Four Players Kings Should Target With No. 7 Pick In Next Month's 2026 Nba Draft

Four players Kings should target with No. 7 pick in next month's 2026 NBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Now that we know the Kings will pick seventh in next month’s 2026 NBA Draft after falling in Sunday’s draft lottery, it’s time to have some fun. Or, try to.

Sacramento has made one NBA playoff appearance since 2006, and after a disastrous 22-win 2025-26 season, it’s time for some change.

The Kings cannot miss in this draft, and given how much projected talent there is at the top of this year’s class, it’s nearly impossible for them to — even after dropping to No. 7. There is no shortage of high-level impact players to choose from. But what is Sacramento’s priority?

To coach Doug Christie, without hesitation, it’s a starting point guard. Luckily for him, the top of this draft is very guard-heavy. Kings general manager Scott Perry and his staff, however, will evaluate all positions before making a decision.

“Obviously, point guard is a position of need. But you know, as you look at the draft, we always look into, depending upon where we draft, we’re going to look to add the best player, best talent, to this roster,” Perry said at his end-of-season exit interview last month. “So if that happens to match up where we pick, and that best player on the board in our eyes is a point guard, we’ll look that way. If it’s another position, we’ll do that.

“We’re in the early stages of building, so it’s important to just get high-end talent for this roster.”

Assuming the top dogs of the class, AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson are off the board by the time Sacramento is on, here are four players the Kings should target with the No. 7 pick in the draft.

Darius Acuff Jr.

PG, Arkansas

If the Kings want to prioritize their needs over their wants, Darius Acuff Jr. should be the answer.

At least, the immediate answer to Coach Christie’s plea for a starting point guard.

… If he’s still available at No. 7, that is.

At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Acuff Jr. plays bigger than his height might suggest as a quick, efficient and concise guard who is strong for his position.

He has impressive ball-handling skills — considered by some as the best in the draft — that make it hard for defenders to keep up with him, allowing him to control the game with his patience and playmaking.

Acuff Jr. also excels in the pick-and-roll, and he knows when to distribute versus when to look for his own.

At Arkansas, Acuff Jr. averaged 23.5 points on 48.4-percent shooting from the field and an impressive 44 percent from downtown on 5.8 attempts per game. His 3-point shooting in particular became elite over the course of his freshman season at Arkansas as he became a consistent threat from deep, averaging over 47 percent from long range in the final four weeks of his season.

His high-volume shooting and accuracy from 3-point range could instantly help the Kings, who finished the 2025-26 season dead last in 3-point makes (10.3), 3-point attempts (30.2) and 3-point percentage (34 percent).

He also has the ability to get to the free-throw line, attempting 6.1 per game and shooting an 80.9 percent clip once there.

Acuff Jr. averaged 6.4 assists and 2.2 turnovers in 36 games.

The 19-year-old had a historic start to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, recording 88 points in his first three games — the most ever by an SEC player in their opening three tournament contests. Overall, he averaged 30.2 points and 7.2 assists over his first five postseason games. Acuff Jr. led the No. 4-seeded Razorbacks to the Sweet 16, where they fell to the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats.

A glaring weakness is Acuff Jr.’s poor defensive ability, which can become a liability for a team such as Sacramento that already lacks on that end. However, under a defensive-minded coach such as Christie, that could change.

De’Aaron Fox was the franchise point guard in Sacramento for eight years before being traded last year, and the Kings have been in a point guard panic since then. Acuff Jr. finally could fill that void.

Keaton Wagler 

G, Illinois

If Acuff Jr. isn’t available by the time the Kings are on the board, Keaton Wagler is a solid “Plan B” guard.

He’s a high-IQ combo guard with good court vision and anticipation. The 19-year-old is viewed by many as the most polished pick-and-roll operator in the 2026 draft class.

Wagler is a drive-and-dish creator who draws help, combining polished scoring with exceptional passing.

As his game relies on pace, craft and shot-making rather than elite burst, he is regarded as a versatile offensive weapon and high-level shooter.

His late-blooming body at 6-foot-6 and 185 pounds delayed interest from high-major programs — and his growth continues.

Rather … it must.

He has limited upper-body strength that oftentimes shows when finishing through contact and while defending stronger opposing guards. He lacks elite athleticism and will likely need time to adjust to the speed, length and physicality of NBA play.

Kingston Flemings

G, Houston

Elite two-way players don’t come around often, but the Kings could find just that if they draft Kingston Flemings.

Flemings is a 6-foot-4 guard who can impact on both ends of the floor with his explosiveness.

He was Houston’s primary option and leader despite joining a team coming off a national title game appearance. With the Cougars, he averaged 16.1 points on 47.6-percent shooting from the field and 38.7 percent from distance, with 4.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals.

The 19-year-old can grow as a perimeter threat, as his efficiency beyond the arc is there, but he only averaged 1.1 makes per game at Houston. Sacramento — and really any other team — would need more than that to stay afloat with modern-day NBA 3-point shooting.

Defense is his strength, backed by his size, length and physical attributes — all music to Doug Christie’s ears.

Oddly enough, his NBA comp is De’Aaron Fox. Perhaps that could be symbolic.

Mikel Brown Jr. 

PG, Louisville

Mikel Brown Jr. is another smooth pick-and-roll operator, but that’s amplified with his lightning-quick and shifty ball-handling skills.

At 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds with a 6-foot-7 wingspan, his size gives him an immediate edge over most lead guard prospects in this draft.

He’s a point guard who can get in his bag with his elite handles but has the ability to elevate and finish above the rim, too, with a highlight reel full of jaw-dropping dunks.

He can also get hot in a hurry, as shown by his performance against NC State, where he tied a program record with 10 made 3-pointers and scored an ACC freshman single-game record 45 points in Louisville’s win.

An undeniable weakness is his efficiency, as he averaged 18.2 points on 41-percent shooting from the field and just 34.4 percent from downtown with the Cardinals.

His durability is in question, too, as he dealt with back issues that limited him to just 21 games and caused him to miss the NCAA tourney.

Still, he has the tools and upside to emerge as one of the top point guards in his class, and more importantly, plenty of translatable skills to the NBA.

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