Kings GM Commits to Drafting Best Player Available

Sacramento's front office signals a shift in draft philosophy focused on acquiring top talent over positional need.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:09pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the silhouettes of basketball players and draft prospects, broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the Kings' shift in draft strategy.The Kings' commitment to drafting the best available talent, rather than targeting specific positions, could reshape the franchise's future through a bold, unconventional approach.Today in Sacramento

In his end-of-season press conference, Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry emphasized the team's plan to draft the best player available with their high lottery pick, rather than targeting specific positions. This marks a change from the Kings' past draft strategy, which has at times prioritized immediate roster needs over long-term talent acquisition.

Why it matters

The Kings' commitment to a best-player-available approach is significant, as it signals a more modern, patient team-building philosophy focused on securing franchise-altering talent. This strategy provides flexibility and maximizes the chances of adding a cornerstone player, which is crucial for a team looking to end its playoff drought and reshape the trajectory of the franchise.

The details

During his press conference, Perry stated that the Kings will 'always look to draft best player available or best talent to the roster,' even if that means selecting a player at a position that may not be an immediate need. This marks a shift from the Kings' past draft decisions, which have at times been criticized for reaching to fill specific roster gaps rather than targeting the most talented prospects.

  • The Kings are entering a pivotal offseason with a high lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
  • Scott Perry addressed the team's draft strategy during his end-of-season press conference on April 17, 2026.

The players

Scott Perry

The general manager of the Sacramento Kings, who outlined the team's plan to prioritize talent over positional need in the upcoming NBA Draft.

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What they’re saying

“'Depending on where we draft, we're gonna always look to draft best player available or best talent to the roster. If that happens to match up, where the best player on the board in our eyes is a point guard, we'll look that way. If it's another position, we'll do that. We're in the early stages of building, so it's important to get high-end talent for this roster.'”

— Scott Perry, General Manager, Sacramento Kings

What’s next

The Kings will look to execute on their best-player-available strategy during the upcoming NBA Draft, where they are expected to hold a high lottery pick. The team's ability to identify and select a cornerstone player with this selection will be crucial in their efforts to end their playoff drought and reshape the franchise's trajectory.

The takeaway

The Kings' shift to a best-player-available draft philosophy represents a more modern, patient approach to team-building. By prioritizing talent over immediate roster needs, Sacramento puts itself in the best position to add a franchise-altering player, which is essential for a team looking to emerge from the NBA's basement and become a consistent playoff contender.