The Sacramento Kings have major decisions ahead of them this offseason. First up is what to do with the No. 7 pick of the 2026 NBA draft?
Kings Rumored To Be Targeting Point Guard With Lottery Pick
While the ping-pong balls didn’t go the Kings’ way a week ago, Sacramento still got a high lottery pick in a loaded 2026 draft. The Kings finished with the fifth-worst record in the NBA at 22-60, marking their worst mark since 2011-12 when they finished (22-60). But the Kings fell to the N0. 7 pick in last week’s lottery.
Sacramento was hit hard by injuries, with Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, and De’Andre Hunter missing significant time. LaVine, Sabonis, and Murray combined to play just 81 contests. The Kings used 23 players and 34 starting lineups.
The Kings were ranked in the bottom four of the league in both offensive (26th) and defensive efficiency (28th). The Kings weren’t a good rebounding team, but defense was their biggest issue. The Kings allowed 121 points per game on 49.4% shooting from the field and 37.9% from the 3-point line, while not forcing too many turnovers.
Kings 2026-27 Roster Heading Into Offseason
Sacramento has a lot of work ahead of it. The Kings don’t have a starting point guard on their roster, and they really have a poorly constructed team with no shooting.
Overall, the Kings have 11 players under contract for next season with salaries totaling $205.1 million. LaVine, who the Kings have been looking to trade for the past year, has a $48.9 million player option. DeMar DeRozan figures to be the most likely veteran not to be in Sacramento this upcoming year, as only $10 million of his $25 million deal is guaranteed. There has also been a lot of chatter surrounding trading Domantas Sabonis ($45.4 million) and Malik Monk ($20.1 million).
Additionally, only 6 of the Kings’ 11 players under contract are 26 or younger. Speaking of point guard, Kings head coach Doug Christie made it clear that securing a starting point guard was a top priority this summer. While Coby White and Collin Sexton are potential options on the free agent market, the Kings will likely have to address the need through the draft or trade.
“In this league, if you don’t have that position, you really don’t have a chance,” Christie said at the end of the year press conference.
It looks like the draft is where the Kings will start. The 2026 draft is top-heavy and has high-quality point guards: Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, Keaton Wagler, and Mikel Brown Jr. Acuff, Flemings, and Brown are consensus top-10 draft picks.
Chicago, which owns the No. 4 pick, Atlanta, which chooses eighth, and Milwaukee, slated to pick 10th, are the three teams that could take a point guard. However, the Bulls are expected to select North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson with the fourth selection. While the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn, who will pick fifth and sixth, could also decide to go with a point guard, lead guard is not their top need.
Kings Rumored To Be Targeting Point Guard With Lottery Pick: Darius Acuff Jr. is the King’s Projected Choice
Therefore, Sacramento could have its pick of point guards. According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports, the Kings are targeting Acuff.
“Sources around the league widely believe the Kings are targeting Acuff with this pick,” O’Connor said. “There is a lot connecting them. Kings’ general manager Scott Perry and assistant general manager B.J. Armstrong are both born and raised in Detroit. So is Acuff. Perry coached Acuff’s father at Eastern Kentucky in the late 1990s. Maybe it really is that simple. There’s also the obvious fact that he fits Sacramento’s needs.”
Acuff is a highly thought of NBA prospect. Acuff is a dynamic on-ball creator who can score at all three levels. On the downside, Acuff has a lot to work on defensively.
The 6-3 lead guard entered college basketball as the consensus No. 10 recruit in 2025 and earned several accolades in his freshman campaign at Arkansas, including first-team All-American honors and the Bob Cousy Award winner. Leading the SEC in scoring and assists, Acuff averaged 23.2 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds. He also connected on 2.5 threes a game and produced shooting splits of 48.4/44.0/80.9.
Kings Rumored To Be Targeting Point Guard With Lottery Pick: Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr., and Keaton Wagler
If Acuff is the top point guard in the class, then Flemings is 1A or 2+. Like Acuff, Flemings had a fantastic 2025-26 season, earning second-team All-American honors. He averaged 16.1 points, 5.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals with shooting splits of 47.6/38.7/84.5.
Flemings is a speedster who loves to play with pace and poise. The 19-year-old is dynamic on the ball and thrives in pick-and-roll situations. Flemings is a three-level scorer, though he is at his best getting to the rim. Defensively, he is considered a competitive point-of-attack defender.
Brown is an electric scorer with elite athleticism and the ability to create shots. Brown owns outstanding handles and excels in pick-and-roll situations. Defensively, he is very competitive with good anticipation. However, turnovers and decision-making are on the smallish side.
Brown is probably a little behind Acuff and Flemings. However, Wagler is also considered a top-5ish drop pick, known for his elite shooting, footwork, and ability to play at pace. He can play both on and off the ball, with a high IQ and craftiness. However, he does not possess elite athleticism and struggles to separate from more athletic, longer defenders. Additionally, he has a thin frame.
Ultimately, Sacramento could have a tough choice on draft day. Specifically, if Wagler is still available.
Photo Credit: Troy Wayrynen, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
