See how the Sacramento Kings community reacted on social media throughout the day of the NBA Draft Lottery.
It was expected that the Sacramento Kings would leave with nothing after Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery concluded, but that did not mean there was nothing on the line for the purple and white.
With the Kings having to give up this year’s first-round pick to either the Boston Celtics or Philadelphia 76ers, due to the ramifications from a trade that happened with the Sixers back in 2015, Kings fans were hoping that their team would remain in the 14th spot in the draft once the ping pong balls fell. If the reality happened where the Kings would jump their way into a top-four pick, it would have made that trade even more gut-wrenching than it already has been.
Imagine the insanity if the first team they announce for #14 is Miami (meaning SAC jumped into top 4 and its either Philly 1 or Boston 2-4).
— Tankathon.com (@tankathon) May 14, 2019
Reactions When The Kings Knew Their Spot
Once the lottery began, it did not take long to know which spot the “Kings” would be drafting at as their number was called immediately at the 14th spot. Once it was official that the Kings would be giving away just the 14th pick in the draft to the Celtics, their fans immediately went to Twitter to express their relief.
SHOCKER! The @SacramentoKings get the #14 pick and will send it to Boston. All things considered, the best case scenario for the result of that bad Vlade Philly trade.
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) May 15, 2019
Now we can finally put that behind us. Time for long-awaited success. #sacramentoproud #NBADraftLottery
Kings Did Not Jump, But The Lakers Did…
Everyone knows that the Sacramento Kings’ most despised rival is the Los Angeles Lakers, so when it came out that the Lakers ended up jumping from the 11th spot in the draft to the top four, the joy that Kings fans had prior turned into distress.
I swear to god if the lakers get zion
— Tony Xypteras (@TonyXypteras) May 15, 2019
Oh sweet Jesus. Not the Lakers.
— Richard Ivanowski (@ivanowskinba) May 15, 2019
Draft Lottery Has Crazy Ending
Fortunately, for everyone, the Lakers did not end up getting the first pick (*cough* Zion Williamson *cough*), but instead, they got the fourth selection in the draft. Once it became known that the Lakers will not be getting the top pick but instead the New Orleans Pelicans, Kings Twitter continued to erupt.
THIS LOTTERY
— Deuce Mason (@DeuceMason) May 15, 2019
I LOVE THIS!!! Eat it, Lakers!!
— Morgan Ragan (@momoragan) May 15, 2019
Zion to the Pelicans, does Davis stay?!? OH MY GAWDDD
Fully support this new #NBALottery system. Nothing better than chaos!
— Alex Kramers (@alexkramers) May 15, 2019
Final Thoughts
Even though the Sacramento Kings will be entering the draft with no first-round pick, it is good to know that they did not take another brutal punishment for the haunting trade they made with the Sixers in 2015.
With the Kings officially released from any consequences from that trade now, they can focus on who to scout for the upcoming draft. Maybe even find a way to get themselves back into the first round?