The Sacramento Kings have a glaring need for a defensive anchor who can stabilize their currently dreadful play on that end of the floor. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear as though Sacramento will find such a player before the 2025-26 season reaches its conclusion.
Thankfully, the Kings have been handed the opportunity to rectify the issue in the latest mock draft on FanSided.com.
Christopher Kline of FanSided.com has the Kings selecting Jayden Quaintance at No. 6 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. An 18-year-old sophomore who earned Big 12 All-Defensive and All-Freshman Team recognition with the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2024-25, Quaintance has a unique combination of youth and experience.
Unfortunately, Quaintance's brilliant freshman season was ended prematurely by a torn ACL that kept him out until he made his sophomore season debut with the Kentucky Wildcats on Dec. 20.
Quaintance has inevitably taken time to acclimate to Kentucky's season and return to the level he previously played at. Thankfully, the Wildcats are empowering him to do so by naming him to the starting lineup in a move that fans have been asking for.
If Quaintance lives up to hype, then the Kings would have every reason to make him their interior anchor of the future.
Kings select Jayden Quaintance in Christopher Kline's new mock draft
Quaintance finished his freshman season with averages of 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.0 offensive boards, 1.5 assists, 2.6 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. He did so while shooting 52.5 percent from field and buried six three-point field goals in 24 games played.
Quaintance is a poor shooter at this stage, particularly after he converted at rates of 18.8 percent from distance and 47.9 percent at the charity stripe, but the fact that he's willing to take chances is encouraging.
Beyond the numbers, Quaintance offers incredible value as a defensive anchor and offensive rebounder. Even if he never expands his game beyond the reach of a traditional rim-running interior anchor, he could still be a compelling potential fit with the Kings.
Whether he's complementing Domantas Sabonis or working alongside Keegan Murray, the potential exists for Quaintance to anchor a revamped Kings defense.
Standing at a listed 6'10" and 255 pounds with a gigantic 7'5" wingspan, plugging him in on defense would be a rather manageable task. With impressive athleticism and a tenacity that's made him a fan favorite, Quaintance's ceiling is difficult to quantify.
Much could change between now and June, but the fact that the Kings are in line to finally fix their defense should have fans grinning from ear to ear.