The Sacramento Kings may have done it again.
A year after landing Maxime Raynaud at No. 42 and watching the 7-foot-1 Frenchman become the only non-lottery pick named to last season’s All-Rookie Teams, Sacramento used the 45th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Emanuel Sharp. It’s obviously early, but the second-round buzz is already building in a big way.
Sharp looked the part right away in Las Vegas. In his Summer League debut, he poured in a game-high 21 points and added four steals while shooting 3-8 from deep and 7-8 at the line.
The scoring got attention, but the defense may have been the louder statement. Sharp was the main reason fifth-overall pick Keaton Wagler was limited to seven points on 1-7 shooting.
That kind of two-way impact isn’t exactly a surprise if you’ve followed Sharp’s game. He arrived with a reputation as a dangerous shooter, a tough defender and a strong character, and he’s already backing that up on the floor. In the California Classic Summer League, he put up 31 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals across two games while hitting six three-pointers.
The Kings have opened Summer League 4-0, and Sharp has been central to that start. Kings seventh-overall pick Darius Acuff Jr. even singled him out, saying Sharp has been the team’s best player over the past few games.
Yes, Summer League comes with the usual caution label. But Sharp’s production is hard to brush off. Sacramento finished last season 28th in defensive rating and dead last in three-pointers made, so a player who brings energy, perimeter defense and shooting feels awfully useful.
If this keeps up, Sharp looks like the kind of rookie who can help right away. The size and athleticism questions that followed him into the draft haven’t shown up much so far, and his game has translated cleanly in these first looks. If the shot starts falling with more consistency, he could grow into a long-term starter next to Acuff Jr., even if the Kings should keep expectations grounded for a second-round pick.
Still, there’s plenty here for Sacramento to like. Sharp’s effort and defense could make him a fast favorite of Doug Christie, and the 22-year-old should get real chances during his rookie season. He may not chase the same All-Rookie path Raynaud took last year, but he looks capable of making a meaningful impact and forcing the rest of the league to pay attention.
For Scott Perry, that would mean another second-round win. And if Sharp keeps this up, the Kings might have found the steal of the draft again.
In Other News...
Kings Are Putting Darius Acuff Jr. In A Tough Spot Already
Darius Acuff Jr. is being asked to do a lot already, and Sacramentos guard picture only makes the assignment tougher. The rookie has been pushed into the starting point guard role because the Kings are thin at the position, with a crowded roster that still leaves the backcourt looking unfinished and little proven help behind him.
Isaiah Stevens could become part of the answer if he shows enough in summer action, and the Kings also have a few different ways to keep searching for help. Malik Monk remains on the roster and could be moved if the right opportunity comes along, while undrafted guards like Milos Uzan and Nick Boyd are the kind of developmental names Sacramento may have to consider as it tries to give Acuff some breathing room. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Fans Can Feel This Kuminga Pursuit Getting Complicated
The Kings have spent the offseason trying to keep their options open, and Jonathan Kuminga has quickly become one of the more intriguing names on their radar. Sacramentos improved salary-cap flexibility gives it more room to work than it had before, but the club is still operating in a range where a straightforward free-agent payday may not be realistic for a player drawing this much attention.
That is where the pursuit starts to get tricky. A sign-and-trade appears to be the cleanest path if the Kings want to stay in the conversation, but they are hardly alone in trying to thread that needle, and the market around Kuminga could end up deciding which team is willing and able to go the furthest. For Sacramento, the interest is real, but so are the financial hurdles standing in the way. [Read more 🡒]