George: Sacramento Kings have their eyes set on AJ Dybantsa

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George: Sacramento Kings have their eyes set on AJ Dybantsa

If the Sacramento Kings end up with a top-three pick in this summer’s 2026 NBA Draft, they will likely end up with one of Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, or AJ Dybantsa.

Although the NBA season has yet to reach the midway point, it isn’t too early for the Kings (8-30) to set their sights on May’s NBA Draft lottery, which will provide clarity on whether they will be in position to select a franchise-altering talent.

Those three that were previously listed–Duke’s Boozer, Kansas’ Peterson, and BYU’s Dybantsa–are widely viewed as the top-three prospects for the 2026 Draft Class.

While a lot can change in the coming months, especially as the college basketball season moves into conference play and March Madness, Sactown Sports’ Matt George has a good idea of who Sacramento would select if the draft took place today.

“If you were to ask me right now, ‘Matt, the Sacramento Kings have the number one overall pick. Who are you taking?’ It’s AJ,” George said during his premiere episode of The Matt George Podcast.

(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

“Can you imagine AJ Dybantsa and that versatility, that athleticism on both sides of the ball next to Keegan Murray?” George said. “We don’t have to worry about Keegan being a top-scoring option. No more. Keegan. Go out there and do what you do.

“And let me tell you something. Little birdie told me that has a pretty good idea, a pretty reliable source, let me know that if there’s a leader in the clubhouse amongst the Sacramento Kings organization right now, it’s AJ. The Sacramento Kings, I’ve been told, really love themselves some AJ Dybantsa.”

More on AJ Dybantsa

Entering play on Sunday, the Sacramento Kings hold a record of 8-30, tying them with the New Orleans Pelicans for the worst record in the Western Conference.

Sacramento is within reach of the Indiana Pacers for the NBA’s worst record, with just 1.5 games separating the two teams.

The Kings will need to finish with one of the three worst records in the NBA if they want a strong chance to draft Dybantsa, a dynamic forward who is turning heads in his freshman season at BYU. If Sacramento finishes with a bottom-three record, they will have a 52.1% chance of landing a top-four pick, including a 14.0% chance of winning the lottery.

Those odds (52.1% & 14.0%) remain identical for the three worst records in the league, while the fourth-worst record has a 48% chance of landing in the top four and a 12.5% chance of winning the lottery.

Dybantsa would certainly fit a few areas of need for the Kings, giving the franchise a player with superstar potential at a position that has been a glaring weakness for Sacramento over the past two decades.

Over 15 appearances for the Cougars this season, the 18-year-old holds averages of 23.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 58/35/75 shooting splits.

The 6’8, 195-pound forward has compared his playing style to a few stars you may have heard of.

“I play like a mix of Tracy McGrady and Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander],” AJ Dybantsa said on ESPN’s First Take back in December 2024.

Will AJ Dybantsa become the new face of the Sacramento Kings come June? Time will tell–but it’s clear the Beam Team’s front office and scouts will be watching plenty of BYU hoops in the coming months.

Subscribe to The Matt George Podcast on Sactown Sports

Subscribe to The Matt George Podcast on Apple & Spotify. You can also watch all episodes of The Matt George Podcast on the Sactown Sports YouTube page & SactownSports.com.

Matt George brings years of experience covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter, with deep roots in Sacramento’s basketball community.

His approach blends reporting, analysis, and a fan’s perspective—making The Matt George Podcast both informative and accessible for die-hard and casual Kings fans alike.

You can also hear Matt on Sactown Sports alongside Kayla Anderson on The Matt & Kayla Show, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT.