{"id":128519,"date":"2026-01-11T00:22:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T00:22:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/128519\/"},"modified":"2026-01-11T00:22:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T00:22:11","slug":"sacramento-kings-have-their-eyes-set-on-aj-dybantsa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/128519\/","title":{"rendered":"Sacramento Kings have their eyes set on AJ Dybantsa"},"content":{"rendered":"

If the Sacramento Kings end up with a top-three pick in this summer\u2019s 2026 NBA Draft, they will likely end up with one of Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, or AJ Dybantsa.<\/p>\n

Although the NBA season has yet to reach the midway point, it isn\u2019t too early for the Kings (8-30) to set their sights on May\u2019s NBA Draft lottery, which will provide clarity on whether they will be in position to select a franchise-altering talent.<\/p>\n

Those three that were previously listed\u2013Duke\u2019s Boozer, Kansas\u2019 Peterson, and BYU\u2019s Dybantsa\u2013are widely viewed as the top-three prospects for the 2026 Draft Class.<\/p>\n

While a lot can change in the coming months, especially as the college basketball season moves into conference play and March Madness, Sactown Sports\u2019 Matt George<\/a> has a good idea of who Sacramento would select if the draft took place today.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you were to ask me right now, \u2018Matt, the Sacramento Kings have the number one overall pick. Who are you taking?\u2019 It\u2019s AJ,\u201d George said during his premiere episode of The Matt George Podcast.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"PROVO,<\/p>\n

(Photo by Chris Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you imagine AJ Dybantsa and that versatility, that athleticism on both sides of the ball next to Keegan Murray?\u201d George said. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to worry about Keegan being a top-scoring option. No more. Keegan. Go out there and do what you do.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd let me tell you something. Little birdie told me that has a pretty good idea, a pretty reliable source, let me know that if there\u2019s a leader in the clubhouse amongst the Sacramento Kings organization right now, it\u2019s AJ. The Sacramento Kings, I\u2019ve been told, really love themselves some AJ Dybantsa.\u201d<\/p>\n

More on AJ Dybantsa<\/p>\n

Entering play on Sunday, the Sacramento Kings hold a record of 8-30, tying them with the New Orleans Pelicans for the worst record in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n

Sacramento is within reach of the Indiana Pacers for the NBA\u2019s worst record, with just 1.5 games separating the two teams.<\/p>\n

The Kings will need to finish with one of the three worst records in the NBA if they want a strong chance to draft Dybantsa, a dynamic forward who is turning heads in his freshman season at BYU. If Sacramento finishes with a bottom-three record, they will have a 52.1% chance of landing a top-four pick, including a 14.0% chance of winning the lottery.<\/p>\n

Those odds (52.1% & 14.0%) remain identical for the three worst records in the league, while the fourth-worst record has a 48% chance of landing in the top four and a 12.5% chance of winning the lottery.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dybantsa would certainly fit a few areas of need for the Kings, giving the franchise a player with superstar potential at a position that has been a glaring weakness for Sacramento over the past two decades.<\/p>\n

Over 15 appearances for the Cougars this season, the 18-year-old holds averages of 23.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 58\/35\/75 shooting splits.<\/p>\n

The 6\u20198, 195-pound forward has compared his playing style to a few stars you may have heard of.<\/p>\n

\u201cI play like a mix of Tracy McGrady and Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander],\u201d AJ Dybantsa said on ESPN\u2019s\u00a0First Take\u00a0back in December 2024.<\/a><\/p>\n

Will AJ Dybantsa become the new face of the Sacramento Kings come June? Time will tell\u2013but it\u2019s clear the Beam Team\u2019s front office and scouts will be watching plenty of BYU hoops in the coming months.<\/p>\n

Subscribe to The Matt George Podcast on Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

Subscribe to The Matt George Podcast<\/a> on Apple & Spotify. You can also watch all episodes of The Matt George Podcast on the Sactown Sports YouTube page & SactownSports.com.<\/p>\n

Matt George brings years of experience covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter, with deep roots in Sacramento\u2019s basketball community.<\/p>\n

His approach blends reporting, analysis, and a fan\u2019s perspective\u2014making The Matt George Podcast both informative and accessible for die-hard and casual Kings fans alike.<\/p>\n

You can also hear Matt on Sactown Sports alongside Kayla Anderson on The Matt & Kayla Show<\/a>, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT.<\/p>\n

Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Sunday, January 11th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Houston Rockets \u2013 6:00 PM PT
\nMonday, January 12th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Los Angeles Lakers \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nWednesday, January 14th\u00a0\u2013 vs. New York Knicks \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nFriday, January 16th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Washington Wizards \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nSunday, January 18th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Portland Trail Blazers \u2013 6:00 PM PT<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n

Follow @FCartoscelli3<\/a><\/p>\n

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