Kings 2026 – Sacramento’s 2026 NBA Draft haul drew clear grades—highlighted by Scott Perry reshaping the first-round order and turning the night into a plan built around youth, spacing, and defense. From Arkansas’ Acuff at No. 7 to Emanuel Sharp at No. 45, each pick was gr
The Kings went into the 2026 NBA Draft with one goal that felt bigger than any single selection: re-galvanize a franchise that had been weighed down by age, injuries, and inconsistency.
By the time the two-night draft was through. Sacramento had turned itself into one of the league’s biggest wheelers and dealers. General manager Scott Perry realtered the first round order to hand the franchise two first-rounders. a move that came after Perry previously endured fierce criticism for how he constructed the roster pre-draft. Now. the front office’s work through the draft process—Perry and the efforts alongside coach Doug Christie—earned Sacramento these grades.
Guard, Arkansas, Round 1, Pick 7: Acuff
Landing Acuff at No. 7 feels like a “no brainer” for Sacramento’s direction. The Kings needed a younger three-level scorer who could create off the dribble, and Acuff checks those boxes.
He also gets a rare bonus: the chance to pick the brain of Russell Westbrook if Sacramento re-signs him. The Razorbacks’ sharpshooter is also positioned to bring needed youth and depth next to Malik Monk and Devin Carter.
Acuff’s game isn’t built on pure explosion—he doesn’t possess the most explosive vertical leap, and he often trusts his speed to create his shots. Even so, Christie gets what he needs most: a lane-attacking guard who can open up the offense.
Grade: A+
Forward, UConn, Round 1, Pick 29: Alex Karaban
At No. 29, Sacramento added a valuable kickout option, and the pick comes with a bigger idea behind it: Karaban could potentially fill the role of a Domantas Sabonis replacement.
Karaban fits the spacing Christie wants. He fires with a quick release from deep, making him a strong catch-and-shoot option. He’s also described as cerebral—capable of identifying passing lanes and knowing when to distribute the ball.
The fit runs deeper than shooting. Christie played on a Kings team that attacked in space and transition, and Karaban’s presence is framed as a shooting post option that can be aggressive in the paint.
Grade: A-
Guard/Forward, Arkansas, Round 2, Pick 34: Meleek Thomas
The Kings also went back to Arkansas at No. 34 with Meleek Thomas, keeping the momentum and adding another layer to Sacramento’s build.
Thomas is a versatile movement shooter who proved himself as an efficient 3-point shooter facing SEC competition. Sacramento isn’t just getting range, either—he’s also deadly in the pull-up jumper game, giving Christie a third long-range option from this draft class.
There’s defensive pop here as well. Thomas’ defensive intensity is called out in a very specific way: he hops on passes like a safety or cornerback wanting the football. His lateral quickness is expected to help him cover his assignment in a lockdown-corner fashion.
His listed size—6-foot-3—is likely to limit his minutes at forward. Still, the Kings are pulling in a defensive stopper and an behind-the-arc marksman.
Grade: A
Guard, Houston, Round 2, Pick 45: Emanuel Sharp
With Sharp at No. 45, Sacramento may have heard the same question everyone else did in the draft room: how many guards do the Kings need?
But the answer offered here is that Sharp plugs a bigger necessity—defense.
Sharp is described as a high-energy defender who faced Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa in the Big 12. Offensively, he’s still useful: he can spread the floor off his speed and form a guard tandem. That tandem connection is spelled out with Houston’s highest pick. Kingston Flemings. creating the idea of a pairing that can work on the court.
Even with the guard-heavy approach, this class is presented as a targeted mix: youth, defense, and new shooters. The Perry and Christie collaboration is framed as what ties it together—and it’s meant to be enough to win over a fanbase that’s been long-suffering.
Grade: B+
Sacramento’s 2026 draft story wasn’t just about who they picked. It was about what Perry and the front office chose to do with the board—realtering the first round order to bring in two first-rounders. then building a group designed to address an uneven season marked by age. injuries. and inconsistency. The grades reflect that intention. pick by pick. as the Kings aim to change how their next chapter looks—right from the first night.
Sacramento Kings 2026 NBA Draft Scott Perry Doug Christie Russell Westbrook Malik Monk Devin Carter Alex Karaban Meleek Thomas Emanuel Sharp Acuff