Who Can the Kings Draft With the Seventh Pick?

The Sacramento Kings did not get the result that they wanted from the draft lottery.

After winning just 22 games, they entered with strong odds at the top pick. However, they fell to pick number seven, a drop that significantly changes their draft outlook.

A Tough Lottery Outcome

Falling to seventh puts Sacramento in a difficult position, as the difference between the top five and the next group is considerably noticeable.

As a team coming off a 22-win season, they were expected to land a cornerstone piece. But now, doing so seems less likely.

The Unlikely Target

Keaton Wagler would be the ideal fit.

As a freshman shooting guard out of Illinois, he offers scoring, shot creation, and perimeter shooting. All of which are areas of need for Sacramento. His offensive skill set would translate immediately, especially for a team that has struggled with consistent guard production.

The only problem is his availability.

Wagler is expected to go around pick number five, which likely puts him out of reach unless the Kings move up.

The Most Realistic Option

Darius Acuff stands out as the most realistic target, as he is projected to be selected around pick six or seven.

Acuff offers a combination of production and readiness that fits Sacramento’s situation. As a one-and-done prospect, he was one of the most dominant guards in college basketball.

He averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists while shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc. With his ability to score at all three levels, Acuff has the tools to quickly acclimate to the NBA. More importantly, though, he’s a player who can create his own shot, which Sacramento desperately needs.

The biggest red flag with Darius Acuff is his defense. Opposing guards were consistently able to get by him for easy buckets. However, many maintain hope that he will either develop into a competent defender or become enough of an offensive force to make up for his defensive woes.

Why Acuff Fits

Sacramento has lacked consistent shot creation from the guard position. Acuff addresses that immediately.

He can generate offense in isolation, operate in pick-and-roll situations, and create opportunities for teammates. His shooting adds spacing, which would help balance the offense for a team that needs both scoring and playmaking.

He is also able to get to the line at a high frequency, which the Kings struggled to do, as they finished in the bottom half in free throws per game.

The Decision at No. 7

At pick no. 7, Sacramento is not selecting from a clear top tier. They’re choosing between players with different strengths and levels of readiness. That makes fit more important than upside alone.

If Wagler somehow falls, the decision becomes easy. If not, Acuff becomes the most logical option based on production and ability.

The Bigger Picture

The lottery did not go Sacramento’s way. Instead of selecting near the top, they are now in a position where the margin for error is smaller.

Making the right pick suddenly becomes much more important. The Kings may not have landed the pick they wanted, but they still have an opportunity to add a player who can help reshape their backcourt and their future.