The NBA Draft is just about two weeks away but we’ve heard precious little from the Kings side of things in terms of bringing in any big names for workouts. The biggest names to publicly come through Sacramento so far have been Zuby Ejiofor and Alex Karaban, both players projected as either late first-rounders or early second-rounders. Now, according to Kevin O’Connor in his latest mock draft, the Kings are reportedly bringing in Illinois’ Keaton Wagler in for a workout. Wagler is projected to be taken somewhere in the 5-10 range, and was the best player as a freshman on an Illinois team that went to the Final Four. He’s the 7th favored prospect among the Kings Herald Community according to our recent draft board polls.
Wagler isn’t as much of a traditional Point Guard as other prospects in the same range like Darius Acuff Jr. or Kingston Flemings, but he possesses good size, solid playmaking instincts and is a knockdown shooter, all things the Kings need. The hope with Wagler is that he could develop into even more of a lead guard in the pros. He led the Illini in Points, Three Pointers Made, Assists and Steals as a Freshman while starting all 37 games. One of the biggest knocks for Wagler is his athleticism, or lack thereof, as he famously had zero dunks all of his freshman season, but there’s no doubt that Wagler has made the most of his abilities. Wagler joined Illinois as four-star recruit ranked 143rd in the nation, and his performance elevated his team to national title contention and got himself into the NBA lottery.
While Wagler is the first big name heading to Sacramento for a workout, it doesn’t mean he’s the last or that the Kings haven’t held other workouts that haven’t been publicized. Per Matt George, Kings GM Scott Perry previously had flown to San Antonio to meet with Kingston Flemings family, so that’s another top prospect in the Kings range that we know Sacramento has been in contact with. Scott Perry also famously has a connection with Darius Acuff Jr.’s family since he coached his father back at Eastern Kentucky in 1999. We also got confirmation from interviews at the NBA Draft combine that the Kings met with Brayden Burries and Nate Ament, two other lottery prospects.
The NBA Draft is on June 23rd and 24th. The Kings currently have the 7th, 34th and 45th picks. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on any other news or notes that come out as we get closer to the draft.
Glad they have someome coming in for a workout that should be a top 10 pick.
His agility in the lane drills, short shuttle, and sprint are the major concerns for him. I think its more of an issue on the defensive end than the offensive end.
See how he does in the NBA against better athletes. Will he be able to stay in front of his man, and recover to the 3pt shooter?
Can he play SF?
Just pick the best player available at 7 and gets something under the radar I. The second round. Wait until the midseason trade deadline and move LaVine at that time hopefully for some draft capital or a young player. Play out the season and draft well next year and away we go. Don’t move Sabonis unless we get a great deal, I’ll take Dort and one of their first round picks for Sabonis. Also throw in a second.
Play Raynaud, Clifford, the draft picks and Murray a lot . Play LaVine enough to showcase him for the trade deadline.
Dort, the 12th pick, and a second round player may not be enough for Sabonis. If we get two first rounders this year and financial filler, then that should be fine.
OKC would have to add much more salary to match. They have some financial issues with the aprons and extensions kicking in next season.
He’s a Buster! Here is rare video footage of him arriving in Basketball Hell
I actually like Wagler more than any of the other point guards at 7 so I would be pretty fired up to get him at 7. His game feels a little bit like Hali and a little bit like SGA which I know is high praise but the intelligence and footwork without the overwhelming athleticism is something I’m a sucker for.
Same. He’s at #5 on my board.
There has been some buzz that Brown Jr may crack the top 5 and if so, Wagler may be there for the Kings at #7. I’d take him without hesitation.
Yeah the Brown at 5 or 6 buzz has been interesting and if that leads to Wagler dropping to 7 I’d snag him in a heartbeat.
Wasn’t Perry this connected guy who is friendly with many agents? And this is the only high profile workout he has secured so far?
Must have been too busy reading inspirational quotes and polishing up his pillars, I guess?
Perry is a charlatan. Talks big but produces nothing, just like his buddy vivek.
Perry’s a deep thinker.
I’ll take this as good news as I was beginning to think the Kings were not looking at top prospects because we were trading our first to get rid of LaVine.
Just sit at 7 and BPA.
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