Sactown Scouting Report: Second Round Bigs

While all the focus has understandably been on their lottery pick, the Sacramento Kings have a chance to add other young talents in the 2026 NBA Draft thanks to their two second-round picks.

Look no further than last season, where Maxime Raynaud (42nd pick) and Dylan Cardwell (undrafted) carved out valuable roles in their disappointing 22-60 season. General manager Scott Perry also found some second-round gems during his time in the New York Knicks front office, with Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride functioning as rotational pieces on the team that just took home the 2025-26 NBA Championship.

While adding another big man may seem like overkill after the additions of Raynaud and Cardwell last season, the future of Domantas Sabonis in Sacramento remains unclear, as his name continues to surface in trade rumors. Really, what teams are looking for in the second round is someone who can prove they belong on an NBA roster, rather than trying to find a fit or fill a void.

Continuing the Sactown Scouting Report series that will lead up to the June 23rd Draft, here’s a look at some big man options they could consider in the second round where they own picks No 34 and 45.

Henri Veesaar #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a dunk during the first half against the VCU Rams in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Henri Veesaar (Senior, North Carolina)

• 17 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists on 61/43/62 shooting

If the Kings are looking for the most skilled offensive big in this group, Henri Veesaar fits that as one of the more modern options with size.

Measuring in at 6’11.25″ without shoes at the combine, the UNC product has a clear strength, being a serious threat as a floor spacer. Veesaar converted 42.6% of his threes last season, averaging 3 attempts per game. Bringing the opposing big out of the paint helps make life easier for teammates looking to get downhill, whether in pick-and-pop scenarios or standard off-ball spot-ups.

That shooting threat helped open up the rest of his offensive game. With solid touch around the basket, he was able to punish smaller defenders and showed some comfort making connecting passes when appropriate. There seems to be enough touch and feel to imagine him being involved in modern offensive flows.

Dealing with NBA physicality may be a point of concern, however. Stronger bigs could move him off spots, which will only become more apparent at the next level. Defensively, surviving in the pick-and-roll will be key to what his eventual outcome becomes.

For Sacramento, he feels somewhat comparable to Raynaud. Teams can always use more size and shooting, but would Veesaar be able to survive on the defensive end alongside Raynaud in a jumbo lineup, or would he be worth it as another option, no matter?

Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies looks on during the Practice Day of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 03, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Tarris Reed Jr. (Senior, UConn)

• 14.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists on 61/XX/62 shooting

Tarris Reed Jr. has a more traditional big-man skillset, making most of his impact on the defensive end of the floor.

The UConn big has a game built around physicality. He screens hard, rolls with purpose, pulls down tough rebounds, and provides an interior presence. At 6’9.75″ and 263 pounds, Reed already looks the part of an NBA backup center at 22 years old.

Reed had a clearly defined role in college, one that will presumably be the same in the NBA. He went just 1/7 from three in 136 college games over three seasons, but he consistently found other ways to impact games. Between offensive rebounds (3.2 per game), interior finishing, and strong screens, you can see a more “traditional” skill set.

Last season, he was named to the Big East Sixth Man of the Year.

There is also some interesting passing he displayed. His 2.3 assists per game are not eye-popping, but showing comfort in handoff actions or making simple reads out of the short roll adds real value.

As mentioned, don’t expect him to provide any spacing, and his free-throw percentage remains a concern as he shot just 61.7% on 4.4 free-throw attempts per game last season. That alone could make him unplayable at the next level, but there are clear positives he can provide as well.

Reed feels like a second-round big man who could understand an NBA job quickly, even if that may be a more ‘basic’ role.

Maliq Brown #6 of the Duke Blue Devils attempts a shot during practice day ahead of the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 18, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Maliq Brown (Senior, Duke)

• 4.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists on 63/17/50 shooting

The Duke forward-big measured 6’8” without shoes, 216 pounds, with a 7’0.75” wingspan at the combine. He is generally projected somewhere in the second round, with some boards placing him in the late-30s and others closer to the 50s.

That range makes sense as a player who is fairly one-sided. Brown has obvious offensive concerns, but that’s not his sell. For him, it’s all about being an active and impactful defensive player.

Averaging 1.8 steals in just over 20 minutes per game stands out, particularly as a front-court player. Brown did so with active hands and smart, timely rotations as an impressive team defender. While not a traditional rim protector, being able to guard in space has tremendous value in the modern NBA, where switch-heavy schemes are the norm.

Offensively, he’ll need to thrive at the little things just to survive there while making a difference defensively.

For Sacramento, Brown would not be a center solution as much as a defensive activity bet. If the Kings want a frontcourt player who can move, switch, create chaos, and connect possessions, he may be worth considering. While there may be some overlap as a one-sided defensive big with Cardwell, they make their defensive impact felt in notably different ways.

More Sactown Scouting Reports

• The Pace, Poise, and Playmaking of Kingston Flemings
• Sactown Scouting Report: The Star-Swing Case for Darius Acuff Jr.
• Sactown Scouting Report: The Unorthodox Upside of Keaton Wagler
• Sactown Scouting Report: The Creative Chaos of Mikel Brown Jr.
• Sactown Scouting Report: The Overlooked Upside of Labaron Philon Jr.

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)
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

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