Ranking seven best options for Kings in first round of draft
James Ham prioritizes seven prospects that might be obtainable via trading up or could potentially fall to Sacramento at No. 12.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA Draft season has been extended out an extra four months. The extra time has allowed teams to do a more thorough job of vetting players, although without the advantage of actually meeting prospects in person.
The additional time has also allowed folks that study the draft more time to break down film, watch interviews and evaluate players in a more substantive way. This is one of the most wide open draft fields in recent memory. There is no guaranteed top overall selection and it’s extremely difficult to even make tiers out of the incoming draft class.
After months of creating mock drafts and analyzing prospects, it’s hard not to form an opinion on which players might work well with the Kings when they select at No. 12 overall.
New GM Monte McNair has plenty of decisions to make. He has assets that might allow him to move up in the draft, but there are very few players in this year’s crop that would warrant that type of move.
The Kings likely don’t have enough trade chips to move into the top three or four picks of the draft. But with players on the roster and future draft stock, they could potentially move into the top 10 if they want to mix things up.
Here is how we would prioritize seven prospects that might be obtainable via trading up or could potentially fall to Sacramento at No. 12. Just missing the list are trade up candidates Tyrese Haliburton and Onyeka Okongwu, as well as Patrick Williams and Saddiq Bey, who are slated to go around where the Kings select.
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 190 pounds Age: 19
Hampton is one of the most intriguing players in this year’s draft after spending last season playing professionally in Australia. He’s more of a combo guard than a true one or two, but he has the ability to change speed and direction at an elite level. He can really get out and run and there is potential for Hampton to develop into a long term solution alongside Fox in the backcourt. Hampton looked like a sure-fire lottery pick before his trip overseas. He could be one of the better sleepers in this year’s draft and will likely be available when the Kings select at No. 12.
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 215 pounds Age: 21
Perhaps the best shooter in this year’s draft, Nesmith would fit right in with the pace and speed the Kings hope to play with. Nesmith moves extremely well off the ball and has a knack for finding holes in the opposing defense. He doesn’t project as an elite wing defender like Okoro or Vassell, but he’s a solid team defender and high IQ player. If the Kings decide to shake up the roster in a big way, they could use a shooter like Nesmith to fill in at the two or three.
Measurables: 6-foot-9, 225 pounds Age: 21
Do the Kings need a long term solution at the center position? As of now, Sacramento only has Richaun Holmes and Marvin Bagley that can play the five and Holmes is only under contract for one more season. Achiuwa is a big time hustle player that sets mean screens and can finish in traffic. He blocks shots, rebounds and can be a defensive anchor. There is a good chance that Achiuwa makes it to the Kings at No. 12. He’ll take some to fully develop, but he doesn’t mind doing the dirty work and he brings a ton of energy to the court.
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 180 pounds Age: 19
It’s very likely that Okoro, Toppin and Vassell will all three be off the board before the Kings select at No. 12. If that is in fact the case, the Kings will need to think outside the box. Lewis is a riser in this year’s draft. He’s slight of frame, but he’s added plenty of muscle during the pandemic and he is an electric scorer in the mold of Lou Williams. The Kings have Fox and Cory Joseph at the point, but they need long term depth at the position. There was a time when Lewis seemed like a stretch at No. 12, but he’s done enough to be in the conversation. He has the speed and quickness that would help coach Luke Walton push the tempo with the second unit.
Measurables: 6-foot-7, 194 pounds Age: 20
Vassell is a perfect fit in the Kings’ up tempo offense. He isn’t as strong and physical as Okoro, but he’s more refined as a prospect. Vassell can hit the triple, moves extremely well without the ball and can defend three positions. He’s slated to go anywhere from 8-12 in this year’s draft and it’s unlikely the Kings would let him slide past them. Would it be worth it to throw a few assets to move into the top 10 and land Vassell? It’s a tough call, but this is a very nice young player at a major position of need.
Measurables: 6-foot-9, 220 pounds Age: 22
Like Okoro, the Kings would have to move up if they hope to get their hands on Toppin. The Dayton star is long, super athletic and he’s developing a perimeter game. Long term, Sacramento could pair Toppin with Marvin Bagley on the front line, giving the team two extremely talented bigs with switchability and the speed to get out and run with De’Aaron Fox. McNair would need to trade into the top eight and maybe higher to land Toppin, but this is a highlight reel player waiting to happen.
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 225 pounds Age: 19
Okoro looks like a difference maker at the NBA level. He can impact the game on both ends of the court and his motor never stops. He’ll need to work on his 3-point shot to reach the next level, but he should be able to earn minutes early in his career on the defensive end while he develops his overall game. It would cost the Kings plenty to move up in the draft and select Okoro, but he might be one of the few players in this year’s crop that are worth the gamble. It’s hard to see Okoro dropping below six or seven, so it would cost McNair plenty to land a prospect of this caliber.
