Sacramento must pivot after missing a top-four selection. From elite scoring guards to versatile sharpshooters, discover which high-impact prospects could transform the roster at number seven.
After learning the Sacramento Kings fell to the seventh pick despite tanking for increased odds of a top-four selection, it's time to look ahead to prospects that could be available in the Kings' range.
Losing out on the consensus top-four players, like BYU's A.J. Dybantsa, Kansas' Darryn Peterson and Duke's Cameron Boozer, is heartbreaking. However, this year's draft class is deep with talent, and Sacramento can still leave the lottery with a high-impact player.
The draft is unpredictable, as some teams can draft a player higher than their projection and slide another down an extra pick. Listed below are the prospects Sacramento could take if available when the clock starts ticking at No. 7.
Kingston Flemings, Guard, Houston
Flemings is the consensus selection for the Kings in new mock drafts released by NBA analysts after the lottery ended.
Matthew Feldman of the KingsRoundtable highlighted that the 6-foot-4 guard is a true three-level scorer in his draft profile. Flemings averaged 16.1 points on 47.6/38.7/84.5 shooting splits in his freshman campaign for the Cougars.
He is lightning quick on the perimeter, blowing by defenders with his speed and finishing with authority. Flemings is patient with his handle, fighting through contact to get to his spots and rise for a jumpshot.
The soon-to-be former Cougar has drawn comparisons to a former King All-Star, De'Aaron Fox. Both of their games are predicated on using speed to create advantages, either finishing at the rim with finesse or stopping on a dime for a pull-up jumpshot.
Keaton Wagler, Forward, Illinois
New mocks project the Los Angeles Clippers to select Wagler with the fifth pick, but former Kings coach Jerry Reynolds believes he's a sleeper pick for Sacramento.
Wagler showcased his versatility as an on-ball and off-ball player, a luxury in the NBA. He averaged 17.9 points and shot 39.7% from three-point range on 5.9 attempts during his freshman season for the Fighting Illini.
Almost six three-point attempts is high volume across the league, especially considering Wagler's ability to catch-and-shoot or shoot off the dribble.
He is also a good playmaker and averaged 4.2 assists this past season. Wagler can find open teammates coming off the pick-and-roll, whether it's the big man rolling or a shooter in the corner, especially throwing a cross-court pass.
Like Flemings, Wagler has drawn comparisons to a former King, Tyrese Haliburton. Both have high processing speed as playmakers, finding open teammates when they collapse the defense with a paint touch.
Darius Acuff Jr., Guard, Arkansas
New mocks project Acuff Jr. to land in Brooklyn with the sixth pick; the Kings have had the Arkansas Razorbacks' lead point guard on their radar for a while.
Acuff Jr. is an offensive powerhouse, blending scoring and playmaking to leave his impact on the game. He averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists on 48.4/44/80.9 shooting splits.
The 6-foot-3 guard can score at all three levels, using his dribble moves to create enough space for a jumpshot or a tough layup at the rim. He fights through contact to get to his spots, resulting in a high free-throw rate.
Acuff Jr. has received comparisons to New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. They are both the same height and are offensive engines that are tough to guard because of their physicality and shooting.
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