{"id":334854,"date":"2026-05-27T20:07:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T20:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/334854\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T20:07:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T20:07:18","slug":"how-should-the-sacramento-kings-approach-the-7th-pick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/334854\/","title":{"rendered":"How should the Sacramento Kings approach the 7th pick?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"81\" data-end=\"339\">With the Sacramento Kings holding the 7th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, the conversation on <a href=\"https:\/\/sactownsports.com\/shows\/the-matt-kayla-show\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Sactown Sports\u2019 The Matt &amp; Kayla Show<\/a> centered on one defining question: should the Kings swing for superstar upside or play it safe with a higher-floor prospect?<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"341\" data-end=\"493\">Kayla Anderson leaned toward patience and preserving value, arguing that staying put might be the smartest path, depending on how the board falls.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"495\" data-end=\"722\">\u201cI feel comfortable at seven and seeing where the chips lie,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cIf it is meant to be in terms of [Darius] Acuff coming here, it\u2019s going to happen. And if he doesn\u2019t, then Kingston Flemings could possibly be the next guy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"724\" data-end=\"1057\">That debate largely revolves around prospects like Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. and Houston guard Kingston Flemings, two guards viewed differently in terms of risk profile.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"724\" data-end=\"1057\">Acuff is widely considered the higher-ceiling swing, while Flemings is viewed as a steadier, more complete option with fewer glaring weaknesses.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-62393\" class=\" wp-image-62393\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2267771300-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 21: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks on against the High Point Panthers during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 21, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im\/Getty Images)\" width=\"785\" height=\"523\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-62393\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">PORTLAND, OREGON \u2013 MARCH 21: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks on against the High Point Panthers during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men\u2019s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 21, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1059\" data-end=\"1162\">Anderson made it clear she still believes in Acuff\u2019s star potential despite concerns about his defense.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1164\" data-end=\"1324\">\u201cI am a big Darius Acuff supporter,\u201d she said. \u201cI truly believe he could fit what the Kings are trying to build here. The star potential comes from an offense.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1326\" data-end=\"1580\">That belief in offensive upside versus two-way stability defines much of the NBA Draft debate at the top of the lottery. Some prospects project as franchise-altering scorers, while others are viewed as safer long-term starters or high-level role players.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1582\" data-end=\"1716\">The conversation also touched on the risk of trading up for a target like Acuff, which George acknowledged could be a double gamble.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1718\" data-end=\"1856\">\u201cTrading up is a risk for it\u2019s a kind of twofold risk,\u201d George said. \u201cYou\u2019re hitching yourself to that wagon. He does have bust potential.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1858\" data-end=\"2173\">That risk assessment opens the door for alternatives such as Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. or Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, who may not have the same star ceiling but offer more stability.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1858\" data-end=\"2173\">Anderson noted that \u201cthere are options going to be there,\u201d reinforcing the idea that Sacramento does not need to force a move.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2175\" data-end=\"2431\">The broader philosophy discussed was simple: the Sacramento Kings must decide whether they are still hunting a foundational star or simply adding the final complementary piece. George\u2019s stance suggests patience at No. 7, trusting the board rather than overreacting.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-56514\" class=\" wp-image-56514\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-2212444781-612x612-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"SACRAMENTO, CA - MAY 2: Scott Perry and the Sacramento Kings hold a press conference to announce Doug Christie as Head Coach on May 2, 2025 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and\/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner\/NBAE via Getty Images)\" width=\"752\" height=\"501\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-56514\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sacramento Kings GM Scott Perry (Photo by Rocky Widner\/NBAE via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2433\" data-end=\"2497\">\u201cI\u2019m on team risk,\u201d George said, \u201cbut trading down is the wrong risk.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2499\" data-end=\"2758\">For Sacramento, the decision at No. 7 is not just about player evaluation. It\u2019s about organizational identity, timing, and how aggressively they want to chase a future cornerstone.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2760\" data-end=\"3010\">As Anderson summed it up, the Sacramento Kings may already be in a position to land a meaningful piece without forcing the issue. The only mistake, in her view, would be misreading value and stepping away from a player who could define the next era in Sacramento.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2210\" data-end=\"2374\">Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@SactownSports1140\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Sactown Sports YouTube channel.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Listen to and watch Sactown Sports\u2019\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/sactownsports.com\/breaking-news\/sactown-sports-matt-kayla\/61072\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">The Matt &amp; Kayla Show<\/a>\u00a0with Matt George &amp; Kayla Anderson, airing weekdays from\u00a010 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.<\/p>\n<p>More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n<p>What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?<\/p>\n<p>The Sacramento Kings are preparing for a crucial 2026 NBA Draft, which is set to take place from Tuesday, June 23rd, through Wednesday, June 24th.<\/p>\n<p>Sacramento owns the 7th pick in the Draft, giving them a chance at selecting a talented player with upside, such as Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., Houston\u2019s Kingston Flemings, and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, among others.<\/p>\n<p>Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for pre-draft workout news, player breakdowns, draft rumors and MUCH more.<\/p>\n<p>Upcoming Sacramento Kings &amp; NBA Offseason Schedule<\/p>\n<p>Tuesday, June 23rd\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 1)<br \/>\nWednesday, June 24th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 2)<br \/>\nTuesday, June 30th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)<br \/>\nSaturday, July 4th \u2013 Monday, July 6th \u2013 California Classic at Golden 1 Center<br \/>\nThursday, July 9th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins<br \/>\nMonday, July 13th\u00a0\u2013 Free Agency moratorium ends \/ signings can become official<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Thank you for reading\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/sactownsports.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Sactown1140\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMMGengsw2Ki2Aw?hl=en-US&amp;gl=US&amp;ceid=US:en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/SactownSports1140\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n<p>                    <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With the Sacramento Kings holding the 7th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, the conversation on Sactown Sports\u2019&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":334855,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[121,123,122],"class_list":["post-334854","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sacramento","tag-sacramento","tag-sacramento-headlines","tag-sacramento-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/334854","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=334854"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/334854\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/334855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=334854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=334854"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=334854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}