Kings can add their “North Star” anywhere in 2026 NBA Draft Lottery

Even if their 2026 NBA Draft pick lands out the top four, the Sacramento Kings will be adding their "North Star" this offseason.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

May 5, 2026, 5:07 PM Updated: May 6, 2026, 11:06 am

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Watch: Sean Cunningham: Sacramento locals drafted into NFL; Kings can add their "north star" in the lottery | 27 mins

The NBA Draft Lottery can be franchise-changing for every team involved, but the current iteration of the Sacramento Kings is desperate for a young centerpiece with upside.

In a conversation with Matt George on The Matt & Kayla Show, KCRA3’s Sean Cunningham said he believes general manager Scott Perry could add the team’s “North Star” no matter where they fall.

“I just think at the end, no matter where they’re drafting, I think this draft has the potential, even anywhere in the top 10, if you’re the Kings, no matter who you pick, you now have your North Star,” Cunningham said.

Owning the fifth-best lottery odds, Sacramento will have a 45.2 percent chance of jumping into the top four, but could fall as low as ninth (albiet there’s a slim 0.6 percent chance of that taking place. Their most likely single outcome is with the seventh pick, which they have a 27.1 percent chance of landing.

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“Not to say that if you fall to eight or fall to get the worst case scenario, and you fall to ninth, I still think you can end up with a really, really good player,” Cunningham continued. “Maybe it’s not a potential star player at that point, but I do think it’s somebody that you’re now looking at in terms of building around. I wouldn’t go as far as to say face of the franchise, but you have your North Star.”

Most NBA Draft analysts have a clear top four among the 2026 prospects, including AJ Dybansta (BYU), Darryn Peterson (Kansas), Cameron Boozer (Duke), and Caleb Wilson (North Carolina).

But, as seen in the history of the draft, MVP-caliber players aren’t always selected within the top three to four picks. Kingston Flemings (Houston) has an impressive ability to get downhill and pressure opposing defenses while making an impact on the other end of the floor.

Keaton Wagler (Illinois) has tremendous upside as an on-ball creator, with his slender frame seen as the biggest area of concern. Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas) rose up draft boards thanks to his stellar shot-making ability in a tough SEC conference.

While none, including the top four, are guaranteed stars, they would instantly become focal points on the Kings. Outside of Keegan Murray and their 2025 rookies of Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell, there’s a clear need for youth and upside.

To Cunningham’s point, even if Perry isn’t adding a franchise superstar, their incoming lottery pick would easily be the “North Star” of the 2026-27 season and onwards.

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

Listen to The Matt & Kayla Show from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

Click here for full episodes of The Matt & Kayla Show.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule

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