draft prospects as having a top four between AJ Dybansta (BYU), Darryn Peterson (Kansas), Cameron Boozer (Duke), and Caleb Wilson (UNC).
But many impressive talents will remain on the board later in the draft, including where the Kings now officially sit at seventh.
Head coach Doug Christie and general manager Scott Perry, who represented the team at the lottery, have been clear about their need for a point guard, and this class is full of them.
Players such as Kingston Flemings, Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff, Mykel Brown Jr., and Brayden Burries could draw notable consideration.
While it’s not the top-four outcome that could’ve helped Sacramento’s odds of landing a franchise-changing talent, the best players aren’t always selected in the top spots.
The 2026 NBA Draft order will be Washington, Utah, Memphis, Chicago, LA Clippers (via Indiana), Brooklyn, Sacramento, Atlanta (via New Orleans), Dallas, Milwaukee, Golden State, Oklahoma City (via LA Clippers), Miami, and Charlotte.
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Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule
Sunday, May 10th – NBA Draft Lottery
Thursday, June 4th– NBA Finals begin
Thursday, June 25th – NBA Draft (Round 1)
Friday, June 26th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official
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