As the Sacramento Kings enter what is ostensibly year two of their long-awaited rebuild, fans are wondering what this season holds for the team. The Kings didn't make any big free agency moves, mainly because they cannot afford to. The salary cap is holding them in check for now.
That means the lion's share of the rebuild work has to be done by the draft for now. Fortunately, Scott Perry had two big years in a row in 2025 and 2026. Each draft season ultimately added three new, young stars to the roster, keeping in mind that one of them was technically an undrafted signing.
These are the players who are most likely to impress fans in 2026-2027. Some of them have a season under their belts and have already made a good impression that's just going to get better. Others are on the rise and will have an immediate impact on both the team and the fanbase.
5. Dylan Cardwell
It's safe to say that Cardwell has already left his mark on Sactown. He went from undrafted to two-way player to a standard NBA contract in under a year. Plus, his elite rim protection, devastating lob dunks, and infectious charm and high energy made him an immediate fan favorite. Year two Cardwell is going to take over now that he has some real NBA experience on the court.
4. Emanuel Sharp
Sharp was the Kings' lone second-round pick in the 2026 draft, and he was a good one. He dished out a great Summer League performance, giving fans a solid look at what to expect from him this season. The only concern is that shooting guard is a crowded position in Sacramento. It's hard to say how many minutes Sharp will get, but it's safe to say he'll make good use of whatever he gets.
3. Alex Karaban
Fans didn't get as good a Summer League look at Karaban. He missed the California Classic due to an injury, but did manage to return for the Las Vegas tournament. It took Karaban a couple of games to work through the post-injury rust. Once he got rolling, Karaban looked amazing. Being a combo forward gives him a better chance to get minutes, so fans can expect to get to know him real fast.
2. Maxime Raynaud
When Perry picked Raynaud deep in the second round of the 2025 draft, fans weren't sure what to expect. What they got was one of the top rookies in the league. Raynaud's work at both ends of the court earned him a starting spot in the absence of Domantas Sabonis. He made a massive impression on the NBA as a whole last season and will continue to rise this season.
1. Darius Acuff Jr.
When a rebuilding team chooses to use their best draft pick on you, that is a sign of supreme confidence in your abilities. The Summer League wasn't kind to Acuff, but that's more than fair for a literal teenager setting foot into the NBA for the first time. Once he gets his game up to league speed, Acuff will blow minds. He is the point guard the Kings need.
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