A top-three draft pick can be huge for a basement-dwelling team in the middle of a rebuild process like the Sacramento Kings. There is still a chance for the Kings to get one by building a trade package and making a proposition to the Utah Jazz, who are currently sitting on the number two pick.
Considering how terribly the season went, fans were really hoping that would translate into a top-tier draft pick. After several late-season wins, the Kings' record improved enough that it put them in the fifth draft lottery spot, with the highest statistical probability being the seventh overall pick.
That was exactly what happened. Sacramento slid two spots into seventh after the lottery, which was neither shocking nor encouraging. Keeping that in mind, the upside is that this draft class is historically deep, meaning any pick in the first round has major potential to do great work.
There's also the option of trading draft picks with other teams. The Wizards currently hold the number one pick and have made it clear that they're open to offers for it. While several teams mull that opportunity over, there is a move to be made for the Kings with the Jazz.
It could be big for both the Jazz and the Kings
As it stands right now, the Jazz have the second pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and only the second pick. It's a great place to be in, given the caliber of talent in the top three, but Utah has nothing else to work with. This means that they don't have any other picks in either draft round.
On the other hand, the Kings have the seventh pick in the first round as well as two second-round picks. That gives Sacramento three chances to pick up some great rookies in 2026. That's not something the Kings should be giving up without getting something massive in return.
The second pick in the 2026 NBA Draft would certainly qualify. If the Kings offer the Jazz all three of their picks, they could convince Utah to trade their number two pick. That would give Sacramento a shot at a player like AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Petersen, who would change the game for them.
All of that being said, it's hard to imagine the Jazz giving that selection up. They're not exactly doing great, either. It's also worth keeping in mind that second-round picks can yield incredible results, such as Maxime Raynaud. Sacramento may not need to make a move like this to succeed.
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