Why it won’t be easy for Sacramento to trade up in the NBA Draft

With the Sacramento Kings holding the seventh overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, speculation has centered on whether the franchise could move up two spots and strike a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers for the fifth overall pick.

According to Sports Illustrated‘s Clippers beat writer Joey Linn, that scenario appears unlikely unless Sacramento is willing to pay a hefty price.

“I think it would actually take quite a bit from what we’re seeing and hearing right now,” Linn told Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys.

The Clippers unexpectedly landed the fifth overall pick after their trade with Indiana that sent center Ivica Zubac to the Pacers, and, according to Linn, Los Angeles views the selection as a potential franchise-changing asset.

“They were very intentional about the pick protections,” Linn said. “They really wanted five. I think with everything that they went through. They feel like this is a really franchise-altering opportunity, and it would take a lot to come off of that.”

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 20: Kingston Flemings #4 of the Houston Cougars dribbles the ball as Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks defends during the first half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at Prudential Center on December 20, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)

More on the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft

That could complicate matters for the Kings if a preferred prospect–such as Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr.–begins to slide.

Sacramento has frequently been linked to Acuff, Houston guard Kingston Flemings, and others in the second tier of the draft, and moving ahead of the Brooklyn Nets at sixth could become an attractive option.

Linn said the Clippers’ philosophy under president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has remained consistent regardless of roster fit.

“He’s been very open over the years about the Clippers strategy of taking who they feel is the best player available, regardless of fit,” Linn said. “I would really be surprised if that strategy changed.”

Even after acquiring Darius Garland from Cleveland in the James Harden trade, Los Angeles appears committed to selecting the prospect it values most instead of drafting based on positional need.

“The Clippers, regardless of Garland, regardless of who else is or is not going to be on the roster going forward, they see number five as a really huge opportunity,” Linn said.

Still, Linn left the door slightly open to a trade-down scenario because of the uncertainty surrounding the group of guards expected to come off the board after the consensus top four prospects.

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)

“If the Clippers felt confident enough that whoever their guy is was going to be there if they did trade down, I think that would be an interesting conversation to have,” Linn said.

However, he doesn’t expect Los Angeles to sacrifice its preferred player simply to add extra assets.

“In terms of doing it for the sake of doing it and getting an additional asset and maybe missing out on who your guy is at five, I certainly don’t anticipate them doing that.”

For the Kings, that means any move up the board in the NBA Draft would likely come at a high cost.

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

Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

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What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

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.

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’s Kingston Flemings, and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, among others.

Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for pre-draft workout news, player breakdowns, draft rumors, and MUCH more.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule

• Tuesday, June 23rd – NBA Draft (Round 1)
• Wednesday, June 24th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
• Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
• Saturday, July 4th – Monday, July 6th – California Classic at Golden 1 Center
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

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