Kyle Draper Reflects on Kings Departure & What’s Next

Kyle Draper’s six-year run as the television voice of the Sacramento Kings came to an end this week, and in a candid interview on Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys, Draper shared his thoughts on the departure.

“Can I be real with you guys? I’m shocked, I’m hurt. I go through the gamut of emotions,” Draper admitted. “Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve been promoted. I’ve been elevated. And so to come here and to have somebody say, ‘You know what, Drapes, we’re not bringing you back,’ that’s a shot to the ego.”

Yet even as he processes the disappointment, he remains forward-looking. “I’m taking a lot of meetings, a lot of phone calls. The phone’s been blowing up,” he said. “I got people reaching out, got some things I’m keeping my eye on.”

CAREER UPDATE 🚨🚨 Sunday was my last game as Sacramento Kings play by play announcer. After 6 seasons on the job, my contract is not being renewed. I want to thank all the Kings fans and the people of Sacramento for making me feel welcome. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/xC3bWqNkia

— Kyle Draper (@KyleDraperTV) April 14, 2026

More from Kyle Draper

While many fans knew Kyle Draper strictly as the Sacramento Kings’ play-by-play voice and in-studio host, he emphasized that his impact in Sacramento extended far beyond the broadcast booth.

“My impact, I wanted it to be so much greater. I was in the schools, in the after-school programs, talking in the jails,” Draper said. “I wanted people to feel and know I’m in it with you.”

That connection to the community is what makes this transition particularly bittersweet. Draper spoke passionately about Sacramento’s growth and its people.

“Sacramento, it’s just a bunch of hard-working, good people,” he said. “I can feel it every day. At the grocery store, Golden 1 Center. The love you get from the community.”

At the same time, he acknowledged the frustrations surrounding the Sacramento Kings on the court as a 22-60 season came to a close last week.

(Getty Images)

“We were trending in the right direction, and now we’re going backward,” Draper said. “I feel for Kings fans, man, because they deserve better.”

Still, Kyle Draper is choosing to view this moment as an opportunity. Inspired by a friend’s advice, he shared a broader vision for what’s next.

“This is a blessing for you, because now you’ll be open to new opportunities,” he recalled. “I could do the podcast, I could write the book, I could do my public speaking. I could pivot.”

Ultimately, Kyle Draper leaves Sacramento with gratitude, perspective, and a desire to evolve.

“If I succeed or fail, it’s going to be because I’m being myself,” he said. “We’re all more than what you see on the screen.”

Check out the full conversation with Kyle Draper at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Precious Achiuwa: ‘Sacramento is a place that I love being’
• Russell Westbrook says he’s open to re-signing with the Kings
• NBA Draft Lottery Standings: Pencils Down
• NBA salary cap expert advises against stretching Zach LaVine’s contract

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule

• Tuesday, April 14th – NBA Play-In Tournament begins
• Saturday, April 18th – NBA Playoffs begin
• Sunday, May 10th – NBA Draft Lottery
• Thursday, June 4th– NBA Finals begin
• Thursday, June 25th – NBA Draft (Round 1)
• Friday, June 26th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
• Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

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