Who Warriors, Kings select with picks No. 7, 11 in ESPN's 2026 NBA mock draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The 2026 NBA Draft is just eight days away, with the Warriors and the Kings continuing their preparation before officially making their respective picks.
Without much luck during the NBA draft lottery, Sacramento possesses the No. 7 pick despite a disappointing 22-60 record during the 2025-26 regular season. Meanwhile, Golden State stood pat with the No. 11 overall selection.
ESPN released its latest NBA mock draft, projecting who the Warriors and the Kings will select with their first-round picks.
7. Sacramento Kings: Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville
Listed at 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Brown Jr. would be a fitting addition to a Kings team that needs a dynamic guard who consistently can create and make shots.
“Brown appears to be on solid footing going into next week and has had a positive predraft process, putting himself in play above this slot with the Clippers and Nets, and with interest all over the top 10,” ESPN’s Jeremy Woo wrote.
“His size and well-rounded skill set give him an argument as the ball handler with the highest offensive upside in this second tier of prospects. Teams say he has been impressive in workouts, displaying the deep shooting range and footwork that give him star potential, and helping to assuage concerns around his inconsistent freshman season.”
During his freshman year with Louisville during the 2025-26 NCAA season, Brown Jr. averaged 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 41 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from 3-point range in 21 appearances.
Despite having veteran Russell Westbrook during the 2025-26 season, it is evident that Sacramento desperately needs a starting point guard and adding Brown Jr. could address that roster issue.
11. Golden State Warriors: Aday Mara, C, Michigan
It is no secret that the Warriors need to add more size to their roster, especially with the uncertainties surrounding free-agent big men Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford. Standing 7-foot-3 and 255 pounds, Mara instantly would add size and a much-needed paint presence for Golden State.
“Mara has been a steady riser with an outlier-level mix of size, coordination and skill as a true 7-footer that is extremely difficult to find,” Woo wrote.
“With NBA teams tilting back toward fielding size up front — and as the league prepares to counter Victor Wembanyama for the next decade — Mara’s sheer size and ability to manipulate defenses with the pass make him fascinating to many teams.”
Mara truly shone during his junior season with Michigan, where he averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game and shot 66.8 percent from the field.
Adding Mara would not only add size and a defensive presence to the Warriors but also a rotational piece that could take Golden State to the playoff-contending team it has been desiring to return to.
