Imagine being able to select any NBA player you like for your club. Whom would you pick? James Lebron? Stephen Curry? Curry, Steph? Though you could have a different list in mind if you're a fan of the Sacramento Kings. The Kings, one of the league's oldest and most illustrious organizations, have made their fair share of mistakes and regrets in the draft. But they have also acquired some of the greatest NBA players ever, some of whom are still active today. Based on their performance, contribution, and effect on the Sacramento Kings, we will rate the top five players selected by the franchise in this article.
Tyrese Haliburton
The Sacramento Kings selected Tyrese Haliburton with the 12th overall choice in the 2020 NBA Draft. As of February 2022, he was one of the top rookies in his class, averaging 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He has contributed to the Kings as a dynamic playmaker and defender, shooting.478 from the field,.409 from beyond the arc, and.856 from the line. He was a contender for Rookie of the Year and was chosen for the All-Rookie team.
DeMarcus Cousins
The Sacramento Kings selected DeMarcus Cousins with the fifth overall choice in the 2010 NBA Draft. In seven seasons with the Kings, he averaged 21.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks a game, making him one of the league's most powerful big men. He won an Olympic gold medal in 2016 and was a four-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA pick, and four-time All-Star. Additionally, he had several disagreements with coaches and teammates and four times led the league in technical fouls.
Peja Stojakovic
The Sacramento Kings selected Peja Stojakovic with the 14th overall choice in the 1996 NBA Draft, but he spent two more seasons in Europe before joining the team in 1998. In eight seasons with the Kings, he averaged 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, making him one of the top shooters and scorers in the league. He was a two-time NBA three-point champion, a three-time All-Star, and an All-All-NBA pick. In 2002, the Kings made it to the Western Conference Finals and six straight playoff appearances with his assistance.
Oscar Robertson
The Cincinnati Royals, who would eventually become the Sacramento Kings, selected Oscar Robertson as the first overall choice in the 1960 NBA Draft. In his ten seasons with the Royals, he averaged a triple-double of 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game, making him one of the best players of all time. He was the MVP of the 1963–1964 season in addition to being an All-Star ten times and nine times in the NBA. In addition, he twice had the league's best free throw %, six assists, and one point scored each game. His only title was won by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971 after he was transferred to them in 1970.
Kevin Martin
The Sacramento Kings selected Kevin Martin with the 26th overall choice in the 2004 NBA Draft. In his six seasons with the Kings, he was one of the league's most effective scorers, averaging 20.2 points per game on .460 field goals,.381 three-point, and.870 free throw shooting. With an average of 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, he was also a strong rebounder and defender. He played for three seasons with the Houston Rockets after being traded to them in 2010, and then he joined the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2013. With career averages of 17.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, he retired in 2016.
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