LIVE Kings NBA Draft Tracker: Every Pick, Trade, and Instant Reaction

Here is a look at how the Sacramento Kings' 2026 draft night is playing out.

Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the seventh pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. after he was selected by the Sacramento Kings at Barclays Center. | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The 2026 offseason is extremely vital to the future of the Sacramento Kings' franchise, and it all starts with the NBA Draft. All eyes are on the seventh overall pick, as the Kings are expected to land their next franchise point guard, with a pair of second-rounders to use as they look to bolster their young core in the early stages of a rebuild under GM Scott Perry.

Here is a look at our instant reaction and grade to each pick and trade the Kings make during the 2026 NBA Draft, as the Kings enter a new era built around the seventh overall pick:

Darius Acuff Jr. falls into Sacramento's lap

Mar 25, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) looks on during a practice session ahead of the west regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

After a consensus top four of AJ Dybantas, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson, there were some questions about how the wave of guards would get selected. Darius Acuff Jr., Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., and Keaton Wagler have commonly been grouped together leading up to the draft, with some uncertainty about who would actually be on the board for Sacramento.

Fortunately, the Kings got their guy. The L.A. Clippers took Wagler at No. 5, and the Brooklyn Nets took Brown Jr. at No. 6, leaving Acuff Jr. on the board for the Kings. And, to no surprise, they capitalized on the opportunity.

Acuff Jr. has been linked to Sacramento for the entire draft cycle, and after a long wait, he is officially a King.

Welcome to Sacramento, Darius Acuff Jr. 👑
⠀
Draft Coverage presented by @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/vMqpK34E0m

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) June 24, 2026

Many fans will be on the fence about this selection, although it is hard to be mad about it. Even with concerns about his defense and whether his playstyle will translate to winning basketball, Acuff Jr. is a rare talent. The Kings' offense was ranked 26th in the NBA last season, and the Arkansas Razorbacks product should revive things in Sacramento.

Kings trade for draft rights to Alex Karaban

Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UConn Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) reacts in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

After drafting Acuff Jr., there was some noise about the Kings potentially looking to trade for another first-round pick. By the end of the night, all hope seemed to be lost, but they actually got it done. The Kings have reportedly traded pick No. 34 and a future second-rounder to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for pick No. 29, which they used to draft Alex Karaban.

The UConn Huskies product won two national championships, and for a franchise with just one playoff appearance in the past two decades, it is great to add a player with such a winning pedigree.

STORRS ➡️ SACRAMENTO

Kings get a WINNER 🏆 pic.twitter.com/loVUON8rIK

— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) June 24, 2026

Karaban is a premier three-point threat with a positive defensive game, and the 23-year-old forward should make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball for the Kings. This is a great move by Sacramento to move up and get the prospect they want, as they are walking out of night one of the NBA Draft with two of their preferred targets.

This page will continue to be updated as the Kings' draft night goes on. Come back for more news and reactions to this new era of Sacramento basketball.

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