A retrospective redraft of the 2017 NBA Draft reveals the Sacramento Kings missed a chance to select two future NBA champions. The analysis, which reimagines the draft with perfect hindsight, slots OG Anunoby and Josh Hart to Sacramento with the fifth and tenth overall picks. This alternative path would have drastically changed the team's roster construction and potentially its future.
The redraft places Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby with the fifth overall pick, originally used on De'Aaron Fox. At number ten, it selects Josh Hart over the actual choice, Gonzaga center Zach Collins. Both Anunoby and Hart later became starters for the New York Knicks' 2026 NBA championship team. Their proven two-way abilities represent a significant 'what if' for Sacramento's front office.
Former Kings executive Vlade Divac recently discussed the 2018 draft process. He confirmed Luka Dončić was at the top of their board a year before he was eligible. "All of my assistants told me that he can play small forward, and I said no, no, Luka is a point guard," Divac said. He felt selecting Dončić would have forced a trade of Fox, a player he saw as a perfect fit for a smaller market.
Anunoby's elite perimeter defense and three-point shooting would have provided immediate floor spacing. His ability to guard multiple positions addresses a long-term need for Sacramento. Hart's transformation into a unique role player brings elite rebounding for his position and versatile offensive skills. Together, they form a complementary duo built for modern playoff basketball.
Fox, the actual fifth pick, did transform the Kings and led them to the playoffs. He was later traded to the San Antonio Spurs in the deal for Zach LaVine. The redraft suggests keeping the tenth pick for Hart instead of trading it for Harry Giles would have been a better outcome. Hart's proven championship pedigree offers more value than Collins, who was dealt away early in his career.
Sacramento's draft history includes several debated decisions over the last decade. Picking Marvin Bagley III over Luka Dončić in 2018 is one prominent example. Selecting Marquese Chriss over Domantas Sabonis in 2016 is another. The franchise has found success drafting point guards, from Tyrese Haliburton to De'Aaron Fox, but frontcourt choices have been less consistent.
The team's current performance is mixed. Fans can track the team's progress on our standings page.
Examining past drafts helps inform future strategy as the team builds its core. The hypothetical pairing of Anunoby and Dončić, had the Kings drafted differently in consecutive years, presents an intriguing alternate timeline. Dončić's playmaking combined with Anunoby's 3-and-D skills could have created a potent offensive system.
While trading Fox for Anunoby is a speculative stretch, the Hart-for-Collins swap seems a clear upgrade in retrospect. Hindsight is always perfect, but this exercise highlights the impact of draft selections on long-term team building. The Kings continue to seek the right combination of talent to compete in the Western Conference.
