Sacramento traded into the first round to secure two-time NCAA champion Alex Karaban, adding elite perimeter shooting and high-IQ depth to a roster built for immediate impact.
The Sacramento Kings added their second player of the 2026 NBA Draft night by trading up to select UConn forward Alex Karaban. The deal was made with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were looking to shed first-round salary obligations given their current roster situation.
Sacramento sent the No. 34 pick and a future second-round selection to Cleveland in exchange for the No. 29 slot. The Kings then used that pick on Karaban, making him the second player they drafted on Tuesday night alongside No. 7 overall pick Darius Acuff.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported the trade on X as it went down live on draft night.
"Sources: Cleveland is trading No. 29 to Sacramento for No. 34 and a future second-rounder. The Kings are interested in UConn's Alex Karaban at 29," Charania posted.
What Sacramento Is Getting in Alex Karaban
Karaban spent four years at UConn, winning back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024. The 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward averaged 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in his final college season, shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from three.
His shooting held up at the NBA Draft combine as well. Karaban shot 74.8 percent across all shooting drills, the best mark among all participants. He finished his college career having made 292 threes, with the majority coming off spot-ups and movement catches.
He is not an explosive athlete, but his basketball IQ, off-ball movement and consistency make him a credible rotation piece from day one. For a Kings team rebuilding around youth, that kind of readiness has real value.
Why Cleveland Was Happy To Deal
The Cavaliers were sitting in the NBA's second apron and had little interest in another guaranteed rookie contract. By moving out of No. 29, Cleveland avoided a guaranteed rookie deal worth $3 million in its first year alone.
A source told cleveland.com's Chris Fedor that the future second-rounder headed to Cleveland is "in the distant future," meaning the Cavs prioritized immediate cap relief over a long-term asset. It is also possible they look to move the No. 34 pick for additional future seconds as the offseason continues.
Both teams got what they needed. Cleveland bought themselves financial flexibility, and Sacramento added a proven winner who fits exactly the kind of low-risk, high-IQ profile Kings GM Scott Perry is building toward this offseason.
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