The Sacramento Kings, one of the NBA's charter franchises when they joined the league as the Rochester Royals in 1948, have a draft history as colorful and storied as the city they now call home. From the golden era of the early 2000s to the recent playoff breakthrough, the Kings have relied on the NBA Draft to build their identity. While some selections became Hall of Famers, others faded quickly, but each pick left a distinct mark on the franchise. This expanded overview examines the most memorable draft selections in Kings history, analyzing their careers, statistical impact, and enduring legacy within the organization and the league.

The Cornerstones: Kings Legends Drafted in the 1990s

The 1990s represent the richest period of draft success for the Kings, especially after the franchise moved to Sacramento in 1985. General managers like Geoff Petrie made savvy picks that eventually formed the core of the early-2000s powerhouse that captivated basketball fans nationwide.

Chris Webber (1993, 1st Overall)

Technically drafted by the Orlando Magic and traded to Golden State on draft night, Chris Webber became a King in 1998 via a trade. However, his selection at number one overall by Orlando remains inextricably linked to Kings lore because of how it set off a chain of events. Webber played his college ball at Michigan and was a rookie sensation, winning Rookie of the Year in 1994. After a brief and tumultuous stint with the Washington Wizards, he was traded to Sacramento in 1998 for Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe. In Sacramento, Webber blossomed into a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate. From 1999 to 2003, he averaged 23.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, leading the Kings to the Western Conference Finals in 2002. His versatile low-post game, passing ability, and leadership transformed a perennial lottery team into a title contender. Webber was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. His draft class also included Penny Hardaway, and the "what if" of Jackson and Webber together in Orlando is a famous draft hypothetical. For Kings fans, Webber's selection—even indirectly—represents the franchise's most significant turning point. (External link: Chris Webber on Basketball-Reference)

Peja Stojaković (1996, 14th Overall)

Selected with the 14th pick in the legendary 1996 NBA Draft—the same class that produced Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Steve Nash—Peja Stojaković arrived from Serbia with a smooth stroke that would define his career. Stojaković did not debut in the NBA until 1998, spending two seasons playing professionally in Greece. Once he arrived in Sacramento, he quickly became the perfect floor spacer alongside Webber and Jason Williams. Stojaković was a three-time All-Star and two-time Three-Point Contest champion. In the 2003-04 season, he led the league in free throw percentage at 92.7% and averaged a career-high 24.2 points per game while shooting 43.3% from three-point range. His clutch shooting was instrumental in the Kings' playoff runs, including a memorable 2002 Western Conference Finals that went to seven games against the Los Angeles Lakers. Stojaković was traded to the Indiana Pacers in 2006 but later returned to the Western Conference with the Dallas Mavericks, where he won an NBA championship in 2011. His legacy in Sacramento remains strong; he was inducted into the Kings Hall of Fame in 2024. (External link: Peja Stojaković on Basketball-Reference)

Jason Williams (1998, 7th Overall)

Few draft picks captured the imagination of fans quite like Jason "White Chocolate" Williams. Selected seventh overall in 1998 out of Florida, Williams was a dazzling ball handler with a flair for the spectacular. His no-look passes, behind-the-back dimes, and half-court shooting made him an instant fan favorite. In his rookie season, he averaged 12.8 points and 6.0 assists per game, earning him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Williams was the perfect point guard for the up-tempo, free-flowing offense that coach Rick Adelman installed. However, his inconsistency and sometimes risky decision-making led to a trade after the 2000-01 season. Williams went on to have a successful career with the Memphis Grizzlies and later won two NBA championships with the Miami Heat. Despite his relatively short stint in Sacramento, his draft selection remains one of the most memorable in Kings history because of the excitement he brought to the team and the league.

Notable Draft Picks with Varied Careers

The 2000s and 2010s produced several Kings draft picks who achieved individual accolades or had brief moments of brilliance, even if they did not lead the team to sustained success.

Tyreke Evans (2009, 4th Overall)

Selected fourth overall in 2009 out of Memphis, Tyreke Evans was the starting point guard from day one. His rookie season was historic: he averaged 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, joining Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James as the only rookies to average at least 20-5-5. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2010. Evans had a strong combination of size, strength, and ball-handling ability that made him a point guard mismatch. However, after his debut campaign, the Kings began using him off the ball, and injuries hampered his development. He never recaptured his rookie magic in Sacramento and was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2013. Evans bounced around the league, eventually winning the Most Improved Player award in 2018 with the Memphis Grizzlies. His Kings tenure remains a "what if" story, but his rookie season alone is one of the most impressive individual performances by any draft pick in franchise history. (External link: Tyreke Evans on Basketball-Reference)

DeMarcus Cousins (2010, 5th Overall)

DeMarcus Cousins was drafted fifth overall in 2010 out of Kentucky, and from the start, he was a force of nature. Of all post-2000 Kings draft picks, Cousins arguably had the highest talent level. He was a four-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA Second Team selection during his time in Sacramento. In the 2015-16 season, he averaged 26.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, showcasing a rare combination of inside scoring, three-point range, and ball-handling for a center. However, his career in Sacramento was marked by team instability, coaching changes, and his own fiery temperament. He was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in February 2017 in a massive deal that netted the Kings Buddy Hield and draft picks. Cousins' legacy in Sacramento is complicated: he produced incredible individual stats but never led the team to the playoffs. Still, his draft selection at fifth overall was a high-risk, high-reward pick that produced one of the most talented big men of the decade.

Isaiah Thomas (2011, 60th Overall)

The last pick of the 2011 NBA draft, Isaiah Thomas is perhaps the most remarkable late-round selection in Kings history. Drafted 60th overall out of Washington, Thomas quickly proved he belonged in the NBA. In his rookie season, he averaged 11.5 points and 4.1 assists, earning All-Rookie Second Team honors. Over his three seasons in Sacramento, Thomas improved each year, posting averages of 15.3 points and 4.8 assists per game in his final season with the Kings. Despite his success, the Kings chose not to offer him a long-term extension, and he left in free agency to sign with the Phoenix Suns. Thomas later became an MVP candidate with the Boston Celtics in 2016-17, averaging 28.9 points per game and leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals. While his Kings tenure was relatively short, his selection at 60th overall remains a testament to the value of late-round scouting. For a team that often struggled with roster construction, passing on such a productive player is a notable draft regret.

The 2010s: High Draft Picks and the Rebuild

The 2010s were a decade of high draft positions for the Kings, who were consistently in the lottery. Some picks paid off, while others remain sources of frustration.

De'Aaron Fox (2017, 5th Overall)

With the fifth overall pick in 2017, the Kings selected De'Aaron Fox out of Kentucky. Fox is arguably the most successful Kings draft pick of the 2010s in terms of long-term contributions. He injected elite speed and playmaking into the Kings' backcourt. In his third season, Fox averaged 21.1 points and 6.8 assists, showing signs of stardom. His development, combined with the arrival of Domantas Sabonis via trade, helped the Kings end a 16-year playoff drought in 2023. Fox earned his first All-Star selection that season and was named the inaugural Clutch Player of the Year award for his late-game heroics. His draft pick was the cornerstone of the team's turnaround. Fox's career is still unfolding, but his selection at fifth overall has already proven to be one of the franchise's better recent decisions. (External link: De'Aaron Fox on Basketball-Reference)

Tyrese Haliburton (2020, 12th Overall)

The Kings selected Tyrese Haliburton with the 12th pick in the 2020 draft, a steal at that position. Haliburton impressed immediately with his high basketball IQ, unselfish play, and efficient shooting. In his rookie season, he averaged 13.0 points and 5.3 assists, shooting 40.9% from three-point range. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. However, the Kings' front office, in need of a win-now move, traded Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers in February 2022 in a deal that brought Domantas Sabonis to Sacramento. It was a controversial trade, as Haliburton’s potential was evident. In Indiana, Haliburton has blossomed into a two-time All-Star and one of the league's best point guards. While the trade helped the Kings reach the playoffs, the decision to move a young, homegrown talent at such a low draft slot will always be debated. Haliburton's selection at 12th overall remains a testament to the Kings' scouting ability, even if the payoff came elsewhere.

Marvin Bagley III (2018, 2nd Overall)

Perhaps the most regretted draft pick of the 2010s for the Kings was Marvin Bagley III, selected second overall in 2018. The Kings passed on Luka Dončić (drafted third by Atlanta and traded to Dallas) and Trae Young (fifth to Dallas, then to Atlanta) to take the Duke big man. Bagley showed flashes of talent, averaging 14.9 points and 7.6 rebounds in his second season, but injuries and poor positional fit hampered his development. He never became the star the Kings envisioned and was traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2022. The Bagley pick is widely considered one of the biggest draft misses in recent NBA history, as Dončić has become an MVP-caliber player. This selection encapsulates the franchise's draft struggles during the decade.

Draft Day Trades and What-Ifs

The Kings' draft history is also defined by trades that altered the course of the franchise. The 1998 trade that brought Webber (originally drafted first overall by Orlando) is a positive example. However, there are notable misses. In 2002, the Kings traded their first-round pick (used to select a player who became a contributor elsewhere) for cap relief, part of a pattern of short-sighted moves. The 2018 decision to draft Bagley over Dončić is the most glaring, but there are others. In 2008, the Kings selected Jason Thompson 12th overall, passing on Brook Lopez, Serge Ibaka, and JaVale McGee. In 1997, they drafted Bobby Jackson 23rd overall, which was a success, but the pick originally belonged to the Denver Nuggets via trade. Each draft day decision, whether a hit or miss, shapes the narrative of a franchise that has often been on the outside looking in when it comes to playoff success.

Future Outlook and Recent Prospects

The Kings' recent draft strategy has been more focused on upside and positional need. In 2022, they selected Keegan Murray fourth overall out of Iowa. Murray had a strong rookie season, setting the NBA record for three-pointers made by a rookie with 206. His combination of size, shooting, and defensive versatility makes him a long-term building block alongside Fox and Sabonis. In 2023, they drafted Colby Jones and Jalen Slawson in the second round. The Kings have also emphasized player development, with improved coaching staff under Mike Brown. The success of these recent picks will determine whether the Kings can sustain their newfound competitiveness. The draft remains the lifeblood of any small-market team, and Sacramento's commitment to scouting and analytics has improved in recent years.

Conclusion

From the Hall of Fame careers of Chris Webber and Peja Stojaković to the rookie wonder of Tyreke Evans and the steady rise of De'Aaron Fox, the Sacramento Kings' draft picks have provided fans with moments of hope, excitement, and occasionally heartbreak. The franchise's ability to identify talent has varied, but the impact of these selections on the team's identity is undeniable. As the Kings look to build on their playoff return, the lessons of past drafts—both triumphs and missteps—will guide their future decisions. Whether it is a high lottery pick or a diamond in the rough at the end of the second round, the draft will always be central to the Kings' story in Sacramento.