The beautiful thing about having a "weaker draft class" (like the 2024 NBA Draft is supposed to be) is that you almost always have a super strong one after that. And man is the 2025 NBA Draft Class – headlined by the prodigious Cooper Flagg – projected to be a powerhouse.
Unfortunately, as it stands, our Sacramento Kings don't have a first (or second) round pick in the upcoming draft. The reason for this is the Kevin Huerter trade the Kings orchestrated back in the 2022 offseason.
As a part of the package, the Kings traded a lottery-protected 2024 first round pick. Since the Kings ended up finishing in the lottery (with the 13th overall pick), the pick conveyed into a top 12 protected one in 2025.
This isn't to say that this was a bad trade. Despite the down year, Huerter has been a quality role player for the Kings since joining the team two years ago. However, there is a way that we can reap the benefits of the Huerter trade and get our 2025 first round pick back.
The Kings Could Do A Stealth Tank
Listen, I want everyone reading this to know that I am very much anti-tanking. I'm not ignorant of the logic behind it. The higher your draft pick, the better your chance of getting a franchise-changing player. That is indisputable. But as human beings, I find it to be a waste of our time here on Earth to intentionally punt precious seasons away. So, in no way am I saying that the Kings should do what I'm about to type out.
With that said, there is a chance the Kings can stealth tank their way back into their first round pick. As of right now, many websites have the Kings as a playoff team (thanks to their rockstar offseason), thereby removing them from having a top 12 pick in the draft.
But remember, the Western Conference is ultra-competitive this year (per usual). Every team outside of the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers will be vying for a playoff spot. If the Kings get hit by the injury bug (*knocks wood* to ensure that doesn't happen) or get off to a slow start, they could easily pull a 2020-21 Toronto Raptors and sneakily tank their way into a top 10 pick. And if they get a top 10 pick, the pick they owe to the Hawks conveys to 2026 (that pick would be top 10 protected).
As you'll recall, the player that the Raptors landed in the draft that they tanked for was none other than All-Star forward Scottie Barnes. Obviously, we would rather the Kings stay healthy, play well, and make a deep playoff run. But if that can't happen, we may as well try to cash in on a loaded draft class.