The Sacramento Kings’ next truly important date on their schedule won’t be until May 10th, when the NBA Draft Lottery takes place, but they are finishing the season strong.
Sacramento (18-51) has won two straight games (four of its past five), with nearly a quarter of its wins this season having taken place over the past seven days.
While the Kings playing their best basketball of the season is a positive for a roster that is currently depleted by injuries and reliant on a young core, is it possible that the wins are arriving at a bad time?
During this four-of-five-win stretch, Sacramento has fallen from the top odds in the NBA Draft Lottery to fourth, causing a 4% drop in chances of securing a top-four pick.
Here’s a look at how things are shaping up for the Kings and other teams hoping for a change of fortune this offseason.
Tankathon Update: March 16, 2026
How The Odds & NBA Draft Lottery Work
The NBA Draft Lottery is designed to give the league’s worst teams the best chance at landing the top pick, while discouraging outright tanking.
For a team like the Sacramento Kings, lottery odds come into play only if they miss the playoffs and finish in the bottom 14 of the standings.
The three teams with the worst records each have a 14 percent chance to win the No. 1 overall pick, with odds decreasing incrementally by record.
If the Kings finish, for example, with the seventh-worst record, they would have a 7.5 percent chance at the top pick and a much higher likelihood of landing somewhere in the middle of the NBA Draft Lottery.
The NBA Draft Lottery itself only determines the top four picks. After that, selections are ordered by regular-season record.
This system means Sacramento can move up, stay roughly where projected, or slide back—sometimes significantly—depending on how the lottery balls bounce. It’s why even small differences in late-season standings matter. One extra win can slightly reduce top-pick odds but also protect against a big drop.
For the Kings, who often operate in the league’s competitive middle class, the lottery represents both hope and risk. It’s a reminder that draft position isn’t guaranteed—only probabilities are.
That said, it’s in Sacramento’s best interest to lose as many games as possible the rest of the way. Why?
The 2026 NBA Draft is projected to be a top-five-heavy draft, with each of the top-five picks posing as a potential franchise-altering talent.
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, and Houston’s Kingston Flemings could all be donning a Sacramento Kings jersey come NBA Summer League in Las Vegas this June.
It all depends on draft position, and if the Kings want to bring in a new face of the franchise, this could be the draft to do so.
Sacramento has the seventh-easiest remaining schedule in the NBA, so it will be interesting to see whether they can continue to take advantage of a softer path to the offseason or remain on course for a top-four pick.
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When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will face old friend De’Aaron Fox and the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center.
San Antonio is 2-0 against the Kings this season, including a 139-122 win over Sacramento in the most recent meeting on February 21st.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Tuesday, March 17th vs. San Antonio Spurs – 7:00 PM PT
Thursday, March 19th vs. Philadelphia 76ers – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, March 22nd vs. Brooklyn Nets – 3:00 PM PT
Tuesday, March 24th – @ Charlotte Hornets – 4:00 PM PT
Thursday, March 26th – @ Orlando Magic – 4:00 PM PT
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