The season is winding down, and the NBA Draft is getting closer. While the Sacramento Kings are projected to get a high draft pick, two of their top options, AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, may choose to stay in college. If true, that could drastically change how the entire draft plays out.
AJ Dybantsa isn't ruling out a return to college basketball next season despite potentially being the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft 😳
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 3, 2026
(via @Deseret) pic.twitter.com/YlL1oYA7mo
There aren't really a lot of upsides to having a terrible season. For the Kings, it's been an absolute dud as they're currently in 30th place. That's not a hole they're going to be able to dig themselves out of, considering they have 17 games left and a terrifying win percentage.
A major part of the planning for next season and growing beyond into the future includes the 2026 NBA Draft. Sacramento has a strong statistical chance of getting a top-three lottery pick. There are, of course, no guarantees in this lottery, as everyone found out last season with the Mavericks.
FanSided's most recent mock draft showed the Kings picking Darryn Peterson at number two. That being said, previous iterations have also linked Sacramento to future stars like Cameron Boozer. Well, the front office might have to consider going back to Boozer as the situation is changing quickly.
The Kings may need to readjust their plans
Two of the upcoming draft's top players are looking like they might decide to stick with the college scene for at least another season. Nothing is certain at this point, but AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson are expected to go first and second in this year's draft. Well, assuming they're in it.
Darryn Peterson with a message for the critics:
— Kole Emplit (@KoleEmplit) March 7, 2026
"I love Kansas, I love everything about being here and my team."
Melvin Council slowly chants 'one more year'
DP: "Maybe one more year. I might run it back."#kubball pic.twitter.com/P6MwUXrZY6
If both Dybantsa and Peterson choose to put at least one more year in college, that means a team like the Kings needs to restructure their whole draft strategy. Assuming they do get the second pick, neither of the projected first or second choices is available to them.
Again, the Kings have also been connected to Cameron Boozer. In the absence of Dybantsa and Peterson, there is a real chance that Boozer goes number one. And if that happens, the Kings miss that window at number two. Even one of these guys skipping the draft could change everything.
Frankly, spending another year or two in college developing their respective games would be good for both Dybantsa and Peterson. Some players make the leap too early, and their careers pay a price for it. That just means the Kings might need a couple of additional backup plans for the draft.