The bad news for the Kings is that their season is over. The good news for them is that they will retain their first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Following the Kings' 105-98 NBA Play-In Tournament loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday at Smoothie King Center, Sacramento retains the lottery-protected 2024 first-round pick sent to the Atlanta Hawks in the July 2022 trade for Kevin Huerter.
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The pick -- which is lottery protected only in 2024 -- now becomes a top-12 protected pick in 2025. Should the selection not convey next season due to Sacramento's pick falling within the first 12 of the 2025 NBA draft, it becomes a top-10 protected pick in 2026.
Due to the Kings finishing with the same record (46-36) as the Warriors, Sacramento must await a tiebreaker to sort out the No. 13 and No. 14 spots in the lottery.
Huerter -- who has been sidelined since March 18 with a shoulder injury -- has become a key figure during his two seasons with the Kings. The 25-year-old has recorded 134 starts for Sacramento, averaging 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 139 appearances since arriving in California's capital.
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With the Kings desperately needing to keep pace with a loaded Western Conference, Sacramento's lottery draft pick provides additional ammunition to restock a roster that might face some key departures over the summer.