Front and center in the Sacramento Kings' rebuild process is general manager Scott Perry. With the draft coming up, he's focusing on getting the best people, not filling specific positions. That makes a lot of sense, being that the team needs talent who can integrate into the plans for the next steps.
Since the end of the regular season, Perry has been out and about, talking to the media. First, it was the wrap-up media conference featuring several members of the front office and the team. Then, he was on Sactown Sports 1140, chopping it up with the crew over there.
Not surprisingly, a major topic of conversation has been the upcoming NBA Draft. The lottery for the 14 teams that missed the playoffs is happening on May 14, with the actual draft going down on June 23 and 24. Nothing is guaranteed, but the Kings are currently projected to get the seventh pick.
Perry has said the Kings' strategy in the draft is to target the best available player, whatever lottery pick they get. This is being done over chasing a specific position, such as passing over a great center because they're dialed in on finding a guard. Look how late in the draft Maxime Raynaud was picked.
Sacramento has the right draft strategy
This is the right way for the Kings to handle the 2026 NBA Draft. It may have the deepest talent pool of any draft in the past two decades, with future legends throughout the first and second rounds. There are seemingly endless options to choose from this year, any one of them game-changing.
Fixating on a specific position over the best possible player available at that pick increases the chance of missing out on someone outstanding. Perry's strategy will get the Kings the most talented player available when Sacramento has to make their pick. That's the right call, without question.
As important as talent, the Kings are also looking for fit. Right now, Sacramento's core is being built around Raynaud, Nique Clifford, Dylan Cardwell, and Keegan Murray. Alongside them, the goal has to be to hang onto Russell Westbrook, Precious Achiuwa, and Daeqwon Plowden.
When the Kings are making their draft pick, they want the best possible player who will fit in with this core group. Focusing on position over everything else could easily lead to the Kings missing the right player for their team. Once again, a successful rebuild is about patience and making good choices.
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