Postseason or Draft Pick: What should the Kings aim for next season?

Should the Sacramento Kings push for the NBA Playoffs next season, or pivot toward positioning themselves for a potential top pick in the 2027 NBA Draft?

Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys, featuring Kevin Gleason and Allen Stiles, shared their thoughts on the growing debate surrounding the Sacramento Kings’ long-term direction.

Gleason opened the discussion by emphasizing the value of a winning culture over draft positioning.

“If you’re the Sacramento Kings, you can’t just wave the white flag and start thinking about lottery odds,” Gleason said. “You’ve built something with this core, even if it’s not perfect. You owe it to the fanbase to try and win now.”

As the Kings limp towards the end of an overall forgettable 2025-26 season, they have some young players who can be a part of the franchise’s next phase.

Maxime Raynaud, the 42nd pick from last summer’s NBA Draft, looks like a steal. Nique Clifford has the potential to be a long-term contributor. Dylan Cardwell looks like the rim protector that Sacramento has longed for over the past decade.

(Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

Stiles countered with a more cautious, future-focused approach, pointing to the limitations of the current roster in a loaded Western Conference.

“I get the sentiment, but you have to be realistic,” Stiles said. “The Sacramento Kings aren’t in a position where they’re one move away from contention. Sometimes the smartest move is stepping back to leap forward.”

The discussion quickly evolved into a broader philosophical debate about team building in the NBA. Gleason argued that chasing a top draft pick can backfire, referencing how unpredictable lottery outcomes can be.

“You’re gambling with your future when you tank,” he added. “And there’s no guarantee that even a top pick in 2027 changes everything.”

Stiles, however, pointed to the long-term ceiling of elite draft talent as too valuable to ignore.

“Superstars change franchises,” he said. “If the Sacramento Kings are sitting in that 10-to-12 range again, what exactly are you building toward? Mediocrity isn’t a plan.”

Both hosts agreed that the Western Conference landscape makes the decision even more complicated.

With multiple rising teams and established contenders, the Kings face a narrow margin for error either way. A playoff push could mean a first-round exit, while a soft rebuild could risk alienating a fanbase hungry for sustained success.

Ultimately, the debate highlighted the tension between present competitiveness and future upside. As Gleason summed it up, “There’s no easy answer here—but the worst place to be is stuck in the middle.”

Stiles agreed on that point, noting, “Whether you chase the playoffs or the pick, the Sacramento Kings just can’t afford to stay stagnant.”

For now, the organization faces a pivotal crossroads that could define the next era of Kings basketball.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Maxime Raynaud believes he’s “the best big in this rookie class”
• Kings legend’s son has impressive showing in NCAA Tournament
• Jerry Reynolds: Kings need to prioritize talent over fit in the NBA Draft
• Have the Kings found their latest two-way success story?

Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season

• Friday, April 10th vs. Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
• Sunday, April 12th @ Portland Trail Blazers – 5:30 PM PT (End of season)

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