Kings trade picks with Cavaliers to land Alex Karaban at No. 29

Sacramento completed a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers to acquire the No. 29 pick in the NBA draft in exchange for the No. 34 pick and a future second rounder, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Cavaliers selected Connecticut forward Alex Karaban to send to the Kings. Karaban stands at 6-foot-7, 225-pounds as Sacramento adds another swingman to their roster.

Karaban played four seasons at UConn where he became a two-time NCAA national champion (2023, 2024) and a runner-up in 2026. He averaged 13.2 points per game on 46% shooting.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center.

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center.

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• The grade: B

• Why?: The Kings making the move for Karaban was a solid play to stay aggressive in the first round. Acuff was a good get. Not a fan of trading the early second pick and a future second, but it’s rare second rounders have immediate impacts. Last year, they were fortunate to land Maxime Raynaud. However, they got back into the first round and got a guy that’s known to win. He is UConn’s all-time leader in career wins with 126. He also can space the floor offensively, cashing in on 292 career 3-point field goals at UConn, a school record. The Kings are young and in the midst of a rebuild. Bringing in young players to create a new identity and culture is the best move.

Why?: The Kings making the move for Karaban was a solid play to stay aggressive in the first round. Acuff was a good get. Not a fan of trading the early second pick and a future second, but it’s rare second rounders have immediate impacts. Last year, they were fortunate to land Maxime Raynaud. However, they got back into the first round and got a guy that’s known to win. He is UConn’s all-time leader in career wins with 126. He also can space the floor offensively, cashing in on 292 career 3-point field goals at UConn, a school record. The Kings are young and in the midst of a rebuild. Bringing in young players to create a new identity and culture is the best move.

Alex Karaban is a former New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 25.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game as a junior.

He contributed to a couple of NCAA national championship titles in 2023 and 2024. He tallied five points, five rebounds and three blocks in a 76-59 win against San Diego State. Not big numbers, but it’s a point to make that Karaban is someone who does the little things that have a big impact on winning basketball. Coming from UConn, Karaban is a winner. That’s the mindset and culture that the Kings are looking to establish and develop.

Check out these highlights from Alex Karaban during his collegiate tenure at University of Connecticut.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Sacramento Kings draft day trade: Who is Alex Karaban?