Kings' No. 7 Pick: Starry Hopes or Solid Starters?

The Sacramento Kings landed the No. 7 pick in the NBA Draft lottery, a disappointing outcome following a challenging 60-loss season. Despite the fall, the seventh overall selection has historically yielded a good return on investment for NBA franchises.

Looking back at the last two decades, players drafted at No. 7 have included outliers like Steph Curry, three-time All-Star Lauri Markkanen, and solid starters such as Coby White and Harrison Barnes. The Kings are particularly interested in finding a guard with the potential of Jamal Murray, who was also drafted seventh overall.

While the Kings hope for an All-Star, historical data suggests a strong likelihood of securing a reliable starter. This category includes players like Shaedon Sharpe and Jonathan Kuminga, who have shown significant promise. Even players who have become rotational pieces or veterans have had lengthy careers, though not the impact the Kings desire.

The Kings aim to avoid the outcomes seen with players like Killian Hayes and Ben McLemore, who did not make a lasting impact. Overall, historical trends indicate a better than 50% chance for the Kings to draft at least a starting-caliber player with their No. 7 pick.