Just because a player's name isn't prominent in the mock drafts doesn't mean that he isn't a good addition to a team. That's certainly the case for Dominique Daniels Jr., a star point guard who played for the California Baptist Lancers. And he's on the Sacramento Kings' draft radar.
If you look for Daniels' name in the mock drafts, you generally won't see him pop up. On the rare occasion he is on one of those lists, he's usually deep in the second round. That has to be a bit of a bummer for him, as Daniels has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft and is ready for the big time.
It's important to keep in mind that mock drafts are projections based on current data, history, and high-level analysis. They are predictions, not spoilers. Look at Dylan Cardwell. He went undrafted in 2025 and became one of last seasons breakout rookies. Sactown loves that guy.
The same could be true for Daniels. Sacramento reportedly brought him in for a pre-draft workout, as did the Rockets and the Cavaliers. The Kings do have an interest in him, likely because he's an explosive young guard with a lot of room to grow. That's exactly what the Kings are looking for.
Adding Daniels to the Kings' rebuild roster
Daniels made a name for himself in college with big-time shooting. He's quick and agile, combined with electric speed. His handles are off the charts, creating shot opportunities in the paint. On top of that, Daniels has a beast of a three-point shot when he gets going, though he also has slumps.
Even more important is his endurance, frequently going buzzer to buzzer in games without losing a step. That makes him even more impressive as a late-game, clutch performer. Even after 30+ minutes, Daniels still has more than enough gas in the tank to close out a game with authority.
One issue that may be holding some teams back from considering him is Daniels' size. He's 5'10" and 185 pounds. That plays right into his speedy, quick style, but it can be a problem on defense. Daniels will need to work on amping up his lateral movement to be more useful on that end.
The reality is that Daniels also has some work to do as a facilitator if he wants to be an NBA point guard. He plays more like a shooting guard, which is a skill set the Kings could also put to good use. If they want him to be a developmental point guard, that will take a bit more time and effort.
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