Cleveland, OH, June — The Cleveland Cavaliers have reached an agreement to send the No. 29 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Sacramento Kings, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.
In return, Cleveland will acquire this year’s No. 34 selection along with Sacramento’s 2032 second-round pick. The Kings plan to use the newly obtained first-round slot to draft UConn forward Alex Karaban.
Why the Cavaliers moved down
Sliding out of the first round allows the salary-tight Cavaliers to sign the No. 34 pick to a rookie-minimum contract instead of the more expensive rookie scale deal tied to pick No. 29.
Who is Alex Karaban?
Karaban, 6-8, redshirted in 2021-22 before helping UConn capture consecutive national championships in 2023 and 2024. The forward started 150 games across four collegiate seasons and came close to a third title in April, when the Huskies fell to Michigan in the 2026 championship game.
As a senior in 2025-26, Karaban averaged 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists over 34.3 minutes, shooting 46.4% from the field, 37.4% from three-point range and 85.1% at the free-throw line. His performance earned first-team All-Big East honors.
Sacramento’s draft strategy
Karaban becomes the second addition to Sacramento’s draft class, joining No. 7 overall pick Darius Acuff. League observers expect general manager Scott Perry to emphasize youth as he retools the roster this offseason.
Source: Hoops Rumors
