For the second year in a row, the Sacramento Kingsexcelled in the NBA draft.
Kings general manager Scott Perry took over the position in Sacramento and vowed to make changes that would turn the team into a winning organization. He admitted it wouldn't be pretty, but strides would be made. He's proving every syllable he uttered to be true.
The Kings thrived in the 2026 NBA Draft picking up necessary pieces to consider for their future. Sacramento needed a face of the franchise, and with the No. 7 pick, they placed their bets on Darius Acuff Jr. He was the alpha dog leader at Arkansas who proved he could fill up a box score with the best of them, averaging 23.5 points per game. But Sacramento wasn't done there.
The Kings later traded up, sending a couple of second round picks to the Cleveland Cavaliers, for the No. 29 pick. Sacramento ensured the Cavs took Alex Karaban, a sharpshooter out of UConn, with the pick. Karaban spreads the floor and provides spacing, complimentary to Acuff's game.
And in the second round, they added a two-way player in Emanuel Sharp. The Houston guard can shoot, defend and play a vital role for the Kings. He's expected to come in and see the floor immediately as an impact player.
Coming off of a year where the team went 22-60, but the high point was the development of their 2025 draft class, the Kings did it again. They committed to finding talent. There's really no negative thing that anyone should have to say about Sacramento's selections.
They addressed their needs. The next phase will be all about unified development.
Sacramento Kings draft grade: A+
Sacramento Kings moving in right direction
Last year, Perry dominated the draft, trading for a late first rounder that became Nique Clifford. In the second round the Kings took Maxime Raynaud, who was named to the All-Rookie second team. Then they found the heart and soul of the squad in undrafted signee Dylan Cardwell.
Perry followed that up with making the seemingly right picks in the 2026 draft.
Things appear to be moving in the right direction for Sacramento, who will get a chance to see their young prospects in action in the coming weeks when summer league basketball kicks off with the 8th annual California Classic, hosted by the Kings and Golden State Warriors at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento and Chase Center in San Francisco beginning July 3 to 6.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Grading Sacramento Kings overall draft selections in 2026 NBA Draft
