While the Sacramento Kings have made a lot of draft mistakes, the majority of which happened in 2018, they have made some great choices as well. This is the team that brought some impressive players into the league, then accomplished next to nothing with them. It's not a great legacy.
Just as an FYI, you won't find Dylan Cardwell's name on this list. He was a great signing, but was undrafted. Similarly, you won't see any names from the 2026 NBA Draft, as we have yet to see how they pan out. That includes Darius Acuff Jr., who has a lot of pressure on him to succeed.
5. Keegan Murray
In many ways, the jury is still out on Murray. Drafted in 2022, the young forward has struggled to find his rhythm in the league. Much of that is due to issues on the Kings that have tripped up his development, as well as one season that was mostly lost to injuries. Still, Murray's untapped potential remains in place and could finally be brought out by the younger roster built in his absence.
4. Maxime Raynaud
Even with one season under his belt, it's safe to say that drafting Raynaud in 2025 was the right call. He went from a second-round pick to being one of the top rookies in the league. Raynaud was regularly in the top five on the Kia Rookie Ladder, was named to the All-Rookie Second Team, and led all rookies in double-doubles for the 2025-2026 season. Not too shabby for the 42nd overall pick.
3. Tyrese Haliburton
Drafting Haliburton in 2020 was a smart call by the Kings. Trading him remains a mistake they'd probably like back. Hali has become one of the top point guards in the league and the key to the Pacers' success in 2024-2025. There's no question that he is one of the best picks the Kings have ever made. If they had the foresight to keep him, the situation in Sactown would be a lot different.
2. De'Aaron Fox
A big part of the reason the Kings let Hali go was that they already had Fox at point guard after drafting him in 2017. Now, Sacramento doesn't have either point guard. Fox spent the better part of eight seasons as the face of the franchise, but got tired of the inconsistency of the leadership and their inability to build a winning lineup. That being said, his departure triggered the rebuild.
1. Peja Stojakovic
Drafted by Sacramento in 1996, many believe that Stojakovic is the greatest King of all time. He was a major part of Rick Adelman's dominant run in Sactown from 1998 to 2006. Getting to the playoffs eight seasons in a row doesn't happen without Stojakovic. During that time, he was a three-time All-Star, a two-time Three-Point Contest champion, and an All-NBA Second Team member in 2004.
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