Injuries derailed their season, but the Kings are now projected to land the No. 1 overall draft pick, potentially snagging a phenom scorer.
For the Kings, this season has not gone as planned. After acquiring DeMar DeRozan in the 2024 offseason, Sacramento traded for Zach Lavine, reuniting the two after their time in Chicago.
Hopes were high for Lavine and DeRozan joining Sabonis in Sac Town, but after Sabonis and Lavine suffered season-ending injuries, the team has shifted focus.
Sitting at 14-49, the worst record in the league and last place in the Western Conference, the Kings are positioned for a top-end draft pick. The most recent mock draft, from The Athletic, gave Sacramento the No. 1 overall selection.
The mock showed the Kings selecting Brigham Young University (BYU) freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa, adding to a young Sacramento front court that has showed immense growth since the All-Star Break.
Sam Vecenie, author of the mock draft, explained how Dybantsa has risen to the No. 1 selection.
"Dybantsa continues to make his case for No. 1. He’s averaging 24.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 53 percent from the field, 36 percent on 3-point attempts and 75.6 percent from the free-throw line while getting there eight times per game. In Big 12 play, he’s averaging an absurd 26.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and getting to the line 8.3 times per game," Vecenie wrote. "He’s taking and making 37.5 percent of his now five 3-point attempts per game. He might have better physical tools entering his pre-draft year than any wing I’ve seen in a while. His ability to play with serious bend mixed with explosiveness allows him to consistently get into the teeth of the defense as a straight-line driver. In transition, he’s a menace. NBA scouts see that production mixed with upside as he continues to improve his skill set."
Vecenie added that he has seen much improvement in Dybantsa's decision-making and playmaking ability, highlighting his propensity to take tough shots earlier in the year.
Dybantsa, the top scorer in the nation, has become the betting favorite to go No. 1 in June, jumping Kansas' Darryn Peterson. He has really stepped up his play as of late, scoring 20 or more in his last nine games.
If the Kings do land the top pick, Dybantsa would instantly provide Sacramento with a dynamic, three-level scorer with major upside and competitive drive.
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