Emanuel Sharp: Sacramento’s MVP of Summer League?

Emanuel Sharp made quite the first impression in Las Vegas.

Sharp, the 45th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, was arguably the best player on the floor during the Sacramento Kings’ five games in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League, and that’s due to the fact that the Houston product excelled on both sides of the basketball.

While seventh overall pick Darius Acuff Jr.’s shooting struggles stole most of the headlines surrounding the Kings’ time in Vegas, Sharp quietly had a solid week in the desert, one that has many wondering if we’ll see the 6’3 guard in Sacramento’s opening night rotation.

General manager Scott Perry has proven he has an eye for talent late in the draft, picking All-Rookie Second Team center Maxime Raynaud with the 42nd pick last summer, as well as signing undrafted center Dylan Cardwell, who looks like a solid NBA rebounder and rim-protector.

It’s early, but Sharp looks like the exact type of player this Kings team needs–a glue guy, a player who will hustle on every single play, a knockdown threat from the perimeter, and above all else, a tenacious on-ball defender who can pressure the point of attack on a nightly basis.

Here’s what Emanuel Sharp did to make a strong first impression in Las Vegas.

Recapping Dylan Cardwell’s Las Vegas Summer League Showing

Emanuel Sharp may already be Sacramento’s best on-ball defender.

The 45th pick in last month’s draft, Sharp was one of the Kings’ best stories from Summer League, and a player who can already be considered an option for head coach Doug Christie’s rotation.

Sharp’s motor really stood out in Las Vegas. He never takes a play off. He never looks disengaged. His on-ball pressure is electric to watch, akin to what we saw in recent Summer League showings from former Sacramento guard Davion Mitchell and Keon Ellis. That’s what Sharp can bring to the table, and he’s also a solid three-point threat as well.

Over five games in Las Vegas, Sharp averaged 15.8 points and a whopping 2.8 steals per game (fifth among Summer League leaders) while shooting 38 percent from downtown (8.4 attempts per game).

Emanuel Sharp, probably the biggest positive for the Kings today, somehow gets a steal while falling. pic.twitter.com/9m5HkBjvkI

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) July 14, 2026

The Houston product finished strong on Friday, scoring 16 points (four-of-nine from deep) and swiping three steals in a winning effort.

Three-and-D archetypes are incredibly valuable in the NBA, and it looks like Perry may have found another late-draft gem in Sharp.

Expect Emanuel Sharp to battle for rotation minutes from the jump, with the offense-heavy Kings needing a boost on the defensive end. Sharp simply makes things happen on defense, and Christie will almost certainly reward those efforts if they translate at the next level.

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What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The start of the 2026-27 season is quickly approaching for Emanuel Sharp and the Sacramento Kings.

Sacramento will begin training camp in late September as they prepare to begin preseason play on Monday, October 5th when they face Luka Doncic and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center.

Be sure to stay tuned into Sactown Sports all offseason for roster updates, schedule announcements, analysis, and much more.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Offseason Schedule

• August TBD – 2026-27 NBA Schedule release
• Late September – NBA training camps begin

Sacramento Kings 2026-27 Preseason Schedule

• Monday, October 5th vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7 P.M. PST)
• Thursday, October 8th @ Los Angeles Lakers (7:30 P.M. PST)
• Saturday, October 10th @ Golden State Warriors (5:30 P.M. PST)
• Tuesday, October 13th vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PST)
• Friday, October 16th @ San Antonio Spurs (7:00 P.M. PST)

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