The 2024 NBA Draft will be held on Wednesday, June 26th and Thursday, June 27th. With just three weeks to go, it seems like a good time to discuss some draft prospects. Our resident draft expert Bryant has semi-retired from draft scouting, so we won’t have his usual in-depth breakdowns to rely on. So we’re going to do our draft coverage a little differently this year. We’ll present some prospects, share some highlight videos, and share some general thoughts before opening it up to the group. We start with one of my personal favorites, Colorado’s Tristan da Silva.
NBA Position: Wing
General Info: 23-year-old Senior, played at Colorado. From Munich, Germany.
Measurables: 6’8.75″ w/o shoes, 216.8 lbs, reported 6’10.25″ wingspan.
2023-2024 Season Statistics: 16.0PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 1.8 TPG (34 games played, 33.8 minutes per game), 49.3% FG, 39.5% 3P, 83.5% FT
Tristan Da Silva first caught my eye through the most unscientific method possible. Following the draft lottery, I pulled up a couple mock drafts and looked for players with wing size, who were projected to go 10th or later, and shot the 3 at a decent clip. It was simple filtering based on what I want the Kings to add, namely wing depth that fits the team philosophy. And yet, from that simple analysis came a draft crush that I actually believe in. I watched some highlights, and I think that not only would da Silva be a good fit for the Kings, I think he’s also a stereotypical Monte McNair pick. He’s an older player, more developed, more of a finished product. He shoots, he cuts, he hits threes, but he also gets assists, blocks, and steals. He’s an ok but not great defender. I don’t know if da Silva has a higher upside he could continue to grow into, but I feel pretty comfortable predicting that he’ll be a useful NBA player for a long time, and would instantly improve Sacramento’s depth.
Most mock drafts have da Silva going several picks later than 13th. Our friend Brett Huff’s Consensus Big Board (which compiles all the mock drafts out there to give us an average placement among the experts) currently has da Silva slotted 18th, so 13th would be considered a bit of a reach. But in this year’s draft I wouldn’t be shocked by several so-called reaches due to the more level playing field. Most mock drafts, especially with the draft still 3 weeks away, aren’t heavily based on intel from teams. Da Silva’s lack of upside means most experts are going to be hesitant to project him as a lotto pick.
He definitely seems like a player Monte would select. Probably can come in and earn rotational minutes as a backup 3/4 (that position is currently rather thin on the Kings roster).
Dribble/pass/shoot, has wing size, and looks comfortable not being “the guy” when he is on the court. Fills in the gaps of the other 4 players. He would be fine at #13.
What this team needs is another young inexperienced guard.
6’ 8,75” w/o shoes. Sounds like a 4-5 and seems to play like one.
Ok…maybe.
Why not draft a definite PF or got get one?
more of a 2-3 like Huerter.
Highlights look good. But they I don’t see a lowlight clip.
I like the Silva. Think he could compete for a starting perimeter spot if we trade Huerter and/or Barnes. I also love Daron Holmes but not at 13. Wouldn’t mind Bronny in the 2nd either.
IMO we should use the #13 as a trade chip to get a 1 or 2 established player(s). An idea: Huerter, Mitchell, #13 pick and 2 seconds forTre Jones and Zach Collins both backups but very good. The Spurs are looking for a starting caliber point guard like the Hawks Trae Young. Zach Collins have been moved down to a backup center. Both young and can play. Jones as backup point guard to Fox. Very reliable can shoot and has over 6 assists per game. Collins known as a poor man’s Demontas Sabonis would be a really good backup to Sabonis and can also play power forward.
PS Now you are getting a much better bench which we really need. More work to do.
I am all in on using #13 to acquire veteran depth or a veteran starter and think that’s the route Monte will take. Getting rid of Holmes salary last year was the right move, but I hope packaging a lottery pick with Huerter and/or Barnes returns more than just a salary dump this time around.
However, I’m not opposed to using the pick then trading future firsts to acquire a starter or hopefully a star. There are definite benefits to developing a late lottery pick on a team that is closing in on contending.
Sad that Bryant isn’t doing his updates anymore. They were amazing. But thanks for stepping in, Greg. This is a really solid writeup.
The more I look at this draft, the more I hope we package a draft-day trade with something else. I think a lot of the players who will be available could be valuable pieces, and I’m sure one or two will end up surprising. But with where we are now, what we currently have, and what our timeline with Fox and DB are, a number #13 pick in this draft just isn’t what we need–even as well as Monte has picked in the past.
Of course, I’m sure what we could get for some package of Barnes, Kevin, and this pick either, so I’m not much help.
Meant to say valuable bench pieces.
I think of what (potential) current players they can get in trade or with the MLE and BAE, then I look at the prospects that might be there at #13, and wonder why spend more money on a current player that might be replicated by a cheaper draft pick?
For example, Kyle Anderson. Probably a full MLE level player. Is da Silva a better option at $3.9m?
As for packaging the #13 in a trade with with current Kings, do those potential deals make sense? Obviously none of us know what potential deals are out there, so there is that.
Yeah, I mean that always the question. What’s out there and what would it take to get it? I personally believe that Monte has and is trying to add another big piece. It sounds like we’ve swung and missed on several opportunities.
So, yeah, #13 pick is obviously going to be cheaper and in theory offer more upside than a player you could get with the MLE. I just don’t believe that either of those options is going to make a big difference in keeping us in the playoffs longer unless it’s accompanied by a significant trade.
If trading the pick plus pieces isn’t going to get us a difference maker, I trust that Monte can bring back a solid bench player with #13. But if we only make a nice pick, and hopefully bring Monk back, this summer, we’re going to end up right back where we are now next year.
Ideally the #13, Barnes/Huerter or whomever for a much needed upgrade in the starting unit is probably the type of move needed. That deal just has to be out there. If not, then someone like da Silva is a decent backup plan.
OK here is my plan. Have some patience with me. This might be a little complicated but in the long run IMO is a good plan. I have spent quite a bit of time on this.Trade Barnes and Lyles and the 2027 first round pick for Kyle Kuzma. After looking at other players like Michal Bridges or Brandon Ingram and comparing stats contracts fit overall Kuzma comes out the best.If we need to offer a second or two so be it.
Trade Huerter and Mitchell the #13 pick and 2 seconds to the Spurs for Tra Jones and Zach Collins. Jones is an ideal backu.p to Fox, A create passer and comes with over 6 assists a game. Collins is known in some circles as the poor man’s Sabonis. He would be a great backup to Domas and give him more rest especially on back to backs.
If all possible try to rertain Monk if not it is what it is.
With the Kings MLE pick up Jalen Smith. At 24 he can rebound, protect the weakside rim, block shots and stretch the floor and shoot over 40% from 3 point land. Can play either center or power forward. Perfect for what Monty calls flexability. Hasn’t even reached hiss peat.
With Duarte do a sign and trade withn the Hawks to get Shaddiq Bey. We would also include the 2025 second which stands at #26. High second round.Incoming would be 11.6mil. Outgoing would be 5.8mil.(50%)
Starters: Fox, Ellis, Murray, Kuzma and Sabonis. You have both offense and defense. Backups: Tre Jones, Monk, Bey, Smith and Collins. A very good bench.
That’s it. Only negative if we lose Monk. If that happens we still have Colby Jones and Vezenkov in the wings.
Love all the ideas and most seem doable except the Duarte/ Bey one . See no reason the Hawks would want Duarte . I think losing Monk would make Jones/Vezenkov important for success but have zero faith in either . Anyway , Kuzma, Collins and T Jones move the needle .
Totally agree on Smith . Low cost on a potential emerging big . Get him Monte 👍
It isn’t that the Hawks don’t want Duarte because Bey is a free agent this year and getting a player plus a good draft pick should do the trick.
Absolutely love your trade ideas and willingness to change for wins.
In all reality though…who wants Duarte?
The Kings don’t want Duarte.
Neither do the Hawks but because they won’t want to bring Bey back instead of letting him walk they would get back 5.8 mil. a #26 draft pick and a player they can trade latter. I would do this.
I guess?
But can you trade Duarte later?
sure
no thanks. I stopped reading when you suggested trading a future Kings 1st rounder for Kuzma.
I IMO I think getting Kuzma for a first is a good thing. Scores over 20 a game, rebounds really well and that in its self is what we need to help Sabonis. Can attack the basket and help on the weakside rim. Monty really likes him and he has tried to get him for at least 3 years. Almost had him in a Lakers trade. He is the number 1 scorer and go to guy with the Wizards but with the Kings would probably be # 3. Helps Sabonis and takes the pressure off of Murray. Still young and has a really good contract for the next 3 years not like Ingram who we would have maybe 1 year and he’s gone
The more I see Jalen Smith highlights, the more I am convinced he’s the “Naz” player that we need and our dog that fits perfect next to Sabonis. Could be had with our MLE. I was a Jonathan Issacs fan, however, he is fragile. On top of that, go all in for Lavine. Still young, and another bucket getter we need, hopefully, by just giving up a Barnes/Huerter/Davion combination. Keep Monk, but if we lose him, I like Jared McCain for backup PG(poor man J Brunson). If we keep him, then De Silva is a good K Murray backup.
those are different types of players. difficult to compare.
I was just throwing out a name that is a SF/PF who could be a possibility for the Kings to sign.
a 6’9″ shooter is someone to look at.
however, defensively, he’s not physical enough for PF’s (he got bullied by the Boise State wings as a senior), and he is not quick enough to guard the quicker wings. So, on defense that’s not the best fit. Also a below average rebounder despite trying his best and boxing out.
on offense, he would fit, but I’m not sure if he would add anything that Huerter and HB can’t do.
for tall shooters with some question marks on D, I have Baylor Scheierman ranked higher.
One of his comps on The Ringer was Harrison Barnes…
It seems that some combination of Sarr, Topic, Rishashar, Salaun, Clingan, Castle, Sheppard, Dillingham, Holland, Batzulis, Knect and Williams go first 12. At 13, that leaves Carter.-Another young PG.
At 13, there is size: DaSilva is one. Also Ke’el Ware, Filipowski, Edey,and DaRon Holmes.
and some guard options: Collier and Walker.
What to do? I would take any of those listed as top 12 if they drop. I think Carter is the next BPA. But If I wanted size, I would go Filipowski, Ware, Holmes all before DaSilva and Edey not at all.
If 13 can be packed for a starter, then trade but not for vet back up. The low contract payment is just too valuable to lose.
Lots of us want to trade HB, Huerter and Davion and Duarte but somebody has to want them. These are not valuable as expiring contracts and have limited talent value. The top contending teams may want playable assets but don’t have young value in return. The poor teams have lots of stockpiled future picks.
rumor that Carter has a promise from Bulls.
any from those 12 who drop? eh, have you looked at all of them? that was the mistake the Kings front office made when drafting Thomas Robinson. they actually liked a better player – might have been Dame. but they were not expecting Robinson to drop, hadn’t done their homework on him, and …
I don’t think that’s a very accurate portrayal:
The King had Geoff Petrie as GM and Maloofs at owners.
As for Throb, here is a snippet from NBAdraft.net
Overall: Robinson is one of the safer picks around the top of the draft … He has the tools and the work ethic to become an ideal pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop kind of power forward … Once Robinson polishes his post moves and jump shot, he should be a fixture in a team’s starting lineup for a long time … A likely top-5 pick …
The very next season, another player, also from Kansas dropped to Sac at 7th:
Ben McLemore.
Here’s a quote:
Kansas Coach Bill Self described McLemore as the most talented kid he’s ever coached. Impressive considering he had Deron Williams at Illinois
He was slotted as a Top 2 at one point, and his comp was Ray Allen.
The Kings were going to pick Damian Lillard (who went one pick down at 6 to Portland) and not to be outdone by a Jayhawks fumble one year – Sacramento apparently made a promise to CJ McCollum but took the draft dropping Ben McLemore instead, CJ went to the Blazers, and the rest is history.
The draft is speculation. Gambling. The can’t miss player has missed too much too often.
The talent has to match the team. (see Mavericks, Dallas, April-June 2024).
I like the DaSilva comp to Kyle Anderson, and in some respects, Keegan Murray, as a college player.
All of these draft picks are good but anyone of them could be a bust. IMO trade the#13 pick for someone who knows how to play in the NBA and be beneficial for Monty and the Kings. Even if you get one that doesn’t help your starters or even the bench Look at Colby. I really like the guy and a great pick but he doesn’t just start. It’s going to take time. If we wait on lets say this years#13 and it takes at least 2 years to develop that’s 2 more years of Barnes, Huerter
, Mitchell Duarte and your no ccloser than today where you want to be. Use #13 as a trade chip and get an established player now.
blunder after blunder. yippee.
slo-mo was a point forward and stat stuffer. Keegan racked up boards and stocks and could play big.
Tyrese Haliburton dropped…
If Carter has a promise from the Bulls, then good They could pair him with C. White with Ayo as back up. And Caruso. Makes LaVine more expendable.
If Washington drafts Rishashar, (Hawks have to go for Sarr) then Kuzma expendable. Good.
and this means that one of the top 12 drops- but if it does not…………..
Rumor DaRon Holmes has promise from Denver at 28. If Kings trade #13 to Washington, get the #26 back from them. A long guys will be available.
and yes, do the homework fools
How does he compare to the last mid-round wing considered a “safer” pick that the Kings drafted, Justin Jackson? JJ was also billed as an “older” prospect (I think he was 21) who did a bit of everything and could contribute immediately, but had a lower ceiling than younger, more-athletic prospects. Is Da Silva a higher-graded prospect than JJ was? If not, I’d pass.
Excellent point on JJ . Was probably rated higher as leader scorer on highly regarded N.Carolina . As UTQ pointed the sure things aren’t and some stretches are stars . Kings need to hit via draft or trade .
da Silva is a better shooter than JJ. otherwise I get the similarities with that comp.
He’s gonna look great in a Knicks jersey after the Kings trade him at #13 for the the #24 and #25 and pick DaRon Holmes and Tyler Kolek
I’m wondering if the Knicks aren’t about to place J Randall on the bargain rack. If they don’t extend him, he can opt out after the season, and they need to pay O.G., and Hartenstein. Barnes would slot in nicely behind Anunoby. Kings add a pick and another contract to the deal, (Duarte?) Randall would give Sac another “go-to scorer” at less than $30 mil., with this season to evaluate a possible extension.
I’ve thought the same thing but really worry about his fit next to Sabonis and Fox. He’s not a plus defender, is high usage, and takes unwarranted shots.
I’m not a Kuzma fan, but I might prefer Kuzma over Randle in terms of fit.
I agree wth you. IMO Randle would not be a good fit next to Sabonis. Kuzma would.
Numbers are just numbers, but numbers like Randall’s are difficult for me to dismiss. Replacing Barnes’ 12.2/3/1.2 with anything close to Randall’s 24/9.2/5 could definitely move the Kings needle. Kuzma’s not as big, numbers are also good, but not as good, and for a bad team. Randall can play minutes at the 5, much better rebounder, and he had some big scoring games last season before he went out.
They have basically the same height/wingspan, and Randle is listed as being about 25-30 pounds heavier. I see what Randle has done on good teams, and I think he would more of a tough guy/dawg than Kuzma.
Their number are also fairly close, with Randle being the better rebounder and getting more assists. Kuzma also seems like the type of player that just wants to get his numbers, and he appears to be okay with getting those numbers while losing.
The contracts and what it would take to get them is where Monte need to work some magic. Randle makes much more, but might be easier to get. Kuzma makes less but the Wizards are asking way too much for him.
Solid points. All that being said, I don’t think the Kings have the contracts/assets to get him. I’d imagine any offer begins with the #13 along with Barnes/Huerter and filler. It would be a hit to the depth and his contract plus the possibility of retaining Monk pushes the Kings into the tax.
Funny thing is, this is also an accurate description of Kuzma.
Randle has a better TS%, is a much better rebounder and at least has the ability to draw fouls. And is a better passer. Kuz is cheaper, though.
Both are bad fits, IMO.
Why not get a good player instead one that a team is looking to dump?
More scraps hoping they work out better than expected isn’t a plan.
A lot of teams are what you so call dumping. There are a lot of reasons why. Just one. If you are going over the cap or you now have other players you will have to extend or you might be retooling. Many others. Teams who mhave a Kuzma, Ingram, Bridges aren’t really dumping but might be looking to go in a different direction.
Why not get a player the other doesn’t want to lose amid many other teams are pursuing?
OK but if other teams are pursuing then you are competing with them and would probably cost you more.
That is fine. Time to be a real grown up NBA organization.
Because we don’t have the assets to get a good player without gutting our core?
The core isn’t winning. Sabonis is the core. Luxury tax is not against the rules either.
If you want a championship team you aren’t going to get one without spending money. Fringe here fringe there just doesn’t do it.
Agree. Spend money. Only Sabonis is untradeable. Luxury tax is totally ok. Do something to win.
This is how real NBA organizations behave.
Certainly it depends on where GM and Coach see Harrison Barnes.
The trades discussed are to replace him (Kuzma, Jerami Grant) though ideally, he remains on the roster, even if as a first off the bench big, as along with his production, is his leadership. The big bugaboo on Barnes, was his erratic production, the exact thing you use to distinguish bench players from starters – consistency.
And staying with consistency – we saw, understandably, the rise and fall of Keegan Murray this last season. There is little doubt he grew as a player in all aspects of his game, with some high highs (that 47 point outburst on 11 straight 3 pointers (NBA record) was amazing) and some low lows. Every player has that (well, every human player, not the Domas Cyborg) but for the Kings to excel, consistency from the frontcourt, to me, was a big part of the disappointments and frustrations of this last season. Throw Trey Lyles in that grouping.
Should the Kings take the major step of replacing Harrison Barnes with a Kuzma or JGrant, they do so expecting consistency. The question of how this will effect “the growth of Keegan” is secondary. If he can’t grow with better talent around him, we’ve found his level – which is fine (maybe a starter and not a star as we all hope and dream for him to be). It will also only be his 3rd season, plenty of seasons ahead to improve.
Tristan DaSilva or DeRon Holmes are maybe Trey Lyles, IMO. Ideally, Kings package #13, Lyles, Huerter for a starting level athletic, long, strong, PF. I have no idea how they get this mythical player.
This guy reminds me a little of Kevin Martin, minus the funky shooting motion.
Whatever happened to Dalt? I really miss his draft analysis.
Da Silva reminds me of a poor man’s Franz Wagner.
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