The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is in the history books, and the Sacramento Kings ended up with the seventh pick. ESPN's post-lottery mock draft has projected that the Kings will go with Kinston Flemings, a point guard who could do great work for the team. There are other options, though.
Like many other teams in the league, the Kings are in need of a point guard. They have Russell Westbrook, though he is going into his 19th season and could retire soon. They also have Devin Carter, who requires significant development before the Kings can really put him to work.
Sacramento also has Malik Monk and Killian Hayes who can play point guard. They've already tried Monk as a starter, and it didn't go well. He's far better off the bench. As for Hayes, it remains to be seen if the Kings keep him. He was signed to a contract, but it has a team option for next season.
Kings' round one pick could go to a point guard
The Kings could use a young, talented point guard they can develop into a starter with their other rookies and sophomores before Westbrook hangs it up. That could be Flemings, a freshman point guard who made a name for himself as a Houston Cougar.
He's fast, he's smart, and he puts incredible pressure on the defense when he's flying downhill. While Flemings' jump shot needs work, he came a long way with it this past season. The questions are if he fits the Kings' plans and if they want to go with someone who needs that much work.
What's interesting about this deep draft class is that there are a lot of point guards to choose from. If the Kings have any concerns about Flemings, there are other options. Darryn Petersen will be long gone by the time the Kings get to pick, but they can't look at Darius Acuff Jr. or Mikel Brown Jr.
Sacramento has options, even picking seventh
There are six teams choosing before the Kings, assuming Sacramento doesn't put a deal together to move up the draft. Outside of Darryn Petersen, AJ Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer likely going in the first three picks, it's impossible to know how the draft will play out.
On top of that, general manager Scott Perry has made it clear they are going for the best player available, regardless of their position. He's not going into the draft looking only for a point guard; he's looking at talent and fit over everything else. And it's not clear how, or if, Flemings will fit his vision.
Right now, the Kings have options at point guard in Westbrook, Carter, Monk, and Hayes. If they put the work into Carter and Hayes, Sacramento might still find a great starting point guard in one of them. Until then, the Kings can let Westbrook be Westbrook, regardless of what happens in the draft.
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