It’s been a year to forget for the Sacramento Kings, but the most memorable part of the 2025-26 campaign could take place shortly following the final game of the regular season.
Sacramento (12-44) has tied a franchise record by losing 14-straight games, the most consecutive losses during a single season by the team since relocating to Northern California in 1985.
As the Kings enter the All-Star break, they hold the worst record in the NBA, with 3.5 games separating them from the next-closest team, the Washington Wizards (14-39).
While Sacramento has shifted to prioritizing the playing time and development of younger players on the roster, like Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell, and Devin Carter, one thing is missing from the equation: a franchise centerpiece.
Just over one year removed from trading former franchise guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, the Sacramento Kings are in need of a landscape-shifting talent they can hitch their wagon to for the next decade.
Thankfully for the Kings, the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft is loaded with talent near the top of the draft, and Sacramento is in the driver’s seat–along with Washington and the New Orleans Pelicans (pick will go to Atlanta)–to have first dibs on a selection.
For a Kings team that is on pace to finish the season with a record of 17-65, losing should almost be applauded the rest of the way.
Sacramento has to get something out of this forgettable season, and a high draft pick could be the very thing that begins to lift them out of this hole that was created last season.
Where do things stand for the Kings entering the break? How does the Draft Lottery work? Let’s take a look.
How The Odds & NBA Draft Lottery Work
The NBA Draft Lottery is designed to give the league’s worst teams the best chance at landing the top pick, while discouraging outright tanking.
For a team like the Sacramento Kings, lottery odds come into play only if they miss the playoffs and finish in the bottom 14 of the standings.
The three teams with the worst records each have a 14 percent chance to win the No. 1 overall pick, with odds decreasing incrementally by record.
If the Sacramento Kings finish, for example, with the seventh-worst record, they would have a 7.5 percent chance at the top pick and a much higher likelihood of landing somewhere in the middle of the lottery.
The NBA Draft Lottery itself only determines the top four picks. After that, selections are ordered by regular-season record. That distinction becomes especially important at the very bottom of the standings.
If Sacramento finishes with the worst record in the NBA, the Kings would be guaranteed a top-five pick and could not fall lower than No. 5 overall. Even in a worst-case lottery outcome, the downside is capped.
This system means Sacramento can move up, stay roughly where projected, or slide back—sometimes significantly—depending on how the lottery balls bounce. It’s why even small differences in late-season standings matter. One extra win can slightly reduce top-pick odds but also protect against a big drop.
For the Kings, who often operate in the league’s competitive middle class, the lottery represents both hope and risk. It’s a reminder that draft position isn’t guaranteed—only probabilities are.
That said, it’s in Sacramento’s best interest to lose as many games as possible the rest of the way. Why?
The 2026 NBA Draft is projected to be top-five heavy, with each of the top selections viewed as a potential franchise-altering talent.
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, and Houston’s Kingston Flemings could all be donning a Sacramento Kings jersey come NBA Summer League in Las Vegas this June.
It all depends on draft position, and if the Kings want to bring in a new face of the franchise, this could be the draft to do so.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will return from the All-Star break on Thursday, February 19th, and face the Orlando Magic at Golden 1 Center.
Last season, Orlando swept the season series vs. Sacramento (2-0).
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Orlando Magic action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, February 19th vs. Orlando Magic – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, February 21st @ San Antonio Spurs – 5:00 PM PT
Monday, February 23rd @ Memphis Grizzlies – 5:00 PM PT
Wednesday, February 25th – @ Houston Rockets – 5:00 PM PT
Thursday, February 26th @ Dallas Mavericks – 5:30 PM PT
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