Welcome to the 2021 Sacramento Kings pre-draft interview and workout tracker!
The Kings will interview and workout dozens of players leading up to the 2021 NBA Draft on Thursday, July 29, and this post promises (hopes?) to record all the action in one pinned location for reference. In previous years on StR, this tracker was actually quite good at narrowing down who the Kings might select on draft night. Let’s all just agree to forget about the Georgios Papagiannis year.
As always, this is going to be a bit of a team effort, so if you happen to catch a tweet or podcast or anything where it is revealed that the Kings had an interview or workout with a prospect we haven’t recorded here yet, drop the link in the comments below and I can add it to the list and special thanks to @cashiggy11 on twitter for helping me source some of what we’ve already got listed below.
The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson reported on July 7th that the Kings have already begun conducting individual and group workouts in Sacramento, but these workouts have gone unreported because the media hasn’t been granted access due to new COVID-19 protocols. Anderson also reports that the Kings interviewed roughly 50 prospects at the Chicago combine in June.
[Note: Links below take you to the reports, not to a player profile]
Interviews:
- Scottie Barnes, SF/PF, Florida State, (ESPN Rank: 5th)
- Keon Johnson, SG/SF, Tennessee (ESPN Rank: 9th)
- James Bouknight, SG, UConn (ESPN Rank: 8th)
- Moses Moody, SG/SF, Arkansas (ESPN Rank: 17th)
- Trey Murphy III, SG, Virginia (ESPN Rank: 22nd)
- Josh Giddey, SF, Australia (ESPN Rank: 7th)
Workouts:
- Colbey Ross, PG, Pepperdine (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- Terry Taylor, SG, APSU (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- Jordan Goodwin, PG, Saint Louis (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- Cameron Krutwig, C, Loyola (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- Jericho Sims, PF, Texas (ESPN Rank: 62nd)
- Matt Coleman, PG, Texas (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- Ruot Monyyong, PF, Little Rock (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- Vrenz Bleijenbergh, PF, Belgium (ESPN Rank: 79th)
- Fardaws Aimaq, C, Utah Valley (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- Hunter Dickinson, C, Michigan (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- DeVante’ Jones, PG, Coastal Carolina (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- Josh Primo, SG, Alabama (ESPN Rank: 25th)
- Yves Pons, SF, Tennessee (ESPN Rank: 90th)
- McKinley Wright, PF, Colorado (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- Trey Murphy III, SG, Virginia (ESPN Rank: 22nd)
- Obadiah Noel, SG, UMASS (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- D.J. Steward, PG, Duke (ESPN Rank: 71st)
- Manny Camper, SG, Siena (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga (ESPN Rank: 13th)
- Aaron Wiggins, SG, Maryland (ESPN Rank: 49th)
- Ziaire Williams, SF, Stanford (ESPN Rank: 24th)
- Moses Moody, SF, Arkansas (ESPN Rank: 16th)
- Kai Jones, PF, Texas (ESPN Rank: 20th)
- Jalen Johnson, SF, Duke (ESPN Rank: 12th)
- Alparen Sengun, C, Turkey (ESPN Rank: 14th)
- Keon Johnson, SG/SF, Tennessee (ESPN Rank: 9th)
- Jaden Springer, PG, Tennessee (ESPN Rank: 27th)
- Isaiah Todd, PF, USA (ESPN Rank: 47th)
- Jared Butler, PG, Baylor (ESPN Rank: 21st)
- Jose Alvarado, PG, Georgia Tech (ESPN Rank: 79th)
- Scottie Lewis, SG, Florida (ESPN Rank: 80th)
- Neemias Queta, C, Utah State (ESPN Rank: 61st)
- DeJon Jarreau, PG, Houston (ESPN Rank: 89th)
- Marcus Burk, PG, IUPUI (ESPN Rank: Unranked)
- Isaiah Jackson, PF, Kentucky (ESPN Rank: 19th)
- Tre Mann, PG, Florida (ESPN Rank: 22nd)
- JaQuori McLaughlin, PG, UC Santa Barbara (ESPN Rank: 82nd)
The Kings have had Matt Barnes and Harrison Barnes. It’s only fair that we get Scottie Barnes as well.
From the stuff I’ve been reading about Barnes, I don’t think there is a chance he falls to us. I can’t imagine he slips by the Warriors, if they keep their pick.
Yeah, I’d pretty much given up hope when we fell out of 7th in the tankathon standings. 🙁
And if he did fall to us, maybe it’d turn out like T-Rob or Ben.
And if he did fall to us, maybe it’d turn out like T-Rob or Ben.
Stated like a true Kangz fan.
Speaking of Ben…..I just posted some info
A lot of smoke screens being doled out by every team. Just look at all the surprise picks in the top ten in last year’s draft. So you never know, Barnes may be there, just like we didn’t think Hali would be there last year.
I thought the Bagley chatter was a smoke screen¦
Maybe it is. Maybe. It. Is……
The Kangz were tricking everybody that year. Nobody realized that the euro guy had a daddy that was going to be an issue. The Kangz saw right through that smoke screen. Jumped in with Team Bagley one hundred percent while watching the rest of the NBA cluelessly draft that euro guy with a daddy that was going to be a problem.
I doubt that narrative was actually true but hilarious the idea we picked Bagley because of his less problematic father lol
Philly turned down a trade from Indy, Simmons for Brogdon and a 1st.
For those really thinking Buddy, Bagley and a first is enough, it isn’t.
The good news is, Indy must be looking to shake things up, trading for Sabonis or Turner using the 9th pick and I guess Buddy would be awesome.
After hearing Rick Carlisle’s press conference with the Pacers, I’m convinced they won’t be trading either Sabonis or Turner, unless if it’s for an all-star.
What about Buddy, Barnes, and a first? I honestly don’t think they’re going to get much more value than what the Pacers already offered. The Sixers shat away lot’s of trade value, and leverage throwing Simmons under the bus. Other league GM’s need to be patient, they have the leverage here.
I would trade Buddy, Bagley, 2 firsts and a swap for Simmons and not even blink about it.
Who thinks that enough?
Thats actually neutral value
Buddy is considered negative and Marvin neutral, you’d need a first possibly to move Buddy t this point
LOL, why do people think Indy would deal Sabonis? I mean, would you?
I’ve seen some reports in the past that they felt that they needed to trade Sabonis or Turner. Sabonis is better than Turner on offense, but it seems like Turner would be a better fit with other players than Sabonis.
As in keeping Turner and moving Sabonis?
That sounds like madness to me. I wouldn’t hesitate to move Turner and build around Sabonis, if I felt one of them had to be moved.
Since I think defense is more important than offense for a big, I’d rather have Turner’s great defense than Sabonis’ great offense.
Two restricted FA bigs to look at would be Marrkanen and John Collins. We’d have to work a S&T.
Lauri would come much cheaper. I wasn’t much of a fannof Collins until these playoffs where he’s shown a lot. I know BabyG was pushing for us to trade for him at the deadline. I think either fit really well with Fox and Hali.
I’d personally rather throw money at a player that has some untapped potential than throwing that money at Holmes. This franchise needs to take some chances to take the next step, status quo won’t cut it any longer.
I used to think the Hawks may let Collins go in restricted free agency or maybe even do a S&T, but after what they have done this postseason, I think they keep him. They can afford him and extend Young after next season while keeping a pretty clean cap sheet. The only thing stopping them from paying him is a possible unwillingness to spend by ownership.
They have a lot of talented bigs, vets and young guys. I would assume they retain him, but you never know, depends on how high they are on Okongwu, Reddish and Hunter. You throw in Galo and Capella. That’s a talented front court.
Hawks spent large last summer_ Bogi, Gallo and Rondo ( later traded for Lou ) . Achieved hopes of competing. Doubt they let Collins go. They are loaded- Okongwu + Reddish + Hunter + all the playoff guys.
At same time, they think they will go further next year but still have Philly , Bucks and others to compete with.
Lauri is a better target but not sure how consistent he is.
In 2-3 years Hawks will have trouble with contracts.
I’d def take a shot at Lauri. I loved him coming out of college. Maybe he needs a change of scenery.
While I like Collins more, I am not opposed to this. Are Bulls a bad spot for him? How often is he hurt?
They don’t really care about two to three years out. For the next two to three years they will likely be deep in the playoffs.
true that. But in 2-3 years Kings might be in market for a move on an expiring contract.
I mean we are already in trouble with contracts and have 1/5 the talent sooo.
Hunter could be better than Collins very quickly and why a sign and trade is likely !
Can’t remember which mock draft it was….but it had us taking Ziaire Williams. Also mentioned that he’s working out with the same trainer as Halliburton….and that trainer who was high on Halli, said that Ziaire will be a star. That tidbit, made me intrigued by this pick.
Williams had a terrible year last year. May be the next Hali but not worth the risk.
I agree, its a bit of a shot in the dark. Still, he’d be my target if the Kings traded back a few spots.
The big thing is that a lot of Ziaire’s season could/should be written off. Everything that he and the Stanford program went through is pretty insane. He had deaths in his family and the program was living out of hotels to be able to play their games outside of Santa Clara county.
I think he has HUGE upside. I’d agree that I’d feel more comfortable taking him with a later pick but despite a pretty questionable floor, he has the upside to be like Brandon Ingram imo.
I’m all on board with that. He was a top5 recruit that ended up at a dumpster fire stanford program.
Deuce Mason said he heard Kings high on Kispert. I may be wrong but I think Kispert is the next Nik, or Jimmer. Of the top 15 rated, he is the one I get nauseous and skip the reviews. Limited- low ceiling, known floor. better athletically than thought but hard no.
I like Sengun even if Holmes resigns- and Moody and getting interested on J. Johnson.
I would rather watch K. Johnson dunk in layup line than draft Kispert.
I’m with you. Although I confess, I have not watched much of Kispert. I would also through in Wagner, and possibly even Davion Mitchell, although he has high bust potential and we are already set at point.
I imagine Kings twitter would explode if the Kings selected Kispert at #9.
First its Wagner and now Kispert! Seems a wasted top 10 pick to me if they spend it on Kispert IMO. Hopefully its all smoke and just agents talking to boost their clients draft stock.
The Kings are devoid of stars and top notch talent so I have to ask, when was the last time a Senior prospect was taken in the lottery and became a “star” or even an impactful player?
I honestly can’t recall the last time a four year college player became an All-Star in the NBA.
Dame and Draymond are the first 2 to come to mind.
Dame skipped his senior year and Draymond wasn’t a lottery pick, but did become an All-Star.
EDIT, Dame did play four(ish) years, but redshirted his junior year due to injury. I totally forgot about that.
Patrick Ewing
Time Duncan
Steve Nash
…I know what you mean, though–seniors picked in the era of One-And-Done’s, in which case I agree with your point.
Yeah, it seems like th seniors who became stars have been lost to history. Those dudes were all last century.
I don’t think Kispert will wash out like those guys. I think he’s a good bet to shoot well and be a useful player in the right role. I expect something like Doug McDermott. Maybe with a Duncan Robinson/Joe Harris ceiling.
Now, that doesn’t mean I want him at #9. In general, I’m not into paying a lot (in assets) for a specialist. Unless perhaps if the rest of your team is set and that specialist is EXACTLY what you need.
Seems like many of us on same page. Kispert is a specialist and a 4 year guy- red flags for a team that needs talent that gets better. Four year guys used to do well back a hundred years ago when you had to be 4 years. Not lately.The exceptions are second round guys- Brogden maybe?
I see Wally Szerbiak, McDermott, Dorell Wright. Serviceable but not a star.
Wagner is limited as well. I like D, Mitchell but Kings have PG. I would love to trade MB3 and a bag of chips for 16 + 18. That’s a lot of capitol in 2021 draft. OKC has 6 ! yes 6 picks in this draft and 5 next year. No room on roster for them.
If Kispert is there at 16, ok ( doubt that though).
Z. Williams drops that far? JT Thor?
Well, I’m in what feels to be a relatively lonely group that would be fine with a trade down. I’m not especially enamored of the Bouknight, Moody, Mitchell, Kispert, Keon, Kai, Wagner tier. Though I could talk myself into Sengun.
Kings traded down twice and neither time did it work out. Once traded down past Bam and D. Mitchell. Good move, that one.
oh, and Chad Ford has Kings a lock on Wagner
Well, sure. No matter where you pick success is dependent on making the right picks. In 2016, they could have taken, Siakam and Brogdon. All other indications were that Chriss was the BPA at 8. Plus, the fact that they got Bogdan in that deal means it was probably a win since there were only a handful of players taken 8 or later that have been better than him. In 2018, (when I was vocally against trading down) there was no indication that the Kings would have taken Mitchell or Bam. Heck, most indications suggest they would have taken Jackson at 10. Meanwhile, guys that have been top 10ish performers from that class like Collins, Anunoby, White, Allen, etc. were still on the board for the Kings after the trade down.
The short story is that in both cases the problem wasn’t the trade down, it was the selections. I mean, we’re talking about the Kings, it isn’t like they’ve had great success staying in their draft slot either. And, of course, statistically, the success of their next trade down isn’t dependent in any way on the success or failure of past trade downs.
yes, the problem is not the trade down but the selections. With this group of goofs, I think they make less mistakes when they have more players to select from. .On second thought……………..
I’ve always advocated for trading down unless there’s a can’t miss guy. Unless the kings can move up to 2 or 3 or kuminga or Barnes drops, I’d want us to move down for two or three picks.
Smokescreen
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/6/24/22549375/report-the-spurs-have-conducted-a-pre-draft-workout-with-trey-murphy-iii
It says the Kings were one of the teams to interview Murphy here
What are the odds of Keon being on the board after putting up that Combine vert?
I’ve seen a few mock drafts project him to the Kings. I like his defense, but I wonder if he can defend bigger players. If he can’t do that, he just makes the Kings backcourt more crowded & I wouldn’t want the Kings to pick him.
I can’t claim to know where he’s going to go, but I don’t think his vert measurement at the combine will have moved the needle one way or the other. Everybody already new he was an elite vertical athlete. Combine measurements that change draft boards are the surprises. Kispert putting up a good shuttle time, Barnes performing towards the top of most measures, Weiskamp showing off good athleticism in multiple measurements, etc.
agree that vert did not move needle amongst scouts. Casual fans, yes. K. Johnson hustles, plays hard but needs work on offense. Looking at all factors- including athleticism and potential, he is 7-8th best choice.
duds at 7 probably want immediate help- mature draft guy or veteran. So they may pas on KJ. Orland- depends on what they get at earlier pick. I see K. Johnson as an unfinished early Zach LaVine. An acceptable pick. The guys from 7-12 are different players but similar in risk and value.
His vert wasn’t much of a surprise. He was supposed to test well and be hyper athletic. What was a surprise was he measured small in terms of height. He is 6’3 so he’s only a guard not a wing as he was being advertised by some. As soon as he measured small, he started sliding down draft boards.
If the McNair drafts a 6’3″ shooting guard who can’t shoot, I’m done with him.
or a 6-7 “3 and D” guy who can’t play D.
For what’s it worth, I think Keon will eventually shoot. His mid-range is smooth and he mechanics are good. Overall, I think he primarily needs help with his footwork to unlock both his deep shot and space-creation.
Jimmer and Stauskas: “Hold our beers”
Vladek drafted Bagley over Doncic solely because of his “great second jump” … don’t ever, ever, ever put it past the Kings to take literally the worst possible player they could at any given point in time.
In fact, ever since the Great Bagley Cluster Fuck of 2018, I basically despise the draft … I was happy with Haliburton last year but let’s be honest, it’s not like Vlonte McDivac pulled some deft maneuver to swindle him from the other lottery teams … he fell in our laps.
And I’m sure he will be traded for Steven adams. Just because Kangz.
The draft isn’t even appealing as much as what the overreach with getting the win now piece is gonna be.
Assuming no one falls unexpectedly, the three guys I’m looking at now (in no particular order) are Moody, Mitchell and Sengun.
yes. Moody is safer, longer and better right now on offense. Mitchell is very talented but is a one or maybe 2 position guy and Kings have Fox. Hell of a defender though. And I like Sengun- high risk. I think he can develop outside game. Impoverished person’s Jocik.
I like the list so far, mostly just because these are the guys they should be talking to.
there is always a lot of b.s. talking- some smokescreen, some for future reference, some to kill time I suspect.
I like Weiskamp in second round. As good as Kispert.
Not a good pattern developing here. The ranked players interviewed but are not listed as players that worked out. The players that worked out are not ranked at all.
The players are also interviewing the Kangz. At some point they decided they were not going to work out for the Kangz hoping to avoid basketball hell.
The unranked players will work out for anyone affiliated with the NBA. The Kangz reputation as a wasteland for talent is going to take a toll again.
Fool them and tell them the workout is for Stockton, a new NBA team.
Vrenz Bleijenbergh is scheduled for a workout. Very intriguing player worth a shot
Agreed. I think he’s really interesting. The kind of guy I would love as a second round lottery ticket.
2nd round picks don’t seem all that reliable when it comes to contributing minutes, so might as well take a swing on a guy with upside and promise and see if he becomes anything.
he has workout with OKC who want to take wild swings- look at Poku last year. They have picks 16,18, 34 and 36- Kings at 39. I am afraid that Vrenz be gone.
Agree. Markenon type but better passer. A Josh Giddey who can shoot?
If JT Thor drops- another option and an intriquing big guy–Badgi.
Per Jason Anderson in the Sacramento Bee:
some interesting guys there. Are any worth the 39 pick? ( Primo, Bleijenbergh and Murphy and maybe Sims) Rest are auditions for summer league and for Stockton.
Be cool with picking Vrenz and Jericho Sims
Pick 39 is 9 picks into second. I am assuming that Primo, Hyland, Sharpe and Thor are gone in first. Early Second: 2 PG’s- McBride and Duyosono, 5 wings- Weiskamp, Prakcin, Vrenz, Christopher and Grimes and 2 bigs- Sims and Bagdi. Kings get one of these 9.
Some better than others Some more of a reach. Bagdi, for example, can reach the rim from his tip toes. Capela? I like Vrenz. But OKC has picks 6, 16,18, 34 and 36. They can’t won’t keep all of them. Euro stash or trade? How about MB3 for a couple of them? Have to be cautious about OKC players though. Possible empty calories in points. ( lots of points on a bad team, like E. Paschall last year)
I like Sims because he already has the weight on his frame. I get tired of hearing the same thing every year with these prospects. “he needs to add weight, he is too thin. Adding weight will help him develop all of his tools.” How many of those dudes actually add the weight to be an effective NBA player? Get the dude that is already 6’10 240 and has some usage in the PnR and finishing with strength at the rim.
Watching the NCAA championship game, I was more impressed with Butler than Mitchell. Glad to see the Kings are targeting guys projected to go later in the 1st round. Hopefully they can consolidate some assets and get into the 20s
I feel the same as you and I am a fan of Butler’s game. He also seems to have a good head on his shoulder. I cant remember if he is a priest or a teacher but it was one of those.
He reminds me of Cj McCollum with how he dribbles and has a smooth crossover. Or a Troy Daniels
Butler, until this year, was considered a better prospect than Mitchell. A lot more versatile on offense. Not bad pick late first but Kings have to have a way to get there. Knicks have 2 picks but want Sexton and one or both goes to Cavs. OKC has 6 picks including 6, 16, 18, 34 and 37.
Butler has implanted pacemaker or defibrillator due to heart arrhythmia. Needs NBA clearance.
Consolidation may involve MB3 or separately Barnes to Pacers for #13 and then convert 13 to 2 lower picks. Would Knicks give up a late first for MB3?
Keon Johnson has worked out for Kings – before Warriors.
https://youtu.be/lH4woVcGEsk.
Start at 4:30
Starting to get some players in for workouts that are in the range of the 9th pick. Feeling a bit more confident now. Previous years the Kings rarely seemed to have good prospects come in to workout.
UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE
Just in case you missed it. On Thursday of last week, Ben Mclemore was at Vacaville Hyundia dealership. He purchased a $90,000 truck.
I find it interesting he was at Vacaville dealership. If he still has a place in Sac why come to vacaville?
Was truck delivered there? If so, why not have it delivered to any other location?
He finished the year with the Fakers. Is he looking for a new place to play….a 3rd go round with the Kings? God I hope not!
Hyundai makes a $90,000 truck? Do they make pickups at all?
Yves “Ponds” (the “d” was added for defense)!!!
How about an invite for Herbert Jones? SF, and like Yves Pons, SEC All-Defense and Defensive Player of the Year.
Looks like Alperen Sengun also worked out for the Kings! It’s been a while since the Kings are able to interview or workout a handful of prospects who are projected to be in the lottery. Barnes, Moody, Kispert, Bouknight, Jalen and Keon Johnson, Sengun, Kai Jones, Ziaire Williams. And some guys projected in the 20’s like Jared Butler, Bleijenbergh
It crazy the difference a competent Front Office can do to instill confidence in draft prospects
The Greek was under-valued in draft- went 15th. Now MVP.
At this point, IMO- take a shot with Sengun. Different player but similar risk profile.
The Highest ranked person on the list for a work out is 12th or 13th? I’m guessing that my pig Franz Wagner isn’t even in consideration since they haven’t interviewed him or had them in for a work out. It boggles my mind that we have not had more top 15 players interviewed and in for workouts, especially anybody rated six through 15
2promoter
do my coursework online https://brainycoursework.com/
differential equations coursework https://courseworkninja.com/
coursework website https://writingacoursework.com/
coursework planner https://courseworkdownloads.com/
coursework paper https://courseworkinfotest.com/
creative writing coursework ideas https://teachingcoursework.com/
coursework writing service https://buycoursework.org/
free dating sites for single men and women https://freewebdating.net/
free date web sites https://jewish-dating-online.net/
best internet dating service https://jewish-dating-online.net/
local single https://free-dating-sites-free-personals.com/
online dating single https://sexanddatingonline.com/
best dating websites free https://onlinedatingsurvey.com/
online dating meet https://onlinedatingsuccessguide.com/
free dating date https://onlinedatinghunks.com/
faroedating chat https://datingwebsiteshopper.com/
online meeting sites https://allaboutdatingsites.com/
adlt dating https://freedatinglive.com/
online dating 50 https://freewebdating.net/
Badge Legend