Two Kings Players to Watch in Final Six Games

Sacramento's young talent Dylan Cardwell and Daeqwon Plowden look to finish strong amid a tough season.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:07am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in the official colors of the Sacramento Kings.The Kings' young talent Dylan Cardwell and Daeqwon Plowden look to make their mark in the final games of a tough season.Today in Sacramento

As the Sacramento Kings' disappointing season winds down, two young players - center Dylan Cardwell and guard/forward Daeqwon Plowden - have emerged as bright spots worth watching in the final six games. Cardwell, an undrafted rookie, has been a defensive force when healthy, while Plowden, a two-way player, has provided a scoring punch off the bench.

Why it matters

With the Kings out of playoff contention, the development of Cardwell and Plowden is crucial as the team looks to build for the future. Their strong play in the final stretch could earn them more prominent roles next season, either in Sacramento or with other NBA teams.

The details

Cardwell, known for his rim protection and energy, has seen a dip in production since returning from an ankle injury, averaging 4.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.4 blocks per game in the last nine contests. Prior to the injury, he was posting 5.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 59.8% from the field. The Kings are hoping Cardwell can regain his pre-injury form in the final stretch. Plowden, a 27-year-old two-way player, has emerged as a key contributor in the last 11 games, averaging 14.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 45.6% from the field and 37.3% from three-point range. His strong play has earned him more minutes and a chance to solidify a spot in the NBA next season, either with the Kings or another team.

  • The Sacramento Kings have just six games left in the 2025-26 NBA season.
  • Cardwell returned from an ankle injury 9 games ago.

The players

Dylan Cardwell

An undrafted rookie center who has been a defensive force for the Kings this season, known for his rim protection and energy. He has struggled since returning from an ankle injury.

Daeqwon Plowden

A 27-year-old two-way player who has emerged as a key contributor for the Kings in the final stretch of the season, providing scoring punch off the bench.

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What they’re saying

“Dylan Cardwell has been fun.”

— Frankie Cartoscelli, NBA Analyst

The takeaway

As the Kings' season comes to a close, the development of young talents like Cardwell and Plowden will be crucial for the team's future. Their strong play in the final six games could earn them more prominent roles next season, either in Sacramento or with other NBA teams.