When it comes to the Sacramento Kings’ draft strategy, Jerry Reynolds says the priority should be star power, not roster fit.
During an interview with Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys, the Sacramento legend joined the show to share his thoughts on a potential franchise-altering offseason for the Kings.
Sacramento has started to build a solid foundation with “really good players,” but Reynolds made it clear that something is still missing at the top end of the roster.
The Kings, in his view, lack a true franchise centerpiece—someone who can elevate the team into contention.
In a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class that includes the likes of Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson, Darius Acuff Jr., and many more, the Sacramento Kings and general manager Scott Perry will have an important decision on their hands in the coming months.
“If you’re in the lottery, you better pick whoever you think is the very best player,” Reynolds said, stressing that the Kings need to aim higher than just filling gaps. “What they don’t have is a star, a top guy that could be a top 10 player in the league.”
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
That philosophy runs counter to the common temptation of drafting based on positional need. With young players already developing across the roster, it might seem logical to avoid redundancy. But Reynolds pointed to history as a warning against that mindset.
“Portland passed on Michael Jordan because they had Clyde Drexler. The Kings passed on Karl Malone because they had Otis Thorpe,” Reynolds said. “Both Drexler and Thorpe were terrific players, but they should have taken those guys.”
The message is unmistakable: never pass on elite talent because of who is already on your roster.
This becomes especially important when comparing prospects with different profiles—such as a high-upside athlete versus a more polished, NBA-ready contributor. Even if a prospect overlaps with an existing player, Reynolds believes talent should always win out.
“If there’s any one guy… you’re convinced he’s the best—even though you have a good player at that position—you still should take it,” Reynolds said.
There is some room for nuance. In situations where multiple prospects are graded equally and a front office genuinely cannot separate them, Reynolds acknowledged that roster needs can serve as a tiebreaker.
“If you’ve got two or three guys and can’t decide, then you probably ought to look at need,” Reynolds said.
Still, that scenario should be the exception—not the rule.
(Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
One area where this debate becomes particularly relevant for Sacramento is three-point shooting, a known weakness on the current roster. But even there, Reynolds cautioned against overcorrecting in the draft.
“You can get three-point shooters,” Reynolds said. “Don’t prioritize a specific skill as opposed to passing on a potential star.”
In today’s NBA, role players and specialists can often be acquired through trades or free agency. True stars, however, are far more difficult to find outside the draft.
For the Kings, that reality should define their approach. Rather than drafting for immediate fit, they should focus on landing the player with the highest ceiling—someone who could eventually reshape the franchise.
Because, as Reynolds’ perspective makes clear, depth can be built over time—but passing on a star is a mistake that can haunt a team for decades.
Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.
Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
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When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will conclude a two-game homestand on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sacramento is 2-1 against the Clippers this season, as the Kings delivered a stunning 118-109 win against Los Angeles on the road during a matchup between the two Pacific Division foes on March 14th.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 4:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 6:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Sunday, April 5th vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 6:00 PM PT
Tuesday, April 7th @ Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, April 10th vs. Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, April 12th @ Portland Trail Blazers – 5:30 PM PT (End of season)
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