Two Free Agents the Kings Must Sign Immediately After NBA Draft
Two Free Agents the Kings Must Sign Immediately After NBA Draft
The Sacramento Kings should be prioritizing these two free agents after the draft.Logan Struck|
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Sacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings walked out of the 2026 NBA Draft with a three-headed rookie class of Darius Acuff Jr., Alex Karaban, and Emanuel Sharp. While some fans wanted the team to add more length, this was a great draft outcome for the Kings.
However, they now need to address some of their other roster needs in free agency. Specifically, they can go ahead and lock up two of their own free agents.
Here is a look at two free agents the Kings can sign immediately after the 2026 NBA Draft, and why they should be a priority for Sacramento.
Russell Westbrook
After drafting Acuff Jr. seventh overall, the Kings should be looking for a veteran point guard to help him grow throughout his rookie season. Who better than Russell Westbrook? The 37-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Kings last season, and immediately became the veteran leader the team needed.
Throughout the season, Sacramento's rookies—Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell—had constant praise for the 2016-17 NBA MVP guard and how much he was helping them find their roles and develop. Now, they can bring him back on another veteran minimum deal to help be a leader for their new rookie point guard with star potential.
Kings rookies Max Raynaud and Nique Clifford discuss what they've learned from veterans Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan
— TheOldManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) April 24, 2026
🚨 NEW KINGS YM3 EP LIVE EVERYWHERE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ADO1N7CGHk
Acuff Jr.'s potential is through the roof. If he can learn from Westbrook during his rookie year, it would be a huge help in helping him reach that potential. Westbrook's work ethic, leadership, and hustle are all things Acuff Jr. could pick up from the veteran guard.
Not to mention, Westbrook proved that he can still make an on-court impact. Of course, with young guys like Acuff Jr., Sharp, and Nique Clifford, the Kings would not necessarily want to rely on Westbrook to play meaningful minutes, but they know he can come in and contribute when needed.
Last season, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game as an 18-year veteran. He undoubtedly still has some gas left in the tank, and we could see him return to Sacramento for another season.
Precious Achiuwa
While the Kings should undoubtedly try to re-sign Westbrook, Precious Achiuwa should be their priority as a potential long-term difference-maker. The 26-year-old forward is exactly what the Kings need in their bench unit next season as a plus-defender, rebounder, and physical presence.
The Kings took a chance on Achiuwa last season with a veteran minimum contract, and while he likely played his way to a larger deal this offseason, Sacramento should still be able to retain him at a fair price. Fortunately, Kings insider James Ham reported that Sacramento is expected to re-sign Achiuwa.
Last season, Achiuwa averaged 10.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.6 stocks per game, while shooting 52.8% from the field. Achiuwa even started 57 games for Sacramento due to various injuries, and he stepped up big time in their rotation when needed most.
Precious Achiuwa had himself a half!
— NBA (@NBA) April 2, 2026
18 PTS (8-13 FGM)
15 REB
He's the only player this season to total 15+ PTS and 15+ REB in any half 😲 pic.twitter.com/7yYJ2mrlZp
Achiuwa has found a great home as part of Sacramento's young core, and as the Kings enter a new rebuild era, he should undoubtedly play a role. If they are able to re-sign Achiuwa, they will have a revamped core of Acuff Jr., Karaban, Sharp, Achiuwa, Clifford, Raynaud, and Cardwell, which should undoubtedly excite fans.
After going a bit smaller in the draft, the Kings need more size and physicality in their frontcourt, making Achiuwa an obvious priority.
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Published 16 hours ago
LOGAN STRUCKLogan Struck is the Deputy Editor for Inside the Kings - SI.com's team website following the Sacramento Kings.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
