{"id":711859,"date":"2026-04-16T16:12:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T16:12:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/711859\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T16:12:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T16:12:37","slug":"kyle-draper-reflects-on-kings-tenure-looks-towards-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/711859\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyle Draper reflects on Kings tenure, looks towards future"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kyle Draper\u2019s six-year run as the television voice of the Sacramento Kings came to an end this week, and in a candid interview on Sactown Sports\u2019 The Drive Guys<\/a>, Draper shared his thoughts on the departure.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I be real with you guys? I\u2019m shocked, I\u2019m hurt. I go through the gamut of emotions,\u201d Draper admitted. \u201cEverywhere I\u2019ve been, I\u2019ve been promoted. I\u2019ve been elevated. And so to come here and to have somebody say, \u2018You know what, Drapes, we\u2019re not bringing you back,\u2019 that\u2019s a shot to the ego.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet even as he processes the disappointment, he remains forward-looking. \u201cI\u2019m taking a lot of meetings, a lot of phone calls. The phone\u2019s been blowing up,\u201d he said. \u201cI got people reaching out, got some things I\u2019m keeping my eye on.\u201d<\/p>\n

CAREER UPDATE \ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udea8 Sunday was my last game as Sacramento Kings play by play announcer. After 6 seasons on the job, my contract is not being renewed. I want to thank all the Kings fans and the people of Sacramento for making me feel welcome. 1\/3 pic.twitter.com\/xC3bWqNkia<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Kyle Draper (@KyleDraperTV) April 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

More from Kyle Draper<\/p>\n

While many fans knew Kyle Draper strictly as the Sacramento Kings\u2019 play-by-play voice and in-studio host, he emphasized that his impact in Sacramento extended far beyond the broadcast booth.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy impact, I wanted it to be so much greater. I was in the schools, in the after-school programs, talking in the jails,\u201d Draper said. \u201cI wanted people to feel and know I\u2019m in it with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

That connection to the community is what makes this transition particularly bittersweet. Draper spoke passionately about Sacramento\u2019s growth and its people.<\/p>\n

\u201cSacramento, it\u2019s just a bunch of hard-working, good people,\u201d he said. \u201cI can feel it every day. At the grocery store, Golden 1 Center. The love you get from the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the same time, he acknowledged the frustrations surrounding the Sacramento Kings on the court as a 22-60 season came to a close last week.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were trending in the right direction, and now we\u2019re going backward,\u201d Draper said. \u201cI feel for Kings fans, man, because they deserve better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, Kyle Draper is choosing to view this moment as an opportunity. Inspired by a friend\u2019s advice, he shared a broader vision for what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a blessing for you, because now you\u2019ll be open to new opportunities,\u201d he recalled. \u201cI could do the podcast, I could write the book, I could do my public speaking. I could pivot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Kyle Draper leaves Sacramento with gratitude, perspective, and a desire to evolve.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I succeed or fail, it\u2019s going to be because I\u2019m being myself,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re all more than what you see on the screen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out the full conversation with Kyle Draper at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.<\/a><\/p>\n

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule<\/p>\n

Tuesday, April 14th \u2013 NBA Play-In Tournament begins
\nSaturday, April 18th \u2013 NBA Playoffs begin
\nSunday, May 10th \u2013 NBA Draft Lottery
\nThursday, June 4th\u2013 NBA Finals begin
\nThursday, June 25th \u2013 NBA Draft (Round 1)
\nFriday, June 26th \u2013 NBA Draft (Round 2)
\nTuesday, June 30th \u2013 NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
\nThursday, July 9th \u2013 NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
\nMonday, July 13th \u2013 Free Agency moratorium ends \/ signings can become official<\/p>\n

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