Kings Eye 2026 Draft Prize as Perkins Casts Doubt on AJ Dybantsa’s Ceiling
The Sacramento Kings are deep in the throes of a brutal 14-game losing streak, and at this point, the season has shifted from playoff aspirations to lottery dreams. With key veterans like Zach LaVine officially shut down for the year, DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook swirling in buyout rumors, and Domantas Sabonis sidelined with nagging knee and back issues, the Kings have effectively leaned into a full reset.
That reset, ideally, ends with a franchise-altering pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. And while the ping-pong balls will ultimately decide their fate, the Kings are squarely in the mix for one of the top three prospects: Darryn Peterson (Kansas), Cam Boozer (Duke), or AJ Dybantsa (BYU).
Each of those names brings serious upside, but it’s Dybantsa who’s been generating the most buzz-and now, a bit of controversy.
Former NBA big man and longtime voice in the media Kendrick Perkins didn’t hold back when sharing his opinion on Dybantsa during a recent appearance on the Road Trippin’ podcast with Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye. Perkins, never one to mince words, questioned whether the 6-foot-9 freshman forward is truly worth the hype.
“AJ Dybantsa is not like that, bro,” Perkins said bluntly. “Do they have a generational talent in this draft?
*No. * AJ Dybantsa is not doing anything different than what Brandon Miller was doing when he was at Alabama.”
That’s a strong take-especially when you consider what Dybantsa has already accomplished in his first season at BYU. He’s not just meeting expectations; he’s blowing them out of the water.
The freshman phenom is leading all of Division I in scoring, averaging 24.5 points per game, while also contributing 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals. And he’s doing it efficiently, posting a 63.4% true shooting percentage that speaks to his shot selection and ability to finish at all three levels.
So while Perkins may not be sold on Dybantsa’s long-term ceiling, the numbers-and the tape-tell a different story.
From Sacramento’s perspective, there’s a lot to like. Dybantsa brings an elite blend of athleticism and control that’s rare for a 19-year-old.
He’s a smooth shot-creator with a frame built to handle the physicality of the NBA, and he’s already showing flashes of two-way upside. In a draft class that may not feature a consensus "generational" talent, Dybantsa still profiles as a potential No. 1 pick-and a player who could anchor a rebuild.
Of course, the Kings still have to land one of those coveted top-three picks. But if the lottery breaks their way, and Dybantsa is on the board, Sacramento’s front office will have plenty of reasons to feel good about making that call-regardless of what the talking heads might say.
For now, the Kings are focused on the long game. The losing streak may sting, but the light at the end of the tunnel is a shot at a transformative talent. And whether it’s Peterson, Boozer, or Dybantsa, Sacramento is positioning itself to take a big swing on draft night.